It has been suggested that over the past 10 years Britain as a whole has become more intolerant and specifically more racist. With Morley recently being in the national press after the publication of the BNP members list it seems an appropriate time to try and confront this question head-on. Please comment with your thoughts on this topic. Tuesday, 2 December 2008
This house proposes that: 'Britain is a Racist Society'.
It has been suggested that over the past 10 years Britain as a whole has become more intolerant and specifically more racist. With Morley recently being in the national press after the publication of the BNP members list it seems an appropriate time to try and confront this question head-on. Please comment with your thoughts on this topic. 
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I think it's clear that there are elements of racism present in British society; the police force has been condemned for being institutionally racist and there is a lot of anecdotal and documented evidence evidence to prove that some police officers hold racist views (such as this from a few years ago).
The number of black and asians MP's, Judges and Teachers probably also suggests that racism exists in wider society, though people are reluctant to admit it.
The rise of far right groups such as the BNP and other despicable organisations (such as the 'British People's Party') and the fact that organisations such as the NF are still around further suggests that racism is still common place in every day society - a lot of people agree with Labour party, or Conservative, policies, though few join the party. If the same holds true for far right groups there may be a lot more racists around than we are willing to admit.
I think that there are genrations or certain sections of society that are racist. This can be shown by the fact that there is increases in memberships of the far right parties like BNP. Also the fact that the police have been condemned as being racist, and the fact there are few minority MPs, Judges, Teachers and Police shows that in the wider community Britain could be called racist.
But there has been increases in the minorities in other careers such as music and TV. This will then give the young black and asians role models, which the actors and musicians didn't have. Having these role models may help to stop the sterotype of violent black and asian thugs.
Racism is prevalent in British life and has been for many years. Britons ties with its empire and slavery has been a major factor in developing its views on other races. It was believed it was our right to bring civilisation to 'those who lacked it'.
Although, racism is around and racist views are shared my many, it is a culture of denial that allows it to continue unchallenged.
Luckily, it does not seem to have a major impact on mainstream politics and never has. It is my belief that it will eventually be grown out and like the society it is in, grow organically. It will never truly be rid, however, through education it should eventually be squeezed like a spot out of British society.
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