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The city that used to be full of kind strangers is increasingly witnessing racist disorder. I hope it can find its way back to its old friendliness
Scottish people have always been known for their friendliness. “We’re not like the south of us,” they say, referring to England. The official slogan of Scotland’s largest city, “People make Glasgow”, appears everywhere – on T-shirts, buildings, bus stops and mugs. And when I first moved to Scotland from India in 2018, I was immediately welcomed by kind strangers and helpful neighbours. People showed curiosity, rather than intrusiveness. They respected queues; told me I fit right in. Music, art and cultural events were considered inclusive spaces in the city, with calls for diversity, creativity, inclusion – all the good things.
As an outsider, this was a dream come true: to be myself, to be alone, to have brotherhood and a community. It was life-changing. I could do whatever I wanted, wear whatever I wanted, walk by myself at night, even. That is a luxury, especially for a woman. But something has changed, particularly after Covid, a global recession and years of austerity. Now, I watch the steady rise of far-right, fringe violence and I feel a special scrutiny upon me.
Sanghmitra Singh is a human rights lawyer and a writer
This article is published as part of a partnership with Pass the Mic, which works to amplify the expertise of women of colour
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