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It is down to each invidual what their feelings on racism are and they will naturally bring personal experiences with them when deciding those feelings.
I grew up in a very affluent part of what was in the main a very run down town. Where I lived had no non-white residents and I never mixed with non whites until I was 12 when a pakistani became my best mate at school. We were friends until we were 19/20 and then we went in seperate directions. He was western in his lifestyle and I did not mix with any other non whites.
I have seen first hand the injustices suffered by Asians being attacked by white hooligans and I have also seen first hand white houses and people being attacked by Asians. Segregation was the big problem - Asians would not stray from the safety of living with other Asians and whites were happy to let that happen. Hopefully as time goes on integration will become more common place although in Oldham I understand in places steel fences now seperate the different communities.
Racism will always exist because there will always be bigots on both sides but it must be remembered that racism works both ways. I do feel the politically correct lobby has gone too far and now any reference to a persons skin made by a white person is immediately jumped on as racism but when I am abused because I am white it is hushed up in case it upsets the racial harmony - this situation only helps perpetuate the problem.
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