Rural racism leaves people feeling ‘unwelcome and unsafe’ in UK countryside
Study shows ‘widespread denial’ of racism in British countryside
- A University of Leicester study found that many minority ethnic people feel the British countryside is "unwelcoming and unsafe", experiencing racial slurs, intimidation, and threats.
- The two-year research, involving 115 participants, concluded there is widespread denial of racism in rural contexts and a resistance to reinterpreting rural heritage, often equating rural identity with whiteness.
- Reported experiences ranged from subtle hostility like persistent staring to overt incidents including name-calling and threats.
- The report concluded that there is "widespread denial that racism exists or that it is significant in rural contexts".
- The Countryside Alliance, a participant in the study, disputed the emphasis on rural racism, suggesting hate crime data indicates rural areas are among the least affected parts of the country.