The Student Room Group

Branded a racist

Last night I was at a rather big party. Most of the people there were a bit drunk, though I was ok, since I'd been out the couple of nights before. Anyway, at the end of the night, three people who I otherwise respect came over for "a word". Apparently they were disgusted that someone "of your intelligence can be a racist- frightening almost". I'd said earlier in the night that "Whatever one says about society, one cannot dismiss the inequality between the races and anyone claiming that we can live in a colourblind society is deluded".

In the context it was said, I think it's pretty clear that I was refering to the material conditions and life chances, which as we well know, are highly stratified. I tried explaining to them that what I meant was that being born into a certain race or ethnicity, because of a variety of factors- including racism- will determine for many where they end up ie: the whole Chinese> Indian> White> Black> Pakistani/ Bangladeshi school achievement statistics. In response I suggested that we must (for the basic reason of fairness) keep an open or colourblind admission procedure to university, but work to raise standards through encouragement for under-represented groups. I think that's pretty reasonable, and if it makes me a racist, then I'm in the company of most race relations officers in the country.

Anyway, I was told how I would be hounded out of work if I was in a normal job, and how I have a miserable future ahead of me. It wouldn't have been so bad, but lots of other people were in earshot and heard parts of the conversation. Eight people removed me from their facebook this morning. I just feel so victimised. People who've had beef with me over this and that are using this thing to discedit me wholesale and I'm worried about where it's going to end. How should I salvage my name?

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Reply 1
Anonymous
Last night I was at a rather big party. Most of the people there were a bit drunk, though I was ok, since I'd been out the couple of nights before. Anyway, at the end of the night, three people who I otherwise respect came over for "a word". Apparently they were disgusted that someone "of your intelligence can be a racist- frightening almost". I'd said earlier in the night that "Whatever one says about society, one cannot dismiss the inequality between the races and anyone claiming that we can live in a colourblind society is deluded".

they're idiots, simple as.

Of course we don't live in a colour-blind society: institutional racism, media scapegoating, the government racial profiling and blaming certain people...


tell them to ****ing grow up and recognise the problems in this country, as long as you don't think this racism in society is right you're not a racist. Send them a couple of links from Socialist Worker or the like, that explains things like muslims in this country being blamed for the Iraq War or the situation for poor black families in inner city estates.

www.socialistworker.co.uk


If anything, ignoring these problems is racist and not at all helpful to combating racism in society, ignoring them just perpetuates the idea that everyone is smilie and happy and so the racism continues.
Reply 2
write a facebook note :biggrin:
They are being ill-informed and reactionary ****s. That was not racism, it was simply an admission of fact. Of course we would all like the races to have equal chances etc but they don't. A saudi-arabian immigrant does not have the same opportunities and options as a born and bred middle class englishman. Fact, irrespective of worth, idealism and politics.

I know this won't make people "get you" and start acting more intelligently towards you, but at least you know that you are not at fault. You have not said anything derogatory or unjustifiably negative about the races themselves, only the (very real) plight they may find themselves in. Maybe you could post a very calm and very careful note on Facebook to that effect?

Other than that, sorry :frown:
Anonymous
Last night I was at a rather big party........... I'd said earlier in the night that "Whatever one says about society, one cannot dismiss the inequality between the races and anyone claiming that we can live in a colourblind society is deluded".


I'm sorry that I don't have anything constructive to add, but I have to say, don't go saying stuff like that at parties. lol
Reply 5
Liberato
I'm sorry that I don't have anything constructive to add, but I have to say, don't go saying stuff like that at parties. lol


Well, you're probably right, but I actually didn't bring the subject up. Amongst my friends it's very natural to talk about politics when drunk or otherwise. Most of them have politics/ history or economics degrees and take ideas seriously.
Reply 6
Remind them of the definition of racism. It annoys me how people are quick to brand others as 'racist' without even knowing what the word actually means.
Anonymous
Well, you're probably right, but I actually didn't bring the subject up. Amongst my friends it's very natural to talk about politics when drunk or otherwise. Most of them have politics/ history or economics degrees and take ideas seriously.


Fair enough. I guess I don't/can't really socialise with that sort of group, so we just stick to football :biggrin:
Complete and utter morons, anti-racism is usually so forced, I'm sure half these people would cross the street if a black person was walking towards them.

Racism is thinking other races are inherantly inferior, but that's very obviously not what you were suggesting, you know this and we (and non-*******s) all know this. I personally wouldn't care if people this moronic took me off their friends list on facebook (actually I wouldn't really care much about facebook at all... though i's the principle I suppose.)

My friends are constantly saying what you did, but with a LOT less tact, and I know they're not racist.
Reply 9
If people are going to turn on you like this then they weren't your friends in the first place. They don't deserve to be in your facebook. Remember that old saying.

A friend with weed, a friend indeed.
Reply 10
I was branded a racist a few days ago.
I was at this international culture conference a few days ago.
ANd i was in the Isreal section and when i got it.
I said, "Wow, look at all this Jewish food"

Was it racist? What should i say? Cause at the time, it seemed fine to me. If i said something like "Don't eat the food, it's Jewish", then i would understand the racist reaction. help me, i think i just used the worng word and i have nothing against Jews/Isreal.
Reply 11
You use the term "one" in day to day life!? No wonder they don't like you...
Reply 12
Helicopter
You use the term "one" in day to day life!? No wonder they don't like you...


:laugh: ;yes;
Reply 13
Your friends are conforming to that annoying clique of hardcore political correctness.

Although what you described is racism as you're defining differences (not necessarily a bad thing) you're not racist as far as I would describe you, unless your prejudice actually derives from a conscious intrinsic superiority.

Your friends need to stop being so narrow-minded and take a step away from their percieved 'liberal' attitudes and realise the logic/truth behind your argument.

I think time is your friend here.
Your friends sound somewhat misinformed. Have them all over for dinner, and discuss your respective views.
No politics or religion at parties = much more fun
Reply 16
shady lane
No politics or religion at parties = much more fun


Yeah I was gonna say, what sort of parties are these? :s-smilie:
Reply 17
Is that what you really said? We're just hearing your point of view here, you may have worded it to make it sound acceptable. If that's EXACTLY what you said, then shame on them. A lot of people are so PC conscious now that any mention of a race will trigger an automatic "racist" retaliation.

I wish people would move onto the next step. We've had racists, we have the PC brigade, but we don't have many who can intelligently discuss matters concerning race without it degenerating into slanging matches of racial pride.
ToysRUs
Is that what you really said? We're just hearing your point of view here, you may have worded it to make it sound acceptable. If that's EXACTLY what you said, then shame on them.


Agreed! Well said!
Reply 19
They obviously didn't understand your point, or try to understand it.