No, Brexit Britain is not racist hell

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Day after day we were told Brexit Britain was racist hell. We hear that systemic racism corrupts all of our institutions. This xenophobia is spreading unchecked, leaving ethnic minority Britons in a constant state of fear. But a new report reveals that the UK is a shock, a horror! a tolerant and welcoming nation, which many ethnic minorities are happy to call home.

Released by think tank British Future to mark the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the HMT Empire Windrush, the study shows that nearly 70% of ethnic minority Britons believe the UK has made significant progress in on racial equality over the past quarter of a year. century. In addition, 80% think the UK is a better place to live as a member of an ethnic minority than countries like the US, Germany or France.

These numbers should come as no surprise. For those who have bothered to look, Britain has long outperformed most major EU member states, from Germany to Spain, in protection against discrimination based on race, l ethnicity and religious beliefs. Indeed, according to the Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX), UK minorities can rely on some of the strongest equality bodies in the world.

Compare the situation in Great Britain with that in France, for example. The French state’s commitment to lacit (a strict form of secular universalism) means that even the smallest forms of minority ethnic and religious expression are frowned upon. At times this has contributed to the alienation of its minority citizens. In addition, racial and ethnic segregation is a serious problem, especially in urban areas. Some politicians and commentators, referring to the suburbs of the suburbs of Paris, talk about the existence in France of territorial, social and ethnic apartheid.

Ethnic minorities do not fare much better in Germany. The far right is still present and there have been several far right terrorist attacks in recent years. Moreover, anti-Semitism continues to exert a pernicious influence on daily life in Germany. In the last three months of 2022 alone, hundreds of anti-Semitic crimes have been recorded.

Britain has clearly made huge strides in racial equality. But there is still work to be done. According to the British Future report, two in three members of the public believe the UK needs to make much more progress on racial discrimination over the next 25 years.

For example, there must be improvements in the labor market. Several researches have shown that job applications from people with culturally distant names (particularly Muslim-sounding ones) consistently fare worse than those with traditional English-sounding names, despite all gaining similar qualifications. and similar levels of work experience. Efforts should also be made to overcome discrimination in the private rental housing sector. And our health care system must become more efficient and meet the needs of an increasingly diverse population.

The UK also faces other challenges. With ethnic segregation at an all-time low in England and Wales, last year’s Leicester riots showed that social cohesion, if neglected, can still crumble with devastating consequences.

In addition, public confidence in the police in many areas of inner city England, particularly London, is at an all time low. As Baroness Casey’s recent study revealed, discriminatory behavior within the police persists. Moreover, the British political classes have yet to make amends for the Windrush scandal, which has caused incalculable damage to institutional trust between black communities in the Caribbean.

Nevertheless, the significant progress Britain has made in recent decades on issues of race and equality still gives us much to be proud of. It is a tolerant society, with a strong sense of fair play. Ignoring this progress does not help anyone.

Rakib Ehsan is the author of the forthcoming book, Beyond Grievance, which is available for pre-order on Amazon.

To inquire about republishing enriched content, a right of reply, or to request a correction, please contact the editor, Viv Regan.

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