Well done Lawrence Fox!

We have lovely Jewish friends. Their lives are subjected to intolerance [at best], abuse [verbal and physical]. When we say how sorry we are for them, unfortunately they have to respond with "we're used to it". Their daughter is a Rabbi and cannot let down her guard for one minute.

jura2 I am sorry but you just do not get it do you?

Stormzy a black rapper can fund "underprivileged black boys" to go to Cambridge but Sir Thwaites is denied being able to fund "underprivileged white boys".

The above is a form of racism, both should be allowed to fund boys or girls without demanding they be of a certain colour.

Stormzy is guilty of racism against underprivileged white boys.

Yes, I actually do get it - and do get that it is totally different- if you look at the history of racism in the UK and around the world.

But I'd also agree that bequests should be for any sex or ehtnicity or colour- but about under-privilege.

We all know that in the UK racism against white groups has also existed for a very long time. Many here will remember the 'No blacks, no Irish, no gipsies' of not so long ago.

Stormzy, whilst undoubtedly a philanthropist, is also guilty of sexism too, his lyrics often refer to women as "tings" are we as women happy to be reduced to the status of an inanimate objects ? or is that okay in the interests of the advancement of "grime" ?

Apparently Sir Bryan himself was educated at Dulwich on a scholarship and hearing that now white boys in underprivileged areas were the cohort underperforming by a huge amount was keen to help out.But it seems he's not able to specify -and maybe that's as it should be.And in one instance it's schools and the other university, but both offering opprtunity to students who wouldn't otherwise get it.I just did a double take when it seemed it was ok for Stormzy to specify,but not Sir Bryan.

Can I just say here to all of us who support the work that Maggie Oliver has done to support the victims of sex grooming, and continues to do. She has set up a crowdfunding site to set up a base where these girls still being abused can go for advice.

Thanks for the info MerylStreep

Opal @17.10 thank you, a good post.

" I'm sick to death of luvies like you spouting off, you know nothing about life in your privileged, gated community, stick to acting" or words to that effect.........and that priceless gem is aimed at Laurence Fox......tweets the amazing Lily Allen, not that she's one to every proffer an opinion

Anyway off she goes to warble away on her latest offering "Pot and Kettle"

Oh jeez, Lily Allen, if ever there was a prime example of someone who should stick to her "entertaining" (and I use the word loosely), it's her.

''A mixed-race university lecturer accused of being racist by the white actor Laurence Fox has been bombarded with hate messages via social media, she has told the Observer.

Rachel Boyle, a researcher on race and ethnicity at Edge Hill University in Lancashire, clashed with Fox during a television discussion about press coverage of the Duchess of Sussex.

Since the row, Boyle said she had received a barrage of online abuse, mainly from people who appear to be of the Alt Right, via Twitter and email.''

Just a question- did the reaction to Obama by Republicans have anything to do with racism, or not, in your view?

Why don't we just judge people for what they are and forget all this racist/sexist nonsense. It is said that patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel. I would suggest all these isms are the last resort of those otherwise devoid of reasoned argument.

I'm staggered to read posts from those who fight to occupy the moral high ground claiming that Fox can have no idea of the struggles of others because he comes from an affluent background. A sweeping statement with no evidence to support it. It reminds me of an old chestnut I used to hear in my working life as a midwife. People would claim that to be a good midwife, you needed to have had a baby. Utter rubbish! What that calling actually requires is empathy, kindness and the ability to walk around in the shoes of others. As Fox rightly stated 'I can't help what I am, I was born like this, it's an immutable characteristic!^ To imagine him incapable of understanding the troubles of others is simply blinkered thinking.

GrannyLine should LF have any understanding of the issues involved he might perhaps have moderated his language. His words indicate how out of touch he is. He didn't say "I don't believe it is racism" and discuss the matter logically he insisted "It's NOT racism" and when confronted with his origins and ethnicity he didn't admit that his experiences might be limited. He insisted this country was the most understanding in Europe. Now that may or may not be true, but I suspect for thousands of people who have come into conflict with the authorities and experienced institutionalised racism such as the Windrush families it isn't their experience. And that's why he is blinkered.

Well Granny I’d be delighted to consider any evidence that LF has any understanding or empathy re racism. Or maybe I missed him amongst those fighting for the rights of Windrush people. I think he comes across as quite limited intellectually actually - a bit thick

As I said previously, Lawrence Fox was most certainly a victim of a racist attack.

Maddy you’re wrong no matter how many times you say it. But never mind, I know it’s complicated ?

Well, yes, it was probably a 'racist' comment - but if it is the first and the worst- I think he will survive, don't you?

He, and you, and me, will never know what it fees like to be the wrong side of racism (well all sides are wrong), day in, day out...

I only know because there are many people in my life who have told me- and I trust them.

suziewoozie that is not my point. More sweeping statements... and shooting off at tangents. I don't think any of us are in a position to comment on his intelligence. But I'm sure you will.

@trisher so now maybe he has some understanding but he used the wrong words to satisfy your strict criteria. Whose experiences aren't limited? And actually, he didn't insist this is the most 'understanding' country in Europe. And he was specifically answering a question about the Sussexes which is quite a different matter to Windrush.

GrannyLaine you raised the issue of Fox's understanding. I simply gave an example of the racism in the UK which he apparently is unaware of. You actually said As Fox rightly stated 'I can't help what I am, I was born like this, it's an immutable characteristic! To imagine him incapable of understanding the troubles of others is simply blinkered thinking^
I can't help being white either but I do try to understand how society has made life difficult for others. LF made no attempt to appreciate or understand the point being made. He behaved exactly as the stereotypical privileged white male always has, shouting over a woman and refusing to listen to her. He then tried to make out that he was in some way a victim. It wasn't just wrong. it wasn't just rude, it was pathetic.

I wish there was a like button for your post trisha
He is still today, embracing the white, male, conservative, privelege

I think he comes across as quite limited intellectually actually - a bit thick

There we go, I knew it wouldn't take long for one of the usual crowd to claim the intellectual high ground over someone who doesn't share their views on racism. Intellectual snobbery strikes again!

He behaved exactly as the stereotypical privileged white male always has, shouting over a woman and refusing to listen to her. He then tried to make out that he was in some way a victim. It wasn't just wrong. it wasn't just rude, it was pathetic.

I obviously wasn't watching the same programme as you trisher - he did listen to her, he didn't shout, but as soon as he realised she was spouting the usual race card, he rightly gave a very quick and pertinent response. The audience seemed to agree with him! If anyone was wrong or rude, or, heaven forbid, racist, then it was the woman!

I’m still saying Lawrence Fox was a victim of racism.

Absolutely Opal (and I did watch the programme.)