Why is British xenophobia/racism targeted against those who were on our side in both Wars?

Question

Quite clearly, our antagonism towards "foreigners", when it exists, is almost exclusively directed against either Afro Caribbeans or those from the Indian sub-continent.

However, in both WWI and WWII citizens from our former colonies fought alongside British troops in a most magnificent way.

In contrast, in the lifetimes of many British citizens alive today, the most unimaginable horrors were perpetrated against us and our allies by the Japanese and Germans, yet our roads are almost choc-a-bloc with Japanese and German cars.

How can this be?

Please give a little thought to the question instead of just trying to be first to answer.

The point, quite obviously to someone with even half a brain, is why is zenophobia/racism directed at those who are essentially British when push comes to shove, whereas we are prepared to forgive and forget and enrich the economies of our former enemies in such a short space of time.

Answer 1

Whilst you are right on the participation of former colonies, its a sad fact that racism and xenophobia doesn't work in a logical manner! The antagonism you describe is based on a difference in colour and culture, and a deep rooted European sense of superiority. It has little to do with any real issues such as support in a war or even "they come over here to take our jobs" which is often cited by morons as a good reason for racism. As for your final point though, to some extent we still show racism against Germany despite buying their cars - there is still very much a 'them and us' feeling, which is resurrected every time England plays Germany at football.

Answer 2

Your statement that British anatagonism towards "foreigners" is almost exclusively directed towards either Afro Caribbeans or those from the Indian sub-continent is highly debatable.

With reference to Japan and Germany, both countries were occupied by United States forces (amongst others) after the war. The United States wished to build these countries up as barriers against Russia and in Japan against China. This led to their economic reorganisation, particularly in Japan which was effectively governed until 1950 by General Macarthur, into firms which proved far more efficient than English enterprises whose management had learned little since the First World War. In addition, because Germany and Japan were forbidden to have large armed forces all their investment could go into economic development. The United States, by contrast, was concerned that the United Kingom should not remain a military rival. Although Britain had been effectively bankrupted by the Second World War defending democracy, the United States gave the UK less generous economic loans than defeated countries, although this is not to deny that it did give Britain very substantial loans and it must be admitted that they were badly invested by British governments (particularly the Conservatives under the senile Churchill between 1951 and 1955). On the other hand, Britain was led into huge expenditure on assisting military ventures such as the Korean War and the Cold War.

Answer 3

Xenophobia and racism stem from ignorance, intolerance, prejudice and fear. I seriously doubt that people who are xenophobes and racists will stop at Afro-Caribbeans and Indians despite of their contribution to our society…

As for the goods we use – we tend to go for the best. It is also quite unhealthy to linger over the past for too long and not to be able to forgive and move ahead…

We have moral stands that we use when we feel strongly about certain subjects. There was quite a lot of opposition to SA goods during the apartheid. I know that, as much as I like tuna, I’d never buy tuna fish that has not been caught in a way that was not dolphin friendly…

So it’s a matter of:
*appreciating difference and being tolerant
*learning our lessons from history but keeping an open mind for the future
*having moral grounds and applying those in our everyday life

Answer 4

I find it quite amazing how a generation of adults born from people who participated/witnessed the last world war can perpetrate the kind of inflamitary remarks against other creeds and religions to an extent that the next generation believes all the hype.
EDUCATION is required to break down these boundaries and to promote the intergration of other races. This is ,after all, what made Britain 'Great'. By incorporating Danes, Romans, the French in the last 2000 years as well as establishing the commonwealth and America. By accepting the differences, surely we can only benefit from the diversity of mankind.
The press is to blame for so much anti semitism and can only be regarded as detestable as to their behaviour regarding imflaming the public with ideas that encourage civil unrest between i.e. muslims and 'the rest of the world' as well as others.

Answer 5

Racism is really ignorance and fear. Ignorance of the culture and fear from what is seen as different.
Xenophobia is created through fear and is most often used by government to control people. During WW1 and WW2 the Germans were depicted as sub human animals to be exterminated. This helped the conscription process when volunteers ran short. If the givernment want us to 'like' a country, in cooperation with the popular media, it will portray the country in a positive light. If they want us to 'dislike' a country we will be fed negative images. We now like the germans! Whats changed?
Recently I watched BBC report on North Korea. Words such as 'Dictator, mad, boufant hair and high heeled shoes, 1984 society' etc were used. I suspect we have more cameras on the streets in the UK than in North Korea.
People are neither rascist nor xenophobic without external influences working on them. Primary school kids aren't normally until they are educated.

Answer 6

The question's based on a false premise Ron. The Gurkhas, for example have heroic status among the British. Also, during WW2, British women would quite happily date black American servicemen. My mother can remember publicans in the 40s, telling white American soldiers that they refuse to operate a colour-bar with the words; ''you aint in Alabama now son, I'll serve whoever I bleedin' well like''.
A much better question would be; why do some people attempt to turn every issue into an excuse to accuse us Brits of being racist scum ? that's the real bigotry here !
Could it possibly be based on the chattering-classes' self-loathing Ron ?

Answer 7

A very good question , I suppose it is because the links created by us becoming allies allowed large numbers to arrive on our shores in bulk , because of this people were not integrated into our society but rather left to create their own communities , people i suspect object to having what are effectively foreign areas within our own towns .

People are naturally curios about anything unusual and don't as a general rule avoid or dislike strangers , so i would say the problem relates ultimately to numbers because large numbers make people feel threatened rather than inquisitive .

Answer 8

The Poles fought on our side in WWII. Many Polish pilots gave their lives in the Battle of Britain for which we will be eternally grateful.

I don't feel any antagonism to Poland or its people.

I just get pissed off when they flood over here and take jobs from a country which is already struggling to provide employment for all its people. I wish they could go somewhere else.

Answer 9

Having read this item over the weekend ( see first link below ) they'll probably do nothing. The politicians will be saying one thing publicly & something entirely different privately. Trade & diplomatic ties will supersede everything as per. Second link is an opinion blog. I agree with most of what's said the Middle-East wouldn't be a problem if politicians had shown a bit of backbone spoken out stopping israel & her illegal expansion ,over the years. It wouldn't have come to this.

Answer 10

We can choose the goods that we wish to buy, but we have no say when it comes to immigration. No one asked me if I wanted to live in a multi-racial country! If these people are so hard working and industrious then let them prove it, by making something of the fly-blown **** holes, that they are running away from instead of jumping in on the economies that others have worked hard to build up! Strange too, that when they are here they are always very proud to be Pakistanies etc. Open your eyes!