Does Barnsley have a racist reputation?

I was called a "white lovely person" in Birmingham city centre

not so long ago.

Brum is as diverse as anywhere and as a white man I was racially abused. Do brummies have a problem with racism or does the fact they are culturally diverse absolve both the whites and asians/blacks etc of such a label?

 

I think fans coming to Oakwell or having Barnsley fans visit their grounds would definitely get that impression.

 

RE: I didn't realise we had this reputation

In terms of Barnsley fans. I've been to a few non-Barnsley games and sat with fans of other clubs. I haven't witnessed fans as racist as Barnsley fans.

 

In the 80s I had a run in with some black lads in Sheffield who claimed that all Barnsley....

was National Front.....nearly got a beating because of it.</p>

A gross stereotype, but none the less one that existed, and there must have been a reason for that.
</p>

 

RE: In the 80s I had a run in with some black lads in Sheffield who claimed that all Barnsley....

Must be true then if its a stereotype!

Just like all Essex birds are slags, all scousers are car thieves and all politicians are corrupt!

Maybe the black lads who started on you were the ignorant bigots? Just a thought...

 

As stated elsewhere in this thread, it is a lack of minorities that gives the impression

of a general racist attitude. I don't think we are any more racist than most towns of a similar size. Just a little inward looking and conservative (with a small 'c'). A bit of fresh blood if it integrates and doesn't form ghettos or enclaves is ok.

 

RE: In the 80s I had a run in with some black lads in Sheffield who claimed that all Barnsley....

Did I say that it was true? No I didn't, I said it was a gross stereotype on their part so pull your head in, and for your info I believed at the time and still do that the black lads themselves were racist.
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If you want to know my own personally witnessed examples of racism in Barnsley then they are as follows:
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1. Japanese whispers, Thursday night early 90s black lad with white girlfriend subjected to chants of 'zigger zigger zigger, kill that n*****'.</p>

2. 2004 mate of a mate screaming at a black lad in the number seven to f*** off home you black b******.</p>

3. Pissed up idiot outside Groggers last season on a Matchday chanting we hate n*****s and p***s and up the BNP, this was in front of a little old lady, made my heart sink, could have been any one of our grans.</p>

4. Racist chanting at Oakwell from Eaststand lower (not the BBS poster) near away end quite a few seasons back.</p>Four incidents that I've witnessed doesn't make the town racist, but to say that there has never been an undercurrent of racism amongst certain folk in Barnsley is complete twaddle and has done nothing for the image and reputation of the town, but thankfully most of these are historic incidents, and I am personally of the belief that racism in Barnsley and beyond is improving. If nothing else through the rise in non-white popular culture amongst our youth.

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Heh heh. nt

 

Agreed. And I'd go so far as to say....

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....the lack of minorities makes Barnsley a less racist place than such as Bradford, Huddersfield, Dewsbury etc. When i used to spend a lot of time in Harehills with the boxing I was amazed at what was deemed acceptable behaviour.</p>

 

don't agree with the big city/small town argument

I don't think that necessarily means people have a more or less racist attitude. It's far more likely to be the experiences of a specific community, maybe where a group of people, demarcated sometimes crudely along the lines of race, are seen as receiving preferential treatment, or as taking 'our' jobs, etc., like Burnley I think. Actually there's a thought - maybe some southerners think of Barnsley as being racist as they get it mixed up with Burnley </p>

I think if you look at the statistics for % votes cast for the National Front or other far-right parties in constituencies across the country you'll see where the racial tensions lie.</p>

 

I have witnessed racist abuse at Oakwell

against an Indian copper. Don't think I've ever heard monkey noises against players though, except from away fans. I remember Wednesday fans doing it to Tony Cunningham at Hillsbro, I was sat with a mate who was a Weds fan and I said to a bloke behind me who was particularly nasty "Would you do the same to one of your own black players?" He said "Wednesday will never have black players". The following week they signed Cunningham.

 

If we had such a racist reputation

Would the likes of Campbell-Ryce, Odejayi and Moore have signed for Barnsley?

 

RE: I don't think the football club have a racism problem

I heard racist chanting at several BFC games last season and the season before, home and away.

 

RE: So have I

Maybe the ones who aren't joining in are the ones who aren't racist.

It does ruin the atmosphere at some games though.

 

Ok I'll add to it

Nowt to say really just wanted to prolong the discussion to annoy Uncle Mort

 

Not as much as Stoke-on-Trent

Story on the radio this morning that they could elect a BNP mayor.

 

A few on here wouldn't see that as an issue nt

 

I have heard this before a coule of times, and i put it down to racism as well. However only last week i overheard a conversation about racism between a group of barnsley pensioners and they decided that the reason barnsley is not like bradford etc etc, is because of the pits. West yorkshire was well known for mills with physically easier jobs than working down the mines and they were sure this is the reason barnsley is not like much of west yorkshire.

Make your own minds up?