John Terry and the 'unacceptability of racism'

[OldBlueLady]

Then they would be idiots, because that isn't racist, just commonsense. They would be laughed at.

It's a fine line between what a lot of people would call common sense, and what others call sexism or racism though.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

So what is it then? Colour has obviously been brought into it? The fact you don't find it an insult is not really relevant (if I didn't know you, one could suggest a racial superiority complex here - racist :winking:), but the intention is relevant. The fact that colour was brought into the insult, to me, means it's still a racial slur - the fact that it doesn't have historical impications in discriminating against white people shouldn't make it a less serious or less insulting form of racism. History is important, and the undertones of that even now unfortunately are still present, but it shouldn't be used to form levels of racism.



This is the point I was getting at, albeit it probably won't be a popular one.

Racial slurs aren't good, but the real evil that needs to be protected against is racial discrimination. Racial slurs against blacks/Asians were a method used to perpetuate that discrimination. That's the difference.

Everyone knows that you're not supposed to say what Terry is alleged to have said so the easiest solution is not to say it. That's hardly a deprivation of anyone's liberty: your freedom to swing your fist has always ended where another's nose begins. People seem to be getting upset because people are swinging fists where they think people's noses should be, but clearly aren't.

 

[Napster]

It's a fine line between what a lot of people would call common sense, and what others call sexism or racism though.

Le bon sens est la chose du monde la mieux partagée; car chacun pense en être si bien pourvu, que ceux même qui sont les plus difficiles à contenter en toute autre chose n'ont point coutume d'en désirer plus qu'ils en ont.

 

[Jam_Man]

It's a fine line between what a lot of people would call common sense, and what others call sexism or racism though.

Political correctness gone mad.

Surely I win something for being the first to use the phrase in the thread and its only 6 pages long.

 

[southend4ever]

A lot of the time it is how you say something and not what you say...

Most people would realise that as soon as they mention a person's skin colour that they are bringing race discrimination into play... maybe that cretin Terry didn't or maybe he just didn't think he would get caught or maybe he just wasn't thinking! I am sure it is likely to be one of those.

 

[OldBlueLady]

Le bon sens est la chose du monde la mieux partagée; car chacun pense en être si bien pourvu, que ceux même qui sont les plus difficiles à contenter en toute autre chose n'ont point coutume d'en désirer plus qu'ils en ont.

Not sure I understand the English translation, let alone the French!!! :dim:

I don't understand the claim that Terry was sarcastically "repeating" what Ferdinand had said? Surely Ferdinand wouldn't call himself that?!

 

[canveyshrimper]

I agree with Naps in that I don't think Terry is a racist.

Perhaps I'm asking the bleeding obvious but why is Doreen Lawrence at the trial?

 

[steveo]

Maybe not, but you can still just turn people down if you don't like the look of them.

So its ok for Asians to advertise Asians only but not English peope to advertise for english poeple only?

 

[BLUEBLOOD]

So its ok for Asians to advertise Asians only but not English peope to advertise for english poeple only?

Yep .. and if you question that then you are obviously a racist, or something

i prefer the old days when you could call a spade a spade rather than all this pussy footing about

 

[davewebbsbrain]

If a black guy called me a Honkey nobody would bat an eyelid

 

[Napster]

If a black guy called me a Honkey nobody would bat an eyelid

A black guy won't call you a honky. This isn't the 1970s.

 

[BLUEBLOOD]

If a black guy called me a Honkey nobody would bat an eyelid

EXACTLY ... which proves racism is a one way street, thats racist isn't it ?? :dizzy:

 

[davewebbsbrain]

A black guy won't call you a honky. This isn't the 1970s.

Lets not cloud the fact with a humerous comment. What I'm saying is correct and you can't deny that.

 

[Napster]

Lets not cloud the fact with a humerous comment. What I'm saying is correct and you can't deny that.

No it's not correct. Are you doing the same as Kay and using anecdotes or your own feelings to further your argument?

 

[Napster]

How many people have seriously been a victim of racial abuse? Proper, nasty, name-calling abuse? Where the "white" is really exaggerated?

I doubt any of you have. So, no it's not a one-way street, because white people aren't restricted or prejudiced against in any way in the UK. If you're a man, middle-class, white, there really isn't anything to moan about.

 

[steveo]

If you're a man, middle-class, white, there really isn't anything to moan about.

But what if I had wanted to rent one of those flats and couodnt becasue I wasnt Asian? My feelings may be badly hurt.

 

[Rayleigh Weir]

But what if I had wanted to rent one of those flats and couodnt becasue I wasnt Asian? My feelings may be badly hurt.

I suspect that the people that would be offended by the accidental discrimination of these adverts are not the sort of people that would choose to have dealings with the ethnic or religious groups responsible. So surely it's a win-win?

 

[southend4ever]

True Story... at school a lad who I got on with and was in Maths class with was a black lad. He turned around and said to me 'shut up you milky way' I retorted 'shut up Mars Bar'.

Guess who got chucked out the class... Me!!

It was all in jest but the teacher didn't know that and sent me out.

 

[canveyshrimper]

I've just heard that the judge at the Terry trial will make a decision at 2pm whether to dismaiss the case. Apparently the evidence given by Ferdinand is described as tenuous at best.

 

[Napster]

I've just heard that the judge at the Terry trial will make a decision at 2pm whether to dismaiss the case. Apparently the evidence given by Ferdinand is described as tenuous at best.

So the defence say.