How is this hysterical nonsense helping to stamp out racism??

Question

My grandparents are originally from India so I could be considered part of an 'ethnic minority'. I absolutely detest racist morons, but I also despair at how ridiculous this society has become.

Does anyone else her, minority or otherwise, get extremely annoyed at amount of pointless 'political correctness' (I hate that stupid phrase) that goes on? I don't mean genuine, important problems that need addressing - I mean stupid things, like not putting up 'Happy Christmas' banners. Why the hell don't we just add other banners with different celebrations to reflect our multicultural society, instead of needlessly banning something that is totally inoffensive?

The idea that flying the Union Jack makes you a racist is imply ludicrous, to me. It is also dangerous, as such trite complaints make a mockery out of the very serious issues central to wiping out REAL, vile racism.

Where does this nonsense end? Anyone with me on this?

Someone just pointed out to me that the proper term for our flag is the Union Flag. (I should point out that I am British, in case you missed that part of my rant. LOL!)

Nev - I thoroughly agree with you that we do need to be careful... I guess I'm calling for peaceful co-existence. I've always been a dreamer! :-)

Voice Of Reason: That, friend, is sheer rubbish. Daily Mail, indeed.... what an isult. I'm intelligent.

I'm arguing for coexistence. Who are YOU to tell me that I shouldn't be concerned about something that is belittling the very serious problem of racism? A problem, incidentally, that I've experienced all my life, thanks to dimwitted bigots who can't see past my skin colour?

Sam s: A few words for you, pal: OPEN YOUR EYES AND GET REAL. You deny that multiculturalism should exist. If all immigrants went ''home", the population of Britain would be reduced to... nil. How many pure Anglo-Saxons do people think are left in the UK? Oh, that's right - NONE. Plus, even the Anglo-Saxons weren't 100% British: Saxony is Germany!

It never ceases to amaze me is the way so many people rant on about 'keeping England English'. Any 13 year old with a bit of common sense knows that there's no such thing as ''100% English''. I don't understand how any intelligent human being could fail to see that if they have even a little knowledge of our history.

Anyway, look at where the ''cradle of civilisation'' is. Not exactly close to us in the UK, is it? We are all immigrants as the human race did not come from our tiny little area of the globe. Argue with THAT fact.

Forgot to add, sam: I am British born and bred, so take your ignorance and shove it.

sam... I note that when extending your answer, you didn't address any of the questions and points I made above. Come back when you are ready to discuss this with intelligence, logic and thought. By simply repeated the same ridiculous rhetoric you are simply making yourself look narrow-minded and nothing more than a racist troll.

The bee man: I'm a bit confused as to what you mean there...

Answer 1

At last! Someone has put the proper perspective on so-called 'political correctness'.

I don't refer to black people as 'nig*ers' or 'coloureds' because they tell me they find it offensive. That's good enough for me. That's common courtesy, not PC.

But if I use chalk, it's on a blackboard - I'm not using the term 'black' in any pejorative sense, it's a description of colour. Actually, I use marker pens on a whiteboard. And that's not an example of PC, it's just that it is white.

I believe that PC ideas like 'let's not mention Christmas for fear of upsetting the Hindus' or whatever come from two sources.
1. There are over-precious idiots in local government who come out with this nonsense - when you follow up press reports, it's usually regarding the outcry, and the official concerned is shown as an idiot as his / her loony idea is over turned.

2. The Daily Mail, BNP and others with racist agendas just love to keep these news stories alive. What better propaganda to tell the British people that their way of life is under threat? Except it isn't, it's just one council official in Rochdale who only has half a brain. (Sorry, Rochdale - just an example)

Also there are too many lies told- "Baa Baa Blue Sheep" never happened. "Personhole covers" - lies.

But why not "firefighter" and "postal worker" as inclusive terms? Not PC, just a reflection of how things change.

Flying the flag is not racist. It's just that the English, by nature, are not big flag wavers. It has tended to be NF / BNP types who have waved it most vigourously and with most noise. Perhaps more of us need to fly the Union Flag, or the cross of St George to reclaim it from the racists?

You have highlighted in your question the real issues - combatting racism in all its forms, and those of us who think like you must not allow PC nonsense to become a useful tool for the racists.

Answer 2

wake up people, I aggree with Clive H. politicians are, it would seem to me deliberately using token gesturs to keep us divided. The lateset brain storm positive discrimination to join police force because minority numbers in force are low?
These ludicrous solutions to real problems in society are what makes the BNP seem a more attractive proparsistion. Why is the police force not an attractive employment option? is the question the policy makers need to ask themself. In fact i will ask it for them. What do these so called politicians think is going to happpen to any person getting a job this way? I have witnessed it for years all is does is breed resentment among the ranks and cause an even bigger divide. I used to think that the people making these decisions were just plain stupid, but now after years of experience i have to believe that there is a more sinister agenda going on here.
Remember!!!! "United we stand, devided we fall" PC is just another way of taking the mickey out of people by creating an illusion of doing something positive for the minority whilst really creating an opposite negative affect with the majority.
I remember the christmas debate and not 1 minority community backed what the Goverment was proposing.
I do not believe everyone should be treated the same because we are not, but a person should be judged on his or her own merits not class, colour e.t.c.
Check out your own companies equal opputunities policies and see how we are being dupped into thinking the Goverment are actually trying to tackle racism and equality.
I know people are going to think I am just trying to create more conspiracy theory hysteria but I am not I just don't want everyone to believe everything as read.
Have an open and objective mind and you will see that you do not need Goverment policies to help you live a true and just life.
Sorry about spelling but had late night and spell check is being PC

Answer 3

I hear you!! The whole country has gone PC mad, My children's school no longer make Fathers Day cards as it might offend those children who don't know their fathers? I think this country should not back down on our religious holidays (whether we celebrate them due to Christianity or just for the social aspect which most of us do) I think if people move to this country it is because they like the way we live, so why do we change this. We also celebrate Diwali with my Hindu neighbour (on my part entirely for the social aspect and not religious again) it is nice to learn about other peoples beliefs and if it means having a get together. fireworks, nice food and people smiling then lets all celebrate more not less.

PS, I was born and bred in the UK and I thought the flag was called the Union Jack? who cares that's its called the Union Flag people still refer to it as the Union Jack. Happy whatever there is coming up!! xxx

Answer 4

Racism has been made a political Foot Ball, the politicians are using it to score what I call Society Goals, in a league of community. The harder they kick and run down the minotities communities, better they feel and public at large think the politicians are doing a good job. Most racism problems are created by too much talk and not enough actions. There are more Race related problems now then that existed before the Race Relations Act a few decades back. We all judge people for their values and worth in society than by their race.

Answer 5

The 'Political Correctness' movement started for very legitimate reasons and has done a lot of good, focusing attention on the way we use language, and putting the feelings of others before our own comfort and laziness. It's the reason a lot of those casually racist terms have fallen out of favour in the last 30 years, and I'm glad they have. It's also in part to thank for the maturing of comedic expression in Western societies - along with the changes in language have come real changes in attitude.

The problem is that the PC movement has attracted to it people with an unpleasant agenda - people who want to control others, and see this as a banner under which their totalitarian ways can hide. The print media, rather than expose them has taken the line that they are representative of the entire movement, thus demeaning the fine work of the pioneers of PC. It's easy to see why they'd want to discredit Political Correctness, using the same tactics they used against feminism, socialism etc etc. - find a few nutters, make out that the nutters are representative of the whole, and everybody is tarred with the same brush.

Smart people are therefore suspicious of the 'PC gone mad' stories that are the staple of Daily Mail columnists (along with the 'Europe wants to make us grow straight bananas' stories, and the 'asylum seekers are buying houses with government handouts' stories). When you see one of these, think carefully - where am I reading this? Who wrote it? Might they have an agenda of their own? Because make no mistake about it, PC is essentially a noble thing, which is sometimes misused by idiots, but more often characterised by those idiocies than it should be.

Answer 6

Well done for asking such an interesting, stimulating question. most of the answers are also well thought out. If only the policymakers were actually listening. Im not going to add much more except to say that the best way to stem racism is to reassure the "indigenous" population that incomers are willing to endorse British values and not seek to change things to their advantage.

Incidentally as a third generation British-Asian you may be interested to know that I recently met a black Conservative Councillor from Essex who's family had been here since 1919- how long before we stop thinking of non-whites as immigrants?

PS - When I read Stonys answer I thought I had fallen into the twilight zone. However I think I've worked out that he must be a Scotsman.

Answer 7

PC = politically correct, funnily enough it also equals peurile cra* . I have repiled to letters like this before, I absolutely agree with you , it's not just race though it also includes religious beliefs sexual preferences etc. At my workplace I am not permitted to wear a Crucifix as it may offend others. Where exactly did personal freedom go. All political cprrectness does is add fuel to a fire which as you see from some answers here is already burning strongly. Government's can if they wish make a law saying it's illegal to be scared of hights, it won't stop me from being terrified will it.
Multi culturalism and tolerance has to come through education, it cannot be imposed. Witness the evnts in Iraq. Our attitude as a so called civilised society seems to be live in peace or we will kill you. I am a practising Christian, but have read the Quran and the Talmud, I try wherever possible to reach an understanding of and with my felow man. There is enough of everything we need on this planet for us to live side by side in peace, or die side by side in what almost ineveitably will be the last war ever fought. The choice is ours and to those who mock and abuse your views may I point out that if we finally destroy the planet we live on it is your attitude which will bring this about. Peace to all and goodwill to all men. Lets make that happen.

Answer 8

What I find most dangerous is that people who were not racist and had no strong opinions about PC are now becoming very angry and voicing racist opinions because they are being told they must abandon all national pride,culture and even religion.You can't wear a cross at work,the English flag symbolises the crusades and is therefore offensive,the Union flag is associated with right wing fascists so we cant use that.If I didn't know better I would be tempted to think the government were trying to foster racist feelings among the silent majority.

Answer 9

I agree with you on everything. You know what, I think all these morons who go on about political correctness have never even spoken to a person of an ethic minority. I am white myself, not British though, my boyfriend is black and I know a lot of Asian and African people (and I'm proud of it) and I never think about racism. The problem is in communication. If people actually bothered to communicate with different people, ther would be no need for political correctness. I'm sure none of the Muslims mind Christmas, it's that these idiots put ideas into their heads and maybe now some of them get offended by Christmas just for the hell of it. (I've never really heard about someone being offended by Christmas).

Union Jack racist? I thought it was a flag!

I'd happily celebrate St George's Day - I'm not English, but I live here.

Worst of all, this PC madness just makes white British people hate the minorities, even though it's not their fault. We'll never know, that might be its actual purpose! (Well, that was a bit melodramatic, but what am I supposed to think?)

Answer 10

I agree with you 100%. The ludicrous thing is that the people who implement these hare-brained schemes are usually white, middle class lefties who have no idea about the real world. What gives them the right to act as a spokesperson for ethnic minorities? The message they are sending out is that minorities cannot speak for themselves, which I find far more offensive than phrases such as Christmas.
By finding racial undertones in every minor utterance these morons are actually fanning the flames of tension, but they are so blinkered by their own self-righteousness they cannot see it.

Answer 11

I am British and feel that people spend too much time worrying about being PC and saying and doing the right thing and not enough time sorting out real problems.

Its actually the st George (red cross on a white background -England flag) that your not supposed to fly, and not the union jack which is the flag of Britain.

I feel that we are destroying part of our multicultural heritage, gee every nation, race and creed has committed atrocities against another at some time in history. But we never learn from them and keep making the same mistakes. Within Britain we have British people with a repressed heritage that is hidden and covered up.

We have people dying for lack of medicine, health care, a safe place to live, lets worry about those issues and put all the energy and money used to fund this PC drive into these areas, and then when they are sorted worry about whether its mind mapping or brainstorming.