Can Black People be Racist? (or the Bristol Councillor who called her colleague a Coconut)

We heard last week that Bristol City Councillor of Afro-Caribbean origin has apologised after calling an Indian colleague a ‘coconut’.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Shirley Brown (nee Marshall), who is councillor for the Ashley ward in Bristol (comprising St Pauls, St Werburghs and Montpelier), used the racist term to criticise her Conservative colleague Jay Jethwa, who arrived in Britain in the mid-1980s, and is now councillor for Stockwood.

Before using the term ‘coconut’, Brown even explained that it refers to people of Asian origin who are ‘brown on the outside and white inside’, which amounts to criticising people who try to turn their backs on their own culture and adopt the outlook and trappings of the majority white community in Britain.

Councillor Jay Jethwa said, “I have never come across such a personal and upsetting racial comment directed at me. All I was doing was exercising my democratic right to speak and express my opinions, so to have those kind of words directed at me was a real shock and very upsetting. It’s a huge insult to me.

“I knew exactly what it meant as soon as I heard it. It means someone who is black on the outside and white on the inside and definitely racially related.

“For this to have come from a black person, who uses this term specifically for people who come from my background, is just unacceptable and uncalled for.”

Brown said during the heated debate, “In our culture we have a word for you and before I go into what I want to say and my statement, is that we have a word for you and, which any in this city would understand, is a coconut.”

Other councillors, members of the media and the general public were, obviously, outraged by the comments. At least one complaint was made to the police and Brown may face criminal charges. The council’s Standards Committee is also investigating and will discuss the matter behind closed doors on 9th April.

Conservative councillor John Goulandris said, “Everyone should be offended by Shirley Brown’s use of this profoundly unpleasant racist remark. Ironically, this ugly utterance has come from someone who proclaims herself something of an expert at recognising racism in others.”

Brown has since made an apology to Jethwa, suggesting that she had not intended to be insulting, but added – and here’s the incredible bit: “How can I be a racist when I’m black?”

What could she have meant by that?

Perhaps we should all remind her that being black doesn’t automatically indemnify someone to make racist remarks about others.

In true local authority style, it is possible to contact Shirley Brown to let her know what you think on the subject: Contact details for Bristol’s Racist Councillor.

Shirley Brown has also been in hot water recently for only attending the minimum number of council meetings required to receive full pay for the role – she spends the majority of her time at home in the United States.

Sources:

The original story is here at the BBC Bristol and The Sun websites.

The update about police action is here at thisisbristol.co.uk.

Thanks to the Bristol Blogger for this – brilliant!

Guinness Book of Records Slammed Shut on Boy Bullfighter’s Calf-Killing ‘Feat’

I received this press release a few days ago. “Thank God for that” sprung to mind straight away…

London – If you aspire to be counted amongst the elite listed by Guinness World Records Ltd, don’t even think about it if your feat involves harming animals. Just ask 11-year-old Michel Lagravere Peniche, who was hoping to be recognised by Guinness after he stabbed six calves to death in a Mexican bull ring. In a special statement posted on its Web site, Guinness made its policy on animal abuse abundantly clear: “Guinness World Records was not aware that this event was taking place, and will not recognise the result. We do not accept records based on the killing or harming of animals”. PETA Europe, has sent a letter of appreciation to Guinness editor in chief Craig Glenday.

Reportedly encouraged by his parents, the boy bullfighter has killed more than 160 1- to 2-year-old calves. These animals are practically babies and are not naturally aggressive. Video footage shows the boy as he drives lances into a calf’s back and neck muscles, twisting the lances to ensure significant blood loss. After the calf is completely exhausted, the boy stabs him with a sword. In bullfights, if the matador misses and succeeds only in further mutilating the animal, the bull is stabbed in the spine. Sometimes the executioner misses, leaving the bull conscious but paralysed as his ears are cut off and he is dragged from the arena chained by the horns.

PETA points out that in an era when violence is on the rise, it is vital that children should be taught to be kind to others – not rewarded for causing animal suffering in the name of entertainment or “tradition”.

“Making a hero out of a boy who routinely torments and kills gentle calves sends a dangerous message to children everywhere”, says PETA Europe Director, Robbie LeBlanc. “We hope other organisations follow Guinness World Records’ example and enact policies condemning cruelty to animals.”

PETA’s letter to Guinness World Records Ltd is available upon request. For more information, please visit PETA.org.uk.

Jeremy Clarkson calls Gordon Brown names

Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson has said he is sorry for calling Gordon Brown a “one-eyed Scottish idiot”.

He said: “In the heat of the moment I made a remark about the Prime Minister’s personal appearance for which, upon reflection, I apologise.” The broadcaster made the comments to journalists in Sydney when he was speaking about the economic crisis.

The BBC said it noted Clarkson’s apology for the comments and would be taking no further action. Public figures have reacted angrily to the presenter’s remarks, with Labour MP Gordon Banks saying what Clarkson said was “unforgivable”.

Number 10 would only say that Clarkson “is entitled to his own interpretation of the economic circumstances”. The spokesperson declined to comment on the specific insult about Mr Brown, who lost the sight in one eye after an accident as a teenager.

‘Unacceptable’

But the Royal National Institute for Blind People called the comment was offensive.

“Any suggestion that equates disability with incompetence is totally unacceptable” said chief executive Lesley-Anne Alexander Scottish

Labour leader Iain Gray joined in the criticism. “Such a comment is really a reflection on Jeremy Clarkson and speaks for itself,” he said. “Most people here are proud that the prime minister is a Scot and believe him to be the right person to get the UK through this global economic crisis.”

Clarkson is in Australia to host Top Gear Live, a stage version of the hit BBC show.

The controversial presenter compared Mr Brown to Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, shortly after Mr Rudd had addressed the country on the severity of the global financial crisis. Clarkson said: “He [Rudd] genuinely looked terrified. The poor man, he’s actually seen the books. “[In the UK] we’ve got this one-eyed Scottish idiot. “He keeps telling us everything’s fine and he’s saved the world and we know he’s lying, but he’s smooth at telling us.”

Mickey-taking

It had also been reported that Clarkson had called Australians ‘apes’. However the BBC press office has strongly denied that this was the case. They said that the presenter was in referring to some of the UK audience members, in keeping with the style of the programme. “Top Gear is known for its tone – the presenters take the mickey out of each other, and the Top Gear studio audience aren’t immune from that either.”

In November, more than 1,800 people complained to the BBC after Clarkson made a joke on Top Gear about lorry drivers killing sex workers. The joke followed the conviction of forklift truck driver Steve Wright for the murders of five prostitutes in Ipswich. Some 340 people also complained to regulator Ofcom, but it later ruled the joke did not breach the broadcasting code.

Source: BBC

Well, given the state of the economy, aren’t we all calling Gordon the Brown names?

Oops, I just did it.

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Thinking of relocating out of London?

Business relocation – Somerset UK.

BBC Breakfast swear word – 6th February 2009 (F-word)

Another disaster for the BBC, the BBC Breakfast team played an un-edited clip of Christian Bale’s F-Word rant at 06.55 this morning.

The channel received hundreds of complaints and at 09.15, at the end of the show, the presenters issued an apology in that childish split-dialogue they do where both chip in.

More about the latest BBC swear word here.

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Now, is the London Tube being out of action not just a pain in the arse!?

Are you thinking of relocating out of London?

Business relocation – Somerset UK.

Michael Richards (Seinfeld): Is it Racist to be Proud?

Michael Richards is better known as Kramer from the American TV series, Seinfeld.

This was his defence speech in court after making racial comments in his comedy act. He makes some very interesting points.

He said: “I’m proud To Be White
Someone finally said it.
How many are actually paying attention to this ?
There are African Americans, Mexican Americans,
Asian Americans, Arab Americans, etc.
And then there are just Americans.
You pass me on the street and sneer in my direction.
You Call me ‘White boy,’ ‘Cracker,’ ‘Honkey,’
‘Whitey,’ ‘Caveman’ … and that’s OK.

“But when I call you, Nigger, Kike, Towel head,
Sand-nigger, Camel Jockey, Beaner , Gook, or Chink 
You call me a racist.

“You say that whites commit a lot of violence against you, so why are the ghettos the most dangerous places to live?
You have the United Negro College Fund.
You have Martin Luther King Day.
You have Black History Month.
You have Cesar Chavez Day.
You have Yom Hashoah.
You have Ma’uled Al-Nabi.
You have the NAACP.
You have BET.
If we had WET (White Entertainment Television) we’d be racists.
If we had a White Pride Day, you would call us racists.
If we had White History Month , we’d be racists.
If we had any organization for only whites to ‘advance’ OUR lives we’d be racists.
We have a Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, a Black Chamber of Commerce, and then we just have the plain Chamber of Commerce. Wonder who pays for that ?

“A white woman could not be in the Miss Black American pageant, but any color can be in the Miss America pageant. If we had a college fund that only gave white students scholarships you know we’d be racists. There are over 60 openly proclaimed Black Colleges in the US. Yet if there were ‘White colleges’ THAT would be a racist college.

“In the Million Man March, you believed that you were marching for your race and rights. If we marched for our race and rights, you would call us racists. You are proud to be black, brown, yellow and orange, and you’re not afraid to announce it.
But when we announce our white pride, you call us racists.

“You rob us, carjack us, and shoot at us.
But, when a white police officer shoots a black gang member or beats up a black drug-dealer running from the law and posing a threat to society, you call him a racist.

“I am proud.
But you call me a racist.
Why is it that only whites can be racists?”

Bristol’s Broad Plain Boys: Sexist

A Bristol sports club has been forced to change its name after being branded sexist.

Bristol City Councillors warned Broad Plain Boys could lose funding.

The club is based at the Riverside Leisure Club in Easton and had held the title since 1894.

Now the complex, which does have girl members, calls itself Broad Plain Working With Young People Group.

Is it me, or is that political correctness gone mad? Given the current economic climate, don’t Bristol City Councillors have anything better to do?

‘Racist’ Prince Harry’s ‘Little Paki Friend’ Wasn’t Offended

The Pakistani soldier at the centre of the Prince Harry race row has sprung to his defence.

It’s after the Royal grandson was caught on film three years ago referring to one of his platoon members as “our little Paki friend”.

The Prince has actually called Ahmed Khan to apologise, and apparently he told Harry to forget about it, that he has no hard feelings and didn’t take offense.

So why was everyone else so outraged? After all, however racist ‘Paki’ has been in the past and is still in some circles, offense, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. Ahmed Khan knew that Harry meant no harm. And that’s the end of it.

Thank God. I can go back to calling my Australian friends ‘Aussies’ and my fellow British citizens ‘Brits’, without expecting to be mobbed.

Steve Jobs Countdown to Death Website

If you’re reading this and you haven’t seen it, then please don’t go onto Google and look for it, but somebody has put a website together with an Apple ‘countdown to iPhone’-style timer to Steve Jobs’ supposed death.

I know it takes all types to make the world go round, but seriously, was that really necessary?

Steve Jobs has revolutionised the world of personal computing, as well as online and offline music and most recently mobile communications. His retirement is sad enough.

I can only imagine how I would feel if someone did something like that to me.

How racist is ‘Paki’… Response to Prince Harry using the word ‘Paki’.

Quote from Ingrid Seward, Majesty Magazine (courtesy of BBC Online)

“I think it was a private video, he was talking about a friend of his, they were having fun and they were calling each other nicknames and I think it’s been taken out of context.

“Yes, it would be very offensive if Harry went around calling people Pakis in a racist way, but this was not meant, you know, it was meant more of a nickname.
“I mean, Harry’s mates call him Ginge or Ginger – that could be equally offensive to people with red hair.”

How racist is ‘Paki’?

Prince Harry, a respected member of our Royal Family and an icon for future generations, has apologised publicly for using the term ‘Paki’ to describe a Pakistani colleague in a video diary filmed during his training at Sandhurst Military College.

Whilst most people see the term ‘Paki’ as low level racism, I wonder just how racist it really is in the eyes of a Pakistani person?

After all, isn’t ‘Paki’ just an abbreviation of ‘Pakistani’? Just like ‘Ozzy’ is an abbreviation of ‘Australian’ and ‘Brit’ is an abbreviation of ‘Briton’ or ‘British’.

It’s clear that Prince Harry used the term as a nickname for a popular member of his platoon. If his friend had taken offense then I am certain he’d have lodged a complaint himself.

Isn’t use of the word ‘Paki’ to be considered in context, just like everything else? Yes, ‘Paki’ used to be derogatory and it’s true that racists can add an offensive tone of voice to the word, but the same could be said of ‘Ginge’ and ‘Shorty’ and most people would agree that these could be used affectionately as well.

Prince Harry was not acting out of malice, but out of affection.

Should he apologise for that?

If so, then I’ll be writing to all the people at school who called me ‘Gangly’. There’s probably some compensation waiting for me.