Thread by @hopenothate

The word p*ki has come back into the public eye, so we thought it might be useful to give a brief overview of the words racist history.

A THREAD 👇🏽🧵

After South Asians were invited by British employers to rebuild post WW2 Britain, many nationalists and members of the public felt their ideal of the majority White Britain disappearing.

Soon came the bullying in the 1960s-1980s which was to be coined ‘P*ki-bashing’

These attitudes threatened the livelihoods of immigrants and British Brown residents and were exacerbated by the media and politicians like Enoch Powell.

Words have meaning outside of their descriptive function. The slur ‘Paki’ wasn’t just a derogatory term for someone with Brown skin — it became associated with violence and a reminder that these new immigrants didn’t belong in a country which originally invited them.

The word has far-reaching racist connotations. It was used to restrict housing and deny jobs. It inspired violence. It represents the struggle of an extreme past.

Although the history of physical violence towards those with Brown skin is not as present today, the fact that p*ki bashing can still be regarded as “good natured banter” shows we have a long way to go.

#RunRacismOut

To those who believe it is a harmless abbreviation of the word Pakistani, the history of Paki-bashing should remind them that the word still carries the history of violence, malice and marginalisation experienced by South Asians.

Join our campaign to stand alongside @AzeemRafiq30 and make it clear that racism is not banter.

secure.hopenothate.org.uk/page/93139/pet…