General Chat

I am Caucasian. But to some extent I feel as if I'm made to feel ashamed that I am white because of the horrible things some white people have done in the past. I mean no offence whatsoever, I am not racist, I was just wondering if anyone else had opinions.

Unfortunately, as with all revolutions, there is often an over-reaction. We have gone from a Male dominated society to an equality where it is OK to have a Womens' Week, but anyone proposing a Men's Week is regarded with suspicion as a subversive element. Homosexuality, which was once condemned is now blessed with the right to live without any criticism by anyone. But anyone may joke about heterosexuals. Society's Laws are roughly based on the Tolerance Quotient of the Population, although some would say that apathy plays its part. I, for my part, am pleased that I live in a society where everyone has the right to BE THEMSELVES. And I am sure that as the years go by solutions will be found for many of the Ills of the Earth. If not by us, then by our children and grandchildren. Good hunting everyone, I am sure you will find that elusive relly soon. Jim

Im not ashamed to be white but I am sometimes embarrassed to be white,when I think of the terrible things the white races have done to other races during history. However, I think we have to learn from mistakes of the past and ensure that it doesnt ever happen again - we are all one race, the Human Race.

"Bleeding Africa dry" are emotive words. It is certainly debatable whether or not Africa would be a better place without European intervention. It is interesting to speculate whether Africa would ever have had the expertise to exploit its resources without the visitations of European imperialists. They had literally been sitting on a gold (or copper or chromium) mine for thousands of years but were not able to do anything with it. Without European influence I suspect they would still be in mud/grass huts (as perhaps many of them are anyway). A better or worse place? I'ts not for me to judge. Regarding India, I'm not altogether sure what we bled from it.

Jim You are very wrong if you think that homosexuals are blessed with a right to live without criticism! While the media may be restricted as to what views can be aired publicly (and I would argue against that in the case of some of the papers) - this doesn't apply in real life and I'm not sure it should. It's much easier in this day and age to live outside of the "norm" but anyone who has lived a life as a homosexual will tell you that facing other people's intolerance, prejudice or patronising ignorance is still something that happens regularly if not daily whether openly or subversively. There have been quite a few anti Human Rights comments on here lately. It's pretty easy for Middle England to rage about how hard it is to be white nowadays and how the world has gone PC mad but if you had been treated as less than other people because of your religious beliefs, sexuality, race, appearance, physical ability, gender etc etc you would realise that - although it is taken to extremes at times (what isn't?) and taken advantage of - this is the first time that some of us have protection by legislation for being what we born. David

It's nice to hear about other people's opinions. I am not what you called 'Middle England'. I do not consider myself middle class. I was definitely not born so! It is hard for minority groups. Homosexuals, for example, at uni I had many friends who were gay. It wasn't a problem there. However, the outside world is different and very judgemental. My parents think homosexuality is wrong. I disagree with them but it's probably just a generation thing that will die out in time. Chloe

Chloe, At one point in my teaching career I was teaching a large group of Prisoners from the Carribean and there was on e man in particular who could not move on from Slavery. So I planned our terms work on The Industrial Revolution, taking in mines and factories and the near enslavement of the workforces. We researched infant mortality and living conditions of the working population. He had to concede that whilst I was not taking anything away from the appalling condition of slavery, that we had indeed treated our own people just as badly. We also researched the attitude in Africa towards enslaving other tribes. That somewhat took the wind out of his sails. Man's inhumanity to Man is always with us sadly Rose

Hi Chloe, Don't be ashamed of our past, we made mistakes just like other nations and colours did. Yes, the slavery trade was financed by Britain as well as Spain, Portugal, America and other nations, but in Africa it was organised and controlled by the indigenous people. Black people enslaved and sold other black people into bondage. It is still going on, look at the Sudan in modern times. Some time ago the Arab/Muslim Sudanise ethnically cleansed the country of the Christians in the south. Now the same people are trying to ethnically cleanse Sudan of the Black African Muslims in the west. Slavery still exists in many places around the world and it is usually the indigenous people who control it. Be proud that it was Great Britain who first outlawed the slave trade and that the Royal Navy policed international waters to enforce the ban that we had unilaterally declared. This was against the policies of the remaining slaving nations, including the USA, and at the time Britain was not very popular. Don't dwell on past mistakes, do your bit to make sure that prejudice is eventually eradicated and men and women will be judged on their merits and not the colour of their skin or their faith. Hope this helps, best wishes from Bernie.

Im Proud to be white & British. I think we should all be proud of who we are regardless of colour, race and nationality. There are good and bad in all people. I dont need to feel ashamed of being white as a black person should not be ashamed of being black. Just because a percent of our races are bad. We shouldnt feel guilty because if it. Elaine x

Don't forget we Briton's were slaves to the Roman's, and later we were slaves to the landowners (serfs)!! It's not just abroad it happened. I don't feel responsible for the likes of Cadbury and Lord Harewood as I'm a descendant of peasants, the ruling classes are the ones who should rightly feel guilty of the way the Africans were treated. Jacquie

chloe i think that whatever some people have done to black people and other races we are classed as the same.but my view is the muslims have said that the terrorist issue that has arisen has nothing to do with them.and we say the same.don't tar us with the same brushxxxxx(:

Lisa If you read Chloes message, it is about her feelings, she is asking for others to give their opinion. She has in no way tarring anyone else with the same brush. In fact no one else on this thread seems to think so either E x

I suggest that people read the History of this Country,and how it was treated by the various people who Invaded and Enslaved the Population here,Are we to blame the Saxons or the Romans or Normans for what happens today? I think Not.The sins of the Fathers Should not be Borne by their Sons or Decendants. If they are,Should we not be condeming all of Germany and Japan forWW1 and WW2. ?.People can always critisize in Hindsight, especially if they were,nt around at the time.You have to live for "Today"and The "Future" not the past. Hal. Ps. and is it not amazing how many "German and Japanese" goods are sold here.

What I find sad is that at the end of the colonial era we left the former colonies with a functioning civil administration and functioning economies. Forty years into self-rule so many have returned to civil war, corruption, genocide and dependence of aid programmes.

My way of thinking is that I am proud to be English.... being white has nothing to do with it because I am in fact a pinky-brown colour!! i believe that every person has a right to their beliefs... what i can not abide is when other people tell us what we should be doing. recently there was an article that said in Muslim country's they were about to start Ramadam (spelling??) and that ANYONE no matter what race or religion that was caught in public, eating, drinking or smoking during the fasting hours would be punished as we needed to repsect their laws.... Fair comment but only if they do the same when here.... what's good for one is good for another!!

i have answered her question elaine and given my opinion.in no way was i saying anything about chloes comment.

Lisa, whilst not in any way wanting to start an arguement, you did in fairness say "don't tar us all with the same brush" which implied that you felt comments were aimed at you...

no i didn't paul.i meant the same as what chloe was saying in her question.i meant individual black people who thinks the whites are all the same when they have had bad experiences.x

You can perhaps understand why Elaine read it the way she did though... alls well that ends well as they say

no!