tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467242994126386706.post8027066604092736489..comments2024-03-28T07:49:04.960+00:00Comments on nickhereandnow: Dyed in the woolnickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10472673041193755894noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467242994126386706.post-25359049365007919932017-03-06T22:12:27.582+00:002017-03-06T22:12:27.582+00:00Hattie: It does make a huge difference whether you...Hattie: It does make a huge difference whether you live somewhere with a large black population or not. I used to live in London where black faces were quite normal but here in Belfast they're unusual and very conspicuous.<br /><br />Polly: Unfortunately ignorance and prejudice seem to be an inevitable part of the human condition. The best we can do is nibble away at it here and there.Nicknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467242994126386706.post-59790168461694761262017-03-06T21:34:12.928+00:002017-03-06T21:34:12.928+00:00My thoughts mirror yours exactly. I despair at how...My thoughts mirror yours exactly. I despair at how much ignorance and prejudice is still around in the 21st century and unfortunately I think will be around for some time to come.Pollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10502031456581056874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467242994126386706.post-709909397416312942017-03-06T19:15:29.419+00:002017-03-06T19:15:29.419+00:00It helps to take the focus off ourselves as white ...It helps to take the focus off ourselves as white people. I'm glad I live in Hawaii, where most people are not white. I don't associate with prejudiced white people and don't feel I need to understand them or accomodate them.Hattiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13297404386730167834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467242994126386706.post-17945255710562955532017-03-06T07:54:14.636+00:002017-03-06T07:54:14.636+00:00Kylie: I have a lot of patience with those who fin...Kylie: I have a lot of patience with those who find it hard to accept something they're not used to or don't understand. I know from my own experience that entrenched attitudes can take a while to crumble. I have less patience with those who cling to their engrained attitudes regardless of any counter-arguments, regardless of tangible reality, regardless of the harm they're doing to others.Nicknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467242994126386706.post-89153621910000042672017-03-05T22:28:15.453+00:002017-03-05T22:28:15.453+00:00i think it is a natural thing to fear the "ot...i think it is a natural thing to fear the "other", especially if at some point the "other" has made a negative impact.<br />Having acknowledged that this is a universal reaction, doesn't mean it is excusable but something to be aware of and to actively break down in our own attitudes. <br />I also think that if we are aware of our own changing or changed attitudes, we need to be gracious and kind towards those who are slower to make changes than we are ourselveskyliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08964475783207438103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467242994126386706.post-27658385351698326452017-03-05T08:58:51.146+00:002017-03-05T08:58:51.146+00:00Eryl: I also have an aversion to the heavily-made-...Eryl: I also have an aversion to the heavily-made-up brigade. I don't assume they're dumb, but I do wonder why they have to cover up their natural face to conform to some fashionable female image. What a waste of time and money! And I have to say, there are plenty of make-up-free women who are somewhat mentally challenged.Nicknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467242994126386706.post-75927358663817663792017-03-04T21:54:38.684+00:002017-03-04T21:54:38.684+00:00I have a hard time not instantly dismissing anyone...I have a hard time not instantly dismissing anyone who looks like they've spent all day in hair and make-up, and people who drive gas guzzlers (which I think is often the male equivalent). No matter how often I'm dazzled by the quiet intelligence of women who are hiding under layers of perfumed paint I still expect them to be idiots, and have to mentally prepare myself to not be surprised should they turn out to be Wittgenstein scholars. I think that's my main prejudice, and I hate that part of myself, but I am working on it. Erylhttp://www.erylshields.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467242994126386706.post-32850832737066081252017-03-04T15:07:32.742+00:002017-03-04T15:07:32.742+00:00John: Most young people seem to have no problem wi...John: Most young people seem to have no problem with gayness, and wonder what all the fuss is about. It looks as if gay marriage will finally be legalised in Northern Ireland very soon. But you may remember that in the early 70s, gay activists were staunchly opposed to marriage on the grounds that it was "aping heterosexuality". That attitude has changed a bit....Nicknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467242994126386706.post-24021112573406002752017-03-04T12:15:53.636+00:002017-03-04T12:15:53.636+00:00An interesting debate....as a gay middle aged man....An interesting debate....as a gay middle aged man...i have seen things change....they change by osmosis...<br />The youth now are not only accepting of gayness but bisexuality seems now to be embraced and indeed celebrated.<br /><br />The law means that i now can get married.....osmosis there too! Law forcing parity <br /><br />Media........osmosis again.........remember the gay kiss furore in EASTENDERS in the eighties? Now.......DOESNT even raise a titter...<br /><br />Things change<br />People changeJohn Going Gentlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14958171262765033946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467242994126386706.post-35276839345482560752017-03-04T09:23:23.939+00:002017-03-04T09:23:23.939+00:00Mia: I guess travellers may be very different in d...Mia: I guess travellers may be very different in different countries. While some as you say are welcoming and cause no problems to anyone else, I've heard some very negative stories of travellers in the UK and Ireland.<br /><br />Indeed, everyone should get the same respect and courtesy, whatever their colour or background. Well, except serial killers and child-abusers.... Nicknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467242994126386706.post-458672549308568732017-03-04T08:53:23.685+00:002017-03-04T08:53:23.685+00:00For me persons are first persons no matter what th...For me persons are first persons no matter what they are. Black ,white, lesbians, gays why the hell should I care about this. And one eord about travellers....they payed a high tribute during the Nazi Regime and unfortunately are still ignored in many countries. What a shame. I have some travellers friends from Roumania. Believe me these people open their arms to welcome you. Discrimination is ugly . <br />Mia More Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467242994126386706.post-57125286156112910352017-03-03T21:33:29.218+00:002017-03-03T21:33:29.218+00:00Tammy: Every new generation seems to have its own ...Tammy: Every new generation seems to have its own disliked "outsiders", who are treated as second-class citizens. As you say, now in the USA it's the Mexicans (and also the Muslims). Here in the UK it's just about anyone who isn't visibly British. Unless they're prepared to accept a pittance to do some skilled work for you, in which case all of a sudden they're welcome.Nicknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467242994126386706.post-2096144532271137392017-03-03T19:27:06.309+00:002017-03-03T19:27:06.309+00:00I had to learn all the lines on the base of our st...I had to learn all the lines on the base of our statue of liberty. it's set to music you know. very stirring. we sang it in concert once when I was in school. it was hard for me to hold back the tears of pride.<br />what hypocrisy! total hypocrisy.<br />heaven help you if you're a foreigner of any kind and want to relocate to America. <br />it was made hard for every single nationality who ever tried.<br />given enough time... years... you are FINALLY included and even welcomed. <br />as in today... everyone wants or claims to be irish now on st patty's day of course!<br />when they first came ... dogs were treated better.<br />even the american indian is now revered. after we so conveniently stole their land.<br />now in today's time period... it's the mexican people who are in the barrel. and of course all refugees. which is pitifully sad.<br />it's sacrilege really. all the great Christians with their special protection. scared to death anyway. good grief.<br />I love the song from south pacific that joared mentioned.<br />truer words were never sung!<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467242994126386706.post-47044323576276620092017-03-03T12:24:04.200+00:002017-03-03T12:24:04.200+00:00Maria: A lot of people in the UK are being accused...Maria: A lot of people in the UK are being accused of being "foreigners", simply because they happen to be speaking another language or wearing a hijab.<br /><br />I think a lot of Brits believe their culture is unique and other countries have no culture. Especially those Brits whose daily reading is The Sun or the Daily Mail, and whose favourite TV programmes are Eastenders and Coronation Street. They wouldn't know culture if it slapped them in the face.Nicknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467242994126386706.post-67604845286970324562017-03-03T11:16:30.554+00:002017-03-03T11:16:30.554+00:00Yes, prejudice is a devil of a thing and so ingrai...Yes, prejudice is a devil of a thing and so ingrained. My daughter, who has an Indian father and has been educated all her life in India was shocked one day at her posh, convent school to be branded as a 'foreigner' by a fellow student and accused of 'insulting our country' (the country where she was born) because she had the audacity to suggest that other countries besides the one we were living in had something to offer the world culturally. A lot of proud people here (not all, thank God) tend to espouse the view that India is the only country which is rich in culture and that the western countries 'have no culture'. I kid you not.Mariahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09977676093756206414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467242994126386706.post-1944348071462222402017-03-02T22:04:13.362+00:002017-03-02T22:04:13.362+00:00Jean: Wow, that's a big school. There must hav...Jean: Wow, that's a big school. There must have been so many black kids, they didn't seem in any way unusual.Nicknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467242994126386706.post-28478881846835752012017-03-02T20:58:40.822+00:002017-03-02T20:58:40.822+00:00My high school was huge --- about 3600 kids, as I ...My high school was huge --- about 3600 kids, as I recall. I don't know if was the blacks or the whites who were in the minority. Cheerful Monkhttp://cheerfulmonk.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467242994126386706.post-30465159402382952772017-03-02T19:49:04.622+00:002017-03-02T19:49:04.622+00:00Rose: I understand transgendered people 100 per ce...Rose: I understand transgendered people 100 per cent. What really annoys me is the Germaine Greers of this world who instead of just admitting they don't understand it, produce all sorts of ludicrous and offensive rationalisations of something psychologically irreducible.<br /><br />Yep, me too. I'm outrageously prejudiced against assholes, bullies, bigots and hypocrites.Nicknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467242994126386706.post-4136567754034751202017-03-02T18:25:10.568+00:002017-03-02T18:25:10.568+00:00I didn't understand transgendered people. It w...I didn't understand transgendered people. It was very clear cut for me.<br /><br />Happily age and then meeting someone who was trans, made it clear what an absolute tit I was.<br /><br />It's none of my business.<br /><br />I try to take people for who they are.<br /><br />I'm prejudiced against assholes and cruel, mean people. I'm okay with that.Roseshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07469442580348062913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467242994126386706.post-11513579234554501942017-03-02T14:54:13.942+00:002017-03-02T14:54:13.942+00:00Ramana: I'm sure you know everything there is ...Ramana: I'm sure you know everything there is to know about prejudice! Gradual chipping away seems to me now the only practical approach.Nicknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467242994126386706.post-53302390142371222142017-03-02T14:51:05.715+00:002017-03-02T14:51:05.715+00:00Ursula: I think you're confusing two different...Ursula: I think you're confusing two different things there - travellers who move around within one country and refugees who move from one country to another seeking sanctuary. I have every sympathy for refugees, who are simply looking for a better life after experiencing some desperate domestic crisis. "Searching your own heart for holes" - what a lovely way of putting it.Nicknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467242994126386706.post-48441089341359611892017-03-02T13:46:39.291+00:002017-03-02T13:46:39.291+00:00Having been at the receiving end of prejudice and ...Having been at the receiving end of prejudice and racism on a number of occasions overseas as well as in my own country, I think that your new found way is the best to live a comfortable life. You can surprise others expecting prejudice from you with none.Rummuserhttp://rummuser.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467242994126386706.post-88216638466918244942017-03-02T12:43:39.896+00:002017-03-02T12:43:39.896+00:00Poignant example Dave puts on the page. I had to l...Poignant example Dave puts on the page. I had to look up "pikeys", a term I hadn't come across before and now understand your reply's reference to travellers.<br /><br />Let's put the true and truly romantic spin on travellers and call them "gypsies". I love gypsies. There is something raw, colourful and basic about them. That they leave debris behind, as you pointed out, is only natural and to be expected. We all do. I only need to go downstairs and shake my head at overflowing bins, raided by our coast's massive seagulls (think Hitchcock), and wonder at the thoughtlessness of neighbours who don't understand what a beeping bin's lid is for. <br /><br />Back to your original subject, namely prejudice, here we are - one of your readers (freely admitting and good on him to do so) of not liking gypsies and another, with a lesbian phobia (:)), romanticizing them. Definitely influenced by my mother who was always there for the underdog. But then, she knew what it was to be a "traveller" when her mother took her and three of her siblings (the elder brothers - though barely twenty - already fighting "the enemy") right across Europe, fleeing the Russian army's advance - by cattle train, on foot, depending on the kindness of strangers like farmers whose land they were passing through. <br /><br />Interesting subject you raised, Nick. One that makes you go and search your own heart for holes.<br /><br />UUrsulahttp://bitchontheblog.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467242994126386706.post-83389321168762869992017-03-02T11:20:34.024+00:002017-03-02T11:20:34.024+00:00Joared: I can't imagine what it was like to co...Joared: I can't imagine what it was like to confront that sort of overt discrimination day in and day out. To anyone with a scrap of humanity it must have been quite sickening. Very true that we need to teach children to love and not hate.<br /><br />I've never understood the widespread prejudice against ginger hair. What the hell is wrong with it? I've known many lesbians, and the idea that they're somehow unnatural and threatening baffles me. Of course many heterosexual men see a woman who's totally uninterested in them as a huge blow to their monstrous egos.Nicknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467242994126386706.post-58767627402709012442017-03-02T11:07:55.489+00:002017-03-02T11:07:55.489+00:00Dave: I think you have to distinguish between simp...Dave: I think you have to distinguish between simple prejudice against travellers, and valid criticism. I've heard so many people with direct experience of travellers saying very negative things about them. Stealing, leaving rubbish behind them etc. Have you had any direct experience yourself?<br /><br />Orange people - can't stand them myself.Nicknoreply@blogger.com