114 replies to this topic

[Kenilworth Tiger]

Fairly simple question really......

[ckn]

Fairly simple question really......

Going by some of the stuff I've had to moderate over the years, yes. That said, the greatest portion of people on this forum who are accused of being racist are nothing of the sort. Being blunt and slightly xenophobic does not make you racist.

[Millman]

Going by some of the stuff I've had to moderate over the years, yes. That said, the greatest portion of people on this forum who are accused of being racist are nothing of the sort. Being blunt and slightly xenophobic does not make you racist.

Who has been accused of being racist then?

[ckn]

Who has been accused of being racist then?

Not telling

[Millman]

Not telling

Should I guess?

[ckn]

Should I guess?

Please don't. It's only in the rarest of circumstances that we'll reveal moderation details against members, on sensitive issues like racism or other abuse claims then it's just not going to happen and we're not really going to tolerate too much speculation on the matter.

[Martyn Sadler]

An interesting question, and accusations regularly seem to fly backwards and forwards on this issue, with some people solemnly claiming to detect racism in places where the rest of us simply can't see it.

Part of the problem is precisely that the issue is so sensitive, so that any general observations made about different groups are deemed to stereotype them and are therefore incontrovertibly racist. Plenty of people seem to get upset (or feign being upset) on behalf of others. And of course a tactic of some people, particularly if a debate isn't going their way, is to suggest that racism has reared its ugly head, which often will then derail a debate.

And of course there is the attempt by some people to extend the definition of racism to bring religion into its ambit, which I think is very dangerous and should be strongly resisted.

In my view anyone who suggests that there is any suggestion of racism on this forum should be asked to be quite specific in indicating where they have found it.

[T-Dub]

I can amiably talk with the Bangladeshi lads at my local curry restaurant on alls sorts of cultural and social issues, but I wouldnt get involved on similar topics on here, the squealing and handbags would stifle any debate within seconds

[WearyRhino]

The answer is a resounding YES.

[l'angelo mysterioso]

making negative judgements on people on the grounds of their race(or religion, or sexual orientation or physical condition)? stereotyping?labelling entire groups of people? On here? Surely not.

Edited by l'angelo mysterioso, 15 December 2010 - 05:10 PM.

[Martyn Sadler]

The answer is a resounding YES.

That's a very subtle argument.

But just because you say something pompously, it doesn't make it true.

[guess who]

The answer is a resounding YES.

Care to back that up with some facts?

[Severus]

Racism will always exist in some form and at some level because we are human.

[Bob8]

I find myself having unreasonable prejudices on occasion. I think the difference is being aware that I am being unfair.

[Shadow]

shame York Rhino's not around any longer, He knew all about racism as I recall.

[Derwent]

Does racism exist on here ? Yes, probably, as its a cross-section of society and racism exists in small sections of society.

Are there people on here who are uber-sensitive and cry foul at fairly innocuous comments ? Yes, but again that is also a reflection of society in general.

The thread when Bernard Manning died was a classic example of how people view things differently. I recall not seeing anything that I would regard as grossly offensive on that thread yet there were some who were screaming that it was a thread full of racism (in fact I think one person got banned over it).

[ckn]

The thread when Bernard Manning died was a classic example of how people view things differently. I recall not seeing anything that I would regard as grossly offensive on that thread yet there were some who were screaming that it was a thread full of racism (in fact I think one person got banned over it).

It was about 1 legitimate post (including many close to the knuckle) to 1 post deleted. I'd hazard a guess that you didn't see some of the stuff deleted.

That's the problem with moderating. If I delete something and then someone cries foul, no-one sees the deleted posts.

Let's make it clear. I do not know of any outright racists on this forum right now. All those I know have been banned or "encouraged" to move on. Some people have viewpoints I find distasteful but then you'll hear nothing different from them than you will from some Tory MPs/MEPs or UKIP members. There's a wide difference between being xenophobic and being racist, even then you have to be actively racist to get a ban, we tend not to punish thought-crime on here.

[bowes]

There have been a couple of posts that could be considered racist in the past but not many in the scheme of things.

There are a couple of posters with a wider definition than most people (in the area of religion the debate of which has 99% of accusations of racism) and one poster who'd consider a Nelson Mandela quote racist if someone right of Castro said it

[Bitofaboogie]

Going by some of the stuff I've had to moderate over the years, yes. That said, the greatest portion of people on this forum who are accused of being racist are nothing of the sort. Being blunt and slightly xenophobic does not make you racist.

Er, yes it does.

[WearyRhino]

That's a very subtle argument.

But just because you say something pompously, it doesn't make it true.

No, but some people make a living out of writing pompously Martyn.