Discussion of the word racist

Absent has beaten me to it, I wanted to say that this thread is not a discussion of the word racist but a well-intentioned if vague attempt to look at the connotations of the word in today's parlance, about our hang-ups connected with the word and our attitude to those who may let "political correctness" colour their judgement or principles.
The word itself is unambiguous, but our fear of the baggage that comes with the word is holding back fairness and justice.

Very well put, Soutra.

The thread is not just about Rotherham.

The fear of the baggage that comes with the word, has an effect up and down the country.

Eleothan mentions the police.
But it is not just police who are not taking action.

Connotations means secondary meaning?

I think the word racist has been and is used for pro action, and against action, when it is really clear that action should be taken.

Ann Cryer, former MP for Keighley, was on Channel 4 News last night talking about when she tried to voice criticisms of the Asian community over a decade ago. She said that it was frightening and intimidating to be sat in a room full of people all shouting her down.

The words 'racist' and 'racism' are often linked to political correctness in a negative way, but of course there really are racists and racism does exist. Power, oppression and discrimination are all linked to racism and other aspects of divisiveness within society and it's right that treating people unfairly because of their race/disability/gender etc. is challenged.
However, I do understand the nervousness with which people address issues that have elements of political correctness. The only official reprimand I received in the whole of my social work career was when I described a work situation as being hampered and used the phrase, 'It's like working with one hand tied behind my back.' I was called into a disciplinary meeting and told that using the phrase was denigrating to people with only one arm and that I must never use such language again. One of my colleagues, whose father had only one arm, was so incensed when she heard about my treatment that she and her father wrote the Local Authority a challenging letter.
Perhaps this discussion is as much about political correctness as the actual use of the word racist?

How about
Discussion about the word racist

Not that my subject title matters a jot to anyone who has suffered because of other peoples' personal fears of being labelled by the word.

x post

I am still not sure what you are wanting to say, soontobe...

I wonder why they don't spell it rasism. Or rascism.Or racicsm. They could spell the word race r a s e. There are quite a lot of variations they could have chosen from. It actually sounds quite a nice word. Funny that. Don't you think?

Why on earth jingl?? if it is to do with RACE what is your point?

Soontobe I think the subject of your thread is more nearly *political "correctness*" and its use and abuse.

Sometimes it is very hard not to react and reply with unkind words and ask what somebode has been drinking of smoking. so I will walk away, and go for a nice walk in winter wonderland. But really, truly

Granjura

Ariadne.
If you dont understand what I am saying, read the other posts. They explain it better.

Soutra, the things that are being talked about on here are serious. I am not going to enter into an English lesson debate.

"there really are racists and racism does exist"

Yes, and the way to deal with those too is by evidence and reasoned argument, not ad hominem.

Another way in which this and similar issues are debated is by appealing for tolerance, but that's not a rational argument either, because it's begging the question.

Soutra - I was discussing the word racism.

Oh, it should have been the word "racist". Never mind.

Oh, do carry on with the very serious discussion.

granjura I live my life totally spaced out on the good old weed. Can't you tell? And as for the drink....! Don't ask.

#callmegrannythreebottles

#nightly

LOL- thanks for clarifying that ;)

I wonder how many of us have ever been at the nasty wrong end of racism. I never ever have- but many of my relatives have, who live in Cape Town- because they are of mixed race. In the days of Apartheid, being of either of the 3 groups, white, black or malays, was ok- but being part of a mixed family of all 3, was definitely not easy. Hence the reason my fil and mil left and came to settle in the UK (which they could do as fil's father was British).

We sometimes find it difficult to understand why some people grow a big chip on their shoulder- but I think many of us would, if we were victims of racism on a daily basis.

But totally agree, fear of being accused of racism should never ever stop us or those in power, from stopping cruelty or abuse, NEVER.
In Leics, many of the rich Indian factory owners did shamelessly exploit their Indian workers- especially women homeworkers. And many never said anything because it would appear racist. Wrong.

Soontobe would you kindly explain your last jibe?
In what way have I disregarded your serious intent and subjected you to an "English lesson debate". Grannyactivist, Absent and I cannot be the only people who think that political correctness is at issue here, so don't be so quick on the offensive and assume others do not appreciate the seriousness of the topic. In any discussion it is essential to define what is at issue and I still think it is not the WORD racist but the consequences of its use and abuse.

So don't change the subject.

jingl I still don't get what you mean about spelling it with an "s", "sc" or whatever

Oh, for God's sake! I didn't mean anything. You try discussing the effing word!

Good, I didn't understand anything so that's OK

Well that seems to have banged that on the head

Not my fault.

#never

I have read all your posts, soontobe and they are all equally diffuse, in that your objective isn't obvious at all. However, I have other things to do.