Boris Johnson's Latest 'Gaff'

The point about racism, which some seem to have failed to comprehend, is it is about the more dominant & powerful group, in this country white British, threatening, denigrating or undermining a minority group

But is there a threat? I see thr threat as the one we face by having people walking in our midst in a disguise which means we haven't a clue who is under the robes. Is a group 'undermined' when it's mentioned they follow a practice which is alien to the western world?

I'd certainly agree that BJ could have worded his comment better, so yes, denigration applies, but if people feel threatened by a practice which flies in the face of everything they hold dear - ie: communicating face to face as has been the western way for thousands of years - should we not comment?

Does multiculturism mean that the native culture, which has now happily become much more accepting and tolerant of the ways of others, doesn't count for anything?

It's amazing that this discussion has turned on white and middle class people, most of whom cannot help being white and middle class. Have they become the most vilified section of British society? Shall we do away with them and keep the face veil?

Never mind the face cover-up, let's get that white bloke because he objects to it.

Hmm

It's amazing that this discussion has turned on white and middle class people, most of whom cannot help being white and middle class.
Am I allowed to say that I didn't think much of Boris's white hairless legs in that photo posted on the thread? They looked very, um, well, white. Not to mention what he was wearing?

Please tell me I'm allowed and won't get into trouble.

Oh I think Boris leaves himself wide open to criticism, every time he opens his mouth Jalima!

He's turned it into an art form! As for his white legs, they probably bear more scrutiny than mine, unfortunately!

It must be deliberate, surely?
Not his legs: his lack of diplomacy?

Whilst the furore surrounding BJ's remarks continue, some wanting an apology. I'm just contemplating how this tweet by a female MP Naz Shah slipped under the radar and hardly seem to raise an eyebrow at the time "white girls need to shut their mouths in the interests of diversity" aimed at the abused young women of Rotherham. Boris comments show an insensitivity but that tweet demonstrated an uncaring callousness in the extreme.

She sounds a real charmer!

Wow TerriBull that is far more shocking than anything buffoon Boris ever said!

She shared a tweet which said that "those abused girls in Rotherham and elsewhere just need to shut their mouths for the sake of diversity" She later said she shared it by accident. I don't remember anything like the outcry about that as there has been about the remarks by Boris Johnson.

There is outcry because Boris Johnson likened the look to a pillar box. Long ago on 'Live at the Apollo' (I think) a stand up comedian said he used to crouch down and speak to his Muslim neighbours through their letter box as that was how they preferred to communicate.

This was left wing BBC stuff and it raised laughs. Perhaps Boris saw the programme too? (Must have been on repeat because it was mentioned years ago.)

Boris Johnson "did not commit a criminal offence" with his remarks on burqas, the head of the Metropolitan Police has declared.

Naz Shah wss totally out of order with that comment. Any person being abused must report it. The background of abusers should not be relevant in any investigation. It is wrong whoever the perpetrator.

"Left wing BBC" ????

"Left wing BBC" ????
Next you'll be telling us the BBC are impartial ????

Also nobody has turned on anyone! I did say that in this country the majority population is white & British. By Johnson, in his high profile & privileged position make a public denigrating remark about a minority group by most standards that is racism.

I think he was saying what many people think. Women who wear the burka do so from choice. But that choice allows them to go into banks, building societies and post offices. My son is not allowed in those places with his crash helmet on, and in some places people, wearing hoodies are frowned on. So how come we have one rule for one sort of head and face cover and a different rule for the burka?

When i luved in the muddle east only not all of the women were veiled there, and when they did it was in a public place where men also were. If it was a fully female environment, all the black garb came iff to show fabulous haircuts and designer clothing. Female only beaches would be filled with bikini clad bodies and weddings an amazing site of Shirley Bassey style dresses.
I had a couple or more scary occassions when walking in the evenings to be passed by a fully covered person who was obviously a male, usually the shoes gave them away.

Flipping autocorrect!
Living, Middle

If all the women who wear burkas etc did so entirely of their own volition having been given the opportunity to refuse those forms of dress, I think I would be less concerned. From my experience, this is often not the case. Family pressure from early childhood often makes it nigh on impossible to do anything but conform. The stakes are high: girls can be thrown out of their families and communities for daring to question. Is it really fair to allow women to be oppressed within the UK? I think the response of " I think people should be allowed to wear what they like" is far too simplistic and no help at all to those women struggling to find a voice within restrictive communities.

So, we're damned if we do, and damned if we don't.

Day6 given the state of me lately, it would practically be a public service for me to go about in a balaclava

muffinthemoo
Maybe we should to see what would happen. Though i think i will wait until the weather cools

I bet you look 'bloomin' lovely' muffin!

I don't think anyone should be able to walk out in public while obscuring their facial identity; whether it's a burka or similar, a pulled down hood, a motorcycle helmet, a balaclava or a mask. I'm sure there are others I've left out.

Interesting point quizqueen weren't hoods banned somewhere a while ago?

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-34590878https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-34590878

Banned except for 'cultural items of clothing'.