What is it?
Racism is when someone is discriminated against (singled out) because of their race, the colour of their skin, their nationality, their accent or first language, or their ethnic or national origin. Racism is a hate crime, and is illegal.
Racism factoid Each year ChildLine receives over 500 calls and letters about racist bullying. Childline.org.uk
Is it common?
Well it's not rare. Nationally, the police recorded 50,000 racially or religiously motivated hate crimes in 2006. The British Crime Survey, which picks up crimes that aren't reported to police, indicated that there were actually 260,000 such offences last year. Soure: Home Office
I'm not sure if I'm the victim of racism or just paranoid
Hate crime can include physical attacks, offensive grafitti, the threat of attack, verbal abuse and bullying at school. The police's definition of a hate crime is: 'Any incident, which constitutes a criminal offence, which is perceived by the victim or any other person as being motivated by prejudice or hate.' So in short, if you think it's racism, it is racism.
What can I do?
If you or someone you know is the victim of racism…
- Don't try and get back at the racist/s: you could get hurt or even get into trouble with the police yourself.
- Do tell someone about it. Racists should not be allowed to get away with it. If there's an adult you trust, ask for their help. Your school should have a policy on how to deal with racist bullying.
- Or you can go straight to the police. If you don't want to walk into a police station, there are many ways you can report a crime – you can even do it online or anonymously. The Home Office Reporting a Crime website explains your options.
Written by Ali Cronin
Last updated 17th June 2007
Further help and advice
- Commission for Racial Equality (CRE): info and advice for people who think they've suffered racial discrimination or harassment
- TheSite.org: Info on hate crime
- Home Office website: Info on hate crime
- Or call ChildLine on 0800 1111 (free) or The Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 (cost of a local call) 24/7 to talk about your problems.
Disclaimer: Thee BBC cannot be held responsible for the content of external websites
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Keeley, 18
There are many levels of racism and alot of people are racist. Some people may not mean to be but refering to someone by the colour of their skin is being racist alone. It happens on a day to day basis that the terms 'white people' or 'black people' or 'asain people' are used and because society uses these terms we aren't helping to overcome rasism just making it okay for people to hear the way we refer to others and think its okay. A prime example would be and afican american person using the word 'nigger' which is inappropriate even if the way they are usinging it is not meant to be an insult it would be taken differently if a cork-asain person or someone of any other race used the term. There is no need for terms to be used but unless the world on a whole is educated it wont be stoped and it will continue to get worse. The question is do we really want to live in a society that cant get over something as immaterial as the colour of someones skin when there are bigger problems to face something so worry about the colour of someones skin or not thinkihng before you speak seems so trivial.
Chris,, 19
Racism is totally debatable. There are times in which this country have gone too far to help ethnic minorities, we talk about equality and diversity but in the government and various association trying to cover their back from these new acts protecting these minorities the nationals are forgotten. If you are a Muslim woman and require treatment from a GP you can request an appointment out of hours so that your husband can attend with you - So what if you're a working class single mother needing an appointment out with work hours or you have been told you may lose your income due to the time off suddenly out equality is shattered as the companies are not quite as accommodating for their nationals. I don't believe in racism and I would like to believe that everyone is equal but it is far too naive an outlook to have in 21century Britain.More than that alone, I do feel that respect should work both ways. If I am expected to respect someone's culture, and will more than gladly do so, I expect the same in return.
Kylie, 13
Racisim is just totaly WRONG!!! If I was the prime minister of England, the first thing I would do would be to arrest people for racism
Charlotte, 15
Racism is appaling and i believe everyone is equal.
Hannah, 14
It is soo stupid!! We have to stop it totally!!
Jemma, 14
I think racism is disgusting you should not judge somebody by the colour of thier skin !! Its like if you came into school with a costume on of a black person you would definatley get discriminated !! its sick and disgusting !!!! We have got to stop it now!
onelife
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