Chef - describes a visit to Leicester "as one of the most frightening experiences of my life".

[Guest]

People always think the grass is greener. Leicester is a very pleasant city with a lot of nice buildings. It should be celebrated for its multicultural harmony.

Good point about older people being more racist, that should mean that racism takes another big step backwards in Britain in about 20 or 30 years.

[Captain...]

This has been a fun little thread to read, although I think I could have predicted 80% of the posters and their responses.

As for Leicester, is it the best city in England? No where near, but is it the worst? Not even close. Compared to the rest of the world I would put it in the top 5% of cities worldwide, there truly are thousands and thousands of worse places to live in this world than Leicester City, I would also say there are some very very nice areas of Leicestershire.

Leicester is a fairly unremarkable city and its most distinguishing feature is its multi-culturality, and so it is no surprise an attention seeking self publicist would seek to exploit that to sell a book, it is just a shame she decided to use a negative stereotype rather than a positive one, of which there are plenty.

Not really got much more to say on it, other than this chef has just basically taking trolling outside of the internet making inflammatory comments about places which she knew would get a reaction and help publicise her and her book, but knew were not serious enough to actually be considered offensive and a "hate crime" and giving herself enough leeway to wriggle out of it by using purely anecdotal evidence to back up her views.

[notnow john]

This has been a fun little thread to read, although I think I could have predicted 80% of the posters and their responses.

As for Leicester, is it the best city in England? No where near, but is it the worst? Not even close. Compared to the rest of the world I would put it in the top 5% of cities worldwide, there truly are thousands and thousands of worse places to live in this world than Leicester City, I would also say there are some very very nice areas of Leicestershire.

Leicester is a fairly unremarkable city and its most distinguishing feature is its multi-culturality, and so it is no surprise an attention seeking self publicist would seek to exploit that to sell a book, it is just a shame she decided to use a negative stereotype rather than a positive one, of which there are plenty.

Not really got much more to say on it, other than this chef has just basically taking trolling outside of the internet making inflammatory comments about places which she knew would get a reaction and help publicise her and her book, but knew were not serious enough to actually be considered offensive and a "hate crime" and

giving herself enough leeway to wriggle out of it by using purely anecdotal evidence to back up her views.

Thought that was what you would say.

[Guest MattP]

People always think the grass is greener. Leicester is a very pleasant city with a lot of nice buildings. It should be celebrated for its multicultural harmony.

Good point about older people being more racist, that should mean that racism takes another big step backwards in Britain in about 20 or 30 years.

Do people actually still believe this? The youth seems far more racist today than when I was at school.

3 of the more senior posters here are Nick, Daggers and Purple Ronnie, ever seen a Socialist Worker anti-racism gathering? It's just the old Thatcher lot thinking they are still in 1981.

It's an absolute myth the elderdy are more racist, how a look at the demographic of the BNP vote from polls people take towards elections. Read some of the opinions of young Muslims in any Islamic magazine.

[davieG]

People always think the grass is greener. Leicester is a very pleasant city with a lot of nice buildings. It should be celebrated for its multicultural harmony.

Good point about older people being more racist, that should mean that racism takes another big step backwards in Britain in about 20 or 30 years.

Do people actually still believe this? The youth seems far more racist today than when I was at school.

3 of the more senior posters here are Nick, Daggers and Purple Ronnie, ever seen a Socialist Worker anti-racism gathering? It's just the old Thatcher lot thinking they are still in 1981.

It's an absolute myth the elderdy are more racist, how a look at the demographic of the BNP vote from polls people take towards elections. Read some of the opinions of young Muslims in any Islamic magazine.

I'm not sure what it even means, does it mean if you're old and a racist you'll be more extreme with your racist views than a young racist or I'm guessing it means there's more of the older generation that are racists.

As an oldie I find that quite offensive and I'd like to see the evidence, none of my contemporaries are racist not to my knowledge, yes they're more likely to be wary and even afraid of change and Leicester has certainly changed but that doesn't make them racists, they're just as likely to be wary of new technology, fast cars on the road, overly complex form filling for practically anything in life, having multiple suppliers of energy, water and transport or any other aspect of life that has changed dramatically from when they were young.

[Captain...]

Do people actually still believe this? The youth seems far more racist today than when I was at school.

3 of the more senior posters here are Nick, Daggers and Purple Ronnie, ever seen a Socialist Worker anti-racism gathering? It's just the old Thatcher lot thinking they are still in 1981.

It's an absolute myth the elderdy are more racist, how a look at the demographic of the BNP vote from polls people take towards elections. Read some of the opinions of young Muslims in any Islamic magazine.

My Gran's racist, and she's old, that's your theory completely disproved.

It depends on what you mean by racist really, old people, like my Gran, just don't like foreigners, any foreigners, she has never left the country and never will, and doesn't really see anything wrong with it, despite continuously reminding her you can't say the things she says.

Younger people are more aware of what they are saying, and hide their racism and disguise it as anti-immigration and politically motivated and only want what is good for the country. This is part of the problem, all racists want tighter immigration laws and more jobs for the English, and greater protection of English society and to remove the ghettoisation of certain areas of our country, make the country a better place by removing those unwanted elements that we can.

The problem is that not everyone who has those views is a racist, there are many ways we could improve the immigration policies in this country and there are certainly a lot of problems caused by a lack of integration and whole communities segregating themselves from the area this all needs to be looked at and tackled, but there is a fear of doing so as it could be seen as pandering to the BNP/EDL types, ad having any serious discourse on the subject will normally end in political mudslinging and accusations of racism.

[Rincewind]

I'm in my 60's and do not consider myself racist although I know people about 10 years older and they have a negative view of non-whites. This may be because they were teenagers in the 50's when the first West Indians came here and have seen all sort of races arrive. They have seen many changes in Leicester and look back at their early life with some affection.

During tough times and recessions there seems to be the need to find someone to blame. Not just the UK but the world over.

Immigrants and other cultures are an easy target. I don't think they are worse or better than anyone else. There are negative aspects as well as positive. I try not to judge people by stereotyping their race or culture. That my have something to do with my own background. At times I have been singled out for my appearance and so am more able to speak out against certain things which I consider to be unfair.

I am very interested in human sociology relating to how people are conditioned according to where they were born and the people that they have mixed with during their life. No one is born a racist but depending on their parents, friends schooling and workplace and where they live this can change.

The TV chef was doing what many others have done but with less knowledge and experience of living in Leicester. Her thoughts can easily be dismissed as ignorance.

Agree with the Captain. One of the older mates I mentioned has only just considered having a go on a computer. He has always avoided them as he has said he never trusted them or direct debits preferring to pay cash so has to queue up in the bank to draw money out to go shopping. I know people that complain about some banks doing away with paying in books. This technology started to arrive when I was in my prime 70's and 80's. I could not wait to get one of the first home PC's. I was about 30 I think so pefect age to adapt.

[lavrentis]

I'm in my 60's and do not consider myself racist although I know people about 10 years older and they have a negative view of non-whites. This may be because they were teenagers in the 50's when the first West Indians came here and have seen all sort of races arrive. They have seen many changes in Leicester and look back at their early life with some affection.

During tough times and recessions there seems to be the need to find someone to blame. Not just the UK but the world over.

Immigrants and other cultures are an easy target. I don't think they are worse or better than anyone else. There are negative aspects as well as positive. I try not to judge people by stereotyping their race or culture. That my have something to do with my own background. At times I have been singled out for my appearance and so am more able to speak out against certain things which I consider to be unfair.

I am very interested in human sociology relating to how people are conditioned according to where they were born and the people that they have mixed with during their life. No one is born a racist but depending on their parents, friends schooling and workplace and where they live this can change.

The TV chef was doing what many others have done but with less knowledge and experience of living in Leicester. Her thoughts can easily be dismissed as ignorance.

Top post

[Reynard Bleu]

My Grandad hated the Japanese. Today some of his comments and beliefs would be termed racist by most.

[Rincewind]

I would assume your grandad was around during WW2 and had bad experiences related to the Japenese. His views relate more to his memory than to logic.

[Guest]

When I said racist I meant dislikes non-whites, don't want them in the country, don't want them having sex with their daughters etc...

A lot of my father's generation think like this. You don't have to be BNP to be a "mild" racist.

[Vacamion]

don't want them having sex with their daughters etc...

Most fathers don't want any lad of any race yagging their daughters...

[Guest MattP]

When I said racist I meant dislikes non-whites, don't want them in the country, don't want them having sex with their daughters etc...

A lot of my father's generation think like this. You don't have to be BNP to be a "mild" racist.

Fair enough, I'm sure millions of people agree with some things said in that paragraph of all races.

[Webbo]

Most fathers don't want any lad of any race yagging their daughters...

Very true.

[Guest MattP]

My Gran's racist, and she's old, that's your theory completely disproved.

It depends on what you mean by racist really, old people, like my Gran, just don't like foreigners, any foreigners, she has never left the country and never will, and doesn't really see anything wrong with it, despite continuously reminding her you can't say the things she says.

Younger people are more aware of what they are saying, and hide their racism and disguise it as anti-immigration and politically motivated and only want what is good for the country. This is part of the problem, all racists want tighter immigration laws and more jobs for the English, and greater protection of English society and to remove the ghettoisation of certain areas of our country, make the country a better place by removing those unwanted elements that we can.

The problem is that not everyone who has those views is a racist, there are many ways we could improve the immigration policies in this country and there are certainly a lot of problems caused by a lack of integration and whole communities segregating themselves from the area this all needs to be looked at and tackled, but there is a fear of doing so as it could be seen as pandering to the BNP/EDL types, ad having any serious discourse on the subject will normally end in political mudslinging and accusations of racism.

Great post, I would have repped that but I've ran out.

[cambridgefox]

My grandad had an operation a few years back after n aneurysm that nearly killed him.

He took a shine to one of the nurses who was black,now he is 92 got his marbles not racist but uneducated and confused in the correct way to call someone of a different race.My god I was shocked,he has a booming voice and cannot whisper to save his life,I have never been so embarrassed he used a shortened version of the N word,after I hauled him over the coals and told him he must not say that he used something equally as bad to her face at the same time as telling her how attractive she was and if only he was 60 years younger and only wanted her to help him in he hospital.i apologised but to be honest I think he knew he meant well.needless to say he is still with my nan.

[Kitchandro]

When I said racist I meant dislikes non-whites, don't want them in the country, don't want them having sex with their daughters etc...

A lot of my father's generation think like this. You don't have to be BNP to be a "mild" racist.

That's a good way of putting it.

My grandparents are the same, they're politically incorrect at best about black people (they've got a black neighbour, it's like being in a sitcom round their caravan). But they really don't like Asians, laying into them all the while, whenever the cricket is on for example, they often sound like this chef. And they're generally very nationalistic and anti-foreigners.

They're not going to join or vote for the BNP, but they're undoubtedly racist quite a lot. It's sort of passive racism, if you like.

I think there's a steretype that a lot of old people are like this, and there is some truth in it, as 'back in their day' attitudes were obviously very different, and it was normal for people to talk like this.

[Rincewind]

I think some of the older generation (yes even older than me) can be excused as they come from a generation where it was natural to use certain words. But time has moved on. There is better education and more knowledge about cultural differences which should be accepted more. The world is a smaller place in this respect.

I remember years ago one of my cousins who I have not seen since the 70's admitting he was racist. Regarding football he said white ones were much better. Pele was a rare exception. Think it was early days for UK black players. He said it was wrong for them to be on the same pitch as the whites.

He had spent time in South Africa so was used to having a 'boy' at his beckon call. I tried not to raise the subject with him as he was so stuck in his ways and would never listen to an opposite POV.

It was this type of attitude that turned me the opposite way as I found it sickening to hear.

[Carl the Llama]

I think some of the older generation (yes even older than me) can be excused as they come from a generation where it was natual to use certain words. But time has moved on. There is better education and more knowledge about cultural differences which should be accepted more. The world is a smaller place in this respect.

To an extent in any case: My grandma talking about how "awful it is that Mosques are built in this country" isn't excusable for instance. My mum referring to a black person as coloured is excusable since it's what used to be considered PC until everyone realised how retarded that was. I've called her on it enough times for her to have stopped making that particular faux pas now mind.

[Guest MattP]

To an extent in any case: My grandma talking about how "awful it is that Mosques are built in this country" isn't excusable for instance. My mum referring to a black person as coloured is excusable since it's what used to be considered PC until everyone realised how retarded that was. I've called her on it enough times for her to have stopped making that particular faux pas now mind.

Saying you think Mosques shouldn't be built in this country 'isn't excusable'? What would do to people who say it in public then?

Have you been reading the Morning Star?

[BoneDog]

I'm pretty sure the first mosque was built in the UK in the 1700's. It might have been the 1800's but was a long time ago.

Heard a report about it on the World Service one night.

[Guest MattP]

I'm pretty sure the first mosque was built in the UK in the 1700's. It might have been the 1800's but was a long time ago.

Heard a report about it on the World Service one night.

Yeah I'm not debating anything like that I'm just wondering why it's unacceptable to say you wouldn't want one built.

I'm a militant athiest and wouldn't want any Mosques, Churches, Synagogues, Temples built and I would hope I'd be allowed to say it in public without being told it's unacceptable or even potentially censurable.

[Rincewind]

Woking 1889

http://www.shahjahanmosque.org.uk/

[Rincewind]

I'm an atheist too and dont want religious houses but would not say I don't want a Mosque because Muslims go there andit's a C of E country which is where it may be wrong.

[Guest MattP]

Woking 1889

http://www.shahjahanmosque.org.uk/

What a lovely building that is.

Who said our standards have slipped over time?

I'm an atheist too and dont want religious houses but would not say I don't want a Mosque because Muslims go there andit's a C of E country which is where it may be wrong.

What?