What does 'racist' mean?

[slimfandango]

What is a 'race'? If someone is guilty of a 'racially motivated' assault, what counts as 'racially'? A guy got assaulted in Scotland and the thug said 'away with ye, ye english ****' and it was not upheld as racist. But indian would be? Or pakistani? Both Asian, different countries. Is drawn across colour lines? Region? Race?

[THECORBYLOON]

From the Race Relations Act 1976

Meaning of
"racial grounds" "racial group," etc. 3.-(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires-
"racial grounds" means any of the following grounds,
namely colour, race, nationality or ethnic or national origins;
"racial group" means a group of persons defined by
reference to colour, race, nationality or ethnic or national origins, and references to a person's racial group refer to any racial group into which he falls.

This means if Pakistani or Indian (or a German or Frechman)  made reference to the other's race, a claim for Racial discrimination could be made.

I mind on the case of a Scotsman who alleged Racial discrimination when the English FA placed restrictions on the sale of tickets to Scots for an England-Scotland game. The Judge in the case ruled that Scots and English ceased to be separate races as from the Act of Union.  

[slimfandango]

Looks like the debate has just been configured by the Answerbank editor. What happened to the discussion about 'countryism'? Does the Answerbank hold a list of ideal answers and then just prune our responses to fit?

[FurryFeet]

Im confused...what did Skids and Lossehead have to say??

[Octavius]

I guess from your example slim that the court concluded that as the victim and the perpetrator were both from the United Kingdom it could not be deemed racist.

Quite a big part of me, is Irish (I have many big parts!) but I have had lots of my answers banned when I refer to the Irish as *addy's or scots as *ocks, the welsh as *weaties & others incl. scousers, mancs and brummies.  I think the ABed must feel that these are derogatory in some way, although probably not racist.

[Loosehead]

well I did'nt think it was out of order but I'd better not say it again as the same this will happen.

[slimfandango]

Loved the Ricky Gervais line: "I can't have a go at the french, being half english, half french.Of course, that means I'm cr*p in bed, but at least my breath smells!"

[trish1234567]

You're right Slimfandango.  It wasn't till I read one of your answers that I realise the editor is not printing all our letters.  I wrote that Tony Blair was "a blantant l**r".  Looking back, I realize that he never printed that remark!  I read on AB that the editor is new, perhaps he's just treading carefully??? 

[Octavius]

Chapter 47 of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry Report states the following:

12. That the definition should be:

"A racist incident is any incident which is perceived to be racist by the victim or any other person".

13. That the term "racist incident" must be understood to include crimes and non-crimes in policing terms. Both must be reported, recorded and investigated with equal commitment.

14. That this definition should be universally adopted by the Police, local Government and other relevant agencies.

[woofgang]

see I think that we should do away with these harrassment and gender/race /religion boxes and just have one crime of bad manners, perhaps with some kind of qualifier, like "bad manners with violence" "verbal bad manners". i know that this sounds fairly silly and that's part of my intention but seriously, if a person if being harassed, intimidated or attacked, does the reason matter? Is it worse to receive a kicking because the kickee and the kicker are not the same colour/ gender/sexual orientation/ race/ethnic background or religion???

[slimfandango]

TOTALLY agree with that. Who in the country wouldn't smile at least a little if a judge slammed down his hammer and gave someone a fine for 'generally being a ****'.

I think the 'desire to offend someone' does more damage to them than the actual expression of it.

[Octavius]

If the perception of them "receiving a kicking" is because of their race then this is considered a racial incident.  Personally I believe the media label the crimes according to popular opinion.

When a crime involving a perpetrator and a victim of different race is reported, they will always point out whether the attack was racially motivated or not.