British and American Racial Issues: A Comparative Analysis

When the author, an Indian immigrant, moved from Britain to the United States, she experienced a change in how her race was perceived. This shift underscores the complexities of British and American racial issues.

In Britain, Asians faced high mortality rates during the early COVID-19 pandemic. In contrast, Asian Americans had the lowest death rates. This difference highlights how race is not a static concept but depends on context and history.

The Influence of American Racial Issues on Britain

Tomiwa Owolade, a British writer of Nigerian descent, argues in his book “This is Not America: Why Black Lives in Britain Matter” that Britain’s understanding of race is heavily influenced by America’s Black-white divide.

However, Owolade believes that the racial issues in the United States are not the same as those in Britain. He criticizes the tendency to view British racial issues through an American lens, which he believes distorts the reality of racism in Britain. This perspective provides a unique insight into British and American racial issues.

The author discusses the global influence of American culture and politics. Including its impact on discussions about race in other countries.

The murder of George Floyd in the United States sparked global protests and forced countries like Britain to confront their own racial issues.

This led to a public reckoning with Britain’s nostalgic view of its colonial past. These events have significantly shaped British and American racial issues.

The Need for a More Honest Discussion about Race in Britain

Owolade argues that Britain needs to be more honest about its racial issues and stop pretending that America’s problems are its own.

He believes that Britain needs to build a more united sense of Britishness that fully embraces everyone and transcends race.

However, the author points out that racism is a significant obstacle to achieving this ideal. This argument sheds light on the unique aspects of British and American racial issues.

The author concludes by highlighting that while Britain and America share a common history of racial ideologies, they have diverged in their experiences of racism. She argues that Britain’s racism is often quieter and more subtle, making it easier to ignore or deny.

Despite the differences, it’s clear that both countries have their own unique forms of racism that need to be addressed. This conclusion underscores the complexities of British and American racial issues.