to think if someone is spreading racist lies on FB you have a responsibility to EDUCATE them?

[MrsFawlty]

Or am I being a little too militant? DH and I had words last night because two of his FB friends have signed up to those stupid "immigrants want the flag banning" groups. I think that he shoudl at least point them in the direction of a page like this so that they can realise that they are choosing to get their knickers in a knot about something that isn't true. If they then choose to go on inciting racist feeling amongst their friends, at least they will realise that it is because they are just racist plain and simple and facts don't really come into it. (They're the "I'm not racist, but..." crew.)He says he hasn't got time in his life to bother.

I'm a bit about this - I just agree with the sentiment that all it takes for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing.

IABU?

YANBU - it only takes a few seconds. there is usually a link to add a 'comment' when someone joins a group (under the notification). None of my friends have joined a group like this but a friend did join a group (something like I want the right to wear a England shirt (sic)) which had slightly bigoted undertones, and many people commented gently on it - just wear one!

But clearly your DH has the right to do as he pleases - maybe he see's it as confrontation he'd rather avoid. I would comment however

Tricky one MrsF.
I always take the view that once I get emotional or involved, I butt out. Because even if you are 100% right, you can come across as a foaming loon. (and lets face it, we all think we are right, or we wouldnt do it)

On the other hand, its nice to see people taking a stand against all the odds, fighting with a passion for what they believe

This is the thing - I feel a bit disappointed that he doesn't think it's important enough to mention. It's the wife on an ex work colleague so it's not like he'll sabotage a brilliant friendship or anything.

I would want to take them on and I think you're right to try and persuade him to do so. However, I wouldn't point them in the direction of that FB page because it says "you gullible xenophobic fool," which is probably true, but it's not the way to take them on. I would just send them a message and say "you know this is a hoax, don't you? etc."

No need to call anybody a fool, or they'll just blank you out rather than actually thinking about it.

If they are your friends, then it is reasonable to comment on something they have said, that you feel passionately about. I think if it is your DHs friend and he doesn't want to comment, you would do better to respect that. On the one hand they have commented on a public forum, which invites other comments back, but if your DH wants to stay out of it, you could end up arguing with him over the views of people you don't even know. I think it is time I started taking my own advice as I hav lots of 'discussions' with my Dh about total strangers

I have posted this link on the walls of all my "friends" who have joined these groups.

yawn

2shoes - glad you take racism so seriously.

My favourite bit is where it points out that people cannot be banned from wearing England shirts.....because of European Human Rights legislation. I bet thinking about that will make some of the idiots' heads implode!

oh get a grip
fb and mn has been plagued by peopl posting about it...
bad enough that we will hav 4 weeks of football without all this

Tricky one - It's annoying because unless I am missing something there is not in fact a link to leave a comment about the group when friends join or "like" these groups (Downdog - correct me if I am wrong but I did look last night when I realised a couple of my friends have joined a similar group) there is only the option to "like" it (FB needs a dislike option) not to comment.

Now I do not believe that the friends in question are racists and the group they have joined is an "if you don't like the union flag..." so not quite as stupid as the football shirts one IMO (just as racist when you look at the posts within the group though). I very much suspect that my friends liked the title of the group and did not bother to read any of the posts within the actual group which would immediately highlight that many of the members are illiterate racist f*ckwits. If there was an option to leave a comment I would ask them if they had actually noticed the disgusting comments of the group's members but there is not and I am reluctant to embarrass them by making a whole separate wall post about it.

So I'm on the fence OP, because I can't decide what to do and the only options available on FB seem a bit too severe to me for what I genuinely believe was just a thoughtless click on a link.

You can suggest pages to people (although I agree that calling them xenophobic idiots might not be the most diplomatic way through it, true or not!) I agree with vesela on the whole I think.

saslou I also made a pact with myself to stop getting into arguments debates with arrogant friends of friends on FB but it doesn't seem to be going so well!

oh i am so over those " i will wear my flag so fuck off" groups.

It really doesn't matter how many times you say that it is simply not true, and in fact illegal for them to ban you from wearing such a garment.

some people just enjoy getting riled up about things. and others will use any excuse they can to incite racial hatred

The best link to point them to IMO is this one or something from a similar myth-busting site. It just states that it's a hoax and how the rumour arose, but doesn't say "you idiot with half a brain cell" etc.