Unconscious racism

I was with some friends some time ago when the subject of immigrants came up. Some of my friends objected to immigrants, when I pointed out that I’m an immigrant too. The response: “But that’s different, you’re white and you speak English.” I was shocked that these friends had no idea that they were unconsciously racist. If I were black and spoke perfect English would that have made a difference?

As a white woman, I have also experienced racism - from other whites. I was born in Northern Ireland and, as a teen, moved to England. Two teachers in my new school and several teens in my new area were very racist toward me: because I was born in Ireland I therefore “came from the bogs and had pigs in the kitchen and hens under the bed.” So - racism, anyone?

Valerie Derks

Deer Park