Black Lives Matter Discussion

[RoyJess]

Roy, this piece is from The Spectator, which aside from Tatler or whatever, is the last remaining upper class, conservative publication in the UK. They have a distinct, arguably imperialist agenda. They wouldn't spit on you if you were on fire, frankly.

I don't want to make this topic too personal, but given that you regularly discuss your own situation caring for and loving a marginalised member of society, I'm surprised and disappointed you don't have more empathy towards a generation of people who are fed up of what they see as symbolic representations of structural racism in the UK? Picking up one example of "ahhh but they also traded white people ahhhh!" from the vast span of human history does indeed mitigate the current discussion, nor does it contribute anything useful. You say you're against racism/not racist, and I think that's probably true, but we're entering a new phase now in which the trickle down effect is investigated. This introspection and discussion is often uncomfortable and heated (as this topic proves), but I am comfortable saying that dismissing BLM puts you distinctly, disappointingly on the wrong side of history.

I think @Rick has explained it nicely and better than I can.

Nonetheless, I understand that you're in a very specific and vulnerable situation as to lockdown and quarantine, and I understand why the protests might be frustrating to you on a personal level.

No not at all, I fully understand what it is like being on the receiving end of discrimination and hate on a daily basis. Jess and I are always on the receiving end of hate and discrimination because of Jess' disability. The law is adequate to protect us, we know our rights, but unfortunately individuals do not know the law and they do flout them from time to time. In most cases we turn a blind eye to the hate and discrimination that we receive, other wise we will be reporting it non stop. But when people really do over step the mark, then we will report, make a formal complaint or take legal action against those involved.

Back in the olden days, people with disabilities were exhibited as freak side shows for travelling circuses and fun fairs. You don't see disable people including my wife calling on circuses and fun fairs to be abolish because of their past negative connection with the disable.

I'm not racist, but like I said many times, where do you draw the line when it comes to dismantling our history and culture.

Sorry but BLM lost my support for their political agenda when they defaced the cenotaph, Churchill and the Lord Nelson Statue (in Norwich), for me they crossed the line.

 

[Benzin]

I'm not racist, but

Sigh. There's the line.

Given that the country over the last few years has shown very little change in terms of racist views, perhaps a destruction of our history is what we need.

But the government decided against any additional black history to the curriculum only the other day.

Then we see Conservative MPs blaming BAME for Covid cases increasing.

Your circus example is peculiar. It seems to ignore that systemic racism still exists. People are calling on the CELEBRATION (as that is why you put a statue up of someone) of those heavily involved in the profit of the slave trade to be judged as per modern day standards. It's why the Americans are looking at the way in which Confederate symbols and people are used because of the connotations it does bring.

As for the defacing of monuments, Churchill was an awful human being. But because he "won" a war everything else is ignored. His defeat in the election afterwards is more embarrassing than Jeremy Corbyn's latest attempt to remain relevant. What was more embarrassing to me was the person's who attempted to pretend to clean it for political gain when they didn't do anything and let an immigrant do all the work for them and reap the benefit of it.

Funny that.

 

[RoyJess]

Given that the country over the last few years has shown very little change in terms of racist views,

Racist views are down to individuals, you can't change individual views and perceptions. We already have laws against discrimination and hate.

But the government decided against any additional black history to the curriculum only the other day.

I feel all aspects of out history should be taught including adding black history as part of the curriculum should be included. But it would be physically impossible to teach every part of our history in schools, this is why we should keep our statues and have a educational plaque attach to them, this way our history however good or bad will be there to educate us all.

I would also like to add my views on the windrush, the windrush has my full support on this and I'm ashamed of how our government has treated them.

perhaps a destruction of our history is what we need.

Great Britain was built on slavery since the Roman times, unless you completely demolish the whole of Great Britian (including the M1 motorway which was a road originally built by the Romans) and start all over again, you can't just cherry pick what you want to remove and keep from our history in the name of racism.

Then we see Conservative MPs blaming BAME for Covid cases increasing.

That has angered me seeing that the Bame community was getting blamed for the increasing in Covid cases as well as the news reporting that is was the youngsters spreading it as well. I only have to look at side my window to see that it is also the white elderly not following the rules. We are all equally responsible for following the rules and no one should be blaming any particular group of people for spreading Covid. If anyone is to blame, and that is Dominic Cummings for breaking and undermining the lockdown rules.

Your circus example is peculiar. It seems to ignore that systemic racism still exists. People are calling on the CELEBRATION (as that is why you put a statue up of someone) of those heavily involved in the profit of the slave trade to be judged as per modern day standards. It's why the Americans are looking at the way in which Confederate symbols and people are used because of the connotations it does bring.

Like I've said before, hate and discrimination is not just rife or exclusive to the Bame community, it's every where. Changes to discrimination and hate need to be made in all community including the disable, sexuality etc.. on an equal level. If anything the disable are probably suffering just as bad if not worse with regards to hate/discrimination.

As for the defacing of monuments, Churchill was an awful human being. But because he "won" a war everything else is ignored. His defeat in the election afterwards is more embarrassing than Jeremy Corbyn's latest attempt to remain relevant. What was more embarrassing to me was the person's who attempted to pretend to clean it for political gain when they didn't do anything and let an immigrant do all the work for them and reap the benefit of it.

Funny that.

What about the defacing of the Cenotaph? Where is the justification for that?