What do people think of Jack Straw's latest comment?

Question

We must remember not to take it out of context

I totally agree with these answers so far, but hey everyone's entitled to an opinon...

Answer 1

IT'S ABOUT TIME SOMEONE SAID IT

Answer 2

First of all, I would like to say that I am not politically inclined to either side, and neither I am English, so I am impartial in what I am saying here.
People has made a huge fuss because he is a politician, if I said it, no one would give a ****. He was telling his experience, he didn't create a new law, if he had, I would be against, as that wouldn't be respectful.
England was a free country last time I looked. You can say (RESPECTFULLY TO OTHERS, AND THEIR RELIGIONS AND BELIEFS), what you think or feel, he felt uncomfortable talking to a woman whose face he couldn't see, so what? Other people told me that before and no one went crazy. To be honest, that's how most of people feels when talking to someone you can't see.
If England is as cosmopolitan as it looks to me, then why is people is so surprised at a remark? Is it the way the media manipulate it and make it offensive?
People, just move on.

Answer 3

Finally somebody pointed out the stupidity of these things. At the very least they are racist, and although I would not suggest banning them yet (the women that have been forsed to wear them have been brainwashed for far too long and need time t recuperate from the garbage they've been told).

To explain my point, I have 1 Chinese friends, 2 black friends and 2 Muslim Friends (bearing in mind i live in an area of the country that is largely still white) and I have not properly realised they are any different to anybody else before this issue. The issue of the Burka is to emphasise that they are different, which is at the very least inciting Racism. Racism has been a slur on our society for decades, and we cannot forcefully remove it from society, but by pretending it no longer exists, and forgeting there is any difference between so-called minorities is the best and really the only way of eliminating the problem from our lives. People wearing these burka's are deliberatly trying to remind us that they are different, therefore trying to pour petrol on a flame that is almost out.

Answer 4

I for one live in Blackburn, not that it makes any difference, but thinking about it, if you were a biker, and walked into a bank / post office you would be asked to remove your helmet so people could see who you where, people who wear the face masks for their own beliefs should be made to do the same. How do people know that it is male / female under all those robes ?
As the old saying goes--- AS IN ROME, DO AS THE ROMANS DO.
I for one, is waiting for a protestant church to be built slap bang in the middle of Pakistan, then see what rules occur !!

I usually dont have a good word to say for Jack Straw, but for once he's right !

Answer 5

i say about time i am only 23 and i think that it is very distrespectful when i see them walking down the street covering there whole body as a country us brits have never done this so why are we meant to understand this i dont. it is like when you are trying to talk to some one and they are lookinkg away from you well rude it is not a normal thing to me go on jack dont be scared make a stand for us all we need to all stand together and not be called racists but be able to view our points

Answer 6

.I think it is wrong to dictate to people what they should or should not wear. Not all women in this country are forced into it many may believe or feel the head scarf is about modesty, about not showing naked parts of your body to men and boys. To feel safe that people will like you for who you are and what you behave like instead of having to re-lie on your looks to do the talking for you. Maybe if we could all see behind our own fears and prejudices and actually listen and learn this world would me a much safer place, and next time when you see someone of any religion, see there inner beauty by actually getting to know the individual not the media hyped stereotype.

Answer 7

We have to remember that for SOME very devout Muslem women, taking of the scarf would be like a Christian woman taking off her blouse.

However, I do think that it is often worn as a statement, either to the community from which they come or to the rest of us. In which case it isn't very constructive.

Answer 8

Jack Straw is entitled to his comment like everyone else is.
Freedom of speech.
He is only voicing what people are to frightened to say.
The man has a valid point

Answer 9

I think it's understandable... I'd feel uncomfortable speaking to someone with a crash helmet on, or with a plastic bag over their head! The eyes and mouth are very expressive and are an important part of communication. I can see where he is coming from

Answer 10

I think he it totally within his rights to comment as he did - I think people that decide to live in this country (a predominately Christian country), from another where religion and culture may be different, should be wise to follow the maxim 'when in Rome and all that'.

Answer 11

Rocks