Double standards??

[Miss-taken]

I heard on the news this morning something about the black police officers association. Is there a white police officers association?? I assume if there was there would be uproar re racism etc!

Same point could be made for the MOBO Awards (Music Of Black Origin)

Any thoughts anyone??

[Tweed]

I've often thought the same, though it doesn't bother me much. I suppose, the white police association IS the police. As for MOBO, isn't most popular music of black origin?

[Miss-taken]

Doesn't bother me at all either - was just one of those thoughts I had on the way to work this mornng!

[noxlumos]

I think there are peculiar difficulties in being a Police Officer of a minority ethnic background that white officers don't experience in the same ways. I always assumed that this organisation was set up as a support network for non white police officers to offer a formal body that will understand these difficulties rather than a more general organisation which might not.I have never felt worried about this from a viewpoint of racial equality, as if you are going to worry about things like this then you must also concern yourself with any organisation aimed at heloing/supporting certian minorities within our society.

[andy-hughes]

noxlumos, as usual provides the logical and sensible response to this issue, and I have nothing to add - except the MOBO point, where i would agree with Tweed - virtually all modern music is of black origin, but this, like any awards ceremony, is simply an excuse for like-minded people to tell each other how fabulous they are. That applies to any ceremony of this type from the Oscars to the local Freemasons Ball - it's a comfort zone, easily avoided if you find the back-slapping tedious and boring, as I do.

[Champagne]

I think the term 'double standards' is way off the mark. The association was set up after many cases of racism being reported in the police force. There have also been lots of sexism cases reported too.

If it's solely racism that we're covering here, then did you also spot the article recently about the KKK staging a rally at a US Civil War battlefield? So if the KKK are allowed to express themselves then why not the minority of black police officers?

[Rock'n'Roll]

In our union,so I guess it's the same in others,there are also 'gay and lesbian' conferences 'womens' conferences as well as 'black' conferences. To me it's disgraceful that these sections had the the need to set up different factions of the union,but obviously they did as it seems they felt the representation they got from Union top bras was inadequate. Don't forget also the labour party policy of Women candidate's only,now that does stink

[Rock'n'Roll]

WHOOPS! That should be "Brass"

[Booldawg]

and the NAACP in USA (national association for the advancement of coloured people)

[Booldawg]

Champagne -good point well made. just doesnt explain the MOBO bit, but then again country and western have their own awards. guess thats different as that is contained to a genre of music rather than a skin colour. No matter which angle i look at it from, i come to the same conclusion - it has to be racist.

[homerthegrea]

it's not just the poilce the whole country seems to be going daft, if you are of ethnic origin (non white to cover all bases) then there will be some group somewhere to look after your rights but if your white you just have to get on with it, the other thing that gets on my t*ts is the asian music channel sorry but when will we get the white music channel - never cause it's rasist but if you are of another colour then thats fine as we have to be seen to be doing something for you - it's crazy

[Drusilla1S]

In an ideal world, unions or organizations would not have a need for specialist groups for Black people, Women, Gays and Lesbians, or Punjabi's for that matter and members would all be content with the Organization's official leadership.

However, we do not live in an ideal world and it is fair to point out most authoritative bodies are made up of middle aged, white males who have a particular life experience in Britain.

The minority group organizations are able to voice a different viewpoint within the organization and this can actually be beneficial. It would be unreasonable to expect a leadership of ten, white males to comprehend fully the work experience of lesbians or disabled people, for example.

There is no need to view such groups as divisive because they ensure that all people within an organization have a voice and the sub groups should work closely with the official leadership of said organization.

There are no white groups in the police in Britain because the majority of officers are already white and represented adequately by the official organization.

[Drusilla1S]

Considering most music channels play music to titillate the white earhole, I cannot understand what you are on about homer.

In a democratic society, with free speech and a healthy, free trade ethos, there is a market for music of all types, including music that appeals to the large, Asian populations of our cities.

What demographic do you think classical, pop and rock music are aimed at? Don't even get me started on 'country' music.

Personally, I am a great lover of world music. My last albums were by the French Algerian, Souad Massou and the Mexican, Lila Downs. At the moment, I'm lucky to get one evening of my favourite music a week on Radio Three with Andy Kershaw, so bring on the variety, I say.

[SarCaustic]

Similar Q here
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/People_and_Plac es/Question203663.html
...some of the answers apply here too

[gastwo]

Since time immemorial people have formed groups, clubs, associations et al to cater for their various colours, creeds, hobbies, and diverse proclivities, and people will always find something objectionable about the ones that dont cover their own tastes.

And theres nothing wrong with C & W! <creeps away whispering yeeehah to self...>