"It could be political correctness gone mad as well, kids cant sing Baa Baa Black sheep these days, its Baa Baa Rainbow sheep, when have you ever seen a bloody rainbow sheep (unless you are tripping lol) so pushing this makes some resent it so its having the opposite effect as what was planned." Mad indeed. So we should be suporting the Rainbow Cats. I've always been proud to support the BLACKcats. And I suppose I should change my name to "chats arc-en-ciel". And to think that black, like white, isn't even a colour!
Well said to all of the posters who have had their say in this. I dont really have any thing else to add just to echo all of the comments on here. I to remember the 70s and the abuse black players had to put up with. I can remember the so called England fans who would not accept that we scored against Brazil because the Enland player was black. I recall the abuse Sunderland fans gave our first black signings. While times have changed dont allow ourselves to think racist attitudes have gone away just look at the number who vote BNP and to a lesser extent UKIP and then you getan idea of how many hidden racists there are in the UK.
Now you have (however inadvertently) helped to make my point which was "Keep this site for SAFC and football matters". Let's for example say I am a member of UKIP. Am I racist? Do you think/believe so? Are my previous posts on this subject clear? If I thought this was a forum for debating such I could take exception and things could start to turn ugly. I really do not think we should allow "politics" here, yes make clear the rules about comments that offend or are likely to incite, but we are ALL first and foremost SAFC supporters regardless of colour, sex, religious affiliations etc.
Can I start 59 by saying a big thank you for being brave and giving your honest opinion, its everyone giving and respecting honest opinions that will make or break this forum, IMHO. I also see your point and to a large extent agree with it, this is a football forum and this board is all about our team, Sunderland. I actually posted this article some weeks ago then deleted it because I was concerned it was sending out the wrong message, so why post it again and why on the Sunderland board, maybe the general forum would be the right place, all about judgement. I came to the conclusion that it was appt for this forum because we have had some comments about racisim on the forum, we have a lot of people trying to do a little to help the less well of in Africa, not because of their colour but because of their circumstances and we have a muli cultural team. Maybe my judgement was wrong but I like to back it, take a chance and put my head on the block, provoke some discussions. If you read my normal ramblings about dog walking and childhood you will see that seldom are they infact just ramblings, they too are written to provoke a responce, hopefully a warm one. This thread warms me greatly because we have fellow Sunderland fans, the ones I care for, exchanging views and opinions, as with yours a complete change of direction but not destination and all done without swearing, hostility, abuse or real anger. I would expect nothing less from my fellow mackems.
Syd I've just given my opinion, and looked to state my reasoning behind it. Others have given theirs, and like you I believe it has been without rancour on either side - a bit of passion - yes. You've been generous enough to recognise that this is worthy of debate, with maybe a bit for everyone to think about, and I'm sure you will weigh this along with BB and MW in your future deliberations. Please don't take my comments about your "ramblings" as being derogatory, they were (on 606) and are on now here, a delight to me - as can be judged by my contributions. I want to see the site develop, and good football craic be the norm.
And I agree with you 100& mate, I know the good posters and I know you are one of them. We may not agree on everything and thats not a bad thing, one thing we do agree on is the value of others points of view and a respect for their right to voice it. You wont have any bother with me for having a differing view point.
All I can say is, that being a victim of racism, there is no need for it, it's awful & demeening, I too grew up in world that was rife with racism, and, I look back and can't see any reason for it, but, having said that I feel we have gone too far the other way to the point of reverse discrimination, we have'nt got the balance right. I know people from varying backgrounds, countries etc & I don't care, I just see people, not colour
I think the vast majority of people these days know exactly what racism is and are sensible. The problem seems to me that the rules are all there to protect against the extremists at one end and to pander to the prim and propers at the other. I have said a number of times I like forums like this because I have no idea who you are, colour, creed sexuality, nothing. That forces me to judge you on you, what you say and how you say it. I have people who I now class as friends who would probably never mix with me on age alone in the real world.
Shieldscat Interesting point you raise about reverse discrimination, as chatsnoir made about PC. I too reckon things have gone too far, disturbing the "balance" ?? As a youngster (3/4) I had a ragdoll golliwog and collected the "Golly's" on the jam jars. I loved my ragdoll Golly and cuddled it when I went to bed - did this turn me into a racist? I sang Baa Baa Black-Sheep - did this turn me into a racist? Slightly older I read an Agatha Christie story called Ten Little ******s - did this turn me into a racist? I've travelled around the world and met many people from totally diffrent cultures. In my travels and work I've met people who I've liked, and people who I haven't. Black, Brown, White, Straight, Gay, Christian, Jew, Moslem - doesn't matter about the tag - it's the PERSON. Mind, I have difficulty with Mags!!
Mind, I have difficulty with Mags!![/QUOTE] Thats not racisim, its a good education[/QUOTE] Hey! I resemble that remark!
dickmalonespecial---if you knew owt you would know that the term 'coloured' is about 20 years out of date my friend, and now pretty much borderline offensive. Its black, white and mixed race apparently at the moment !!!!
If I had a chance, of having Raquel Welsh in her hey day, now even. or Whoopie Goldberg a better actress mind you, Id go for RW, Am I a RACIST? If I prefer Indian food to Chinese, am I racist? what Is the problem , were all racist up to a point, I dont know what that point is, we all have different thoughts on the matter.but most of us keep it inside, until we know better. by the way I still cant walk on water.
Racism can be found in all walks of life regardless of class,creed or colour and certainly does not exclude Sport and Football in particular. As posted earlier it would take a damned fine mind indeed to figure it out.(Genetically there is little difference between the population of England,China or Africa). Why not discuss it here? What harm can it do?
And you say that because, I know, you miss read the comment you are talking about. More care needed I think.
To me those examples aren't racist they are personal preferences. However if you said, taking your first example, you prefer Raquel Welsh and then went on to slag off Whoopie Goldberg because of her, say, skin colour then that is racist.
