Parsaregood
Head Pro
Take this forum for example, if the right to upset someone or say something people don't agree with was withdrawn, it would be a pretty boring and false place
Is this racism?
- Thread starter Pin-seeker
- Start date
SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
it does not matter one iota whether the same question would be asked or not.
If you don't have to do something that is in itself not necessary, and that you know that might well upset someone else - then actually maybe just don't do it! And that applies to anything in life.
Since when was it necessary to black-up to do a comedy skit on a black pop group when the laugh is actually about three middle-aged guys dressing up as glamorous young women, miming and dancing to a pop song.
The guys at my club made the right decision in not 'blacking up' - though that might have been against their wishes - but it was their best and correct judgement. By blacking up they would have been saying that skin colour was important for what they were doing - and it wasn't - and that is I think would have had them heading down the dodgy path that could have had repercussions on the club. That you, I, Uncle Tom Cobley and all - might not be offended matters not a jot - somebody might have been. Just don;t do it.
Parsaregood
Head Pro
It is your democratic right to do whatever you like at the risk of upsetting someone in a democracy, if it is intentionally done to upset someone is where the problem is. If you take the view to censor people's views, expressions and opinions you should probably move to Russia or the UAE ?
SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
It is your democratic right to act and speak as you like within the law - and to vote if you wish your views represented. But sure - you can express your views as you wish in full understanding of any repercussions, and that is the individual's look-out. But when in expressing your views you might actually end up with others on the receiving end of any repercussions, then I think you have to be very careful over what you say and do.
Parsaregood
Head Pro
The fact you think it is right that people should not say or do something out of FEAR IT MIGHT upset someone is laughable, freedom of speech must be protected. Not everyone agrees with everything or finds it in good taste but to suggest people don't do anything out of FEAR of upsetting someone is quite honestly ridiculous. It is your right to be upset at things as it is to express things. Take gay marriage for example, should the Catholic church or anybody be condemned for saying they don't agree with it even if it upsets some ? Your point is a dig at the heart of society and if your views were followed throughout history quite simply we would not live in a democracy and be the 'tolerable' society you claim we are
D
Deleted member 15344
Guest
I may have got this wrong but are you saying that people should be able to say whatever they want even if they offend someone as long as they don’t mean to offend someone ?
So someone could express racist or views even though they offend people but he is ok because he doesn’t mean to offend someone and it’s up to the people being “offended†to be less PC ?
Parsaregood
Head Pro
No I'm not saying that, inciting hate or going out to upset a particular person intentionally is whateyou would call racist or hate speech however if you are expressing an opinion such as that on gay marriage, migrants whatever this is not racist or hate or anything. This is where people have to be very careful what they wish for, i would only call going out to intentionally incite hate ir violence BASED on race, gender or whatever as racist or hate speech and this sort of behaviour should rightly be condemned but to say that people should not say or do things in case someone finds it offensive, unpalatable or whatever is WRONG and is just as likely to incite hate or racism as people will be scared of saying the wrong thing. People in general have to be careful what they wish for
Mrs Wiggles
Active member
Yep, I hate medal. My answer was YES, to the following post. "The question would have been more appropriate if it asked, Are people in society too easily offended and is freedom of speech and expression at risk because of this ? "
The poster was most eloquent, and I really couldn't add any more.
Mrs Wiggles
Active member
I would say that you are quite accurate. I believe people should be able to express an opinion regardless of whether it offends anyone or not. However, if the sole purpose is to offend an individual or group, without being constructive, that may be different. An element of UK society is so concerned about a minority of people being offended, they have totally forgotten about the majority of people who are not offended. The emphasis has been taken away from being strong enough to let water run off of a ducks back, to those who break down in a heap of tears because they don't like what they have heard. In short, this element of our society wants us all to become a bunch of spineless wimps.
D
Deleted member 16999
Guest
You really have spouted some rubbish at times on here.
Mrs Wiggles
Active member
For someone who initially presented themselves as quite intelligent, you have let yourself down !
My stance remains the same. Our freedom of speech has been held back because a minority of people are upset by the comments of others, and what's worse is many of those are upset on the behalf of others.
D
Deleted member 16999
Guest
You have provided absolutely no evidence apart from what you believe.
You seem to believe freedom of speech is the right to say anything so long as you believe you have no intention to offend anyone, regardless of how offensive your words may be.
Parsaregood
Head Pro
Everyone has the right to be offended, if your offensive because of things such as colour,race,gender then that is WRONG however people cannot legitimately say you cannot be allowed to offend people if you are expressing your point of view or opinions etc. Its your right to speak and this must be respected
D
Deleted member 16999
Guest
This thread is about racism, what exactly is it you or anyone else wants to say that you/they believe people will claim to be offended by?
The Daily Mail has today claimed Gingerbread Men have been renamed Gingerbread Person by the Scottish Parliament in their cafe, in case the traditional name causes offence.
Absolutely ridiculous and you’d hope they’d have better things to do, but instead of ignoring it and giving it no publicity, a national newspaper published the story and on social media there is outrage from people against those that offended by the word gingerbread men.
Except when we get to the facts, the Scottish Parliament hasn’t banned anything, the cafe changed the name and not one person has come out in support of the decision to change the name.
The only people who seem to be getting upset is thousands claiming it’s pc going too far!
Pin-seeker
Well-known member
Oh the irony 😂
Tashyboy
Please don’t ask to see my tatts 👍
Anyway back on topic, even I was shocked to read that Ghandi was rascist. You know the guy with the flip flops.
drdel
Tour Rookie
It should be possible for anyone to say what they like in private but in public it is necessary to have regard to society's norms, the audience and the context. What annoys me is those people who report or claim to be offended by something they overheard from a private non-public conversation.
Pin-seeker
Well-known member
Be a different story if he was wearing Crocs 😆
Mrs Wiggles
Active member
Like I said earlier, being racist is natural, as we are tribal. The most racist race I have ever met are Afro Carrabean. In my opinion there isn't anything wrong with being racist, it's being a racialist where the problems lie
Tashyboy
Please don’t ask to see my tatts 👍
Am not sure that being rascist is tribal, if we are " tribal" people we eat meat. And some of us don't. Think ignorance is more to do with it.
