Black people can ride motorbikes though. Anyone can. But if most of them choose not to that's their call. Across Africa and Asia bikes are part of the human DNA. Everyone rides them just as they used to in this country before cars became universally affordable. White people still form by far and away the majority in this country so it is logical that the majority of motorcyclists will be white. So are non-white people really under-represented in motorcycling or is the biking demographic broadly representative of the population as a whole? Has anyone actually researched it? If there are disproportionately fewer non-white people riding bikes, whatever the reason, I'm certain it isn't a lack of tolerance from the established biking community which (race paddocks aside) is one of the most open and inclusive cultures I have ever come across. As far as I'm concerned, if black, brown, blue, pink or any other colour of person wants to ride a bike, fill your boots folks. Come and join us, you're more than welcome.
Yes. Nicest guy you could ever meet but it's the 'hint' of shush around him sometimes I find tough to cope with. So much so, I rarely talk to a couple of 'mates' because of the way they would behave when he was not around. And I avoid parts of the infamously 'welcome' paddock too. Have to say tho I have never witnessed any overt or direct issues, and could just be be being over sensitive towards a good mate. It happens from time to time....
^ was one of the most welcoming people on my walk around the pits a few years back despite the fact that he had to prep his bike. On the other hand my 10 years living in Woking showed me how some people can be - its best to just take people as you find them regardless of where they come from.
My best friend is Indian and I agree with what you say I too have some friends who don't accept him who say they aren't racist including some of my family The hush and the looks we get I notice more, he lives with it everyday and it's the "norm" to him I feel very protective towards him I don't see colour just the person for who he is he is human after all I treat everyone the same whatever breed they may be especially at work You want to see the amount of white people who won't stand next to a coloured person at self scan especially middle aged who tut and get impatient
I think everyone sees colour, which is a good thing as a decent human we should take some account of those around us and act accordingly. It's when colour becomes a reason to not do something, or behave wholly different, seeing colour becomes an issue. Plus, as demonstrated so ably above by Dinky, without seeing it how can you abuse your mates? Fat, thin, bald, black, ginger, big dick. All areas which can get ridicule without being malicious but the average bystander could get offended by One of the reasons forums can be tough to be on. We are mostly bystanders.
Interesting point really the OP raises. I have a huge amount of black friends, and only 1 of them is a biker. We used to go out together for rides out all the time and went to loads of bike shows and never once did we have any comments or problems. None of my other black friends have ever expressed any interest at all in motorbikes, they are much more into their cars and most of them seem to drive either BMW`s, Merc`s, Range Rovers or similar. For them an "expensive" car seems to be a status symbol - a sign to the rest of their community that they have "made it" or have done well in life. You only have to sit in the carpark of a Sikh temple when theres a wedding on, its pretty mad. And yet, back in India when these guys go back to visit relations & family etc, you see pictures and their entire family over there ride about on mopeds/scooters/motorbikes. And yet in the UK they wouldnt be seen dead on one. As for motorbike racing, who knows. You could say the same about girls. I see very few female bike racers. Likewise you dont see many Indian Snooker players or Dart Players. Maybe its just that certain cultures or types of people arnt into certain things?
In Newham where I live half the population are black, asian or mixed, and plenty of lads get a scooter to whizz about on. Makes no difference what ethnicity. Then they get older and buy a car, if they can afford one, just like anywhere else. In the case of white guys, a proportion get a bigger bike and keep biking; in the case of BME guys, not so much. Therein lies the difference. In some sports (football, athletics) BME participants are well represented, or even dominant; in other sports (motorsports, snooker) they are under-represented. Just as in any other walk of life (academia, politics, the professions), first there has to be a breakthrough with early pioneers having a hard time; then progressive growth; and eventually something like equality of opportunity. Some areas progress much more rapidly than others. And some get stuck in the dark ages.
just remember that racism isnt a one way street , it goes both ways , i work abroad and my work takes me all over the world and ive had to put up with racism directed at myself on several occasions . and by far the worst racism ive had directed at myself has been from Indians and Egyptians .
What is this "hush" or "shush" that people speak of ? Is it as in "(s)hush, don't mention the war" when in the presence of Germans ? A bit Fawlty-esque ?
I have been fortunate to meet peoples from a few countries. I have yet to meet racism. We are all the same, blood and guts. Please stop reading shit that governments and the media churn. Offer a hand, few will refiuse. We need to stand and ask why are we divided!
