To not understand why grenfell victims want the investigation panel to include Morrocan and Nigerian ethnicities

[Ijustwantaquietlife]

Surely the only thing that's important is they are experts with experience or knowledge? I can't see why ethnicity even gets into it.

Maybe I'm missing something but hecking the current panel and calling for them to be replaced as they are "too white" just doesn't sit very well with me.

Well, you can ask but be aware this is a political hot potato on MN. You will be criticised for discussing it in anything other than from the premise that everything the victims do/request/demand is reasonable.
Any deviation from this and you will be reported and the thread will eventually disappear.
I speak from experience

Why does 'too white' not sit well with you?

Sorry is there another thread on this?

I always thought if you reversed the question and it sounded bad then it's for sure not pc.

I'm Asian but I find the idea that someone would represent me better if they shared the same skin tone bordering on offensive.

Because they don't trust an all white panel to get to the truth and people want to be represented by people they trust who understand them and their needs.

They have a point! Look st the time it took toget the truth about Hillsborough etc. And my guess is no one will be convicted about that either

Why not? And why is this about YOUR feelings rather than theirs? You are implying that the non-white members they want included are by definition unexperienced and unknowledgeable. Diversity is important in panels. As it is in corporate board members, government, etc.

It's not skin colour it's economic class

Their concerns before the fire were ignored as they had no clout. If it had been a building of luxury flats housing lawyers and politicians then their concerns would have bwen taken seriously.

How on earth did I imply non whites are inexperienced and unknowledgeable?!

I said they are the two things that matter, not skin tone.

I would feel the same if an all male pannel discussing female reporductive rights. Or if a commission was dervied of privilage elites debating wealth inequality. I see it as an argument for better and fair representation.

This thread isn't gonna go well.

I think emotions are running high, which is totally understandable, and if people feel that part of the reason the circumstances that caused this tragedy was allowed to happen (in the sense of cost cutting, neglecting maintenence, ignoring residents etc, not in the sense of someone deliberately letting it happen) was due to institutionalised racism - well, I can understand people in that situation wanting someone who they feel represents them on that panel. I'm not saying it's automatically correct, but it is understandable.

Do you want the outcome to look like a whitewash?

I agree with the OP. I couldn't care less if the whole panel was black or white or a mixture. It's their skill and experience that count.

He he, your username, OP, is making me chuckle.

Agree, skill and experience should be the only thing that counts.

I had this on some training I was required to attend by a local authority. Because I was a non white female, they wanted me to be on lots of interview panels which is horribly racist. Apparently because I'm a non white woman I'm more likely toemploy people like me!!! Er no, I'll employ people on their ability to do the job thanks, why does my ethnicity and gender mean I wouldn't do this?!

cathf you know damn well why your thread was deleted. And you using the grin smiley speaks volumes all on its own.

Ok, so a group of largely ethnic minorities who have lived through hell and had their entire lives, heir homes, their possessions and lost friends and family members due entirely to the shitty decisions made by groups of mostly white privileged people should be expected to trust this bunch without questioning where the people who might have an understanding of their backgrounds are on the panel?

@noblegiraffe

Oh dear.

notknown ?

Exactly giraffe

"Apparently because I'm a non white woman I'm more likely toemploy people like me!!! Er no, I'll employ people on their ability to do the job thanks, why does my ethnicity and gender mean I wouldn't do this?!"

It's the opposite though isn't it...that they're assuming you're more likely to see the best candidate and not be as prejudiced by colour or sex...

Helena, do you search my name and Grenfell every 10 minutes? Every time I mention it, you are there like a bullet. Just let it rest.

You must have the person best qualified to lead the enquiry.

If you pack an investigation - or a jury - with people of choice it leads to a situation like the OJ trial where people make decisions without any regard to the facts.

They want people who actually understand them rather than just thinking they do. They want to be represented. They don't want the investigation to be carried out exclusively by privileged white people, because even the most well-intentioned privileged white people just don't see all the ways in which British society is biased towards privileged white people.

I don't like it when all-male committees make decisions that disproportionately affect women. I can see their point.

no Cathf i dont i was posting on the Chat board just a few mins ago. I tend to hop from board to board.

So dont flatter yourself!