How everyday racism works in the UK — British Asian perspective

In 2024, overt racism is highly unlikely. It’s a societal taboo and they know they’ll be punished. However, this does not mean racism has gone. It’s just become subtle and it is everyday you are reminded you are different.

As Asians we have to constantly prove our humanity ; every time we meet someone new we don’t know what stereotypes they’ll have of us and we have to prove them wrong.

We don’t have the white privilege of being seen as an individual. The media has portrayed us in a 2D way and has seemed to have forgotten that we live full lives.

To be asked everyday where you’re from or to get people just assuming they know your entire background/religion based on how you look is exhausting.

We get constant stereotypical questions and what is more annoying is other Asians who do this — people who should know how dehumanising it is to have assumptions based on how you look.

Immigrants who come over here should respect and learn about us. They are literally foreigners to our country so if I say I am British and you, as an immigrant, don’t accept that — that is nasty and the height of arrogance.

We do not have the white privilege of being able to go abroad and being seen as British.

This is the subtleties of racism and considering the PM is British Asian it is pretty ignorant.

Our names are a big one too. Every single time I introduce myself its tiring. I am not blaming anyone, my name is foreign but what is unacceptable is people just guessing my name and getting it wrong and not even asking — which happens more than you can believe. We’d all rather you just ask and try to make the effort.