Calling Someond A Racist

Sorry for the misspelling in the title!

I agree, calling somebody that should be actionable. As you say, you wouldn't get away with calling someone a paedophile without solid evidence.

The term racist is chucked about too much, often by thick people who mean xenophobic really or just as a general sort of insult.

Laurence Fox has some highly questionable views. The 'female' in the audience said that Meghan Markle had been treated badly because of her race, and LF said that it was racist of her to refer to him as a 'white, privileged male', entirely missing the point of what racism actually means. In fact, it was LF who called the woman (can we stop calling her a 'female', please?) a racist, not the other way round.

Having said that, words like 'racist', 'bigot' and so on can describe behaviours, but when they are used to define an individual they become subjective and potentially offensive. It's similar to the difference between saying someone is 'crippled' and calling them 'a cripple', or referring to a 'person of colour' (emphasis on 'person') and to a 'coloured person' (emphasis on colour).

Fox posted some vile photos on twitter of him and his children with black makeup and wigs. That looks racist to me

Being on the receiving end of racism is far worse than being called a racist. Perhaps rather than discounting the experiences of others by bold declarations of invalidation like your not-so-innocent example did, maybe ask why a person would say such a thing in the first place.

lyleLyle, At work (teaching) I was accused of being a racist - twice. I found it very upsetting. The first time, I ordered a disruptive student to leave the class. The second time, I was accused of giving more time and attention to somebody else - who was white.

It's difficult to disprove allegations or to defend yourself, even when your current OH is black. I came to the conclusion that both people were on the lookout for discrimination, so found it where it didn't exist.

Another example is bullying. A person may just feel bullied and that has to be taken seriously and investigated. The one accused of bullying will have a hard time disproving it. The mere suspicion of bias or bullying can live on to stunt a career or ruin friendships and reputations.

There is a difference between calling somebody a paedophile and calling somebody a racist. Being a paedophile is illegal. Being a racist isn't illegal, apart from certain specific circumstances. People are free to express racist views, but they can expect people to react to them. Being called a paedophile when you're not is defamation of character.

Laurence Fox appears to be a very nasty piece of work and probably is a racist from some of his comments and actions so I reckon he woman had it about right

Some accusations are so toxic that you feel unable to defend yourself. I was publicly shamed at work , accused of being “homophobic” because I knocked over a pride picture. I’m naturally clumsy (dyspraxic) and have limited mobility due to arthritic hips. I couldn’t climb past the thing without hitting it.
This was a monstrous thing, my age and disability categorised as a hate crime! Yet I’m ashamed!
People throw out these accusations with impunity

I am so sorry Mogsmaw there is no mercy or forgiveness in this new religion.
Accusations of racism are used to shut people down, I think at best it is lazy and at worst it is vindictive. The outcome is that we are not having proper conversations about issues in our society.
So whether the woman got it right or not it is a pity it was all she could think of to say.

The woman didn’t say it! She said that MM had been a victim of racism and LF reacted to that by turning it back on her and saying that it was racist to call him a privileged white man. Which, of course, he is.

Sorry Doodledog I should have read your comment more thoroughly.

BlueBelle

Laurence Fox appears to be a very nasty piece of work and probably is a racist from some of his comments and actions so I reckon he woman had it about right

Exactly.

I think it unacceptable to accuse someone of being a racist without some very strong proof. I think it’s often said to close down discussion. I have never said outright to someone that they are a racist, even when I thought they were. It’s bad manners in my opinion. We can’t always say what we think, whether we consider ourselves to be right or not.

There are 2 things that are truths:

1. Only white people are racist.

2. People of color can never be considered racist because all white people are racist and they started it.

Makes sense, right?

We’re just white trash though, aren’t we?

maddyone

I think it unacceptable to accuse someone of being a racist without some very strong proof. I think it’s often said to close down discussion. I have never said outright to someone that they are a racist, even when I thought they were. It’s bad manners in my opinion. We can’t always say what we think, whether we consider ourselves to be right or not.

That idea that we need to “mind our manners” toward racists is as vile as racism itself. It’s the racists who should not say what they think, else justifiably receive the backlash they deserve.

That comment towards me lyleLyle, is rude and offensive. To tell me what I’ve said is vile is deeply unpleasant and says much about you.

I think Lawrence Fox has managed to destroy his own career, his behaviour is quite erratic.

I don’t like Lawrence Fox either Galaxy.

Sorry Galaxy you didn’t say you didn’t like him. I was about to change my comment and posted by mistake.

lyleLyle have you experienced a good result from saying 'You are a racist' rather than countering what the person has actually said or done?

I have some time for Douglas Murray although dont agree with him on lots of things. I think there probably is a discussion to be had, although I think facist and nazi are thrown around with much more wild abandon than racist.
I also think there is no consistency, some famous people get away with incredible racism, homophobia, misogyny whatever and it seems to have no impact on their career.