Racism alive and well

TeddyTedson

Just got a taxi home after a night out. My taxi driver was Nigerian and I was asking him about any racism he's experienced whilst working during the night as a taxi driver.
He told me people have simply refused to get into his taxi after he's pulled over after seeing he was a black man...
This is not the first time I've heard this.
Several black taxi drivers in Dublin have told me of a ridiculous abuse they've received from Irish people on Saturday nights home from town.
To me it feels like it's people copying American suburban culture where middle class white kids feel like the black population has had a negative effect on their lives.
I think all Irish people should never forget we are a nation that for years have been happy to flee to all parts of the world to set up shop and expect to be accepted.
I'm sorry for the **** explanation but I'm obviously still drunk and this is kind of embarrassing to me as a proud Irishman.

Chaotic_Forces

Fecking honkeys and their damn cracker racism! Also, IBTL.

TeddyTedson

Do I have a point or am I just a brudy drunk?

MagicSean

I think all taxi drivers get abuse in fairness. The problem with Nigerian taxi drivers is that people just often assume they aren't local and when you get a taxi you want someone who knows the area. Also, some women don't like the way some nigerians talk to them. This is understandable as nigerian culture is still pretty sexist.

I dont think it's based purely on racism or a fear of anything serious. It's not like women think they are going to be raped, or worse yet, be mentioned in a rape joke.

Chaotic_Forces

Racism is still around in Ireland. The problem with taxi drivers is that (as best of my understanding) is that people are just able to exchange the taxi plates to someone else. So they're basically able to sell them to Nigerian folks, amongst others. And it's also the fact that Nigerians seem not to have an understanding of the area compared to a taxi man working in Dublin/Cork/Galway/X for the last 15 years or so.

That and taxi drivers are people and people are racist fu*ks.

kelle

I rarely use taxis as I don't drink, but the rare times I do I will only use one with a lady driver. It's my choice, I pay for the service, my personal safety is at stake so I feel I am entitled to pick and choose who I travel with.

I guess that makes me sexist.

JONJO THE MISER

aww teddy what will you get up to next?

Chaotic_Forces

kelle wrote: »

I rarely use taxis as I don't drink, but the rare times I do I will only use one with a lady driver. It's my choice, I pay for the service, my personal safety is at stake so I feel I am entitled to pick and choose who I travel with.

I guess that makes me sexist.

That's different. Choosing to say "I feel more comfortable with a woman driving" is a lot different from saying "I won't use that taxi because of a man is driving it and I hate men because I'm an idiot". That's basically why racists operate that way.

brendanL

Ok first off, you can just buy a plate regardless of who you are, but to drive a taxi you have to of passed the psv test which partly consists of a county where you will be working area knowledge test. You cannot simply just buy a plate and start working.

Irish people abroad were treated like dirt when they emigrated to some countries, just because as a nation we emigrated a lot, does not mean we should automatically welcome others with open arms.

People are people, most want the middle 50s white taxi driver because he looks like he knows the area. Any black taxi driver is unfortunately getting used to being thought of as not the perfect guy to hop into the car with.

There was news awhile back saying one particular rank in Dublin had drivers that would 'discourage' black drivers from coming back. My dads a taxi driver and he said, honestly regardless off colour the regulars don't like anyone down there on that one rank.

Finally, the customer has a right to choose, so if he wants to choose his driver based on colour, then he is entitled to do so. Regardless of whether a driver has lived in the area his whole life, most people see black driver and think, meh he won't know where he's going.

There's also an industry knowledge test atm, which all drivers need to pass so they can renew their license, I seen my dad study for it, he passed, but honestly I can't help but think its been created to cut out people with bad English out of the industry.

JONJO THE MISER

this place has gone mad , finally a poster talks sense aka the previous poster.

kelle

Chaotic_Forces wrote: »

That's different. Choosing to say "I feel more comfortable with a woman driving" is a lot different from saying "I won't use that taxi because of a man is driving it and I hate men because I'm an idiot". That's basically why racists operate that way.

My point is, a person using a taxi on their own can't be considered racist if they feel more comfortable travelling with somebody they are familiar with, for the reasons mentioned in my post. It's completely different to refusing to be served by a non-national worker in a shop or examined by a Nigerian dictor!

Chaotic_Forces

brendanL wrote: »

Ok first off, you can just buy a plate regardless of who you are, but to drive a taxi you have to of passed the psv test which partly consists of a county where you will be working area knowledge test. You cannot simply just buy a plate and start working.

There was news awhile back saying one particular rank in Dublin had drivers that would 'discourage' black drivers from coming back. My dads a taxi driver and he said, honestly regardless off colour the regulars don't like anyone down there on that one rank.

Finally, the customer has a right to choose, so if he wants to choose his driver based on colour, then he is entitled to do so. Regardless of whether a driver has lived in the area his whole life, most people see black driver and think, meh he won't know where he's going.

I thought the problem was that even Nigerians or whoever can buy them, instead of "earning" them; at least according to a view drivers that's the view they expressed. Since to "earn the right" to drive a taxi, you should be living in the country at least 10-15 years... apparently. Though that was mostly just said by extreme xenophobic type taxi drivers.

It's regulars at the ranks that are fine; they just want it to be for the regulars. But in general, there is a very unfortunate view that black taxi drivers are just "ni*gers stealing our customers", as said by a charming fellow to me before.

kelle wrote: »

My point is, a person using a taxi on their own can't be considered racist if they feel more comfortable travelling with somebody they are familiar with, for the reasons mentioned in my post. It's completely different to refusing to be served by a non-national worker in a shop or examined by a Nigerian dictor!

Perhaps but... isn't the problem with racism in the taxi industry from within, rather from the few people that just dislike and distrust black people?

Oh_Noes

TeddyTedson wrote: »

Do I have a point or am I just a brudy drunk?

You make a very good point. There is no historical or cultural basis for racism in Ireland. We haven't had huge numbers of Africans coming here and taking jobs or breaking the law. I hear it all the time, "bloody foreigners" and the like. It's easy prey for the traditional Irish begrudger that wants to make himself/herself feel bigger by putting someone else down. Having a different skin colour is cannon fodder really.

I honestly do think that a large number of people here will just see American television and take the extreme stereotypes and use them to discriminate. It's absurd in reality.

I'd put my bottom dollar on more fake taxis and rip offs being carried out by non-Irish (proportionately). Call me racist, I couldn't care less.

AnalogueKid

I personally don't give a flip where the taxi driver is from, although I must say when it comes to rounding down fares then the Irish are the best. I've had a couple of really sound Iranian and Kurd (I think) drivers in Dublin - mad Dublin accents on them.

If a Nigerian taxi driver stops for me, I'll get in and I've had a good bit of banter with some of these lads too. I hate to sound like I'm defending some of the bigots - but as these drivers aren't as familiar with Dublin, then they don't always go the right way. Just tell them which way you want to go if you're that worried about it.

There was one occasion where I was about to step into a cab with a couple of friends and as soon as they saw it was a Nigerian cabbie, they refused to get it. I was mortified, the guy is only out trying to make a few quid and then when somebody sees the colour of his skin, they change their mind. I never had these mates pegged as racists, but that's exactly what they are.

Edit to say - The only time I was scared of a cabbie was when an Irish cabbie locked all the doors and refused to let us out because me and my mate had indicated we were going to vote "Yes" in the upcoming divorce referendum. We had to threaten to break the windows to get this mouth foamer to let us out.

Cookie_Monster

sure nothing wrong with a bit of friendly old racism

wolf moon

a girl i know said that she doesnt get to the taxis with african drivers not because of a colour of the driver, but because of the smell. she said she's tried a number of times and in a number of taxis the smell was there. she is not comfortable with it, so she does not get into african taxis. she isn't racist, although she refused to be politically correct and say that there is no smell, while its there.

Chaotic_Forces

wolf moon wrote: »

a girl i know said that she doesnt get to the taxis with african drivers not because of a colour of the driver, but because of the smell. she said she's tried a number of times and in a number of taxis the smell was there. she is not comfortable with it, so she does not get into african taxis. she isn't racist, although she refused to be politically correct and say that there is no smell, while its there.

There are taxis made in Africa?

wolf moon

Chaotic_Forces wrote: »

There are taxis made in Africa?

/sure could have phrased it better, meant taxis with african drivers of course/

Chaotic_Forces

Chaotic_Forces wrote: »

There are taxis made in Africa?

Classic reply.. Well done you funny fuker. And yea, there are cars made in Africa so I'd assume that some are made into taxis.

Chaotic_Forces

wolf moon wrote: »

/sure could have phrased it better, meant taxis with african drivers of course/

So is it just an African thing your friend has an issue with or just black men?

Deleted User wrote: »

Classic reply.. Well done you funny fuker. And yea, there are cars made in Africa so I'd assume that some are made into taxis.

Thanks!

SeaFields

There is some taxi "union" down in Cork that they refuse to let non-irish into it or some other such crap (there was a lengthy thread in AH about it.) Since I saw this on the news a few years back I'll get into a taxi with a non irish driver when I can. Fcuk em - probably tarring all of our lot with the same brush.

The last taxi got got the fella was from Sierra Leone. He knew the way to my front door and we'd a good chat about hurling on the way back.

stovelid

If they let me chant that Um Bongo ad in the back of the car after a few pints, I know they're good sorts and get my fare.

If they join in, they get a tip.

If they don't talk about the premiership, I hug them.

Max Power1

I'll never get into a taxi driven by a black driver again.

They attempt to bring my to drumcondra from town via such places as donnybrook!!!!

Not a racist issue, more a lack of local knowledge issue.


(also, they tuukkk arrr jobbbsss :P )

Chaotic_Forces

Max Power1 wrote: »

I'll never get into a taxi driven by a black driver again.

They attempt to bring my to drumcondra from town via such places as donnybrook!!!!

Not a racist issue, more a lack of local knowledge issue.


(also, they tuukkk arrr jobbbsss :P )

Nope, that's the East Europeans.

I think we need a "why do we hate this people" topic. I mean we're so damn xenophobic, we don't even know what people to hate for what reason! I'll organize the first meeting of "Fu*k everyone but the Irish" for next Saturday. That should clear up who we're racist against.

iamstop

I feel an odd sense of pity for racist people.

mikemac

Chaotic_Forces wrote: »

I think we need a "why do we hate this people" topic. I mean we're so damn xenophobic, we don't even know what people to hate for what reason! I'll organize the first meeting of "Fu*k everyone but the Irish" for next Saturday. That should clear up who we're racist against.

Any "outsider'

Have had drivers in Dublin bitch to me about Meath. Drivers in Galway do the same about Mayo.

Drivers in Limerick can't as many of their local runs go to Tipp and Clare like Newport and the north west of the city

And now drivers have another outsider to complain about.

If there were no Nigerians or any immigrants, it'd be the new drivers or the drivers from Wicklow or some other target.

In the end, just select any car you want on a rank

Dudess

AnalogueKid wrote: »

The only time I was scared of a cabbie was when an Irish cabbie locked all the doors and refused to let us out because me and my mate had indicated we were going to vote "Yes" in the upcoming divorce referendum. We had to threaten to break the windows to get this mouth foamer to let us out.

:eek:

And didn't some gobsh1te threaten to kick someone out of his taxi back around the time of the 1996 Olympics because they said it seemed suspicious that Michelle Smith/De Bruin had won all those gold medals?

The Waltzing Consumer

Dudess wrote: »

:eek:

And didn't some gobsh1te threaten to kick someone out of his taxi back around the time of the 1996 Olympics because they said it seemed suspicious that Michelle Smith/De Bruin had won all those gold medals?

Ha, jesus that's crazy!

smk89

My course in university has alot of people from Malaysia on exchange. The first week one said to me
"Whats your name?"
"Sean"
" I probably won't remember that, you all look alike".
She may as well have given me a get out of racism free card

The Waltzing Consumer

SeaFields wrote: »

There is some taxi "union" down in Cork that they refuse to let non-irish into it or some other such crap (there was a lengthy thread in AH about it.) Since I saw this on the news a few years back I'll get into a taxi with a non irish driver when I can. Fcuk em - probably tarring all of our lot with the same brush.

The only problem here is there are lots of organisations or unions that represent specific genders, ethniticities, nationalities, race and religions. I don't see a problem with that.

If there was an Africans drviers taxi union, that would obviously be a problem for you too because non-Africans would be refused entry? I don't see the problem and I certainly would not boycott any African organisation because they would not let others join. The same could be said for other nationalities, I don't see the problem.

I think the actual problem is Irish are the majority and this is their homeland so we have to be inclusive of everyone all the time or we are considered racist whilst minorities can be very exclusive on whatever basis and they are not considered racist simply because they are the minority. Don't really see the logic.

Rodin

How does someone from Nigeria/Sierra Leone/Iran get a visa to work here?

stupidusername

I would have to admit that I'd be a bit warey of getting into a taxi driven by a black guy. not because of any other reason than i've had some creepy experiences with black men that scared me, and so it's hard to ignore it. I've no problem with black people in general, wouldn't take any notice if they're black or not most of the time, just when it comes to something like this, if i was getting in alone, i would be a little warey.

Of course it's alive and well. It always makes me laugh when a white Irish person claims there is no racism in Ireland. Of course you don't notice it, you're flippin' white! I see what people mean about African drivers not knowing where they're going, but I've had the same kind of experience with other foreign drivers (Polish etc) and plenty of the Irish drivers are just gob****es.

Dudess

There is of course racism in Ireland, like anywhere, but some folks who get a hard-on from constantly ranting about how backwards "we" Irish are make it out to be like Alabama in 1964.

AskMyChocolate

SeaFields wrote: »

There is some taxi "union" down in Cork that they refuse to let non-irish into it or some other such crap (there was a lengthy thread in AH about it.) Since I saw this on the news a few years back I'll get into a taxi with a non irish driver when I can. Fcuk em - probably tarring all of our lot with the same brush.

The last taxi got got the fella was from Sierra Leone. He knew the way to my front door and we'd a good chat about hurling on the way back.

"If you're going to get sick let me know so I can pull over."

jim69

black taxi drivers seem to take the most obscure and expensive route possible.taxi plates shared between many,photo and number never match driver,what happens if your in crash ? not insured id think

dsmythy

State the obvious thread. Did you think it disappeared?

Sergeant

I treat all taxi drivers with a healthy contempt regardless of colour.

token101

To be fair all taxi drivers get abuse! Doubt its racist and if it is he should pull over at a cop station with the person in the car and go in and report him/her. If hes getting hassle because he doesn't know the area and then ends up overcharging because of that then he kind of deserves it! Been in cabs loads of times when cabbies (even 'local' cab drivers) end up circling the area because they haven't a clue where they are and expect you to tell them. It's their job to know thats why they get paid by you!

And with African drivers, I have been in a cab once where the picture didn't look a jot like the driver! It's not racism to be thinking curiously who exactly is driving the cab since it clearly ain't the guy in the ID!!!

RGDATA!

TeddyTedson wrote: »

To me it feels like it's people copying American suburban culture where middle class white kids feel like the black population has had a negative effect on their lives.

what are you basing this take on "American suburban culture" on? It seems a bizarre, unfounded statement. If anything you could argue the complete opposite re: the influence of black culture on middle-class white suburban kids.

BickNarry

jim69 wrote: »

black taxi drivers seem to take the most obscure and expensive route possible.taxi plates shared between many,photo and number never match driver,what happens if your in crash ? not insured id think

Yeah,i'd say you're just making things up.

kelle wrote: »

I rarely use taxis as I don't drink, but the rare times I do I will only use one with a lady driver. It's my choice, I pay for the service, my personal safety is at stake so I feel I am entitled to pick and choose who I travel with.

I guess that makes me sexist.

A woman is far more likely to be raped or assaulted by someone they know.

And we don't have a load of rapes going on every Saturday night. I can't get my head around your point. I think the person least likely to rape you is someone who is working the same area every night.

Men arn't controlled by sexual impulses.I think you're over reacting. Had to say it.

rochey84

My best friend's dad is a taxi driver and for years he used to tell us not to get into a car driven by a foreigner, I used to tell him to not be so racist. Now that being said I've had good and bad experiences of foreign taxi drivers:

Good:
Got into a taxi on Whitehall Road in D12 and asked to be brought to Break For the Border (Ironic now that I think about it cause he was a black man) but he didn't have clue where it was but he was honest about it and said it to me straight up so I suggested getting out of the car and getting another cab so he turned off the meter and said he'd do the trip for €10 (ususally €15 or so)

Bad:
Was walking over the ha'penny bridge extremely bladdered, (my plan was to walk to Hanlon's Corner and then get a taxi to Tyrrelstown where I'm living) anyway next thing I'm approached by the coloured man who insists that he is a taxi driver and that he just so happens to live in Tyrrelstown and is going home now and wants to give me a lift free of charge because I'm obviously in a bad way, I politly declined sayin that I had a plan but there are only so many times you can say free to a drunk man before he eventually says "ok" so I asked where his car is and he points over to Bondi Beach Club on the quays. So I get into his car and I blacked out, next thing I know we're in the phoenix park (not the quickest or most direct route to Tyrrelstown) and the meter is reading over €17, so when I asked him about it he insisted that the meter comes on by itself, so I asked to be let out of the car he became really aggressive and to get out of the situation I had to open the car door while it was still moving.

The upshot of this whole story is he ended up calling the Gards on me, the gards were really nice but told me I either had to pay him or I was getting arressted so now cause of that bastard I have an Adult Caution!!!

Micky Dolenz

Racism is alive and well in every country.

OutlawPete

☯

I like both black and white boobs.

That's what this is the symbol for, right?

If there's lots of taxis parked on a road I'll sneakily look in the windows as I'm passing to sort of suss out the driver, but to be honest I'd more often end up getting in with someone who's black, as I notice far more white drivers who look a bit dodgy, whereas I'd notice more black drivers who seem sound. However, if I get a taxi driven by someone Nigerian I don't chat with them, just give them the odd direction or two. Any conversation I've ever had with Nigerian men has been a little weird. I've a cousin married to a Nigerian guy so I've met a lot of his family/friends. It's not a colour thing, it's a cultural one. They're pretty much always sound, get me home for less than 20 quid and take my directions pretty well (I live in Howth which is easy to find, but once you get there it takes some tricky directions to get to the house). It's just the conversation. Bit weird in my experience so I don't have a chat with them when I'm being driven home, that's all.

However, about racism being alive, definitely. My mother harbours a lot of that "coming into our country and stealing our jobs and women" crap. There was an awful lot of hoo-hah about my cousin getting married too. My mum claims that the state has "made" her "racist by giving all them foreigners more benefits than decent Irish people". Also I'm not sure she realises that not all black people are foreign.

Killer Pigeon

JONJO THE MISER wrote: »

aww teddy what will you get up to next?

Burning a few Qur'ans I hope!

Latchy

Oh_Noes wrote: »

You make a very good point. There is no historical or cultural basis for racism in Ireland. We haven't had huge numbers of Africans coming here and taking jobs or breaking the law. I hear it all the time, "bloody foreigners" and the like. It's easy prey for the traditional Irish begrudger that wants to make himself/herself feel bigger by putting someone else down. Having a different skin colour is cannon fodder really.

I honestly do think that a large number of people here will just see American television and take the extreme stereotypes and use them to discriminate. It's absurd in reality.

TeddyTedson wrote: »

I think all Irish people should never forget we are a nation that for years have been happy to flee to all parts of the world to set up shop and expect to be accepted.
I'm sorry for the **** explanation but I'm obviously still drunk and this is kind of embarrassing to me as a proud Irishman.

True enough but the double standards of the Irish immigrant is nothing new .Remember reading two interesting articles a few years ago ,one about the Irish in California who were in the majority that voted against keeping Mexican immigrants out of the state , a big enough problem I know but these people who voted would have being decendents of Irish immigrants themselfs .

Also around the same time an Egyptian waiter was asked in an interview of their expierence with tourists and there behaviour towards them and the interviewer was surprised when he said said it wasn't the British or Germans Irish who gave him the hardest time no , it was the Irish who would laugh and shout abuse across to the staff about how much they earned in a week ( back home in celtic tiger Ireland ) compared to what he the barmen would earn in a year . Not the behaviour of most Irish people I know

kelle wrote: »

I rarely use taxis as I don't drink, but the rare times I do I will only use one with a lady driver. It's my choice, I pay for the service, my personal safety is at stake so I feel I am entitled to pick and choose who I travel with.

I guess that makes me sexist.

I can understand if some women feel uncomfortable getting into a taxi alone regardless of the colour of the driver remembering that women on their own have being abducted, assaulted and murderd by taxi drivers .

Am thinking of the London cabbie who aducted ,drugged and assulted/ raped up to 80 women (that are accountable for ,many more may not have being reported ) and the more recent murder in Swindon by a local taxi driver

TeddyTedson

Killer Pigeon wrote: »

Burning a few Qur'ans I hope!

Undoubtedly :pac:

Oh_Noes wrote: »

You make a very good point. There is no historical or cultural basis for racism in Ireland. We haven't had huge numbers of Africans coming here and taking jobs or breaking the law. I hear it all the time, "bloody foreigners" and the like. It's easy prey for the traditional Irish begrudger that wants to make himself/herself feel bigger by putting someone else down. Having a different skin colour is cannon fodder really.

I honestly do think that a large number of people here will just see American television and take the extreme stereotypes and use them to discriminate. It's absurd in reality.

This is what I wanted to say.

jackiebaron

TeddyTedson wrote: »

Do I have a point or am I just a brudy drunk?

Feckin' Irish. Always drunk!!! :P

CrazyRabbit

Some of the most racist people I've met are taxi drivers. It's amazing how common it is to get into a taxi driven by an Irish guy only to have him rant with racist remarks for the entire trip.

Generally I don't care who's driving the taxi. But there was one case where I didn't get into a taxi that was driven by a non-national. It was nothing to do with the driver, but the car itself was infested with insects, including 5 moths. He got really upset when I went to the taxi behind him, even after I explained why.