BBC presenter sacked for demanding non-Asian driver

[mrk]

So let’s see, you’re saying that a person can demand a white taxi driver from the call centre and make comments about not wanting one wearing a turban yet that person tries to save face by saying they wouldn’t care if it was them and not their child?

So how different is it to the people who say “I’m not racist..but…” ?


Then tell me, what is if that isn't

 

[nero120]

No great surprise that you'd use a quote from American History X given the rest of what you've written... "I just don't agree that this "racism" is in any way harmful", etc. Sorry if you had a bad experience at school, it's a shame you couldn't get past that and realise it was an isolated incident instead of a justification for a thinly-veiled racist disposition.

Ha! Are you calling me racist and using the fact I referenced (not quoted, as you incorrectly stated) American History X as justification??

P.s. I didn't have a bad experience at school. I was using sarcasm to say that taunting someone based on their appearance (you know, skin colour, eye colour, hair colour, height, weight, etc) can no way be justified as real racism. Anyone who thinks it is simply does not know what racism is, though I cannot blame then thanks to the declining standards of education in this country and the pathetic media pandering to the lowest common denominator.

I simply do not subscribe to your view that this woman asking for a driver of a specific race qualifies as racism. Prejudice yes, racist no. She clearly does not hold any view of hatred or loathing for asian people, she's just saying she would prefer a white english driver for her daughter as it would make her FEEL better. How can you leap to the ridiculous conclusion that this is damaging all asians???

 

[nero120]

So let’s see, you’re saying that a person can demand a white taxi driver from the call centre and make comments about not wanting one wearing a turban yet that person tries to save face by saying they wouldn’t care if it was them and not their child?

So how different is it to the people who say “I’m not racist..but…” ?

Then tell me, what is if that isn't

As I said above, her motivation is not one bourne of hatred or disgust, simply generalised trust. The fact she has asked preferably for a woman surely makes this obvious? Why would her daughter be any safer with a woman? Yet you don't decry her actions for this reason, you are hung up on the racial generalisation like a good little sensationalist-daily-mail-reading zombie.

 

[Morba]

where are all the people whinging about being sexist and requesting a woman?
this was not racist, she wasnt doing it to stop an asian getting her money, was purely for the misguided thought of safety for her child.

in a country where more and more parents are being horrid to their children, one who openly is protective of her child should surely be thought of in better light.

 

[mrk]

As I said above, her motivation is not one bourne of hatred or disgust, simply generalised trust. The fact she has asked preferably for a woman surely makes this obvious? Why would her daughter be any safer with a woman? Yet you don't decry her actions for this reason, you are hung up on the racial generalisation like a good little sensationalist-daily-mail-reading zombie.

Knip has confirmed that she’s a bit dim going by her past failures and it’s no surprise here in this case..it's amazing she got the BBC job if all of what was posted above is true.

If a 13yr old is old enough to choose if they want to live or die then I am damn well sure they are old enough to not be freaked out by someone wearing a turban and decide things for themselves.

The parent = in the wrong and the sacking is well justified since the BBC don’t want to be associated with it.

 

[Morba]

being a bit dim does not mean that she is racist.

her wording and actions may be construed as rong and misguided, but the intention was healthy and not one of hatrid or anything like that.

 

[mrk]

It was discrimination which is a definition of racism:

Rac·ism (rā'sĭz'əm) Pronunciation Key
n.

1. The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others.
2. Discrimination or prejudice based on race.

 

[knowlesy]

Was stupid to say that they worked at the BBC, but to be honest when I have phoned Sky before I have asked to speak to other people because I cannot understand the Indian call centre people, does that make me a racist?

and bt

its abit ott in some ways and others this example is sorta understandable tbh she should have just asked for a female driver in all fairness like a women asks for a female doctor the whole asian thing is just stupid...

 

[Morba]

she also said she would prefer a woman. why arent you standing up for the male drivers?

 

[Dolph]

she also said she would prefer a woman. why arent you standing up for the male drivers?

Because the difference between a man and a woman is different to the differences between two men where one has brown skin and the other white?

 

[Morba]

Because the difference between a man and a woman is different to the differences between two men where one has brown skin and the other white?

?

its discrimination that could (if wanted) to be construed as sexist. Yet nobody seems to be screaming about that. Just the asians whinging and claiming racism.

 

[Scarfacé]

I honestly believe something has to be done with regards to privacy and the continuous wrecking of people's lives due to the media.

The argument over if what she said was racist can be argued indefinitely. Her comments were definitely discriminitive; I do not believe that can be argued against! She clearly showed prejudice based solely on the colour of someone's skin.

HOWEVER, her life has now been ruined, she has lost her job, she will struggle to get employed again, not to mention the fact that everyone thinks she is a racist who should be shot on sight.

It's clear to me that private media organisations actively attempt to ruin people's lives. Just remember, they are going to gloss it up as best they can... what was running through her mind at the time may not be how it has been represented in the media.

I don't think the BBC had a choice with regards to the dismissal. The majority of Britain won't look any further than the fact that they think she is racist; if everyone thinks the BBC is racist, they're in trouble.

 

[peetee]

Because the difference between a man and a woman is different to the differences between two men where one has brown skin and the other white?

so?
Shes discriminating against men.
Its sexist.
Are you implying sexism is a lesser discrimination than racism?

 

[Durzel]

I simply do not subscribe to your view that this woman asking for a driver of a specific race qualifies as racism. Prejudice yes, racist no. She clearly does not hold any view of hatred or loathing for asian people, she's just saying she would prefer a white english driver for her daughter as it would make her FEEL better. How can you leap to the ridiculous conclusion that this is damaging all asians???

Well we'll have to agree to disagree. I do think it's racism, not prejudice. Prejudice based on race is the very definition of racism - and since when does injury have to be physical? I'd wager that her asking that question certainly qualifies as emotional injury. Also I don't think you can really make the comparison with her asking for a woman in preference to a man - it's treated differently for good reason.

Also - I never said it was damaging all asians, but it certainly conduct unbecoming of a BBC employee whether you want to call it prejudice, racism or whatever.

 

[nero120]

It was discrimination which is a definition of racism

Er, so by your 'dictionary' definition, anyone who makes a preference for a person of one race over another is racist, regardless of intent?? That's not quite right is it. Racism is more about intention than it is action, and I think that's what the dictionary definition fails to convey.

If I want to speak with an english customer service person over an asian one, by your definition I am a racist. Then you can phone The Sun and have my life destroyed and lynched at high noon.

Why is it so hard for simpletons to appreciate the fact that prejudism != racism!

Same with sexism. Choosing a man over a woman for a particular task is not sexist! But believing that men are arbitrarily better than women is sexist. Is this so bloody difficult?

 

[Dolph]

so?
Shes discriminating against men.
Its sexist.
Are you implying sexism is a lesser discrimination than racism?

No, I'm stating quite clearly that there are more situations where discrimination based on gender can be justified than discrimination based on skin colour, due to the differences between men and women being significantly greater than the difference between one skin colour and another.

Sexism (and racism) are unjustified discrimination. requesting a female rape councillor, banning women from serving on existing submarines etc are not sexist because they have solid justifications.

Likewise, in this case, if the woman had solid justification for her statement, it's highly unlikely she would have been dismissed (because a tribunal would take them to the cleaners). The fact that she was dismissed suggests that her statement was only justified by prejudice, not by other factors (as well as her critical mistake of involving her employer).

 

[Durzel]

Well said Dolph.

 

[mrk]

To you her intent may seem innocent but I think from that transcript it’s quite clear she thinks the male driver would perv on the daughter or kidnap her or whatever. Why else would such a request be made especially when she goes on to say she would not care if it was her?

Nothing at all about this news makes the BBC presenter look innocent about any of this. She has made a bad decision in not keeping her mouth to herself in the past and has done the same again and been punished for it again.

 

[Morba]

words are jsut that, as you know. how it was said would be different to how you (someone who has had racist words scratched into your car) think it is being said.

she would be fine with a male driver herself because she is older and more likely to be able to defend herself, compared to her young child.
How can you even think that is wrong?

 

[nero120]

Well we'll have to agree to disagree. I do think it's racism, not prejudice. Prejudice based on race is the very definition of racism - and since when does injury have to be physical? I'd wager that her asking that question certainly qualifies as emotional injury. Also I don't think you can really make the comparison with her asking for a woman in preference to a man - it's treated differently for good reason.

Also - I never said it was damaging all asians, but it certainly conduct unbecoming of a BBC employee whether you want to call it prejudice, racism or whatever.

Then I think you have completely misunderstood the whole point of the concept of "racism". I don't believe it is there so that when anyone makes an innocent and harmless decision of preference for a person of one type over another they can be attacked by society for daring to utter a generalisation.

In your little society, you would lump this woman in with the KKK because your simplistic opinions do not account for such unsubtle differences. RACIST, RACIST, BURN THE RACIST, RA RA RA.