The problem with racism (IMO) is that it is generally highlighted when comments or actions are made against a non white person by a white person and whilst this is wholey unexceptable and should not be tolerated, there are many other forms of racism between people of the same race and between different races that dont always included a white person or in which the white person is the victim. This for me is what makes the defination and severity of a racist very hard to pigeon hole.
I for one have no intention of defending either Suarez or Terry, but feel that they are very different cases.
Surez's case is between 2 individuals with very little (infact I dont think there was any) outside witness/3rd party evedience to concluded/coloberate the actual events - hence one person's word against another. The irony in this case is that Suarez actually admitts that he used certain terms that he deemed to be exceptable from his culture (allthough the amount of times it was used is disputed) and he also alledgedley recieved comments from Evra about his origin, which were deemed acceptable or not racist. It has also been acknowledged that outcome of the investigation would not be a on a par with a court of law (although I am under the impression that it has been reffered to the CPS) and hence technically makes a mockery of the decession made. What I mean by this is that if the CPS decide that there is NOT enough eveidence to proceed with prosection, or were to fall short of a conviction, technically Suarez would have the right to contest the decession made by the FA or alternatively make a counter claim for convicting him of racism which was not substantiated under English Law - hence defaming his charachter!
Terry's situation is different, it is alledged that there is catagoric TV evidence to support that certain comments were made, and due to the manner in which Terry alledgedley delivered the said comments it has appeared to raise the level of investigation staright to the police (for which the CPS are deciding whether to proceed further), and hence the FA has been bypassed and will not conduct an inquiry to avoid jeopardising the case - similar to the Levenson enquiry into the NOW where it will only discuss/investigate certain issues. The outcome is yet unknown, but if charged Terry could delay the court case and the potential outcome for years (through legal loop holes), and as the law states still continue his life as an innocent man untill the outcome is reached - Given Terry's age that could be the end of his career.
Alternatively the CPS may decided under negotiations with Terry's legal team that there would not be enough evidence to convict and plea a lesser charge (foul/abusive language public order charge, or similar minor misdomenaour) and hence he would not be convicted of racism and any conduct issues that the FA decided to take (which could be non due football language in general) would mean that he would recieve a far lesser charge than Suarez, or potential no charge!
For me, the 2 cases have been and will be dealt with totally different over a far wider time span. Suarez sits on a 8 match ban and has been branded a racist based on 2 private witness statements, whilst Terry plays on a innocent man for an undefined period of time after his alledged comments were broadcast around the world? I wonder if Terry wasn't a white England Captain, whether the FA would have dealt with the issue differently, becaise ultimatley he is likely to be captain at Euro 2012!
So in answer to the Opp's question, it is very difficult to define what/who is a racist, but one thing for sure is this; the intent or venom in which words are delivered probably play more significance than the words themselves. My point, be a decent human being and refrain from speaking to a fellow human being in way in which you yourself would feel offended! If the line is crossed then I would hope that, the offending individual would be able to hold their hands up, apologies and take the appropriate punishment!
****** (I have no personal opinion on of either of these alledged incidents and do not condone racist or abusive behavious to any person regardless of age, gender or race) *********
