Black Durham trainee vicar denied job at 'white' church.

[LittleOgres]

In case anyone is still under the illusion that racism doesn't occur in every day place in the UK, [[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-53064929 here]] you go.
The mind boggles that some one thought like this, perhaps talked it over with others, and then thought I know the best course of action to take here.
How and why, in this day and age, could this have happened? I really find it amazing, and sad. Hopefully the people involved in the 'white' church will have learned something.

OK, carry on with your 5 minutes hate.

The amount of posters lately trying their hardest to promote the idea that anti-racism is “thought policing” censorship and thus Orwellian (by extension I guess that being racist is a good thing and makes you a brave warrior for free speech) is incredibly worrying.

Was 1984 chosen for the KKK’s book club this month, or did a “How To Defend Racism While Trying Not To Look Like a Racist” memo go round?

He sounds as though he could have really invigorated that parish. They probably would have loved him if he'd been given a chance. Years ago, my now-deceased father was 'funny' about Irish people after the IRA bombing campaign (I know, and I'm not excusing it), but when he converted to Catholicism and came under the wing of a really lovely, clever, caring Irish priest and many other Irish families who did a lot to help him and my mother, he had to revise his views.

What a lost opportunity.

He could take them to tribunal.

I think God Will Judge.

It took me to this article. Suggest those who think racism 'doesnt exist anymore' have a read

thetab.com/uk/durham/2020/06/08/students-play-drinking-games-with-the-n-word-black-students-on-racism-at-durham-2-48420

This is appalling! I've been part of interview processes in the CofE and it is often a very sensitive process- by which I mean it's a strange job and people applying to a parish can be turned down for their own protection, or for the parish's protection. There are all sorts of personality and power play issues to take into account- it's nothing like your average job interview, more like internet dating!

This however is beyond all understanding. I can't imagine what anyone involved was thought they were doing. This wouldn't have come from the congregation, by the way, but it would have been written by someone with a good understanding of the congregation which makes it even worse!

To be in Durham, with the attitudes shown in that article, and then get that email from the South... that's awful to have experienced. And we claim U.K. is less racist than US!

What is the significance of the hard R on the end of the N word? It's mentioned at least twice in that article.

So terribly sad. I understand the need to find the right fit for a parish in a worship sense. Putting a member of clergy who has a very 'modern' style (worship in the round, taize, move around the building etc) into a tiny rural parish where the congregation want traditional BCP and like their fixed medieval pews (which no one would give permisu to remove anyone) would never work. And a high church vicar in an evangelical parish probably wouldn't work. But none of that is determined by skin colour.

I always think that the UK seems less racist on the surface because gun laws and policing styles mean there are fewer fatal incidents that make worldwide headlines. The racism is still there though and if anything it is more problematic because people can dismiss it or say it is not as bad as the US.

@picklemewalnuts when that word is used by African Americans towards their friends you can hear that the end of the word is softened. Whereas the original word has a hard r. So with the hard r ending you can't pretend you thought it was ok cos it's just an affectionate term now right?

Thank you Jasper.

OK, carry on with your 5 minutes hate

So bring Anti Racist is hate?

The amount of posters lately trying their hardest to promote the idea that anti-racism is “thought policing” censorship and thus Orwellian (by extension I guess that being racist is a good thing and makes you a brave warrior for free speech) is incredibly worrying

I agree, very worrying and increasingly common.

Was 1984 chosen for the KKK’s book club this month, or did a “How To Defend Racism While Trying Not To Look Like a Racist” memo go round?

Both I'd say

Surely this is illegal? The CofE are employers; don’t they have to follow legal employment practices? Like no overt racism, for example.

Horrifying and depressing story.

Yes they do, although it isn't necessarily 'employment' as such with vicars. It's a bit arcane, legally, but that doesn't mean they don't have to follow good practice. They absolutely do.

@TheEmpressMatilda
Was 1984 chosen for the KKK’s book club this month, or did a “How To Defend Racism While Trying Not To Look Like a Racist” memo go round?

This made me chuckle, thank you. And yes, this is how information wars work. They try to appeal to people in the middle to convert them to extremist views but they doing it using soft persuasive language.