Are they objecting to racism, sexism and homophobia being frowned upon, or are they objecting to being told that every attitude or opinion that they hold that differs from (say, and for arguments sake) yours falls into one of these three brackets? As I said earlier, it feels at times as though racism, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. "You are racist because I say you are". The first definition I found of racism online was:
"Prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior."
Of course, the definition is doubtless more complex than that. And then you're into defining prejudice, discrimination and antagonism. Possibly then you're into an argument over whether there has to be a victim or not, and whether said victim has in some way suffered as a consequence of another's actions. It can be a bottomless pit, but one can see how quickly the mob mobilises at the mere sniff of racism etc. All else falls by the wayside.
We all walk on eggshells these days and I content myself with the certainty that a few of the enlightened will themselves be hoisted by their own petards.
You probably think I'm a racist now, because I hold a different perspective, which would be disappointing though perhaps not a surprise.
It's not a matter of differing opinions though, is it? Anyone can have a different political view to me (almost everyone on here does), or like different music, or support a different football team, but racism (or sexism, or homophobia) is just plain wrong in my eyes, not to mention illogical. I'm genuinely struggling to think of instances that might require some kind of judgment call as to whether they are racist or not. I suppose your great-aunt is an example, but to me that is clear cut. It is racism, but a relatively mild example, and, if the doctor was unaware, a victimless one.
. I listened to a senior Tory figure yesterday who said they want this done asap because it's taking too long.
