Is this racist??

[LogicalPreference]

Colleague has the day off and it's his birthday so I'm decorating his desk (my assigned task). He's a good friend and is obsessed with Bob Marley.

I wanted to make it more personal so was going to turn his desk into like a tropical warm theme with bamboo etc

A colleague just said to me that it's really racist.

Is it racist?

Arf @ Yardie

Lem, apparently it's the other colleague who objects to the display that's Muslim, which is apparently also the reason why he objects to it.

OP I'm guessing you voted UKIP and this is part of a new plan to head off racist criticism? Like hug a hoodie was for the Tories? Embrace the race?

I think you should give hi some of these

oh, i understood it to be the birthday boy!

Of course it's not racist. Racism is implying or being overt in saying someone is inferior because of their race!

There is no way this is. Whether bamboo comes from Jamaica or not is also a bit irrelevant. It's like... If I was to decorate my friend's desk with tartan because she loves Rod Stewart, does that mean I'm anti Scottish.

What's wrong with Happy Birthday and a card and cake? Does it have to be themed?

and my colleague (the birthday one) is Muslim

That is the way I read it too LEM

I thought birthday guy was the Muslim = Op noting the difference between Jamaican BM and Muslim colleague

A good sign, I thought, that op ought to stay way from anything pertaining to race.

Sorry only just got back to this thread - busy day.

Birthday colleague is a huge Marley fan - has him as a screen saver, has quotes suck on his computer, and brought in his CD when we had to do a team exercise of bringing in someone that is special to you. There's also the fact he's told me he is his idol too.

The desk decorating thing - it's just something we do in our office for everyone. It's not childish or idiotic it's just a tradition we have in place.

I decide against bamboo for anyone who cares

Is your colleague white British then OP, I am very confused as to his origin?

And I apologise I meant to say portuguese Muslim - and I only brought up his religion because the majority in the office are non religious. I was giving added information to give a better picture.

And maybe bamboo is offensive to the Muslim religion and therefore I was inadvertently offended him.

And no I didn't vote UKIP - and please can we not being up politic, there are enough bloody threads on it already,

Am s

Am sure your colleague would not want you to worry, OP. :D

(Can't get that song out of my head, it's been going round and round all day!)

I don't think your colleague would find any of this 'racist' OP. I think he would think you were really thoughtful. I am the first to jump on racism if I see it and I just don't see it.

And bamboo IS found in the caribbean (seen it many times) and is not offensive to any religion afaik

Did like the doughnut idea though also. :)

Perhaps he used the word racist because it seemed politer to him than saying odd and strange thing to do?

OP can you give us examples of what others in your office have done?

Not racist. Your colleague is either dim or is stirring.

By the way, Bob Marley was half Scottish, so stick some tartan in your bamboo grove.

Your colleague is clearly an idiot as nothing you have mentioned is racist. They are looking for something to be offended about! They are really scraping the barrel here though.

As this is only time my very long standing name of 8 years has been pertinent to a thread I felt compelled to explain how the Bamboostalks might actually feel. Used and abused. Please leave us alone and stop using us for the butt of office jokes.

There's bamboo in my (English) garden. i think it's a pretty universal plant, now.

Bamboo is officially a schedule 9 alien invasive species, perhaps that's what your colleague had a problem with?

bamboo We are discussing using you as the butt of Bob Marley, what could be more honourable?

You need an inflatable palm tree. Poundland usually have them this time of year.

Jesus wept. OP wants to decorate a desk with a tropical theme based on the birthday persons love of Bob Marley. This is not a racist act.

Perhaps he used the word racist because it seemed politer to him than saying odd and strange thing to do?

Really you think racist could ever be considered as polite? How odd.

Like I've already explained, it's tradition to decorate a persons desk for their birthday in our office. It's not a one off. My colleague is a good friend and has been a massive support to me hence why I wanted to add a more personal touch.

But call me odd and strange if you want - I'd rather be that than normal, what a boring and dull life that would be.

Please reinstate the bamboo- it conjurs up an image of a bar on a tropical beach. She's decorating his desk ffs, it doesn't have to authentic!
Bob Marley is played in every beach bar in the world As the man himself said ONE LOVE!!!

Seriously, BRING THE BAMBOO BACK.