In this world it is too easy to be politically incorrect, whether that is racism, sexism, antisemitism, whatever. I don’t like what Israel is doing - does that make me antisemitic? I have many Jewish friends. I don’t know.
The Tories are fighting over a declining segment of the population with Reform, about 25-30% topside. Unless they get a grip it could be a long while in the wilderness
www.theguardian.com
Like with all issues in conversations, take the time to avoid acting on assumptions. With respect to 'colour', why call someone anything?
We can but hope.
I agree, I have always said I don’t want to live in a world where we can’t/don’t forgive. But in any walk of life, and whatever f*** up, you have to earn forgiveness and demonstrate you are a better person.
If you’re confused about offending someone, my advice is to keep quiet.
Yep. I find I'm interacting with increasing numbers of lovely people and fewer and fewer dick heads.
Precisely. Genuine contrition should be respected and those willing to engage should be supported.
The original story that broke in the Guardian if anyone missed it:
“The Guardian has learned of a 2019 meeting at TPP’s headquarters in which Hester spoke about an executive from another organisation, saying: “She’s shit. She’s the shittest person. Honestly I try not to be sexist but when I meet somebody like [the executive], I just …It’s like trying not to be racist but you see Diane Abbott on the TV and you’re just like, I hate, you just want to hate all black women because she’s there, and I don’t hate all black women at all, but I think she should be shot.
[The executive] and Diane Abbott need to be shot. She’s stupid … If we can get [the executive] being unprofessional we can get her sacked. It’s not as good as her dying. It would be much better if she died. She’s consuming resource. She’s eating food that other people could eat. You know?”
Surely when you are in a hole ….?
“On a separate occasion in 2019, Hester called everyone who was “foreign” among his employees to a meeting where he defended himself against online reviews said to be from former staff accusing him of racist remarks. In that meeting, he said: “I make a lot of jokes about racism, about our different creeds and cultures. But I just want to assure you that it is just the most abhorrent thing.”. He added: “I want to clear the air and make sure we all know where we are, what we stand for, and we take the piss out of the fact that all our Chinese girls sit together in Asian corner, which they do.”
Do we really want this company having system access to all our NHS medical records?
Hester’s ’apology’ on his X account
Hokey Dokey - offensive remarks about ‘foreigners’ (presumably he meant the British minorities he had working for him) - and wanting to ‘kill’ all ‘black’ women just because they remind him of Dianne Abbot is just being ‘rude’. Perhaps we should commend him at least for ‘trying not to be racist’.
The Tories should be ‘rude’ back and tell him to shove his donations where the sun don’t shine but they seem too busy at the moment dealing with the terrorist population of UK citizens with a Palestinian ethnicity and anyone else ‘trying to tear apart our democracy’
You're right about context being important.
We all get older. There is no need to give up the ghost and become set in whatever attitudes and customs prevailed the last time we went out and about. Keep your finger on the pulse or you will turn into a grumpy old git.
the phrase "people/person of colour" has become popular correct term in recent years. this has led to confusion with those older or around older people, who remember the older phrase and use it by accident. then get censured for using such a term as being out of touch.
I can't argue with that. There is even a musical affirmation on Youtube, if anyone needs a reminder. Unusually for me I won't post the link.
The problem is here he has apologised for being rude.
Fair point.
This is indeed all semantics until one considers your comment that I have highlighted. So, if we are going to ostracize and prosecute racism, perhaps we need to define our terms.
