Operation Black Vote racist poster? yes bit because its against whites it doesn't matter

[laurenwiltxx]

Ive attached the picture of "operation black votes poster". I found it offensive and think that if shoe was on the other foot, there would probably be nationwide protests and a lawsuit. Why is it that when things target white people nothing is ever said?

I don't see the point of having a black face half whitened.

Because the quote on the poster is about taking the colour out of Britain. Thus they have taken the colour out of the black face.

Lweji "I see it more about the contrast between the loud and angry against the quiet and apparently weak."

which in turns makes me wonder why they chose a woman to be apparently weak...

Haven't read the whole thread so don't know if this has been covered but why are they linking racism with voting in this particular referendum? We had an election last year so why this one?

Is this dynamic the norm in Britain? Because where I live in London there is a nice balance. I just left an all school, class assembly at my children's very diverse primary. The DC were all lovely and all the parents from different races and cultures were mingling and happily chatting and gossiping about matters of shared interest and enjoying some sun shine.

I am sure that everything is not "lovely" all the time for everyone. But I wonder how the mood would have been for our happy lot, if we had all been asked to view this add and contemplate it before walking into the assembly? Would it have had an insidious affect on our mood and perception of each other and each others' children?

The poster is meant to stoke fear, create a perception of being under attack, and make people retreat into their own groups. It wants to foster us against them. Not cool.

Haven't read the whole thread so don't know if this has been covered but why are they linking racism with voting in this particular referendum? We had an election last year so why this one?

Because the debate about the EU is in reality a wider debate about race and religion. But no one really wants to admit that. The EU referendum is a symptom rather than a cause imho.

I think the overall conversation is about freedom and democracy that links back into other issues particularly sensitive topics at the moment.

We've just had a London Mayoral Election that's been a disgraceful display of racism. We have numerous conversations going on about the role of Islam within UK society. We have issues with disenfranchised young people viewing ISIS as almost a gangster /rebellious lifestyle against 'White Western Ideas', which is completely alien and totally beyond the comprehension of most.

Plus, the EU referendum might have the effect of either legitimising racist opinions (particularly if out were to win).

Fucking hell. Is there some kind of invasion going on?

Agree, Red. But what on earth is going on with mumsnet at the moment.

We're awash with subtly (and not so subtle) racist, disablist, sexist crap.

The poster is meant to stoke fear, create a perception of being under attack, and make people retreat into their own groups. It wants to foster us against them. Not cool.

This is also what I think also.

which in turns makes me wonder why they chose a woman to be apparently weak...

Interestingly most feminist discussions about female only places reinforce the idea that women are physically weaker than men. We shouldn't have it both ways.

Same as whats going on everywhere else cat.

Its just the national mood. There is a backlash that has been stirred up because of x, y and z and its now become part of mainstream political discussion.

Politics as a whole has moved away from the centre. That's the issue. No one is representing the middle ground and its created something of a vacuum.

Until we get good leadership on that ground again, its going to continue. The worry is that's going to be a while and in the meantime its going to get nasty across the board with difference and division highlighted instead.

I can't see anyone coming along and having a really good crack at inconclusively. Its not just politics though. Politically and commercially a lot of people are making money out of identity and creating new markets. Its Working class v Middle class. Think Blue and Pink. Its all part of the same thing.

Interestingly most feminist discussions about female only places reinforce the idea that women are physically weaker than men. We shouldn't have it both ways.

So we should stereotype? Rather than challenge what that means.

I think that MN is guilty of sexism and stereotyping. Sexism and stereotyping that is sometimes challenged. Sometimes its not.

I don't think its about 'having it both ways' its about challenging it when its wrong and inappropriate. Its about challenging behaviour rather than identity.

I think the inclusion of the 'white thug' is racist and stereotyping. I understand why they've done it. Let's face it, if you wanted to represent aggressive racism in an image, you'd be hard pushed to find a more concise one than the stereotypical skin head, white young man. It is lazy though and it does suggest that racism and whiteness are the same thing.

However, am I going to get upset about it? No. In the grand scheme of things and the injustice metered out to other groups, it's small fry.

the idea that women are physically weaker than men

It's not an idea. On average, men are physically stronger than women (if you are referring to physical strength in general terms). I don't just think this it is so.

We're awash with subtly (and not so subtle) racist, disablist, sexist crap

Are you saying that anyone who thinks the poster uses an offensive stereotype is racist?

soupy I'm thinking about mn as a whole, which is awash ... Etc. so many threads about race/ism; sexism ... It's increased dramatically and I'm tired of it.

I think Red is correct, though. It's not happening in a vacuum.

We all are having a massive identity crisis.

We have to belong to a certain group.

We can't just 'be human'.

Because the debate about the EU is in reality a wider debate about race and religion. But no one really wants to admit that.

This debate is about so many things but they've chosen to define it in these terms. Bloody awful.

This poster is certainly pushing people to identify by racial group and to be suspicious of one another. It's definitely not letting everyone just be human. It quite obviously wants British Asians to feel insecure about their welcome and their place in British society in order to spur them to action and manipulate their vote.

British people with roots in the common wealth are in some ways natural Out voters. I imagine that's why the remain side thought they had to "skate so close to the wind" on this one.

Yes. The poster and the thinking behind it is awful.

I'm finding public discourse really unpleasant at the moment.

I really think there has been a MASSIVE failure to hold the moral centre by the government. Personally, I think many in the Conservative Party didn't put a brake on the racism and religious-divisive discourse because they felt it could be utilised against Labour.

And I think it has spun out of control.

I worry it has poisoned the political wl and we will be reaping the political consequences of this for years to come.

I lay this at the feet of our present government, frankly. It's a terrible, terrible politicalegacy.

I hear what you're saying about the need for strong advocacy of the centreground, Red and I think you're correct. But I really think our current Prime Minister has massively failed to step into a profoundly important ethical role.
That, I think, should have been a role that fell to him, as Prime Minister. It's so fundamental to politics and day to day life that I think it almost transcend party politics.

I think I may have to hide this thread. I am try getting ridiculous depressed.
(Though I am I'll at the moment, so that may have something to do with this feeling.)

Yes it's annoying and offensive. What about the no go areas for white people, this is occurring in the borough I live in. How about an Asian man intimidating a white woman in a public place (trust me, this has happened recently)

Racism cuts across all races

'Whites' ??

Argh! Have I misinterpreted the poster?
If it is just targetting BME people to register, how is that a problem?

We also need to target young people.

There are lots of groups under-represented in electoral turn-out. We need to get people out.

I can see where the angst is coming from because, as Red says, the whole campaign has turned int a proxy war about race and religion. The poster kind of looks like that .

I have to admit, I read it through the lens of Zac Goldsmith's strategy of targetting certain ethnic groups against (Muslim) Sadiq.

But it isn't about that - is it?

Having been out canvassing, I was really struck by how many people were structurally disenfranchised - by working multiple jobs; by frequently changing addresses - that's poverty.

I'd be rely interested in joining some sort of campaign that tries to get more people interested in voting AND getting people registered.

There's a real need for it.

Having said that, I also think that the poster isn't careful and sensitive enough, given our current, woeful climate.

I've been thinking for the past hour about Red's post and I really think she is so, so right.

I rat