Should MP be sacked for using " n "word

I just went over to mumsnet to reassure myself there is still some sanity around this matter. Thank goodness they get it, no question. There are quite a few posts quoting their 90 odd year old mothers who are shocked by this woman's use of the phrase. So I'm relieved to know that at least it's only on here that there are such casual excuses being made for racism.

I wasn't talking to you Darn but to Nan I think saying people have to 'strengthen up* in the face of vile racist language is blaming the victim for not being strong enough to put up with it when it's the person who uses the language who needs to change. As for your pathetic comment, it's clear from what I've said on this thread that I think she should say more than 'sorry for any offence caused' but say why it was wrong. Saying sorry in some situations is just not enough

No one's "blaming the victim"! What was said was wrong. An apology was given. What do you want Rigby? A public flogging? Public self flagellation? Would anything really satisfy your demands for more and more punishment?

The only nerve you touched Darn is the nerve that concerns the amazing amount of low level racism there is on GN

And you think her apology means anything?

Nan- there is NOTHING 'eggshelly' about this phrase. It is vile and racist and has been widely considered so for years. She is an MP and clearly should know better. Do you really think this phrase is such that people finding it offensive means they should ' strengthen up'? Do you think that is what the Conservative female MP quoted above should do? No with this phrase and others like it, people should not 'strengthen up' - those using them should stop doing it - nice bit of victim blaming - well done.

IMO it is an offensive word that should not have been said by the MP, however I do not think she should be sacked. A reprimand and an apology should be acceptable.

I feel we walk on eggshells nowadays trying to avoid upsetting anyone. I think we should strengthen up and not be so easily offended.

And I Rigby will continue to post that I think the point is being laboured. And if you feel so strongly about that, you have the right to ignore my comments. No one is forcing you to agree with them or to respond.

Touched a nerve?

Darnsarf how right you are.

And yes I have a political agenda - it's called being anti-racist - sorry you don't think that matters Darns

If you don't want to discuss it, leave the thread

Darns we'll carry on discussing it if we want , don't tell those of us who don't want to, to stop. Who do you think you are? She had not made a proper apology WTF does ' for any offence caused' mean? - there was offence cause. I'd like to hear her say WHY it's a racist bloody awful phrase to use - I don't think for one moment she's learned anything that actually means she understands why it was totally unacceptable. I think comments like yours say a great deal about your attitudes to racist language and none of it is complimentary. So no, won't move on if I don't want to.

Good post, wkf.

Baggs as far as I'm concerned it's a word with such negative connotations it should be allowed to disappear from the English language. Even in the black community its usage is not widely considered acceptable. Actually, I don't think use of the offensive phrase means Morris is racist. I do think it is completely unacceptable though. That said, I don't know what the answer is if she's considered a good local MP.

Surely this is old news now. Apologies were made. Lessons learned, the world has moved on. Some of you on here seem to want to perpetuate the issue for their own political agenda. Move on.

Sorry I'm posting incorrect language like 'lead me nigger'. My lap top died, I'm using an iPad and will try harder to read before posting ?

I'm going to say it again because some posters are clearly missing the point - this is about far more than the n word ( although that's bad enough) it's the whole phrase and what it is associated with - FFS and as for comparing it to 'Brits' well ....

Whilst at university part if what I read at the time was known as third world politics, included in this was the way colonialism ensured the continuation of holding total political power, wealth and of course earlier - slavery. One of the ways was the use of language when addressing or talking about slaves, indentured Labour or exploited Labour.

Most of the racial terms we use stem from that era, in Africa, India and the Caribbean.

It was always used in a perjoritve sense and always racist in order to prove white European superiority.

Those who continue to use those terms either do so out of ignorance or malice, there is no other excuse.

They were racist then they are racist now.

RosieLeah, is your post meant to be ironic, or a joke?
Calling people from Britain 'brits' is nothing like using the words paki or nigger. Britain colonised India, also no with large chunks of the world. paki, lead me nigger, is only ever used in abusive, derogatory terms. That is not the case with Brits.

Interesting, wkf. Thank you for that.

Seems I looked at the story without any prior knowledge of or prejudices about Anne Marie Morris. I'm pleased about that because it shows I was judging a situation not a person.

I still feel the same about the word nigger or any other word. Context always matters. I get the argument about the phrase used by Morris being used of a political situation about which people don't seem to be talking much (though it would all be speculation anyhow but that's another issue). Other people, including Bush, don't think it is suitable as a political metaphor so don't get it. I get that too.

Just in case it has not been already mentioned, before the election last month Morris had to distance herself from the comment made by her partner Roger Kendrick, who acted as her electoral agent. During a debate about funding in schools, Mr Kendrick said the crisis in education was due entirely to non-British born immigrants and their high birth rates’.

This article sums up the situation for me

Seriously?

Even if Morris was subconsciously racist somewhere deep in her psyche before this incident, I bet she isn't now. Or, even if she is (which I don't believe), I bet she'll be hyper careful from now on not to let it show.

Who is more virtuous, a mild racist who realises their attitude is unacceptable to most of society and who is careful not to let their racism show, or a person who is not in the least racist and so doesn't have to make an effort?

rigby, of course I'm making provocative arguments. I'm not ashamed of looking at issues from awkward angles and trying to express them for the sake of my own clarity of thought.

for far worse...

iam, I do understand that argument and I accept it as reasonable. I'm still not completely comfortable with it. This doesn't mean I would use the term nigger myself except to talk about its use by others, as on this thread. I think the difference between my attitude to Morris's use and that of most other people is that I think she made a stupid mistake and is sorry for it. I also don't think she meant to be abusive or racist so I can move on from the incident without being enraged on my own or anyone else's behalf. People are forgiven far worse sayings and actions that they genuinely regret and which they never consciously meant as offensive.