The "black policeman's association "was mentioned on the news this morning.Is this racist.?

Question

Supposing there was a white policeman's association,imagine the outcry.

I'm not a racist but surely not being a racist means that colour of skin should not be an issue.Are such association not perpetuating a division between races?

The case in question was regarding the forwarded picture of the black man decapitated.It was pretty sick to be forwarding the picture whether the guy was black or white,but was it forwarded BECAUSE he was black or because of the outrageous nature of the image?

Vampire: I understand what you say,but surely the problems that black policemen encounter can be sddressed along with all the other problems that policemen face.I don't see the need to promote segregation in this way.How are we to encourage more blak and asians into the police force if don't integrate.We don't want a black police force and a white police force.
Blacks and whites are different in many ways but they are also the same in many more.I think it is a shame that colour has to be such an issue.Having fought hard for integration it would be sad if black people then chose to separate themselves .
The comment " is this racist" is a question designed to open a debate,which it clearly did.It is NOT a racist statement.

Answer 1

The Black Police Officers' Association was founded to try to promote the cause of minority officers in what was, at the time, a pretty racist organisation.

Unfortunately, as the amount of real racism has diminished (or at least the amount of it which is stated publicly, as people get wise to the effect it will have on their careers), the BPOA - like the Commission for Racial Equality - has had to pursue more and more marginal cases to justify its continued existence.

The case being discussed (of Herts police staff who forwarded video of a black suspect falling and decapitating himself whilst being chased by police in the USA) is a good example, and what the BPOA's spokesman revealed was that he only knows one way of dividing the world up - black and white - which makes him a racist, in my view. He is doing nothing for racial harmony and integration by raising these issues when some of the officers who forwarded the video WERE THEMSELVES BLACK.

What he couldn't see was that the officers who were (distastefully) amused by the video have their own way of dividing up the world - coppers and villains - and the race of the unfortunate man was neither here nor there.

Answer 2

I can't believe how narrow minded some people are!!!! Do you think possibly, that a black policeman might encounter stresses that a white one wouldn't? Don't you think that they might need a support group that actually understands the pressures and problems of being a black copper?
There is a 'White policeman's association.' It's called the police force!

Black and white people are different. We have different cultures, upbringing etc. Being different does not make one or other better than the other.
Is it sexist to have a Woman's Institute (W.I.) ? Are the MOBO music awards racist? No! These things celebrate the differences and divergence that makes this world the interesting place is it to live in!
What's racist is when people ask 'Is this racist?'

Answer 3

I agree entirely. As a matter of fact, I see it as harmful to the races involved; it's like saying "we can't hack it with the whites, let's form something to protect ourselves". Same things with Affirmative Action, racial scholarships, etc.

I understand that there was a time when there was a need for such things. However, I think that time is either past in most cases or close to it.

Unfortunately, I'm probably going to end up being called a racist just because I think all people are equal and should be judged on their merits and not their skin color.

Answer 4

I think that by having a Black Policemans Association they are opening themselves up to racism. If I tried to start an organisation such as the White cat lovers association they would go off their heads and I would be classed as a racist.

This world has gone mad

Answer 5

How on earth can this be termed as racist!There are associations the length and breadth of the uk for all types and groups of people.They are not set up to exclude.If i wanted to join the association for the deaf i would not have to be deaf to join.White society only has to hear the word black and they are thrown into a frenzy of suspicion,fear crying RACISM RACISM.There should be an association for the "education of the misguided,ignorant and erm'uneducated"It would have a waiting list as long as your arm.

Answer 6

I think the real shame is that there has to be such an association.

not what it is or should be called ... I think it only ever came into existence because of racism ... the division existed before the association.

Just think of it ..as an honest Golf Club

or working mens club ...where you have to be nominated for membership. ;-))


Dr BAd

Answer 7

The black policemans association thats the name of a comedy club in Wigan isn't it, I believe Bernard Manning gigs there alot

Answer 8

There have been plenty of white associations until blacks started fighting for equal rights. I don't see anything wrong with minority groups being able to form associations. This promotes public awareness that minorities are performing these jobs, and shows that minorities are productive, valuable members of our society. We won't all have equal rights "until the philosophy that holds one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited" (quote by Haile Selassie).

Answer 9

Aside from the flaming racism of the answer by Kirsten, it is a bit hypocritical in thsi day and age to have an association just for blacks

Answer 10

Yes - can you imagine the "white music awards" or "white entertainment Television" (like BET).

I wish we could all just get off our bandwagons. Racism will not be eliminated until people stop trying to differentiate themselves based on the colour of their skins.

I dont care what colour you are - its all completely ridiculous.