Is this racist?

[jnmum]

Hi, Just had a debate at work. Someone from radio Bristol was sacked because she called a taxi firm in work time and asked for an English driver (specifically not an asian driver) to take her 14 year old daughter somewhere.

Whilst I do think this is racist and she was probably offensive in her views I don't understand why she should be sacked. Surely lots of people hold views in their private life that are either homophobic, sexist or racist and don't get sacked for them?

I work with someone who is very PC and felt that she was totally out of order, the rest of us didn't agree. For example, as a single parent when I was first looking for a babysitter for my son I wanted a female one. This collegue felt this was out of order as he felt I was implying all men are potential paedopiles whereas I just felt that as I was leaving my son with a stranger I would feel more comfortable with a female.

wondered what you all feel?

???

There is another thread answering your question.

Its racist.

where is the other thread?

They get sacked if they express them. Which is what she was doing.

It is racist and YABU and I'm apalled that anyone would do that

Yes that is racist. No she shouldn't have been sacked but maybe had a warning. There is probably more to it than meets the eye though.

In the news - BBC presenter sacked for racism. Sorry I can't do links!

I think it was a racist thing to say, and as a radio presenter, the story has probably compromised her credibility. I don't think the BBC could be seen to be employing someone with known racist views.

yes racist

Of course it's racist. And disgusting.
She made the call from a work phone possibly using a cab company the office use. so even if they still wanted to work with someone so racist and ugly they would have to be seen to come down hard on this behaviour and rightly so.

I don't think it's recist.

racist

Did she want someone english or someone who could speak english? It can be difficult sometimes if the driver doesn't speak good english because they can't understand directions for where you want to go etc. That has annoyed me before.

HBH - how can it not be racist?

She was sacked because its the BBC. Look at what happened to Russell Brand!

yes, it is racist. and I agree with Saadia, the BBC cannot be seen as employing someone who thinks like that.

"Surely lots of people hold views in their private life that are either homophobic, sexist or racist and don't get sacked for them?"

It wasn't in her private life; she brought it into the open when she called in work time, used her employer's resources to do so, and expressed her views out loud. She also works in the public eye and a corporation like the BBC cannot be seen to endorse or condone such views.

Of course it's racist, and of course she was totally out of order. I don't see how it can be otherwise.

of course it is racist, though yes there will be a lot more to it than just this.

The issue of not wishing to have a child left with a male stranger is totally different. The risk of abuse is a good deal higher, though still v. slight, from a male than a female. When dd was very young I and dd's mum did not wish her to be left alone with a male.

but the things is where do you draw the line? I have worked with loads of people who have been openly sexist over the years and whilst I have found it offensive have just accepted that that is the way some people are. I have also heard loads of anti semetic views. I am Jewish so tune into these (but don't look Jewish so people don't realise). I do find it offensive but people have personal views for whatever reason and saying they can't say this or that won't change their views. It is better to look at why they feel they way they do.

This is definitely racist.

it depends on the environment you are in jnmum. A nasty anti-semitic view WOULD attract a discipline of some sort in any public service industry. Private industry would be more ill-defined.

I think she said she didn't want someone in a turban because it would freak out her teenage daughter

So no, not to do with language.

OMG i meant to say i thought it was racist.

That's racist.