Welcome to the UK -UPDATE

Wednesday 14th September I posted an article entitled Welcome to the UK, which revealed Kelis' racial abuse encounter which she expressed on Twitter. Yesterday she added clarification to the situation.

@iamkelis
Just to clarify, because apparently there's been some confusion. I was in the uk (as always) this time for bestival (which was great) http://twitter.com/iamkelis/status/114366853278736384

I took a flight from gatwick back to spain so for those fact checkers that is approx 2 n a half to 3 hourflight.
I landed in spain. http://twitter.com/iamkelis/status/114367274458152961

And that's when fat pink faced british guy who was on the plane with me called me a slave and to call him sir. It was at passport control http://twitter.com/iamkelis/status/114367751811903488

I didn't think to make that clear at the time because I was shaken and furious. Now you know.
http://twitter.com/iamkelis/status/114367887086596097

This situation has highlighted two important things. Firstly due to the rise in social media the way in which we share information has changed. Twitter allows us all to share our expressions as they are happening and this is clearly what Kelis did. Twitter has become the new way to gain and share news instantly.With the information given we all, myself included had a reaction. Mine came in the form of an article highlighting her encounter with the knowledge present. The Metro and Evening Standard also reported the story. The angle I took and the points I raised in the previous article are valid and it is for this reason that I will leave the article posted.

However this incident raises important questions about how the media use information shared on Twitter. With the restriction of 140 characters and even with Twit Longer, expressions based on reactions will never give the whole story, it’s just not possible as in the heat of any moment you are not in the place of reasoning. As a result, I think the responsibility in using and sharing information gained from Twitter has to lie with both the tweeter and sharer.

Kelis’ encounter was news and without edit the media were right to reveal it to the masses. However Kelis has to take some responsibility also. She tweeted information, yes in a stressful situation, however not all the details were correct and people had and have the right to be upset. Her tone in clarifying the situation is slightly arrogant “for those fact checkers” which is unnecessary. The facts within news should be checked, it is important inspite of how we distribute news. After her comments Boris Johnson sent a tweet to the singer saying

Heard about the treatment you received at a UK airport.Want you to know this is not typical. I’m appalled & I'm on the case.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2038149/Kelis-racism-claims-Boris-Johnson-warns-UK-Border-Agency-stars-alleged-treatment-London-airport.html#ixzz1Y6ozfvM1

As we now know the incident took place on Spanish soil by a British person. Those offended have a right to be offended as the UK generalisation as her comments were misleading. Her observations in regards to how the UK and US deal with the issue of race is valid as it is her observations, however it is miss matched in relation to this direct experience. A difference there may well be, however Johnson's swift reply and promise to look into what occurred shows that the UK are likely to react in the right way when something wrong has occurred.

As I have said in the past, race is and has always been difficult to look at, predominately as I feel it involves
looking at our past, hurts, beliefs and views. Kelis has had time to reflect and clarify and I am intrigued by her choice of words “fat pink faced british guy”. Is this an acceptable description? Is this a racist term? Is this ok?

I know what I think, but what do you think and do you know why? I ask as a continuation to my ending questions in my last article.

Related Posts:
1.Welcome to the UK
2.Ying and Yang
3.Slave Earrings

© Lisa Bent 2011

Welcome to the UK!

This morning Kelis with her son, touched down in London Town, unfortunately unlike the good feel tune by Estelle, the experience was one of disbelief, anger and so much more. I read what happened via  Parlour Magazine  who displayed her twitter feed see below...

“We just landed and I had the midget with me. We get in the passport control line and apparently pissed this one man off cause he thought I cut the line. Which wouldn’t be far fetched of me but this time I actually didn’t (not entirely anyway) well the point is from 0 to 60 this fat red faced sweaty “man” (I use the word man loosely here) started calling me a slave and told me to call him sir and how I was probably a disgusting nigerian. He called me kunta kinte and ranted and raved some more. The man behind the passport desk laughed, shook his head in agreement I guess, and said “kunta kinte”. All the while the entire line full of people I just sat on a plane with for almost 3hours, over 50 people said nothing. I mean literally nothing. Didn’t flinch. We all no I’m no saint, so I retaliated. Not the way I wanted to or how that pig deserved. But #1 my gorgeous baby boy was literally sitting on my hip and #2 I’m a believer. And we are better. Sposed to be anyway, it made me think. This person was aprox a 50 year old english man. I didn’t say anything at the time of the riots in London for a lot of reasons. But I am in london all the time and today I’m gonna say that the racial issues in the uk are disgusting. Its racially decades behind progression because everything is swept under the rug. People don’t talk about it. People don’t fight about it. Not mentioning a problem doesn’t make it go away. I bring it up now because as an american it is abundantly clear that my country has a smorgas board (spelling?) Of disgusting racial problems. We are the poster child for racial inequality even still with a black president. But its NO SECRET! And that I can fight against. I can try to prepare and teach my son. Because its out there. But you can’t fight for or against something no one is willing to talk about or even admit exist. Everyone wants to be politically correct. But who really cares? And what does that help. I could go on and on. I won’t. But maybe someone will start to talk about it from here.”

Next year, due to the Olympics, this country will open its doors to a wealth of diverse people, is this going to be their treatment? What a great welcome that will be eh?This is disgusting on every level and I hope the two people in question get sacked of immediate effect.

He called her a “slave” told her to call him “sir” whilst also revealing how he feels about Nigerians in particular. This is racism, discrimination and prejudice in all its ugly glory. He is in a position of power and clearly takes pleasure in abusing it, who else has been made to feel inadequate, less than and inferior due to this man and his colleagues (some) of whom share his beliefs?

The Kunta Kinte reference was shocking and rather than giving explanations as I usually do, I will leave it for you the readers to do your own research. Why? Because those who are intrigued will search and the experience you gain through this will resonate in what ever way it is meant to.

I was not born in the era of slavery but trust me when I say this scenario gave me a glimpse of the past, whilst showing me a contemporary present. Although progress has been slow, I refuse to accept that this way of being will also be in our future. The present, as Kelis has revealed and which I have expressed in previous articles, is one cloaked in the illusion that everything is fine… when clearly it isn’t.

For those that are avid readers to my blog you will know I can go deep into this, however today I choose not to, because it is not necessary. The racism is there for all to see in black and white.

Over the weekend I saw pictures of extremists and The English Defence League protesters-clash-at-911-memorial-services in London and for the first time in ages, came the realisation that these people could be teachers, doctors, paramedics and even custom controllers. People can hide their thoughts and beliefs behind uniforms and titles because we are conditioned (and rightfully so) that these people in the public sector and in helping positions are there to provide a friendly service. The reality is that a uniform does not make you, you make the uniform.

I will end with a couple of questions for everyone to ask themselves

What is racism to you?

Would you say you were a racist?

What views do you have of people that are of a different race or culture to you?

Step outside of yourself and view Kelis’s situation, what feelings come up for you?

You may not like what surfaces, but it is important to look at it otherwise you are part of the present problem, which is the denial that racism exists through the further potential denial that you hold racist views. To deny without further enquiry is still denial probably triggered by fear.

I personally think questions like the ones I have presented above should be part of the interview process, as I said, the uniform does not make the person because no matter what job you have or position you have acquired, who you are is central to everything.

So who are you? What are your views?

Related Posts:

1. Welcome to the UK: Update

2.Ying and Yang

3.Slave Earrings

A letter I wrote about Prince Harry's comments

Happy New Year to all. I thought I would post this up to show my views on the comments made by Prince Harry which I sent to local newspapers. I'll come up with something more inventive next time.

In light of the recent racist comment made by Prince Harry about a Pakistani member of his Platoon as well as a complaint made by a constituent over racist abuse; I am compelled to air my views on the subject.

Racism or any type of discrimination in any shape or form is unacceptable. It should be stamped out at root and branch in institutions like the Army, like the Police. That is why it is so important that members of the British National Party are not allowed in the Police Service.

This outburst highlights a problem that many people still believe that the term in question is not racist. In most cases I believe that the use of the term is down to ignorance and is not malicious in intent. However this type of language is still derogatory and must be erased from casual conversation. This is not about political correctness; this is about treating each member of society equally and with respect.

Britain has come on leaps and bounds from the utterly abhorrent days sparked by the Rivers of Blood speech from Enoch Powell. We have moved forwards together in our communities to look past skin colour and vicious lies spread by fascists and racists like the British National Party.

Whilst Britain has moved forward to become a more tolerant society; this recent outburst illustrates that there is still work to be done to ensure that old unjustified prejudices die and are not revived by violent thugs who wish to destroy our communities for political gain.