My first hate-crime experience?

[Uzo]

Happened today while getting off the London Tube.

It was around 7pm, broad daylight and I'm walking around Euston station when 3 male white chavs start walking behind me and start calling me 'paki' and then start saying 'its time to make a cizitens arrest' 'hey you paki give me your bag you fucken pakistanian'

I'm a big guy, and not a paki but do get mistaken for 'desi' a lot...but to fight off three guys when I have better things to do is not in my books anymore so I kept walking...

Finally, one goes in front of me and tries to stop me from walking and repeatly says "you fucken paki, what is in your bag?...I am making a citizen arrest, go back to to where you came from or get ready to (mumbled something I could not understand)". A lot of people saw what was going on, but just did shit. Since I was going back on the underground, I got into the station and reported this and all the person did was take my info.

This is my first experience with discrimination. I guess that is what I get for living in Toronto for the majority of my life.

 

[stinkynuts]

Sorry to hear about your experience. Next time punch him in the face.

 

[blitz]

You didn't get physically hurt which is a good thing.

As to your mental well being...

How do you feel about them?

How do you feel about London?

What is a Chav?

Rascism is bad, wrong and in poor taste. Uzo, I'd be happy to call you a friend but I needs to know what is a chav?

 

[Berlin]

Hate crime

...but to fight off three guys when I have better things to do is not in my books anymore so I kept walking...

I'd say that's a smart choice, definitely not worth risking your life for against the 3, especially in UK even in the pre bomb days.

 

[Uzo]

Chav is a UK slang for preppy thug...

*Edit - found this link with a better description (long read)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chav

I dont know how I fell mentally...I'm still like "what the fuck" you know?

About London, I like it in general but will be watching my steps when it comes to going out. Since the bombings, I have not really hit up the local spot where I go for a pint (Cheers) and have tried to not really travel within London unless I need to and even at that, I try to move during off-peak times.

In a way, I feel sorry for them, their future seeds that might grow into copies of them. I dont see how what happened with the attacks correlates to me. I was not involved, there were victims of all races on the trains and bus so what was the reason for picking me from a mass of people leaving the underground?

Its still sinking in 5hrs later but really, I've said this a few times to myself "what the fuck just happend". It could have been worse indeed and I'm glad is wasnt, but what did happen still makes me feel sad.

 

[Jet Black Bacon]

What is a Chav?

Some punk that wears Kappa, listens to rap and is generally considered white trash. They also think they're black. I hope I don't offend anyone with this word, but "Wigger" comes to mind.

 

[torex]

of course you did the right thing by just walking away. I can't believe nobody said anything...as dumb as it would have been, I would have said something to at least try and cool the situation,or even just quietly followed along while calling 911.

it's terrible you had to experience this crap.... unfortunately like terroists,we have racists pigs.... can't win

 

[freshbreath]

I'm glad I live here in Toronto
who knows what the situation is like elsewhere, including other parts of Canada

 

[George OTJ]

only then will we all find out how unbiased, fair and accepting we all really are.

Sad but true. It's one thing to be civilized when we are safe and warm. But when "we" become hurt, angry, and frightened - well.....don't be surprised when you learn there are Canadian punks like this too.

 

[New Years Eggy]

Happened today while getting off the London Tube.

It was around 7pm, broad daylight and I'm walking around Euston station when 3 male white chavs start walking behind me and start calling me 'paki' and then start saying 'its time to make a cizitens arrest' 'hey you paki give me your bag you fucken pakistanian'

I'm a big guy, and not a paki but do get mistaken for 'desi' a lot...but to fight off three guys when I have better things to do is not in my books anymore so I kept walking...

Finally, one goes in front of me and tries to stop me from walking and repeatly says "you fucken paki, what is in your bag?...I am making a citizen arrest, go back to to where you came from or get ready to (mumbled something I could not understand)". A lot of people saw what was going on, but just did shit. Since I was going back on the underground, I got into the station and reported this and all the person did was take my info.

This is my first experience with discrimination. I guess that is what I get for living in Toronto for the majority of my life.

I feel for you.

I bet those gutless bastards wouldn't have pulled that kind of shit in Bramladesh.

 

[happygrump]

Man, Uzo, that friggin BLOWS. You did the right thing by walking away. One never knows if they may have been packing something.

In one of the Godfather movies, Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) was giving some advice to an up-and-comer: Don't argue with people you don't know, because you never know what kind of rage they're carrying.

 

[mmouse]

Uzo, that really sucks, you handled it well.
Once I was in London on a crowded tube platform and there was this young asian girl, Japanese probably, with this white student looking guy. This loser drunk guy was just in her face her non stop about chinese this and oriental that, the poor couple tried to move away but this guy just kept following them. Everyone else just turned away (me too I'm ashamed to say). The couple looked really uncomfortable and I felt really bad for them. As for the racist asshole who was harassing her, what the hell makes people do things like that? I'm angry with myself for not knowing how to stop him, but more angry that people like this even exist in the world.

 

[booboobear]

. As for the racist asshole who was harassing her, what the hell makes people do things like that? I'm angry with myself for not knowing how to stop him, but more angry that people like this even exist in the world.

I feel the same as you , these people are ignorant, low class , stupid etc etc and yes Canada has stupid white trash . These idiots only understand violence . They are pathetic.

 

[Kurt]

Not that I am a huge fan of the TTC!
But once on a train during the day around 11 a.m. a young white girl was being harrased by some large black teenager. I am 6 ft and 220lbs these guys made me look small. I wasn't stupid enough to say anything but I hit that emergency strip on the subway just as we were pulling in to Eglinton alarm start and the train slows down. These guys look at me one start yelling some profanities at me but as soon as the doors open they run out. Seconds later two TTC people (not security) arrive problem solved (?). I got some harrazsent for using the strip until two other witnesses express they concerns as well. The Police took the report and the young girl thanked me. I never saw the guys or that girl again but I am glad I did something.
Now one these yahoo could have easily pulled out a gun and shot me and this is one reason that people don't do anything but I couldn't stand around and do nothing there were atleast 40 people on that car and most were looking away trying to ignore it. What does that say about us as a society.

Kurt

 

[a 1 player]

I have several times stood up against racists, one time getting my ass kicked. Though there was probably something else I could have done at that time, I thought getting in the middle of it was the best solution. Looking back, calling the police probably would have been a better idea.

I think not speaking against racism is the equivalent of promoting it. That does not mean preaching at a Clan meeting, but if somebody makes a degrading remark, one should call the person on it. "I never realized you were a bigot" seems to work quite well most of the time if it a peson you are aquainted with.

 

[Vancouver Femme Fatale]

Grrrr....

I'm sorry that happened to you...these are strange times that test us all. I believe anyone who sees it should stand up to racism - but I also agree it's better to live to fight another day if the odds against you make it pretty obvious you could be hurt.

I'd like to say that it's an isolated incident, and unlikely to happen again but I don't believe it. I suspect these types of things will get much worse before they get better

 

[goodtime]

Unfortunately, people express anger in different ways. And it can also breed hatred. Sorry to hear of your experience.

Unfortunately it happens in T.O. as well. Encounter fair share in my younger days. Worst was when I lived at Jane & Finch, with minorities picking on minorites.

For the most part, Londoners embrace the different cultures. Except for the rare skinheads.

IMO, most do it to provoke reaction, while others have low-esteem put down others for their own misery, same reason for Bullies. While the rest fueled by fear as they lack understanding, easy to blame others for their problems. In most case, when ignored they lose interest.

While few are looking for fights, or reason to get into trouble. For these, it would be a matter of self-defence but go for crowded place for witness and in some cases, they fear others will come to the aid and lose interest. Ensure no excess force as such A*hole can ruin you if you lack sufficient cause.

When things return to normal, not sure if you've been to Belgro Central - Good Beer and good food. Healthy mix of multi-ethnic crowd.

Cheer.

 

[kz65]

UZO - sorry for what happened, absolutely terrible
With all the multi-culturalism going on & education our youth are (supposedly learning in schools) one would think society has come along way in acceptance of other cultures, faith, ethnicity etc....

But sometimes when things like this happen makes you think we infect are taking steps backwards rather than progressing.

I've traveled a fair bit in London & find there is a stronger racist issue within UK then here in T.O.

Allot of these punks only have the energy of the group & wouldn't dare try this if alone...feel for you man

 

[booboobear]

I have several times stood up against racists, one time getting my ass kicked. Though there was probably something else I could have done at that time, I thought getting in the middle of it was the best solution. Looking back, calling the police probably would have been a better idea.

.

I admire you for standing up to racism but like you said it's not always good for your health. Most people wouldn't risk personal injury . Although I am strong enough I am also practical and too old to fight over things I can't change.
Some of these racists are pretty stupid. I still hear comments at work here from one girl that she wants to leave Mississauga because she doesn't want her daughter growing around so many east indians.

 

[a 1 player]

If evil is to win, it will do so not because it is stronger than good, but because those that are good let it happen. In essence it will win by default. We have a responsibility (all of us), to make the world a good and peaceful place. It is not a job that can be left to other people.

People cannot choose the colour of their skin, the country in which they were born or the sex that they are (usually) . To be bigoted against these things is asenine. It is perhaps the lowest most basic form of collectivism there is, and it is wrong.

I have been a victim of hate-crimes myself. For a long while I was dating a girl of African heritage, (I am white), and have been on the receiving end from both blacks and whites. I feel for you my friend, keep your head high, be proud of who you are, and stand up for what you believe in.