TV doctor describes 'barrage of racist abuse'
Television personality and GP Amir Khan said he had experienced racism throughout his life
- Published
TV doctor Amir Khan has spoken of the racism he has encountered throughout his career.
Dr Khan, who remains a full-time GP in Bradford, said there had been patients who refused to see him because he was Asian.
He said he had also received a "whole barrage of racist abuse" on social media.
He said he was proud of his British Pakistani heritage but, like many others, faced frequent prejudice.
Dr Khan was born in Bradford to his immigrant parents, a bus driver and social worker.
The resident doctor for ITV's Lorraine and Good Morning Britain told PA Media: "I think anyone from a historically marginalised background has encountered some form of prejudice and racism and I have certainly encountered that throughout my life growing up and even now.
"I've had patients refuse to see me because I'm an Asian doctor.
"I've had comments made to me using the 'P' word when I've been growing up."
'It isn't right, but it happens'
Dr Khan said he had also attracted trolls on social media.
He said: "I get a whole barrage of racist abuse about how I don't understand British culture and British values, even though I'm very British.
"It's sad, but you learn to live alongside it because it happens; micro-aggressions happening on a daily basis and macro-aggressions happening every fortnight at least.
"When you put stuff out there, it invites it in, which isn't right, but it happens."
Dr Khan, who has now penned a children's book about families and sex education, said he learned the facts of life from his school friends rather than his parents.
He said: "I grew up with six sisters and my dad died when I was fairly young - and we are a Muslim family. These kinds of conversations didn't happen in our house."
The information he gleaned from his friends was incorrect and inappropriate, he said.
He stressed the importance of introducing children to facts about the evolution of family life before they were exposed to misinformation and inappropriate content online.
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