How are African Americans treated in the UK?

Question

How are African Americans treated in the UK?

Answer 1

Race relations in the UK are a mixed bag, much more like the USA than France, often confusingly so.

The UK didn't have a significant non-white population until after World War II but British racism in its colonies was rampant and ugly. As an Anglo-Asian I've heard a lot of stories about things like the signs on the Bund (a street in the British controlled part of Shanghai) that read "No dogs or Chinese."

Of course it was also true than many people who would become leaders of their nations during de-colonization were educated in British schools and acquired a very positive view of British society generally. Ghandi, for example, was a London educated lawyer.

In Britain itself there was a generally rejection of racism and the manifestations of racism by American troops stationed in the UK during the war were generally criticized.

Then on June 22, 1948, the freighter, Empire Windrush, docked in England with 492 Jamaican immigrants aboard marking the beginning of the migration of thousands of non-whites from the Imperial colonies and Commonwealth states to Great Britain. An estimated 125,000 West Indians immigrated to Britain between 1951 and 1958.

Attitudes began to change for the worse.

Despite the fact that most of the Blacks arriving in the UK were skilled or semi-skilled labor at a time when there was a labor shortage, the common gossip was that, as Home Secretary Sir David Maxwell Fyfe asserted "large numbers of colored people are living on national assistance or the immoral earnings of white women."  i.e. they were either on welfare or pimps.

Wfhen Britian entered a recssionary period in 1958 things went rapidly downhill. Unions were particularly hostile to Blacks and working class whites developed full blown racism undistinguishable from the worst below the Mason Dixon line redneck.

Notices advertising rentals often read "No coloreds, no dogs, Irish not required."  Blacks were channeled to what were effectively ghettos. Remember the song "Electric Avenue"? That's a street in Brixton, a a heavily nonwhite neighborhood south of the Thames. (Where, oddly enough, Conservative Party Prime Minister John Majors grew up)

There was no legal recourse for Blacks to challenge discrimination based upon race until the Race Relations Act of 1965 attempted to deal with the issue. Even then the powerful politcal influence of Unions made enforcement a farce.

The situation provoked a series of riots in the early 1980's. There were studies done of the causes (much like the Kerner commission in the USA) but little done to implement the suggestions.

Nonetheless, there has been slow but steady progress made and Blacks are far more integrated into British life than are non-whites in France. News presenters, TV stars, sports figures, politically important personages and even one celebrity chef mean that Blacks are visible and respected despite a residue of racism in the general population.

Ironically, as a tourist, you may notice more actual racism in the UK than in France. Historical racism still runs thru British culture and no attempt is made to disquise it. Thus Agatha Christie's novel "Ten Little Indians" is still sold under its original title in England, to wit "Ten Little N******." I recall expressing shock over the title to a clerk at Foyles (the biggest bookstore in London) only to be asked "Why would a wog worry about what we call the Blacks?"  

NB:As an Anglo-Asian I'm referred to as a Wog by some Brits. This is said to be short for "wily oriental gentleman." I find it more funny than insulting.

Answer 2

You should look at how African americans treat white people in America. A whit eman cant go into a "black" club without getting jumped...but a black man has generally no problem in a "white" club. So, who is racist in america? I am a white male and always have black men trying to start c**p with me just because I am white!

Neil, your prolly right, but you should live in America and you would understand my frustrations. African americans are always hollering about racism, when they themselves are more racist than any other race.

Answer 3

CK, that is not at all what she was asking and most likely not the answer she was expecting.  Take that chip on your shoulder and head to a discussion group where you can vent your frustrations.  Your attitude and response are most likely the very reason she's asking this question.

To hopefully answer your question, people of color are treated no differently than anyone eles in the United Kingdom.  Few if any racial barriers exist there and respect breeds respect.

NOW...tell them you're American PERIOD, and you might just get snubbed.

Answer 4

They will just love you there.  They are more accepting and open minded of ethnic minorities than in America... you will love it there because you will be so well treated and accepted.