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All the racists voted for brexit didn't they? That sotto voce dog whistle stuff has been used for far too long in western democracies like the UK and here in A
by smackeyacky 5y ago
All the racists voted for brexit didn't they? That sotto voce dog whistle stuff has been used for far too long in western democracies like the UK and here in Australia.
- mytailorisrich 5y agoThe vast majority of people who voted for Brexit are not racist like the vast majority of people who vote for Le Pen are not racist. I find our reply reductionist and offensive. It illustrates what I was alluding to: they is not attempt to understand the concerns of millions who are just brushed off as 'far right', 'racists', 'uneducated', etc, which only make things worse and can backfire (see Brexit) The debate on key issues has been poisoned. For instance, people are either pro-immigration or they are racist. This is not healthy.
- zozbot234 5y agoRacism is actually relatively uncommon in Europe, but English ethnic nationalism (and yes, I do mean English. E.g. the Scots were far more committed to staying in the EU) was a significant factor in Brexiters' anti-immigrationist stance. Pithily stated, their concern was about having white Polish plumbers around, not about "race" per se.
- mytailorisrich 5y agoEthnicity and country of origin is also racism, which is not just based on skin colour, which seems to be an Americanism. I don't think they minded having a Polish plumber around, the concerns were about numbers and the consequences on communities and on wages. This is similar in France where the concern about immigration is also largely about numbers and the social consequences including on national identity. Very crudely, no-one complains if the corner store is owned by an Algerian family, but people start to have issues when the whole area is 'taken over' and local culture is replaced, not least considering the historical background.
- smackeyacky 5y agoNice. A veiled reference to the great replacement conspiracy theory mixed in with "i have an ethnic friend so couldn't possibly be racist" exceptionalism.
- mytailorisrich 5y agoThis is neither and ridiculous, and sinking into ad hominem attacks. So good luck to you, as I said the debate has been poisoned (also note that I have never expressed my opinion on those issues in this thread)