The Dragon Says: Insults Based on Background Have No Place in Guildford

Published on: 28 Jun, 2016
Updated on: 29 Jun, 2016

Reports from a reader that his English born son, who happens to have a brown skin, was asked when he would be “going home”, or of a Big Issue seller told to “go home” outside Sainsbury’s, in the High Street, are two examples of racist behaviour witnessed locally in the wake of the EU referendum.

We believe such behaviour is unacceptable to all decent Guildfordians, whichever way they voted in the Referendum. Whatever someone’s origins, those who have come here, perfectly legitimately, EU nationals, asylum seekers, students, or whatever, must remain welcomed.

Guildford is now their home too and they are our neighbours. We must continue, all of us, to treat each other with courtesy, respect and humanity, regardless of our background. Thankfully the overwhelming majority already do just that but we must remain on our guard to call out this vile behaviour wherever we find it.

It is not British, it is not patriotic and it is not right.

Anyone who thinks otherwise should recall that, within living memory, many of our forefathers, together with many others from all parts of the world, died or were maimed in the fight to liberate Europe and against a regime that discriminated against, and treated dreadfully, groups they did not like because of their race or grouping.

Share This Post