The Bunker – News without the nonsense Is Britain becoming more racist?
Jan 14, 2026
Rahul Sambaraju, a psychology lecturer researching social norms and prejudice, teams up with Simon Goodman, an associate professor studying language and political shifts, to tackle the question of racism's visibility in Britain. They discuss how societal norms around prejudice are changing, how social media amplifies extreme views, and the impact of political figures on public discourse. The conversation also explores strategies for combating rising hostility, emphasizing grassroots organization and the importance of education in fostering tolerance.
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Norms Governing Prejudice Are Shifting
- A weakening norm against prejudice makes it easier for people to express prejudicial arguments publicly.
- Simon Goodman argues that difficulty in calling out prejudice reduces the social cost of saying it.
Prejudice Is Socially Regulated Over Time
- Prejudice is shaped by social norms that change historically and affect what people dare to express.
- Rahul Sambaraju highlights that declining taboo power lets negative speech become more acceptable.
Tube Incident Shows ‘Blasé’ Racism
- Rahul recounts an Instagram incident where a white teenager verbally abused Asian teens and initially apologized then doubled down.
- He uses this to illustrate growing blasé racism moving from microaggressions to overt acts.
