Do you find this offensive?

[Meeting]

The Theatre Royal Stratford East is putting on a show and have blocked out 2 dates as "Blackout" nights where they encourage (but I don't think plan to enforce) that only black people may attend these performances.

I saw them discussing it on Piers Morgan and neither of the guests advocating for it were able to convince me that this type of segregation was at all beneficial.

Does anybody think this is a good idea? Personally I think segregation based on skin colour has no place in society, no matter who benefits from it. But I'm interested to hear from others who might away it differently?

Well said!

We also need to get rid of "quiet hour" for ND children at events and activities as it discriminates against NT children.

And white people can go to this show...

'I used to be a mechanical engineer, and many engineering companies are trying to do "positive discrimination" to encourage more women into engineering. So despite only 1 in 8 (or even fewer) engineers being female, over half the applicants selected for interview are female. Why can I not compete on my own merit against any other applicant?!
^
I do not want to be given an interview just because I'm female. I want to be given an interview because I have worked hard and I am good at what I do!^'

Err, the reason for positive discrimination is precisely because as a female 'I have worked hard and I am good at what I do' doesn't work. If it did, there would be no need for it.

It’s not a ludicrous argument at all. And regardless of whether you think you understand the history of the oppression of those of black origin or not, that does not entitle you to their experiences.

Your cunning plan would work if white people and black people had equal experiences based on their ethnicity. They don't.

But it clearly says no one is excluded from attending.

It's a little like International Womens Day. The rest of the year is pretty much men's. So too with the theatre. It's pretty harmless to do this unless you count the blood pressure of Daily Mail readers

Free advertising for their show maybe? Ticking a box? Who Knows? Who cares?

It isn’t a “black only” night. So why are you saying it is?

I think it is a good idea. It will encourage more black people to go to the theatre. They may have thought in the past that these things were for the white elite. I would also support audiences made up unemployed , disabled people etc. If and when we have equality there will be no need for positive discrimination!

It may seem ridiculous to you, but I can assure you it isn't. I'm a black woman who goes to the theatre regularly. I can afford it, I enjoy it, and more importantly, I'm not intimidated by it, but there are plenty of black (and also white and non-white) people who are intimidated by the arts, and feel like it's not for them, not just due to cost, but also due to content and the basic belief that the theatre is a white, middle class pursuit. This applies to the cast, as well as the audience. Anything that encourages greater diversity in all aspects of the arts isn't a bad thing. Representation does actually matter, as amply illustrated by incidents such as people start losing their shit over fictional characters being played by non-white actors.

Instead of not allowing a certain race. Lets encourage other races to come

Um, that is exactly what is happening in this case. Not so "rediculous", huh.

The chief of Scottish police has today admitted that his force is institutionally racist. Seems like a few of them frequent Mumsnet as well.

Guessing the vote is different because those who YANBU don’t want to make a comment and receive ‘negative’ ? etc type comments.

Just to clarify what segregation actually means:

''the separation or isolation of a race, class, or ethnic group by enforced or voluntary residence in a restricted area, by barriers to social intercourse, by separate educational facilities, or by other discriminatory means.''

The aim here is not to create a barrier to social intercourse, but to actively encourage it, for a specific group who have historically not been given that avenue.

Much like the feminism board, right here on Mumsnet...

Can't you just be racist without being called a racist these days??

Please show us exactly where it says whites will be refused entry to the performance?

And signed film screenings and live performances. So annoying for the hearing community.

Segregation on any level is never, ever good. Racism in any form is racism. It breeds contempt and brings acknowledgment to differences between people. Everyone, no matter what, should be treated equally.

Why does anyone care?

I have been to women only business events, I take my son to autism only sessions, my husband is part of a black londoners group at work.... It's not forced segregation its understanding that sometimes marginalised groups want a safe space. It doesn't mean they aren't equals.

You know very well that white people are not welcome, and have been discouraged from attending. The nights are called blackout nights, so that black people can enjoy the show, away from the "white gaze". Could you say that the other way around? If not, why not?

I don’t understand this comment.
I don’t take any notice of whose in the theatre when I’m there.
What are white theatre audiences like.

This attitude isn't really a surprise. Look at how much uproar there was when MN created the Black Mumsnetters subforum at the request of POC who wanted somewhere they could feel comfortable talking, away from the attitudes of non-POC. People were outraged at the segregation and felt (still feel?) that they have the right to go in there to abuse or offer their "alternative" opinion when it isn't asked for.

Honestly, I am embarrassed for you. You need to research what segregation actually is.