Sad But True…

28 Jun 2016 152 Comments

by Ritu in Children, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: , , , , , , ,

Britain seems to be losing its Great…

I didn’t ever think I would be at the receiving  end… (don’t know why) but today I experienced my first Brexit fuelled racist verbal abuse. .. surrounded by 3-4 year olds who were subjected to an f-word fuelled tirade…by a large -bottle of -cider-swigging gentleman in Margate.  

Lovely. 

A child had chucked a stone up and narrowly missed him. I understand his frustration and had this child’s mother seen him, it wouldn’t have happened. 

But you know, kids will be kids. 

He started by shouting that “You lot should keep an eye on your kids. He nearly hit me with a rock! ”  then, seeing me and another Indian mother, said “And why don’t you go back where you came from!” 

The other surrounding parents, my class’s lovely parents, were predominantly English by chance. 

That’s it!  

They were on the case straight away! 

“What you talking about. We’re All English here!” 

That started him off f-ing and blinding, with no care whose innocent ears he was offending. 

A Bay Attendant was there and he saw the whole thing, went up to this lovely gentleman then came down to us apologising. 

He was aware of the stone throwing but was appalled at the man’s language.

Obviously  it was not a good place to sit and drink cider… he moved on.

All I shall say is “Britain, where’s the Great?”

152 Comments (+add yours?)

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  2. jacquelineobyikocha
    Jul 20, 2016 @ 08:23:50

    Some people are so rotten, it’s unbelievable how they behave. Sorry about the nasty experience.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  3. Damita M-S
    Jul 16, 2016 @ 17:15:27

    I’m so sorry you had to experience that. I’m glad you are okay.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  4. Thumbup
    Jul 05, 2016 @ 16:13:11

    How scary and awful!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  5. Helen Jones
    Jul 01, 2016 @ 13:54:42

    So so sorry, like all the commenters here, that you had to experience this, Ritu. It breaks my heart. This was once a great country, and I think many people who voted leave did so in the belief that that would be all it took to make Britain ‘great’ again. Yet all it has done is sow chaos, uncertainty and the ugliness of bigotry. I do hope your week has improved xx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. arv!
    Jul 01, 2016 @ 08:51:49

    Certainly things are not in right spirit. Breaking away from Euro should not spark racist and neo -nazi attacks. The biggest loser would be UK only!

    Like

    Reply

  7. Yvonne Payne
    Jul 01, 2016 @ 07:12:43

    How sad. This is one post I can’t ‘like’. The vile man blighted your day but gave others an opportunity to show how they feel. X

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  8. Rajiv
    Jun 30, 2016 @ 09:08:30

    If Scotland opts out, you may have to call it ‘Great England’!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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  10. lbeth1950
    Jun 29, 2016 @ 19:36:34

    That is rotten!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  11. cocosangel
    Jun 29, 2016 @ 19:06:30

    I am so sorry for what happened Ritu. In fact I heard that from several people and from Youtube, how people are being bullied for not being English, whereas those people are. It is sad. Hugs dear friend.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  12. Fourth Generation Farmgirl
    Jun 29, 2016 @ 18:30:52

    So sorry you all had to experience such rude and inappropriate behavior. I hope things improve soon.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  13. The Champa Tree
    Jun 29, 2016 @ 12:30:11

    Oh! No, BTW, hello. Been long! So in the middle of it all, what are your thoughts on Brexit?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  14. Prajakta
    Jun 29, 2016 @ 12:08:00

    I am so sorry that you had to go through this 😦 I hope this is the first and the last. I have been closely following the racist turn this “campaign” has taken and it is horrifying to see the slurs passed on to “alien” people. WTF! For once, I think I would not have minded my language either.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  15. Tony Burgess
    Jun 29, 2016 @ 08:07:22

    How sad. The brazen racism in the UK after the Brexit vote is astonishing. Immigrants have made great contributions to the nation’s way of life. Ignorance and fear are two powerful things.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  16. CC
    Jun 29, 2016 @ 07:05:37

    Ritu,
    I am so very terribly sorry you had this experience. I know this was one of your fears. But, as you said, that is your country. My hope is that your country will feel safe and as much like your country to you as it once did. As it should.
    You have stayed in my thoughts and will continue.
    Love to you, CC

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  17. pranabaxom
    Jun 29, 2016 @ 06:51:51

    https://goo.gl/photos/xR4iS9CPd493c6Pi7
    Brexit and Brenter – Larry Wilmore on who really asked for Brexit – India… Great segment!

    Enjoy!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  18. Army of Angels
    Jun 29, 2016 @ 02:20:02

    Sad and pathetic people…they are everywhere, and unfortunately, getting attention for their bad behavior! Stay strong and keep standing for all that is good💜

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  19. The Pink Agendist, née Mr. Merveilleux
    Jun 29, 2016 @ 01:07:40

    You need to get a Flamenco dress. We, the beige people, are generally accepted if we can tap dance and scream Ole at the end 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  20. Josh Wrenn
    Jun 28, 2016 @ 23:05:21

    Rita, I’m so sorry. I wish people would’ve realized that when they vote for a position sold on hate, even if they don’t hate, they embolden those who do and it has very real consequences on very real people.

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

  21. vanbytheriver
    Jun 28, 2016 @ 23:02:41

    It’s in the air, and I’m so sorry. sigh…. Be thankful for all the support you received by the folks who mattered. ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  22. Persia Karema
    Jun 28, 2016 @ 22:30:48

    Love to you Ritu. I won’t go into it, but there is no excuse for such behaviour whatsoever. People were steaming about certain things what with being in the EU. The PC stuff and all. Now with the Brexit, they are unleashing their frustration and anger in completely the wrong way. I hope this ‘boiling pot’ simmers down really soon, so we can all work together, not against each other. You’re fabulous darling, and don’t you forget that. xo

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  23. MindandLifeMatters
    Jun 28, 2016 @ 21:50:38

    That’s awful! I hope that the cider swigging gentleman is no representation of the country’s majority!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Ritu
      Jun 28, 2016 @ 22:02:15

      No, I fear he is part of a minority which has just loosened its tongue because of a false confidence in the Brexit vote to Leave….
      But the thing is the actions of a minority can tarnish the image of a minority… As we all know full well…

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  24. Al Lane
    Jun 28, 2016 @ 21:37:00

    I’m sorry that you had to go through this, Ritu (especially after saying this morning that you feared this sort of behaviour). I would offer two observations here:
    1) a cider-swigging drunk is no representation of anything, however unpleasant they are in the moment, and whatever the political background is; and
    2) that those around you were so quick to jump in to your aid. That is how I like to think of Britain, and that’s what keeps us great (small “g”)

    Hugs x

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  25. syl65
    Jun 28, 2016 @ 21:31:01

    The ignorant have no eyes or ears and especially no brain Sister 😕

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  26. freyathewriter
    Jun 28, 2016 @ 21:21:24

    Horrible, horrible, horrible. I have been on the receiving end of abuse in my time. It’s frightening and shakes you to the core. I’m sos sorry to read this.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  27. willowdot21
    Jun 28, 2016 @ 21:11:48

    Well so sorry to hear this Ritu it is sad bad and inexcusable, sorry that you had to cope with this on what should of been a lovely day out !

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  28. Judy Martin
    Jun 28, 2016 @ 20:46:41

    What a disgusting idiot this piece of excrement is! I am hoping that it has nothing to do with Brexit as this just adds fuel to the already raging fire!
    To hurl sickening racist abuse is bad enough, but to do so in front of young children is beyond contempt! I am really sorry that this happened to you Sis, it is inexcuseable

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Ritu
      Jun 28, 2016 @ 21:31:13

      Thanks for the support sis.
      It’s a shame but it seems that thoughts that were kept well hidden seem to have received the oil they needed to squeeze out from some mouths.
      I was horrified that he could do that In Front of kids.
      But, I LOVE my class parents! Yay for them! My mummy’s brigade in full force!!!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  29. Chris White
    Jun 28, 2016 @ 20:19:33

    Hello, Ritu. That is a shame. These things shake you up. Sorry.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  30. Steve
    Jun 28, 2016 @ 19:41:09

    That’s shocking. It’s scary how people have turned in the last few days.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Ritu
      Jun 28, 2016 @ 21:19:17

      It’s horrible Steve. Honestly, I have never ever felt anything but British. I was born here, and brought up here. So,when things like this happen, I feel even more shocked! You know, I don’t speak with a funny accent, I speak like the average English person. But I’m a little more tanned. I’m still British though!!!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      • Steve
        Jun 28, 2016 @ 21:33:10

        I just don’t get why people don’t like other people as people and always have to see something else. Ignorance!

        Liked by 1 person

      • Ritu
        Jun 28, 2016 @ 21:40:38

        The strange workings of humans eh…! I don’t know either… No one is better or worse, but somehow that hierarchy has been set, and there are those who are fighting against it, and those who are trying hard to keep, it going…

        Liked by 1 person

  31. Meg Sorick
    Jun 28, 2016 @ 19:28:17

    That’s awful. I certainly hope things cool off. And that you are safe and sound. Hugs!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  32. Ruth
    Jun 28, 2016 @ 19:20:30

    Bloody awful behaviour by an ignorant drunken bigot, hope everyone was OK afterwards – sending love and hugs ❤ x

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  33. bjaybrooks
    Jun 28, 2016 @ 19:05:39

    Reblogged this on The Happy Traveler and commented:

    Please read this timely and thought provoking blog from my friend Ritu.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  34. bjaybrooks
    Jun 28, 2016 @ 19:02:10

    I am so sorry and saddened that this happened. We in the United States have also experienced additional and more overt occurrences of hate speech and racist actions. Bigoted political leaders give encouragement to quiet or hidden racist individuals.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  35. The Story Reading Ape
    Jun 28, 2016 @ 18:58:06

    Sorry to read about this Ritu – as someone else said, there were people like this guy before Brexit was even a gleam in the Political eye…
    The bigots may feel they are now empowered, but they’re wrong and soon they’ll find that out – probably the hard way!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  36. Diedre Blake
    Jun 28, 2016 @ 18:52:07

    I admire your grace in both dealing with and writing about a situation that must have been truly hurtful. Thank you for sharing, and I hope that the week brings much happier moments.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  37. Liz Ward
    Jun 28, 2016 @ 18:39:10

    What a horrible thing to happen. I’m glad the people around you supported you though, what makes me even more ashamed at the moment is when people don’t support the person at the receiving end of the racism/xenophobia, though it’s very hopeful when people do stick up for and support each other. We’re living in tough times at the moment, I hope the government sorts itself out and that these divisions and prejudices we’re seeing resolve somehow xx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Ritu
      Jun 28, 2016 @ 21:12:27

      So do I Liz. What are these young impressionable children being taught, by being subjected to this…? Good thing they didn’t clock the Slovakian/Polish/Lithuanian families in my class… Goodness knows what more he could have spouted …

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  38. Simon
    Jun 28, 2016 @ 18:38:09

    This is sad… I fear it might have lost it, for how long – who can say?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  39. incahootswithmuddyboots
    Jun 28, 2016 @ 18:38:05

    This type of person behaves that way Brexit or not! On our recent trip to your country, we found plenty of GREAT in Great Britain! Great people (of all colors, shapes and sizes), great food, great sights to explore and a great attitude all around! Your country is lovely, and I am thankful we didn’t come across any clowns like this fellow! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Ritu
      Jun 28, 2016 @ 21:10:04

      Unfortunately they are there al, the time, but it seems the Brexit vote had loosened tongues more, given certain bigots the confidence to be vocal, and physical on some occasions too…
      They are the reason all Leave Voters are being put down, and I know all Leave Voters aren’t racist… It takes a minority to pull a whole community down…. Unfortunately…

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      • incahootswithmuddyboots
        Jun 28, 2016 @ 21:20:28

        Yes, it’s unfortunate that a few bad apples spoil the good ones! We have a similar problem here with Trump and his followers! Interesting, but scary to watch what happens when one person can awaken a fascist-like attitude by simply spouting hateful rhetoric. It’s always been there I guess, just hibernating until now!
        For me, there is no room for these types of hateful people in my life.
        They exist all over the world unfortunately!
        In the meantime, we need to remember that most (I hope anyway) of us human beings are good people! 💖

        Liked by 1 person

      • Ritu
        Jun 28, 2016 @ 21:36:43

        Yes. Let’s think positive 💕
        The world would be a better place if we just accepted differences. We’re all the same, we all bleed red don’t we??!!

        Liked by 1 person

      • incahootswithmuddyboots
        Jun 28, 2016 @ 21:47:31

        Yes we do! 😊

        Liked by 1 person

  40. Charles Yallowitz
    Jun 28, 2016 @ 18:33:54

    That’s terrible. It seems a lot of people are making such outbursts in public even if kids are around. Feels like the same thing is happening on this side of the Atlantic.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  41. TanGental
    Jun 28, 2016 @ 18:32:51

    I think, statistically we get spikes in this sort of hate/racist/shite talk after a national event like a terrorist incident, a situation like the abuse in Rotherham and now Brexit but the trend is both better reporting of hate speech to the authorities (so the numbers are more accurate) and an overall reduction in the number/%. But then statistics are bollocks when you are the one on the end of the abuse so from me to you, one Brit to another, we make this place Great, it is still Great and it will remain Great even if there are arsewipes like this Tosspot hanging around. Hopefully his excess imbibing of cider makes him an early candidate for a Darwin Award.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  42. D. Wallace Peach
    Jun 28, 2016 @ 18:31:46

    Oh, so sad, Ritu. I feel for you, the children, and the whole country. I hope things settle down and the UK reclaims a kinder identity.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  43. Jools
    Jun 28, 2016 @ 18:26:48

    So sad, Ritu. We can only hope that the current unsettlement is short-lived, and that you don’t see any more of this nauseating type of behaviour.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  44. Smiling Notes
    Jun 28, 2016 @ 18:21:37

    Oh my Gosh!! This is too bad. Makes my blood boil. Glad to hear that others supported you Ritu!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Ritu
      Jun 28, 2016 @ 21:05:25

      We are lucky… Then parents in my school generally are wonderful and they will make sure they stand up for one another. We are a great school, and much of that comes from our multiculturalism…
      😊

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  45. Erika Kind
    Jun 28, 2016 @ 18:15:36

    Yes, that is shocking. BUT they will be there Brexit or not. It is not against you, it is his frustration and he needed to find something or someone to blame for it. What is so much more important and what gave me goosebumps and teary eyes was the sudden back up you got from all the people around you! That is what makes not only Britain but the world great. It was one lost man but there were so many more who knew where to go! Huge hugs, my beautiful and special Brindian sister!

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  46. Violet of Violet's Veg*n e-comics
    Jun 28, 2016 @ 18:05:22

    Horrible man! 😦

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  47. colinandray
    Jun 28, 2016 @ 17:59:49

    Maybe it was not fueled by BREXIT, but rather by an overall refusal to accept anybody with a dark skin perhaps? I am always amazed when I hear “immigrant derogatory” remarks here (Canada) because the entire population is predominantly immigrant! What was a surprise to me, knowing that England has a huge part in Canada’s history, was that my first experience of racial dislike was targeted at me …….an anti-English statement! Just have to ride with the idiocy I guess. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  48. Le Fragi
    Jun 28, 2016 @ 17:56:44

    Not a nice situation. Sadly, there are people out there who are just not nice. I hope things improve after the recent shenanigans. Take care. G:)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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