Scotland’s Racist Rhetoric Is Rising — Young People of Colour Are Feeling It

The Growing Impact of Racist Rhetoric in Scotland: How Increasing Hate, Bias, and Microaggressions Are Shaping the Lives, Education, and Wellbeing of Young Black People and Young People of Colour.

Over the past few years, Scotland has seen a worrying rise in racist rhetoric, not just in fringe spaces, but creeping into everyday conversations, online platforms, and political discourse. While Scotland often prides itself on being progressive and welcoming, young people of colour are increasingly feeling the impact of narratives that question their belonging, undermine their safety, or portray them as a “problem” rather than part of the fabric of our communities.

Where Is This Rhetoric Coming From?

Racist rhetoric doesn’t emerge out of nowhere, it’s shaped by a mix of social, political, and economic pressures. Online spaces increasingly amplify harmful narratives, with social media acting as a hotspot for racist commentary, misinformation about migrants, and culture-war narratives. Young people are exposed to racism not only directed at them, but normalised in the comment sections they scroll through daily. Political debates across Scotland and the wider UK often fuel division through “us vs. them” framing around immigration, crime, and social policy; when public figures use language that scapegoats racialised groups, it legitimises similar views within communities and schools. At the same time, local tensions and misinformation around housing, employment, and public services can lead frustrations to be misdirected at migrants or racialised communities, making young people of colour the visible targets of issues rooted in broader social inequality.

How Young People of Colour Are Feeling the Impact

For many young Black people and young people of colour in Scotland, the rise in racist rhetoric isn’t just something they read about, it’s shaping their everyday lives. Many report a growing sense of not belonging, feeling that their identity, heritage, or right to be in Scotland is being questioned more openly, with comments like “go back where you came from”, once whispered, now appearing more frequently online and in public spaces. This environment also takes a significant toll on their mental health, as the constant vigilance, fear of being targeted, and emotional labour of navigating racism can lead to anxiety, low confidence, and exhaustion. Schools are often where these wider narratives are felt most acutely, with young people experiencing more racist “banter,” microaggressions from peers, and, at times, a lack of intervention from adults who may not feel equipped to respond. Additionally, many young people of colour carry the burden of having to represent or defend their communities, feeling compelled to educate others, explain their identity, or counter harmful stereotypes, pressures rarely experienced by their white peers.

Why This Matters for Scotland’s Future

Young people of colour are part of Scotland’s present and its future. When racist rhetoric grows unchecked, it not only harms individual wellbeing — it weakens the social fabric of the country.

Youth voices across Scotland are calling for more racially literate schools, more visible anti-racist leadership, and safe spaces where they can speak openly about their experiences. And many are stepping into roles as advocates, artists, organisers, and educators, pushing back against harmful narratives with resilience and creativity.

What Needs to Happen Next

To counter the rise in racist rhetoric, Scotland needs more than statements of solidarity. Young people of colour consistently ask for:

• Racially literate education that acknowledges Scotland’s diversity and history.

• Adults who intervene, not ignore, when racism happens.

• Safe spaces where they can talk about identity, belonging, and the challenges they face.

• Policies that protect and uplift racialised communities, not just react to harm.

• Positive representation in media, classrooms, and leadership.

A Call to Listen — and Act

The rise in racist rhetoric across Scotland is a reminder that progress is not guaranteed, it must be protected, strengthened, and lived out in daily practice. Young people of colour are already doing the work: raising awareness, challenging harmful ideas, and advocating for change.

What they need now is for the adults, institutions, and communities around them to listen, and to act with the same courage and clarity.