Race Equality

[bartholomew]

Hi there

I was wondering if you could help me. I have problems understanding what race equality means. Could you proffer any help?

1000 thanks

Bart.

[Octavius]

Generally speaking, it is the intention of bringing about an integrated society, where diversity is acknowledged and valued. Equality of race (ethnicity and religious persuasion etc) uses persuasion and powers under the law to give everyone an equal chance to live free from fear of discrimination, prejudice and racism whether in education, in work or in society generally.

So whatever ethnic background you come from or religious beliefs you have (if any) you should have all equal rights to someone whose backgrounds and beliefs are the same or different.

[mibn2cweus]

Each individual should be judged solely on their own merits and be held accountable only for the consequences of their own actions, without consideration of or regard to their racial origins. This requires that everyone involved in interpersonal relationships be able to dispense with the tribal mentality and to consider others as their equal until such time as they prove differently.

For many of us this requires that we gain an understanding of what are essential human rights and acquire the ability to overcome the prejudicial predisposition with which we were raised, thereby becoming a better person than those with whom we happened to end up associating with. Such growth comes with difficulties but success breeds a contentment with ones self that can proliferate to those around us with whom we find we can associate freely and without guilt.

Hurray for our side!

[brionon]

Race equality has nothing to do with equality of religion.
To say that people who believe that the Tooth Fairy should be worshipped are Stupid is acceptable;to say that Black people or English people are stupid is not.
PS. I do not deny people their right to worship whatever they please.

[Octavius]

Ah, you see, I beg to differ. It is about discrimination and prejudice of ANY kind, and why would anyone who believes in the tooth fairy be called "stupid"? If a person believed in the tooth fairy you would call them stupid, whether they were English or not?

Equality - Everyone is treated equally, has a right to fair outcomes and no one receives unearned advantage because of who or what they are.

The Commission for Racial Equality incorporates the Race Relations Act 1976 and The Equality Act 2006 which encompass race, ethnicity and religious beliefs.

http://www.cre.gov.uk/downloads/CRE-Corporate- plan-2006-2009.pdf

[Shaftmonde]

Now I have a problem in understanding the very word 'race'.
Of course in some contexts it is obvious, but in others the word becomes redundant. After all, we are all people.

So to discriminate against somebody because they live in the next country is racist. Then logically the same applies to a person from an adjacent county or town.
What about the next-door neighbour?

Suppose I am an employer and the man next door applies to me for a job. He has a criminal record, holds noisy all-night parties and allows his dog to trample my flowerbeds.
Can I deny him the job for fear of my being accused of racism?

(I'm not an employer, and my neighbour is actually very nice)

The CRE states:
'Equality - Everyone is treated equally, has a right to fair outcomes and no one receives unearned advantage because of who or what they are.'