It's an interesting situation without a doubt, and one that as a brown boy growing up in a white family I have first hand experience of. I'm not saying what's right or wrong but providing a perspective from a person who isn't a multi millionaire young footballer, but has experienced some similar struggles.
To give a brief background - I'm of mixed origin, half Indian and that's fairly obvious. I was adopted from birth into a fantastic loving family, who are white. Obviously there's no problem with that whatsoever, but I'm trying to convey how white people are treated differently. Experience number 1, I came home from primary school aged 6 and asked my mum what a n**ger was, as I'd been called it at school that day. 'Ask your father when he gets home'....... My dad's answer was that it was a stupid word for someone who isn't very popular. The kid who called it me probably didn't know either.
As I got older it got worse. Loud comments on the school bus such as 'It stinks of dog shit on here, must be that paki'. Hilarious. At this point I was about ten years old. My white pals would tell me to ignore these regular taunts from the older kids. I'd hold back the tears until I got home, then rush to my bedroom because I didn't want to tell my folks.
Big brother to the rescue. He became aware and the main culprit was dealt with. However, at the time that this situation was resolved, the culprit still didn't believe that this person with the same surname was my brother. Still, the word got around that I was actually from a white family and all this behaviour almost ceased, and in fact many of these kids made attempts to befriend me when they realised I had this cool, older brother. Perception versus reality. Combined with absolute stupidity and a need to show off.
It continued a bit more throughout school, especially when Nick (big brother) left, but by that stage I was becoming quite capable of fighting my own battles.
Then I left the sanctuary and safety of the school environment and went out into the big bad world of work and adult life. At this point Nick was back home and we were working together, doing quite well. And the negative behaviour began again. At this point I'd pretty much learnt to turn a blind eye. On one occasion in a club me and Nick were talking to a couple of young ladies, drinking champagne as was our want, but minding our own business. Some guy came over, tapped me on the shoulder. I turned around and he said, comically 'Oi, we were talking to them you paki bastard', then treated me to a right hook. I don't know why he'd assault me and taunt me with abuse about my skin colour? He could have picked on Nick? Anyway, the girls were evidently impressed by this display of alpha male heroism, we left the champagne and departed.
As I've got older it barely happens now. People say stuff unwittingly which doesn't bother me in the slightest - stuff like 'So where are you from then?' That's no biggy, but it happened not so long ago when I was in a business meeting. Afterwards my colleague asked - 'Why didn't they ask me that? Doesn't it piss you off?' Nah not really, to me that's an innocent question based on curiosity, although to him it was more.
Anyhow, just a few examples, there are plenty more but all with a similar undertone.
I think Raheem has done a great job, he responded at the time with a smile and made a very good point about how people can be perceived to be treated differently due to colour. I agree, because I've lived it. You can form your own opinion.
I'll just leave this picture here from 1988, which hopefully shows how things have improved and continue to do so.
