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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:
Kewcumber · 13/11/2008 10:04

I'm surprised anyone thinks this isn't racist. Doesn;t surprise me that peopel are racist but surely no-one thinks it isn't racist?! Surely?

ForeverOptimistic · 13/11/2008 16:36

Fattybombom, do you accept that you hold racist views?

ForeverOptimistic · 13/11/2008 16:38

Sorry, ignore my previous post I had not read your posts properly. I find it strange that you don't think the radio presenter's request was racist.

littlestmummystop · 13/11/2008 16:46

Totally racist. Totally ignorant. V glad she was sacked.

Bubbaluv · 13/11/2008 17:22

"being a paying customer should have the right to ask for whichever taxi driver she wanted."
Sure, she should be able to say, I'd like John or Mike if they are avaiable please" but to ask for anyone not wearing a turban is NOT a consumer right it is racist!

pingping · 13/11/2008 17:23

I think its racist and in the Political Correct Country we live in she should of thought about what she was saying. LOL at not wanting an Asian because a turban would freak out her daughter, Only Sikhs wears turbans so she is also dim.

stuffitllama · 13/11/2008 17:30

interesting outrage

MadMarg · 13/11/2008 17:47

Of course it was racist!!!

If she had asked for a driver who could speak English, then that would be different. I get so frustrated with drivers who barely speak a word of English, especially when they have no idea where they're going and try to ask you for directions, but don't understand what you are saying.

Bubbaluv · 14/11/2008 10:32

What does that mean Stuffit?

tonton · 14/11/2008 10:37

Of course it was racist.

stuffitllama · 14/11/2008 21:48

It means why the surprise .. of course it's racist .. but why the shock..sadly it's not that surprising to hear --

bnp making a bit of a comeback too in the downturn -- very depressing all round

FairLadyRantALot · 14/11/2008 21:52

erm...racist....I would think

luminarphrases · 14/11/2008 22:03

madmarg- "If she had asked for a driver who could speak English, then that would be different. I get so frustrated with drivers who barely speak a word of English, especially when they have no idea where they're going and try to ask you for directions, but don't understand what you are saying"

initially before i read her comments i thought this was what had happened. neither of us can afford a car and so get taxis when neccessary and have had taxi drivers where it is impossible for them to understand you or have had to put directions in a satnav myself, but once i read her particular comments, its clearly racist. frightened of turbans ffs? my 3 yr old always asks to try their 'pretty hat' on!

pumpkinbumpkin · 14/11/2008 23:54

Did she ask for someone who wasn't asian or someone who wasn't wearing a turban.
You could argue if she asked for someone not wearing a turban then it's not an affront to someone's race more their faith.

It's a strange world we live in, in my job a client asked for a colleage as I was a man, but no one has told me they want someone else because I am black.

So effectively it's alright to descriminate against me if I were male, but not if I were black?

We live in a fearful society, minorities fear to intigrate because they don't want to be treated differently, which leads to us being treated differently, which in turn breeds more fear, the worse thing is when people who get offended on other peoples behalfs, I would rather people were openly against the colour of my skin rather than hiding it and it seething inside so it breeds hatred and violence, if peeople openly discussed racial stereotyping then may be we could break down walls and create an understanding then fuck each other blind until we're all the same colour then there won't be any racism as we will all have the same colour skin and won't be able to see it as we fucked each other blind. yeah.

LaLaB · 12/03/2009 17:18

What's so racist about it? You have no idea what went on in the girl's background. plus the kid is only 14! and maybe she would feel safer (for whatever reason) with an English driver. we all make judgements everyday...on people based on their appearance, and anyone who doesnt admit is is talking thru their arse

HecatesTwopenceworth · 12/03/2009 17:27

racism is defined as the belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that one particular race is preferable to another.

So yes, feeling that someone is more likely to be a threat BECAUSE of their race, is racism. To be fearful of someone BECAUSE of their race, is racist. You are assuming things about their character, their actions, their intentions, based on their race/colour/whathaveyou.

AND to suggest that someone who is asian is NOT english is also bigoted, because it makes the clear assumption that in order to be english - you must be white. Not true. To be english you must have been born in england, or have been granted nationality. Your ethnic origin has nothing to do with this.

Divineintervention · 12/03/2009 17:31

Racist and quite stupid.

Notintheknow · 12/03/2009 18:19

Yup, racist. And the 'paying customer' argument is ludicrous. On that basis I could say that I only want my tesco groceries delivered by white employees aged 21-35 with blonde hair, blue eyes and no tattoos. Utter nonsense, although I'm sorry she's been given so much coverage - it's bound to make her a bit of a heroine in certain quarters.

All that aside, I do think it's important that racism of all sorts by any ethnic group is condemned outright and I'm not sure that always happens in the UK media.

FAQinglovely · 12/03/2009 18:20

ermm this is an old thread

HecatesTwopenceworth · 12/03/2009 18:22

yeah, but what the hell? there are lots of new people who've not read it yet, or thought about the message it gives, or given their pov.

Kewcumber · 12/03/2009 18:22

a bit like chili - all the better for being reheated

Notintheknow · 12/03/2009 18:29

Oh yeah, sorry, just seen the dates. Must have had my head in the sand when this particular media storm was whipped up...

FAQinglovely · 12/03/2009 18:32

fair enough

I was about to post a rant about the stupid racist bint - then realise I already had

staffylover · 12/03/2009 22:56

As for being racist...read the dictionary to find out what it really means. So if i asked for a woman driver, would that be wrong? And don`t tell me that none of you have never used your employers resources!

buttercreamfrosting · 12/03/2009 23:10

I have heard the phrase 'wow, you don't look Jewish!' many many times. It's as if they're saying 'you really should make it more obvious you know' as if I'm trying to hide it. And of course I wonder exactly what we are supposed to look like?
I have to admit however, it's the first time I've heard someone Jewish express this sentiment!