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AIBU?

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Original poster

Is this racist?

76 replies

jnmum · 12/11/2008 22:03

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?

OP posts:
Original poster
jnmum · 12/11/2008 22:37

I actually work in the public sector. There has recently been an outcry at work because the undergrowth in a public park was cut down because it was discrimination to homosexual who use the area for sexual activity. You have to be very, very careful what you say at my work.

I was accused of having racist views for questioning this issue. I don't disagree that she was being racist but feel that her views despite being offensive were her personal views and being a paying customer should have the right to ask for whichever taxi driver she wanted. The taxi firm should of course be able to say no.

OP posts:
Plonker · 12/11/2008 22:38

Of course its bloody racist!

janmoomoo · 12/11/2008 22:39

I get so sick of the people I work with being racist in these slightly disguised kind of ways. My colleage said someone was "you know, one of those" then whispered "black". When I challenged her she said it wasnt racist.

Why would someone in a turban freak out her daughter? A child over the age of 2 should be able to deal with that.

BrotherPan · 12/11/2008 22:41

Outcry over some hedging being cut down?? Who complained??? Does sound a teeny-weeny bit like a DM headline tbh.

TheFallenMadonna · 12/11/2008 22:42

She expressed those opinions at work. Where other people would hear them. People, perhaps even people in turbans , who then have no choice but to work with her.

janmoomoo · 12/11/2008 22:42

Yeh, I thought that hedge cutting/homosexual thing was a modern day myth.

Simplysally · 12/11/2008 22:42

I'd say it was racist and I'd also hope that my dd at 14 would be capable of talking to a man in a turban . DD now cringes when I tell her she used to think a man wearing a turban had a hurty head . She was 3 though.

There may be more to it than meets the eye. She could have rung a ladies-only cab company or accompanied her daughter herself.

Neenztwinz · 12/11/2008 22:43

Just read the full story... she has been sacked cos she was exposed in the Sun and the BBC can't have people working as presenters who have been exposed as racist. If she had just been overheard by a colleague she may have got away with just a warning but once it is in the public domain the BBC is in a difficult position.

She has the right to ask for any taxi driver she wants but if she says she doesn't want an Asian one then that is racist.

Original poster
jnmum · 12/11/2008 22:49

hedge row thing DEF not an urban myth. It was the gay/lesbian group that created the outcry and a very contentious issue at my work. You do have to be very careful in the public sector and everything has to be pc. For example photos have to try to include every ethnic minority even if it is very difficult to do. Interviews have to or should include a man and woman (preferably one of them ethnic minority) even if is not practical.

Not disagreeing she was racist in her views just saying that loads of people are like that and you can't change that by telling not to say it. Do agree the BBC were in a difficult position though.

OP posts:
wobbegong · 12/11/2008 22:52

Janmoomoo, my one year old loves people with turbans, hats, glasses, moustaches... anything interesting to look at. So a child of any age should be able to cope, no?

And of course it is racist. A fourteen year old terrified of turbans? Does she also have a problem with bobble hats?

Saddened that OP is even asking the question.

janmoomoo · 12/11/2008 22:55

Why did saying something about homosexuals mean you are accused of being a racist by your work colleagues? Surely two different issues.

Also just because lots of people are like that (which I agree they are) doesnt make it right. And you can change it by making it clear that its wrong, which is what the BBC have done.

janmoomoo · 12/11/2008 22:55

Bobble hats LOL!

FattyBomBom · 12/11/2008 22:58

Sorry to sway from popular opinion but I do not think it was racist. I understand racism to be offensive name calling, or not allowing someone to go about their lives freely because of their race.

There could have been a reason (rightly or wrongly, in her mind, could be language or she could have had an Asian driver before who got her lost, new to the country?) that she wanted a white person to pick up her daughter (she did not say she did not want a black driver). After all this is supposed to be a country of free speech and views. The fact is that some people do not trust or particulary like others of a different origin (and this definately works both ways) and I believe that you cannot brainwash people to change their views.

Of course she was sacked, the BBC are so PC it borders on the ridiculous. But the taxi operator was very quick to pick up on the apparent racism if you read the transcript which I found strange. This is what actually fosters resentment in a lot of people and encourages real racism.

janmoomoo · 12/11/2008 23:03

"The fact is that some people do not trust or particulary like others of a different origin"

Surely this is the very definition of racism?

BrotherPan · 12/11/2008 23:03

an acutely reasoned post there, FBB.

TheFallenMadonna · 12/11/2008 23:08

She didn't want a white person.
She wanted someone who wasn't wearing a turban.

Which reminds me of the graffiti in one of my textbooks, where someone has scrawled Binlanden (?!) next to a picture of Hippocrates. Presumably because he has a beard...

FattyBomBom · 12/11/2008 23:21

Anyway, what I would like to know is if an Asian driver at this firm was actually offended by this and complained. It's seems that whoever picked up the phone was offended on their behalf, when I am sure that most Asians I know would have thought it was her problem and would not have been that bothered about it. I always thought that there should be an actual victim of racism, not a whole race!

BrotherPan · 12/11/2008 23:26

well, anyone can report a rascist incident to the police, IF they perceive the incident to be rascist. This is designed to offload the pressure of black/Asian people from appearing as 'moaners', and demonstrates that white people are taking the issue of race seriously and being responsible as the 'main' culture. Seems a good notion to me.

FattyBomBom · 12/11/2008 23:42

Sorry but since when has it been only whites who are racist. Some of my ethnic minority friends (and I do have them) hold views about the English (lazy, don't wash, alcoholics and these are tame)and (e.g. will not eat out unless in an Indian or Caribbean restaurant as they don't trust that whites will cook their food hygienically) that I have been quite pissed off about but take on the chin and would not get arsey about as I think - more fool them. If a white person said something similar about blacks/asians and was overheard by some PC twat, there would be uproar.

And we have'nt got a 'main' culture anymore it seems. It's been eradicated by said PC twats.

BrotherPan · 12/11/2008 23:47

again, such a superbly crafted and expressed post, FBB.

FattyBomBom · 12/11/2008 23:52

Methinks you taking the pisser, BrotherP?

chipmonkey · 13/11/2008 00:53

Well, her loss! A lovely guy from Pakistan drove me from Birmingham to Cheltenham, I almost felt like one of his family by the time we got there! It was very expensive though, more than it cost to fly from Dublin to Birmingham in the first place! That will teach me not to miss the train.

Of course it's racist and quite right for her to be sacked, particularly as she was using a company phone in company time.

FattyBomBom, what is a main culture anyway? Culture is surely a fluid thing that changes even within one race, depending on time and circumstance. I say I'm Irish but I'm probably a hotch potch of Viking, Celt and Saxon if you go back far enough.

MrsMattie · 13/11/2008 04:42

Yes it's racist. Anyone who can't see that is frankly a bit dim.

Neenztwinz · 13/11/2008 09:28

If a black driver gets you lost and then you refuse to ever be driven again by a black driver that is racist. If someone with a beard gets you lost would you refuse to be driven by anyone with a beard again? Race and beards are irrelevant to good direction.

CuddlyToy · 13/11/2008 09:54

Utter bollocks!
Every one knows homosexuals use public loos not hedges!

Seriously though, without a doubt it's racist. Turban wearing has nothing to do with ability or fitness to drive a taxi.
If the child really is scared of turbans then she is likely to have a stressful life isn't she? Silly girl.