Not funny - racism is not something to be laughed at

So today I read two things on Twitter that I personally don't find funny at all. One was a joke by a white comedian "if you're having sex with a Jamaican girl, don't ask her who's the daddy"; and the second was a quote from an article on the racism Lorraine Pascale has faced on Twitter and in her general life. Although stating that Twitter US should do more to stop racist tweets, when told in a country pub that 'n**g**s need to go back, but your ok because my wife likes your cakes'; Lorraine gave an icy stare, paid for her pork scratchings and left the pub. But commented in the article that you just have to 'laugh these things off'!

Jokes are funny, and perhaps I'm being slightly sensitive about the joke I mentioned above (don't worry I know who my father is and my son's) - let me know if you think I am?! But racism is not funny at all; its not ok for people to make comments like that and if they do they need to be told that it's not appropriate. When I was 12 my friend's grandmother said that 'the coloured girl [me] was so polite and helpful'; I overheard the conversation and told Nanna Breda that people don't use that word anymore it's black.  I wasn't rude and although I did find it offensive, I knew she wasn't doing it out of spite, just a lack of knowledge.

We all have a service to do in educating those who are unaware or plain ignorant to prevent them from saying something like this to someone who can't laugh it off. I hope in hindsight  Lorraine thinks i would have done more if i could;  as its not just the authorities who have a part to play. Although I say this I do understand Lorraine's response especially as the initial shock and outrage may have meant she went into autopilot. But as a public figure speaking up at the time as well as at a later date in the media may have had an impact and made the landlord think before opening his mouth.

As I'm on the subject of racism I just want to know what the jury were thinking when they let the police officers off who called the women a monkey and asked if she was going home to cook bananas!!! I'm glad that the police are following up with a case of gross misconduct; but what do you have to do to be convicted for this crime. It seems that saying it's a joke (John Terry) or a reference to evolution (this particular case) are adequate excuses. Someone may have to relook at the law or ensure that the cases being brought forward meet the burden of proof required by the judiciary.

Read the full Lorraine Pascale article on the Daily Mail.

More details on the police officers who were acquitted.

Lorraine does make exceedingly good cakes, I totally recommend her cook books Let them eat cake and the Bakewell tart are my personal favourite recipes.

Rant over
Nadie

FA stop insulting our intelligence

I'm a massive football fan, I actually spent my birthday watching Arsenal at the Emirates, as a lover of the sport I am disgusted by the FAs punishment of John Terry. Not only is it way too lenient it's another indication that other things are far more important within the game eg Bentner's fine at the Euros for promoting a brand that wasn't a sponsor was doled out quick time but as yet no action against Serbia.

Although I don't believe football per se is a racist sport I definitely believe that it reflects the society that we live in. Fans of the game are the same people you meet day in day out and their thoughts, belief systems etc are not different because they saw a black player score or defend a goal that helped their team win on Saturday.

Yesterday Alex Ferguson said he was 'embarrassed' because Rio chose not to wear the Kick it Out T-shirt?! Sir Alex truly needs to get his head out of the clouds (or that large glass of red), wearing a T-shirt will not change what is becoming a more visible issue in the game. Racism exists throughout football from the lack of black managers to the limited number of Asian players and much more needs to be done by the powers that be to rid racism from the sport.

Hopefully the reports that Rio will be fined £220k for not wearing the T are unfounded and Man U will use a common sense approach to Rio's protest. The PFA, a number of other top flight managers and even commentators from MOTD believe every player should have the right to choose whether they wear the T-shirt. My guess is no matter how much Rio is fined (if he is) the fact that he can go to sleep at night knowing that he stuck to his principles will be more important to him than a couple of weeks wages.Those idiots aka the FA have made a total mare of the whole situation firstly but not hearing JT's case directly after it happened and secondly by supporting Terry's request for the criminal process to be delayed until after the Euros. Both actions were a clear indication of their thoughts on eradicating racism from the game.

It saddens me that a sport I love, and the organisation of a league that is followed by so many people around the world can't get their house in order and is using rhetoric and pr stunts to try to whitewash a serious issue. I truly hope that they will either ask black players what needs to be done or hire a consultancy to advise them; even as a start these basic steps would make a difference:

1. stop dripping money into Kick Racism Out, if you truly believe in it English FA put your hands in your pockets and bring out some real money;
2. have real sanctions for racism and racist behaviour which includes not playing international games in stadia or countries where your black players have to endure extreme racist taunts or be attacked; 
3.  not playing for the national team if you are being investigated for racism.

Until the FA do something about this there will be no England games watched in my home, my son will not be wearing an England shirt and I definitely won't be buying one. I refuse to support or endorse a team organised by those pricks at the FA. It might not make a difference to them but this is about exercising your own free will to protest in a non-violent way.

That's all from me

Nx

Since I originally posted this we have seen Chelsea fans 'help' a black steward from the stands onto the pitch, by chucking him over the hoardings. We have also witnessed another fan, a supporter of the same club imitating a monkey towards a black player. This is now getting out of hand something needs to be done now!!