Question Time

[anotheoldgit]

http://news.bbc.co.uk...tion_time/default.stm

Constance Briscoe one of Britain's first Black Judges, spoke a lot of sense on last night's Question Time, regarding some unemployed.

But what I did later notice was her need to refer to the advantage of being a 'White over 50 man', and then later the other non-white panellist Mehdi Hasan, made the remark, that unlike Constance he had no wish to be a 'White over 50 man' or words to that effect.

No one has made any complaints about the need to bring colour or age (for that matter) into the debate on TV personalities, but if the roles had been reversed there would have been an almighty outburst.

[VHG]

I have noticed with many black comedians (even Lenny Henry) they often need to bring colour into their routines.

Seems they have a chip on their shoulder about colour.

[sandyRoe]

If there were 10 job vacancies for every unemployed person, then attacking some of the people on benefits might be acceptable. We know that's not the case.
'White middle-aged men', or 'white men over 50', is a sort of shorthand to describe much of the establishment. As our society changes so will the make up of the establishment.

[anotheoldgit]

/// White middle-aged men', or 'white men over 50', is a sort of shorthand to describe much of the establishment.///

And why shouldn't it, seeing that we are still a predominately white country.

[Zeuhl]

I didn't see this programme but 'white male >50' is a socio-demographic archetype which is often referenced in discussions to signify (as sandy says) mainstream UK or the establishment e.g. the majority of Board members in UK companies.

So nothing unusual or untoward in those remarks unless they were used in a disparaging or abusive context.

[anotheoldgit]

Perhaps then, there should also be a socio-demographic archetype which could also be often referenced in discussions on gang violence etc?

Or once again doesn't it work that way round?

[craft1948]

I certainly agree with VHG about Lenny Henry.......

[Zeuhl]

<<Perhaps then, there should also be a socio-demographic archetype which could also be often referenced in discussions on gang violence etc?

Or once again doesn't it work that way round?>>

It probably does. But you need to specify which socio-demographic group (or groups) you have in mind?

Let me hazard a guess .... what the Police refer to as AC Male.

[sandyRoe]

And The Establishment, AKA White over 50 man, to be as it is,must surely discriminate against white middle-aged women.

[Messi_Ten]

"white men over 50"

Robbing bankers?

[emmie]

as opposed to black thieves robbing and murdering their own people, London news flash, august 2011.

[boxtops]

I saw the programme, and her reference was to the fact that the majority of the panel (part from the usual obligatory female guest) are indeed white men over 50. Her comment needs to be set in context, IMO.

[anotheoldgit]

/// Her comment needs to be set in context,///

When has that ever bothered the 'cries of racist' brigade?

[Zeuhl]

<<When has that ever bothered the 'cries of racist' brigade? >>

Who they?

Racism is always about context. Calling someone a name or label is only racist if the context suggests that inherent traits are associated with that label that justify discrimination.

[IggyB]

the racist brigade is crying??

[rov1100]

Maybe she is a black over 50's woman and sees a white male equivalent leapfrogging her when it comes to senior positions and blaming it on race.

[sp1814]

Race card being played once again.

And this thing about black comedians - VHG, why do you single out black comedians, but not female comediennes or Jewish stand ups?

Is it because of the tired "it's oh so unfair " routine which certain members on AB trot out in increasingly tedious regularity?

[sp1814]

"Perhaps then, there should also be a socio-demographic archetype which could also be often referenced in discussions on gang violence etc?"

I'd agree to that. And whilst we're at it, perhaps there should be a socio-demographic stereotype ('archetype' is wrong in this context) which could also be referenced in discussions on kiddie porn rings (the really vile rings where people swap images of BABIES being raped) and those mysterious British men who take regular holidays to Thailand...on their own.

Oh dear - some people only like to play the race card when it's OTHER races under the spotlight.

[modeller]

I spent 20 years teaching and not once did an Asian pupil ever say I was picking on them because of their race/colour but several black youths did. I found they were very quick to take offence and it was the same when I met the parents.
Maybe I should add many pupils will complain that they were being picked on but not mentioning race/colour.
It was also a fact that it was the Asian parents who supported the school and their children the most . More so than the white parents.

[boxtops]

I worked with a young girl on the YTS scheme many years ago. She was 16, we gave her junior duties. She was quick to moan that she only got the filing and mail duties, which were boring, because she was black - no dear, they are "junior duties" whoever you are.

[sp1814]

Boxtops

And I once worked with a young white chap (had done A levels but hadn't been to university) who regularly used to turn up for work 30 minutes late and would take unexplained 2 hour lunch breaks.

I sacked him.

So...what's your point?