I may get into trouble for saying this. We are getting far too precious over comments made in public, or on social media sites. Plain speaking is almost becoming a crime.
The furore over remarks tweeted by Diane Abbott is a perfect example. She said, after comments made regarding the trial over the Stephen Lawrence murder, that: ‘White people love playing divide and rule’.
Her comments may be incorrect and perhaps should have had the word ‘some’ in front but were they really racist and offensive? I know a lot of the rage has been synthetic and some of it tonguein- cheek but are MPs no longer allowed to make robust comment? It seems that every statement has to be so anodyne that it is virtually meaningless.
I am not entirely convinced you can be racist about white people, any more than sexist to men but this holier than thou, condescending condemnation serves no real purpose and grates a little, especially when coming from the likes of Nick Clegg, a man who is white and dripping with wealth and privilege.
It is not wrong to say that races are different. What is wrong is to suggest that one race is superior to another.
It also fails to distinguish between genuine racism and a belief that moderating language can solve the problem.
I agree that offensive language should be stopped but this reminds me of the 1980s notion that banning words like manhole and fraternally could eradicate sexism.
This was ridiculed because in those days political correctness emanated from the left of politics.
These days we have to plant euphemism on euphemism in order to say anything at all.
There are a whole host of words now so we do not have to say we are going to to the lavatory.
I can see why the term cripple is no longer acceptable, but was once told off for using the word disabled in the paper.
According to my castigator it should have read ‘differently abled’.
And a youngster at a local lower school was told off and his parents advised because he called a class-mate ginger.
Some of my best friends are ginger.
And where would we be if we could not insult the Welsh? First it is great fun and second, doesn’t come close to what they say about we English.
Seriously, let us not forget that Stephen Lawrence was murdered by white racists in a white racist attack on a black teenager. That is the reality.
Up until very recently black and Asian members of political parties, not least the Labour Party, found it difficult to be accepted as candidates in elections.
Every day black youngsters face discrimination, often at the hands of people who represent the state.
Diane Abbott lives in a world dominated by white people.
Racism is still endured by ethnic minorities in this country on a daily basis, so let’s not confuse it with robust language or fail to recognise who does suffer from it, or try to be clever and smug if a black person says something some white people might feel uncomfortable about.
And, so long as it is not offensive, we should stop being so sensitive about saying what we think.
IT’S a funny old world. I have complained before that we live in a topsy-turvy country where we pay taxes to give millionaire politicians expenses but have to sit in a tub of beans all day to raise cash for sick children.
Now we might lose our air ambulance because of a lack of funds.
All its funding comes from charitable donations.
So bankers we can save with our taxes, but helicopters which save lives will disappear unless people can raise £4 million by rattling their cans.
As I said, a funny old world . . .
