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Is this racist?

(12 Posts)
sunseeker Fri 14-Jul-17 11:10:44

A local Labour councillor has issued an apology for remarks made about the Labour Mayor which were

Wish I was Mayor! I like Marvin but I am honestly not sure if he gets socialism. His background-like that of Asher Craig his deputy –is in diversity politics.

Both Mayor Rees and his deputy are of mixed race and some local groups are claiming what she said was racist and demanded the apology. When I read her remarks I took her to mean that she was just disagreeing with his brand of socialism

Anniebach Fri 14-Jul-17 11:30:32

Good grief, no way is it racist . I don't get the socialism of far left posters, they don't get mine, am I anti English or are they anti Welsh?

M0nica Fri 14-Jul-17 17:39:45

Anyone of any ethnic background, including 100% guaranteed English, can get involved in diversity politics, and many have been. As Anniebach says, certainly not racist.

MawBroon Fri 14-Jul-17 17:41:21

What the heck is racist about it?

Jalima1108 Fri 14-Jul-17 18:26:52

I am sure that Marvin is not bothered about it himself which is all that matters.

Now, is he a socialist or not?
He doesn't wear red trousers anyway!
grin

Jalima1108 Fri 14-Jul-17 18:29:54

ps it doesn't sound racist in the slightest

Rigby46 Fri 14-Jul-17 19:16:08

Reading the full story and being aware of the Bristol background and its past racial problems puts this story into context. The councillor concerned by the way apologised for the offence caused ( not the usual mealy mouthed 'any' offence caused) and apologised for the comments bring 'thoughtless' which they probably were, but not racist.

Rigby46 Fri 14-Jul-17 19:25:48

Apparently she did use 'any' -<sigh> I do wish people wouldn't. I also wish people in public life would be more sensible about their use of fb and twitter - people like teachers, doctors, social workers and many in the private sector, have to sign up to a code of conduct re use of social media- if only politicians had to as well.

Baggs Fri 14-Jul-17 20:05:27

Why don’t you like people saying they're sorry for any offence caused by what they've said, rig? Genuine question.

sunseeker Fri 14-Jul-17 20:26:09

Jalima I agree I don't think Marvin would have taken offence but I don't see why anyone else should take offence on his behalf. He is certainly capable of making his feelings known and doesn't need anyone else to do it for him.

I'm not a labour supporter myself but I do believe he is genuinely doing what he thinks is best for the whole city and admire him for taking on the mess left by old "red trousers" (what a disaster he was!)

Rigby46 Fri 14-Jul-17 20:52:12

I've been reading up about him - he's clearly very very bright and really rooted in Bristol. Given what I've read, I think the councillors comments do sound like a bit of a 'put down' of his background and experience and I can see why some people might feel prickly about that but that makes her comment idiotic not racist. Still think people should be more sensible in how they use social media though

Jalima1108 Fri 14-Jul-17 21:10:22

sunseeker I banned DH from wearing trousers of any shade of red when Marvin's predecessor was Mayor!!
I said - 'someone may think you're the Mayor shock'!
(although DH doesn't have as much hair)