My generation grew up with racism... that’s not what I want for my children
Loose Women’s Saira Khan tells MARION McMULLEN how the England football squad are helping to tackle the problem of racism and hate crime
GARETH SOUTHGATE’S England football squad are all winners in the eyes of Loose Women panellist Saira Khan. She says the diversity of the soccer players reflects life in modern Britain and they also point the way to greater tolerance and understanding in the future.
“I remember growing up and being called names. It’s something my generation grew up with,” says 48-year-old Saira with a sigh, “but it’s not what I want for my children.
“I want them to know that there’s always something that can be done and what their rights are.
“It’s been great to see the England team and what Gareth Southgate has done for diversity. Eleven out of the 23 squad have mixed race heritage and Gareth Southgate has talked about diversity and not just paid lip service to it. It shows if we want to do well we have to embrace all forms of diversity – people with disabilities, different sexual orientation, transgender, cultural... everyone.”
Straight-talking Saira has been a television regular since being runner-up in the first series of The Apprentice and has co-presented The Martin Lewis Money Show and fronted ITV daytime show Guess This House as well as appearing on Celebrity Big Brother.
The mother-of-two is the oldest of four children born to parents who emigrated from Kashmir in 1965.
“Growing up in the Midlands, our neighbours were white and really supported us.
“It wasn’t quite my mum being chased down the street by skinheads, but it wasn’t far off at times,” she remembers. “We lived on a council estate and for the most part we knew our neighbours and it was a good community, but every community has its bad eggs and we were targeted as an Asian family and they set my dad’s car on fire.
“That was the type of thing going on, but I think the police take everything a lot more seriously now and it is treated as a hate crime.”
Saira says ITV’s Loose Women has looked at issues of racism and hate crime in the past and is the perfect platform to debate and celebrate the differences among us.
“It Ain’t Half Hot Mum, Alf Garnett and Jim Davidson doing his Chalky character on TV were the norm when I was growing up,” she points out.
“We’ve come a long way since then to where we are now in a really good place.
“I do feel that in Britain from the 1970s onwards we have really grown and developed and people now know their rights and know that they can do something. Racism in any kind of form cannot be tolerated.
“People look for scapegoats when they are afraid and that’s when hate crime really increases.
“I feel in a unique position to comment because of my background and because I have a mixed marriage and can see both sides and we’re not that different. People share the same values.”
Saira is now urging people to nominate deserving winners for this year’s No2h8 Crime Awards.
The awards honour those who challenge hatred, intolerance and bigotry and the theme this year is Upstanders And Not Bystanders.
The awards are also supported by a range of national hate crime agencies who work on tackling hatred, intolerance and prejudice, including Tell MAMA, the Community Security Trust, GALOP, Stonewall and the ‘No to Hate Crime’ campaign.
Richard Benson OBE, chair of the No2H8 Crime Awards, recently pointed out: “Given that hate incidents have risen across communities, it is essential that we all send out a strong signal, that we will not tolerate hatred and prejudice in our communities. This is why we celebrate those heroes standing against hate in communities and why we must re-enforce the need for society to remain vigilant and pro-active in reducing it.” Saira says: “The awards are important. Hate crime can not just be against people of colour. It can be against anyone who is seen as different. “Every decent person is against hate crime. There are a lot of amazing people working so hard to help those who experience hate crimes and we need to highlight what they do and how many people from different backgrounds are making a difference. “They are passionate and inspiring and I hope people will nominate them for these awards. They are working to make all our lives better and healthier.” She laughingly says even her own family make sure she does not put a foot wrong. My 10-year-old son Zach pulled me up the other day. I said something and he pointed out ‘That’s very sexist for you to say.’ And I thought about it and said ‘Oh, yes.’
“Of course, it’s millennials, the future generations, who are in so many ways in tune with what is right and what is wrong.
“They don’t blink an eyelid when it comes to different people and cultures. They know it is wrong to be racist, homophobic, xenophobic.
“I think with people travelling to different countries as well it has made them more open to different cultures and communities.
“These awards help celebrate people who are making a difference.”
It’s been great to see the England team and what Gareth Southgate has done for diversity. Eleven out of the 23 squad have mixed race heritage... Saira Khan