Surely this is basically an argumentdiscussion about freedom of speech. Okay, it could be in the Oxford Union or Speaker's Corner - one of the last truly democratic spots in London. Our freedoms are being eroded day by day, month by month and to me this is one of the tragedies of the 21st century. There are many on this forum who beg to differ on all sorts of subjects … that, soontobe, is freedom of expression, and I mourn it's demise.
As I referred to previously I had a French colleague who was a card- carrying member of the FN. His politics were not in tune with mine, but we worked together for many years without falling out over our differing political stances.
I remember (with some nostalgia) his highly un-PC remarks regarding some of the English families I had recruited to host French students. I went entirely on what the family in question was like...ie could they offer a student a warm family environment.... a clean home, some good outings etc..? On a couple of occasions two of my families 'ruffled his feathers', much to my amusement. He had to visit each student during the course of a two week stay..... on the first occasion he returned in a high dudgeon to enquire if I knew that the mother of the family had 'pictures' on her arms(he meant tattoos). I told him I did and what difference did it make? They were an excellent family with. impeccable references. 'But only gipsies or prostitutes have tattoos', he replied. I put him straight on that one. Then he was shocked to find I had housed a student in a family where one of the children was..... he paused at this point to control his feelings(!!)...a dwarf. DD2, who was about 12 at the time, fell about laughing. I almost did, but managed to look severely disapproving and told him, a) the word dwarf was no longer used in polite company in the UK, and b) what difference did it make anyway?
I never had any applications from ethnic minorities unfortunately, as I would have loved to have really tested his prejudice. Despite this we never fell out on a personal level and some twenty years later are still 'Christmas card' friends. Why should I fall out with a charming guy, who in every other way was a delightful guest in my home?
I have gay friends, homophobic friends, friends who are so far to the left/right they almost meet themselves coming back, friends who are vehemently opposed to woman priests, woman friends who were some of the first to be ordained, hunting friends, anti hunting friends... I may think some of them are deluded, bonkers even but they have a right to be heard.... unless they resort to physical violence, then that's another matter.
I rejoice in my wide spectrum of friends as I think it makes me a more tolerant person. I have some sympathy with those who only feel safe in the company of like minded friends, but why not be a bit adventurous and widen your circle? You might actually make some new friends
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Sorry for such a long posting..... I do tend to go on.