This discussion is now closed.

Check out other Related discussions

Parents and the BNP

Ok, basically I think this is the right forum as it says 'relationships'.

Right so I have to somehow get round to telling my parents, who don't really give two hoots about politics but do vote conservative every election, that I agree with the BNP's policies and have actually joined the party. How would I go about doing this?

Now this is the sting - recently my headteacher had a 'chat' with me about being racist and anti-semitic (all unfounded rumours of course), and in this chat I denied being a member of the party and also denied several other things as I didn't wish to be expelled. But then she sent a letter to my parents to tell them what I'd been accused of. So then I had to tell my parents that I didn't support the BNP and that it was all a misunderstanding. After this how would I go about telling them?

Now, now children, let's try to insult me as little as possible in this thread, and instead be nice and helpful and tell me how to approach this. And remember 'if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all'. :biggrin:

Reply 1

Juno

20

It depends how old you are. If you're under 18 then it's probably best to keep quiet. If you're going to uni soon then could you not mention it until you've moved out?

It depends if you think it will upset them, and how much you care about upsetting them. You know their reactions, so if it will be bad and they'll kill you/chuck you out or something then it's probably best not to mention it.

Reply 2

G4ry

1

Why do they have to know your political stance anyway? If they don't care about politics it's not exactly going to come up often with you.

Reply 3

G4ry

Why do they have to know your political stance anyway? If they don't care about politics it's not exactly going to come up often with you.

Because whenever I go to meetings I have to say I'm going to X's house and if they find out by calling X on one occasion and I'm not there then they will be even less pleased?

Juno

It depends how old you are. If you're under 18 then it's probably best to keep quiet. If you're going to uni soon then could you not mention it until you've moved out?

It depends if you think it will upset them, and how much you care about upsetting them. You know their reactions, so if it will be bad and they'll kill you/chuck you out or something then it's probably best not to mention it.

That's the problem, I don't know their reaction. I have a feeling they will be very very angry and demand that I leave the party and probably send me to some kind of counsellor or something.

Reply 4

Angel Interceptor

11

Anonymous

Because whenever I go to meetings I have to say I'm going to X's house and if they find out by calling X on one occasion and I'm not there then they will be even less pleased?

well, you could just say you're going to the cinema with a friend - they're not exactly going to phone the cinema to check you're there, are they?

Reply 5

pratikv

well, you could just say you're going to the cinema with a friend - they're not exactly going to phone the cinema to check you're there, are they?

I might be asked what film I'm seeing, or where my ticket is when I get home. I don't know, something stupid like that.

So the general feeling is to not tell them?

Reply 6

Beekeeper

13

What branch of Conservatism do you think your parents fall under?

Tories value democracy and fandamental civil liberties, and they shouldn't have a problem with you having a different political affiliation as such.

My mother votes Liberal and my father Conservative, and they've been married for 25 years, so don't worry about it.

Saying that, I would avoid mentioning it for a few weeks, let the whole school problem die down first. :smile:

Reply 7

Carl

14

If you feel you can justify your political beliefs to your parents them then yes I'd tell them. If not I'd question how firm your reason for being in the party is. If you reckon your parents would be unreasonable and stop you attending meetings however, I wouldn't bother.

Depends on what your parents are like to be honest. I know mine would understand whatever.

Reply 8

technik

13

being in the BNP doesnt necessarily make you racist or anti-semitic. you might be but thats not really the point at all and your head teacher needs to be educated it seems.

Reply 9

Beekeeper

13

technik

being in the BNP doesnt necessarily make you racist or anti-semitic. you might be but thats not really the point at all and your head teacher needs to be educated it seems.

Absolutely, a headteacher should not even ask you about your polical beliefs, and whats more, they should value political diversity, especially in somewhere like a school.

Reply 10

homoterror

Beekeeper

Absolutely, a headteacher should not even ask you about your polical beliefs, and whats more, they should value political diversity, especially in somewhere like a school.

well see this is interesting because cambridge uni students' union have just banned the bnp from speaking here because we decided that we regard the welfare of students who are targetted by the BNP as more important than free speech.

Reply 11

technik

13

homoterror

well see this is interesting because cambridge uni students' union have just banned the bnp from speaking here because we decided that we regard the welfare of students who are targetted by the BNP as more important than free speech.

and how is the BNP speaking detrimental to your welfare?

Reply 12

Angel Interceptor

11

Anonymous

I might be asked what film I'm seeing, or where my ticket is when I get home. I don't know, something stupid like that.

So the general feeling is to not tell them?

hence, just check what films are on and pick one - it's not that difficult! do your parents check your ticket stubs when you get in to confirm you've been where you said you have? if they do that's seriusly wierd.

Reply 13

homoterror

technik

and how is the BNP speaking detrimental to your welfare?

there was this big pile of stats about how the BNP campaigning in an area in the past had lead to increases in the number of racist incidents. no explanation why this might have been was offered, but for this argument a simple association was sufficient.

Reply 14

Nysh

1

Just tell them already. You've joined, and you can't go back on that, so just tell them. If you hide it forever, what was the point in joining?

Reply 15

L i b

19

homoterror

well see this is interesting because cambridge uni students' union have just banned the bnp from speaking here because we decided that we regard the welfare of students who are targetted by the BNP as more important than free speech.

Nah, the bunch of obnoxious holier-than-thou socialists that make up your Union decided it for you...

... as bloody ever.

Reply 16

Talya

16

Anonymous

probably send me to some kind of counsellor or something.

Rightly so.

Reply 17

ChemistBoy

16

At the end of the day the BNP does attempt to provide some kind of politcal legitimacy for hardline racists. The party leadership has even been seen to endulge in racist and hateful discussion. How do you expect people to judge you when you "jump into bed" with people who believe that black and asian people are second-class citizens or shouldn't even be citizens at all because of their skin colour and culture?

You should expect your parents to be disappointed in you not only for associating with racists but for lying to them about as well.

But, if you do believe in the BNP's policies then I think it is the best place for you, I certainly don't want people with those beliefs inside a mainstream political party.

Reply 18

110111

8

Anonymous

Now this is the sting - recently my headteacher had a 'chat' with me about being racist and anti-semitic ... I denied being a member of the party

Three lies...
You will make an excellent BNP member.

Reply 19

musicbloke

17

homoterror

well see this is interesting because cambridge uni students' union have just banned the bnp from speaking here because we decided that we regard the welfare of students who are targetted by the BNP as more important than free speech.

Alex, I know that no harm is meant, but please watch your wording. It is not that CUSU has stopped their free speech, it's just that they've voted to campaign against them being given a platform. They can still speak butnot on a university society platform. I am personally very much against this new policy though.

MB

Parents and the BNP

Related discussions

Articles for you