Quote Originally Posted by kettering_baggie View Post
OWV, I think that you are missing the point completely. I don’t think that anyone on here is expressing racist views but unfortunately, what is now referred to as the ‘woke, PC brigade’ do not accept any viewpoint other than their own extreme versions. If you don’t agree with them, you are racist. Of course, that is arrant nonsense. People do not like to be lectured to by a bunch of self appointed moral crusaders and that is generating a backlash. Take the knee bending nonsense, for example, anyone with half a brain would not set up a movement using the same name as an overtly racist, anarchistic movement as ‘Black Lives Matter’. Of course it generates resentment, sadly, the movers and shakers in football are too thick to see that it is counterproductive; maybe they are racist too? As for all the stabbing in this country at the moment, the vast majority are ‘black on black’, which doesn’t make them any less tragic but it does give a hint to why some people hold the views that they do. Then there is the everlasting problem of immigration. I don’t see how anyone can deny that illegal immigration, whether it be to the UK or any other Northern European country, is just not sustainable in the long term. It is no surprise that there is resentment, we are all human and all subject to fears and emotions that are natural to us humans; none of us are perfect and as a species have a natural inclination to what we see as self preservation. Is this cruel, inhuman, racist or whatever? Maybe, but there is no dispute that there are massive social problems that will have to be dealt with and you won’t please all of the people with any solution. It’s a tough old world out there and it isn’t going to get easier. Getting on a high horse and lecturing people how they should behave just won’t work.

Here endeth the sermon!
So much to get through but thanks for responding. This is where it gets sticky, this isn't a binary subject where people are either racist or they're not and therefore, this rather stereotypical accusation of others being labelled as either racist, or on the other side, the accusers being made out to be on some sort of crusade to lead us all into some Marxist utopia, well, the stereotypes simply don't hold any weight.

There is however, an undoubted inference of obnoxious superiority when it comes to discussing these topics, that is directed at the immigrants/asylum seekers themselves. "Send them back to where they came from", "they should be grateful to breathe the same air as us" etc etc. People blame them for the issues within the system, and conveniently ignore the reasons why the system is as it is.
There wouldn't be asylum issues without corrupt governments, war for profit etc etc. Yet its the normal, average Joe's who always suffer. Is it really their fault for wanting to leave a bombed out Syrian Town in search of a better life? Wouldn't everyone here do the same? Who are we to deny them the chance? It all comes down to greed. And then people frame it around Brexit! Utter nonsense! All people have to do is jump online and see for themselves.

Also, in a previous post, there was an issue with being in a 5% minority in Lye. Why mention that unless he didn't feel comfortable? There's s a clear inference being made there. Otherwise, why mention it like I say?

I'm from West Bromwich, which has long been a diverse area and I've loved growing up around different cultures. That's probably influenced my views on tolerance and accepting that everyone is equal no matter their background and we all deserve a fair crack. It's just by fluke that we've been born into comparative luxury with more life chances than others. Does that mean that people in Yemen for instance can't help themselves without us? No of course not, but it does mean that there's nothing wrong with sharing when others do need help and it starts with showing a little bit of empathy.

As for taking the knee, I'm undecided whether it should be scrapped as it brings out knuckle dragging morons who boo it as they're scared of a creeping Marxist threat (they probably know more about Richard Marx than Karl) despite as I said before, them living in the most comfortable Tory government there's been in years. It's laughable. Or on the other hand, to battle on through and keep taking the knee. Ultimately all BLM is about is highlighting the differences in our society. I'm not sure what's wrong with that? You mentioned the Black on black crime, which I don't think shows much thought to be honest with you. It's a bit of cliché. Really, that's about equality of opportunity, socio-economics and how the modern society revolves around the paper chase. It's not as simple as "why should black lives matter when they're killing each other?". I've only very briefly touched on that as I've already posted enough and appreciate that we won't agree on this matter anyway so ultimately what's the point?