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To think judging political views is like racism

154 replies

GarrySlarry · 28/01/2026 21:32

I’ve noticed when someone states their pootical views it becomes oh I bet they vote for X Y or Z and they prejudice them on that. When often they’re wrong?

It’s like a form of racism because they’re judging based on politic views?

OP posts:
MrDirtyBear · 28/01/2026 23:07

GarrySlarry · 28/01/2026 22:51

How’s that?

Look it up, read about it, learn to recognise it in yourself.

vincettenoir · 28/01/2026 23:08

GarrySlarry · 28/01/2026 23:04

Look I can’t be bothered with this

Really? You’ve been going strong for more than an hour and a half.

MrDirtyBear · 28/01/2026 23:09

GarrySlarry · 28/01/2026 23:04

Look I can’t be bothered with this

Indeed.

LivelyViper · 28/01/2026 23:09

@GarrySlarry I'm guessing (highly likely) you haven't experienced racism and the horror of it repeatdly across your life (literally affecting every life outcome), to compare it to something so trivial in comparison (if they are your views then be prepared to defend them, and if you haven't decided to learn with all the resources, books, journalism that you just accept a view, and never question it, that's stupid).

Racism invades everything across your lives both structurally and interpersonally, life outcomes, social mobility, education. Its a pervasive hateful view, that has underpinned centuries of oppression, violently attacking communities, countries and exploiting them. So your clear ignorance over understanding racism, which is more than prejudice, that btw whatever 'stigma' you think you've experienced over a hobby, compares in no way to the impact and the experience of racism in all its forms (structurally, interpersonal etc).

As others have said, your political views particularly on certain issues (human rights, misogyny, healthcare, immigration, etc) shows your values, what you consider to be important or not. If you can't publicly stand by them, maybe that should be a sign for introspection over the impact of the views policies, and people (including what they've said and stand by) you support.

GarrySlarry · 28/01/2026 23:11

LivelyViper · 28/01/2026 23:09

@GarrySlarry I'm guessing (highly likely) you haven't experienced racism and the horror of it repeatdly across your life (literally affecting every life outcome), to compare it to something so trivial in comparison (if they are your views then be prepared to defend them, and if you haven't decided to learn with all the resources, books, journalism that you just accept a view, and never question it, that's stupid).

Racism invades everything across your lives both structurally and interpersonally, life outcomes, social mobility, education. Its a pervasive hateful view, that has underpinned centuries of oppression, violently attacking communities, countries and exploiting them. So your clear ignorance over understanding racism, which is more than prejudice, that btw whatever 'stigma' you think you've experienced over a hobby, compares in no way to the impact and the experience of racism in all its forms (structurally, interpersonal etc).

As others have said, your political views particularly on certain issues (human rights, misogyny, healthcare, immigration, etc) shows your values, what you consider to be important or not. If you can't publicly stand by them, maybe that should be a sign for introspection over the impact of the views policies, and people (including what they've said and stand by) you support.

Ok. Thx

OP posts:
GarrySlarry · 28/01/2026 23:13

vincettenoir · 28/01/2026 23:08

Really? You’ve been going strong for more than an hour and a half.

Well it’s getting beyond tedious explaining the same thing to you now.

OP posts:
TicklishReader · 28/01/2026 23:15

user675895 · 28/01/2026 23:05

Goodness. Aren't you a frothing delight.

Grin
5128gap · 28/01/2026 23:32

GarrySlarry · 28/01/2026 22:58

Ok. Assuming you’re far left then.

I'm pretty far left.
Are you saying that makes me the equivalent of a racist? Or that it means I think you're the equivalent of a racist? And that if i think you're the equivalent of a racist because you're not as far left as me, that makes me the equivalent of a racist for thinking you're the equivalent of a racist...? Or...something else...?

MrDirtyBear · 28/01/2026 23:40

Another word to look up in that case (accusing people of being far left on scant evidence) would be "hypocrite" .

Still want to know what the hobby/job is.

TicklishReader · 28/01/2026 23:41

5128gap · 28/01/2026 23:32

I'm pretty far left.
Are you saying that makes me the equivalent of a racist? Or that it means I think you're the equivalent of a racist? And that if i think you're the equivalent of a racist because you're not as far left as me, that makes me the equivalent of a racist for thinking you're the equivalent of a racist...? Or...something else...?

It makes you a pooticle raisin.

GarrySlarry · 28/01/2026 23:41

MrDirtyBear · 28/01/2026 23:40

Another word to look up in that case (accusing people of being far left on scant evidence) would be "hypocrite" .

Still want to know what the hobby/job is.

Not giving you nout when you say I am a hypocrite

OP posts:
MrDirtyBear · 28/01/2026 23:49

GarrySlarry · 28/01/2026 23:41

Not giving you nout when you say I am a hypocrite

That's only because you fit the textbook definition. It's not personal.

But sure, be coy, there's some interesting paint drying over there anyhow.

GarrySlarry · 28/01/2026 23:52

MrDirtyBear · 28/01/2026 23:49

That's only because you fit the textbook definition. It's not personal.

But sure, be coy, there's some interesting paint drying over there anyhow.

Orite

OP posts:
IngridBurger · 28/01/2026 23:54

Do you have any views on soch OP?

Ponoka7 · 28/01/2026 23:59

Are you a immigration officer?

GarrySlarry · 28/01/2026 23:59

Ponoka7 · 28/01/2026 23:59

Are you a immigration officer?

I work in road planning

OP posts:
ChippingB · 29/01/2026 00:03

Inline with your thinking OP, I do believe there's an awful lot of classism involved with judging people on their political preferences. You see it on here all the time: ' oh, you must be thick/ uneducated/common/gammon' etc, should you not fall in line with popular leftist ideology. Coupled with mocking others for grammatical errors and spelling, as to them it's just more evidence of your ' stupidity '. Yep, classism is truly alive and kicking in 21st century Britain and it's absolutely nothing to be proud of.

MrDirtyBear · 29/01/2026 08:16

ChippingB · 29/01/2026 00:03

Inline with your thinking OP, I do believe there's an awful lot of classism involved with judging people on their political preferences. You see it on here all the time: ' oh, you must be thick/ uneducated/common/gammon' etc, should you not fall in line with popular leftist ideology. Coupled with mocking others for grammatical errors and spelling, as to them it's just more evidence of your ' stupidity '. Yep, classism is truly alive and kicking in 21st century Britain and it's absolutely nothing to be proud of.

I think that's more to do with what political in-group you are in leads to noticing treatment of that in-group and chest beating about it. Its very hard to take seriously any complaint about classism when you see phrases like:

"Centrist dad"
"Melt"
"Far Left"
"Left wing loonies"
"Trots"
"Tankies"
"Hippies"
"Thicko"
"Student Poltics"

etc etc

...and endless drivel about the horseshoe theory. Sneering at anyone who is not non-independent nuclear deterrent or would consider leaving a close alliance with NATO or the United States. You are a black woman on the left of politics who makes a maths error on national TV? Endless rinse repeat. You are a white politician from the right, "oh well, no one is expected to remember that stuff eh?"

But sure, we could ignore the last 50 years of establishment oppression of the left, gate-keeping the routes to power, ownership of the press and other media classes and actually subjecting peaceful protest to violent oppression (including a peaceful gathering of women protesting a death in a park). We could sweep under the carpet the fact that our politics is now in the pockets of wealth, and not the demos and accelerating in that direction. We could ignore that the mates of the political class are pocketing a profit from everything we do, including using the NHS.

We could ignore all that, and pity the poor right wing political faction that has been in power all that time, including Blair, Brown and now Starmer. Oh woe!

But yes, people do judge people on their political preferences, and rightly so. Please dispose of your self pity in the appropriate receptacle, and pay attention that these social attitudes and insults fly in every political direction.


(Note, I don't believe leaving NATO or having an independent nuclear deterrent is a good thing here, I just don't believe we have an independent nuclear deterrent - but yes you could consider me "far" left, mainly because the Overton window has raced to the far right over the last 50 years leaving me standing where I always was!).


Have fun.

5128gap · 29/01/2026 08:31

ChippingB · 29/01/2026 00:03

Inline with your thinking OP, I do believe there's an awful lot of classism involved with judging people on their political preferences. You see it on here all the time: ' oh, you must be thick/ uneducated/common/gammon' etc, should you not fall in line with popular leftist ideology. Coupled with mocking others for grammatical errors and spelling, as to them it's just more evidence of your ' stupidity '. Yep, classism is truly alive and kicking in 21st century Britain and it's absolutely nothing to be proud of.

Its not classism to wonder whether people who are amongst the most disadvantaged in society and most likely to depend on safety nets, like the NHS and the benefits system, yet intend to vote for a party who will remove those protections, have really thought it through.
Its not classism to acknowledge that people from the most disadvantaged group in society have typically had less opportunity to access decent educational opportunities.
Obviously, insults like 'thick' and 'gammon' are as inappropriate as 'woke', 'snowflake', 'blue haired social justice warrior' that get lobbed from the right.
However, I've yet to meet anyone from a disadvantaged background who is able to describe to me in any detail precisely what they think will happen should Reform gain a majority, how this will be achieved and how this will translate to a better life for them.
I'm WC, and well aware of the intelligence, academic ability and worth of other WC people. So I'm certainly not prejudging. I approach every right wing WC person with an open mind, trying to understand their thinking. It's only when that is limited to parroting 'stop the boats' with no reference at all to the package deal that would go with that that I judge.

Incalescent · 29/01/2026 08:31

5128gap · 29/01/2026 08:31

Its not classism to wonder whether people who are amongst the most disadvantaged in society and most likely to depend on safety nets, like the NHS and the benefits system, yet intend to vote for a party who will remove those protections, have really thought it through.
Its not classism to acknowledge that people from the most disadvantaged group in society have typically had less opportunity to access decent educational opportunities.
Obviously, insults like 'thick' and 'gammon' are as inappropriate as 'woke', 'snowflake', 'blue haired social justice warrior' that get lobbed from the right.
However, I've yet to meet anyone from a disadvantaged background who is able to describe to me in any detail precisely what they think will happen should Reform gain a majority, how this will be achieved and how this will translate to a better life for them.
I'm WC, and well aware of the intelligence, academic ability and worth of other WC people. So I'm certainly not prejudging. I approach every right wing WC person with an open mind, trying to understand their thinking. It's only when that is limited to parroting 'stop the boats' with no reference at all to the package deal that would go with that that I judge.

Good post, @5128gap.

thepariscrimefiles · 29/01/2026 09:10

GarrySlarry · 28/01/2026 21:47

But they are quick to slam a non pootical view because they think you’re a X voter for example.

Some people will use Advanced Search to look at someone's previous posts. If someone is exhorting another poster to 'be kind' and their previous posts are about how much they support Trump and think that the ICE agents were justified in shooting and killing civilians who were no threat to them, I think that posters are then justified in slamming their non-political 'be kind' posts as sheer hypocricy.

GarrySlarry · 29/01/2026 09:15

thepariscrimefiles · 29/01/2026 09:10

Some people will use Advanced Search to look at someone's previous posts. If someone is exhorting another poster to 'be kind' and their previous posts are about how much they support Trump and think that the ICE agents were justified in shooting and killing civilians who were no threat to them, I think that posters are then justified in slamming their non-political 'be kind' posts as sheer hypocricy.

Well I never write about Donald trump or ice so ????

OP posts:
thepariscrimefiles · 29/01/2026 09:23

GarrySlarry · 28/01/2026 23:04

Look I can’t be bothered with this

You started this flipping thread!

InterestedDad37 · 29/01/2026 09:23

MadAsAMongoose · 28/01/2026 21:42

Racism is prejudice against a person because of the amount of melanin in their skin. It's not affected by, or reflected of, a person's intelligence, character curiosity, kindness, willingness to learn, ability to listen etc

Political views are opinions which are subject to, and reflective of, a person's intelligence, character curiosity, kindness, willingness to learn, ability to listen etc. They are not immutable.

Within living memory there was a huge amount of British racism towards the Irish, which had naff all to do with melanin (severely lacking in Ireland 😂) and everything to do with the after-effects of hundreds of years of political decisions.

MrDirtyBear · 29/01/2026 09:50

InterestedDad37 · 29/01/2026 09:23

Within living memory there was a huge amount of British racism towards the Irish, which had naff all to do with melanin (severely lacking in Ireland 😂) and everything to do with the after-effects of hundreds of years of political decisions.

And was that because the Irish as a collective held a different political opinion?

Or, because of anti-catholic sentiment?

Or, was it because of settler colonialism, the invader treating the "natives" as a sub-human group, in effect their own "race"?

What's your analysis here?

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