When people think about racism in the UK, they often picture extreme behaviour or historical events. Many believe that racism is something obvious, loud, and easy to identify. However, for many people today, racism is much quieter. It appears in everyday interactions, subtle comments, and repeated behaviours that are often ignored or dismissed.
At Colour of My Skin (COMS), we believe it is essential to talk about these realities. By listening to lived experiences and acknowledging everyday racism, we can better understand how racism continues to affect individuals, families, and communities across the UK.
What Does Racism in the UK Look Like Today?
Racism in the UK does not always involve direct insults or open hostility. In many cases, it shows up through actions or words that may seem harmless to some but are deeply hurtful to others.
This can include:
- Being spoken to differently because of skin colour
- Being judged before being known as an individual
- Being excluded from opportunities without explanation
Because this form of racism is subtle, it is often dismissed as misunderstanding or over sensitivity. This normalisation makes it harder to challenge and allows harmful behaviour to continue unchecked.
Everyday Racism: A Silent and Ongoing Struggle
Everyday racism refers to repeated experiences that remind people they are seen as “different” or “less than”. These moments may seem small on their own, but they build up over time and leave lasting effects.
Common examples of everyday racism include:
- Being asked, “Where are you really from?”
- Assumptions about intelligence, behaviour, or culture
- Jokes or comments disguised as humour
- Being treated as a spokesperson for an entire community
These experiences affect how people see themselves and how safe or welcome they feel in society. Over time, everyday racism can damage confidence, mental wellbeing, and a sense of identity.
Racial Discrimination Examples People Rarely Talk About
There are many racial discrimination examples that often go unnoticed or unreported because they have become normalised. These experiences are not isolated incidents; they form patterns that reveal deeper inequality.
Examples include:
- Being followed or closely watched in shops
- Receiving fewer job interview callbacks despite similar qualifications
- Being disciplined more harshly in educational settings
- Being treated unfairly by authorities or public services
Many people choose not to report these experiences due to fear of being dismissed or not taken seriously. This silence allows discrimination to continue and become embedded in systems and attitudes.
Why Lived Experiences Matter
Statistics and reports are important, but they do not fully capture the human impact of racism. Lived experiences provide insight into how discrimination affects people emotionally, socially, and psychologically.
When individuals share their experiences of racism, they are often met with disbelief, denial, or minimisation. Phrases such as “it wasn’t meant that way” or “you’re overreacting” can be deeply damaging.
At COMS, we believe listening without judgement is essential. Creating safe spaces where people feel heard and valued helps break the silence that allows racism to persist.
The Emotional Impact of Racism
Racism does not only limit opportunities; it affects mental health and wellbeing. Constant exposure to discrimination can lead to:
- Anxiety and chronic stress
- Low self esteem and selfndoubt
- Emotional exhaustion
- Feelings of isolation or not belonging
When people are repeatedly made to feel unwelcome or judged, it affects how they move through the world. A society that ignores these impacts cannot truly be inclusive.
Addressing racism in the UK means caring about the emotional wellbeing of all communities, not just legal or economic outcomes.
Racism and Belonging in British Society
Belonging is a basic human need. However, many people in the UK grow up feeling that they must constantly prove they belong. Racism sends the message that some people are outsiders, no matter how long they or their families have lived in the country.
This sense of not belonging can:
- Affect educational confidence
- Limit career ambition
- Create distance between communities
True inclusion means ensuring everyone feels accepted, valued, and safe, regardless of their skin colour or background.
What Can We Do as a Society?
Challenging racism requires more than awareness. Real change happens when awareness leads to action. Every individual has a role to play in building a fairer society.
We can:
- Educate ourselves about racism and inequality
- Listen to lived experiences with empathy
- Challenge discriminatory language and behaviour
- Support organisations working for equality
Silence allows discrimination to continue. Speaking up, even in small ways, creates positive change.
Our Role at Colour of My Skin
At Colour of My Skin, we are committed to promoting dignity, equality, and compassion. We work to raise awareness, support education, and create spaces where people feel respected and heard.
Our work focuses on:
- Addressing everyday racism
- Challenging discrimination
- Promoting understanding and inclusion
We believe that lasting change is only possible when communities come together with honesty and empathy.
Conclusion
Racism in the UK is real, present, and deeply felt through everyday experiences that are often ignored or silenced. By recognising everyday racism, acknowledging racial discrimination examples, and valuing lived experiences, we can begin to challenge the systems and attitudes that allow inequality to continue.
At Colour of My Skin, we stand for dignity, equality, and respect for all. Together, we can build a society where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued regardless of skin colour.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Racism in the UK today often appears in subtle and everyday forms rather than open hostility. It includes unfair treatment, assumptions, and behaviours that disadvantage people based on skin colour or background, even when they are not openly acknowledged.
Everyday racism refers to repeated experiences such as microaggressions, stereotypes, and exclusion that remind individuals they are viewed as different or less valued. These experiences may seem small but can have a lasting emotional and psychological impact.
Common racial discrimination examples include being followed in shops, receiving fewer job interview opportunities, being treated unfairly by authorities, or facing negative stereotypes in education and the workplace.
Lived experiences help us understand the real impact of racism on people’s lives. While statistics are important, personal stories reveal the emotional, mental, and social effects of discrimination that numbers alone cannot show.
Racism can lead to anxiety, stress, low self esteem, and feelings of isolation. Constant exposure to discrimination affects a person’s sense of safety and belonging, making mental health support and social inclusion essential.
Individuals can challenge racism by educating themselves, listening to lived experiences, speaking out against discrimination, and supporting organisations that promote equality, dignity, and inclusion.