Racism or over-sensitivity?
| 11:55 UK time, Monday, 12 March 2007
When David Cameron sacked Patrick Mercer from the Tory front bench we didn't need any persuading it was a good story. Politicians and others from the chattering classes lost no time in putting the boot into Mercer.
But some our listeners have experience of the armed forces; they were quick to raise a very different line of argument. 90% of the many texts we received that day supported him - most claiming army links.
One told us that he was glad Mercer was prepared to tell it like it is; another that army people are scared to talk about race because the rest of the country is so PC. Others claimed they'd seen exactly the sort of behaviour Mercer had alleged: laziness and incompetence - and when complaints were raised they were dismissed as racism.
Of course there were other views; that his comments were racist and unacceptable and he should have known better.
But the argument that civilians - especially liberal ones - simply don't understand or empathise with military life came through as loud as a sergeant major's drill commands on the parade ground. Not for the first time. Anyone who is a bit different, redheads for example, the skinny or overweight - can expect to get a ribbing in the military. It's a tough job for tough people and the best can handle it.
We've also heard from senior NCOs (non-commissioned officers) who served with Mercer who leapt to his defence - saying that he'd never been guilty of racist name calling and at one point all his company sergeant majors were black.
So is the Army institutionally racist - or are we far too hyper-sensitive? It's not for the ´óÏó´«Ã½ to say - but it's a debate we'll continue to reflect on Radio 1.
Comments
Just ANOTHER example of lunacy from Cameron. Has he got a political death wish ? Just who is he trying to impress? certainly not his core voters(if he has any left ) His middle name should be expediency ( my first choice would'nt be printed) How embarrassing it is---when coloured members/former member NCO's of Mr Mercer's, defend his reputation with such pride and vigor. Cameron now looks weak and pathetic. When is this McCarthy-like madness, that is gripping not only public life, but affecting political judgement going to end-- these are the idiots who are suppose to vote on, and influence such things. I DESPAIR !!!
If you and friend's of Patrick Mercer who jump in his support, were in the receiving end of that treatment, then I'd be glad to ask you if it is to be "far too hyper-sensitive" to raise the issue!
Hello ´óÏó´«Ã½!, have you given up adding peoples posts?.
I wish to say that I found your coverage of this topic as biased and much to much politcally correct.
For once the British population gave you a bloody nose on this topic, the HYS debate proved this by a factor of 9 -1.
So as the supposed voice of the British population can we look forward to you actually representing the British public rather than attacking it?.
To demonise someone for making factual statements, and then to take out of context the actual statement really brought home to me how out of touch with reality you (´óÏó´«Ã½) really are.
So as to your question about the Army, no it is not racist, it is reverse rascists like the ´óÏó´«Ã½ who should be took to task.
And it is not hyper-sensitivity which is the problem either, hyper-sensitivity is another made up word to cover what is in fact left wing views dressed up as caring socialism.
Now please make an effort and publish my views, I note that on most other blogs you seem to have huge problems doing so.
I served in the Navy for over 7 years and never once saw any bullying or racism. Forces personel, by their very nature, need to be team players. There is no place for racism or bullying in a team - full stop, if there was the team wouldn't work.
My surname is Oakley - so I was nicknamed 'Annie' - I didn't feel bullied because of this, I didn't take offence and didn't start to question my gender or cry sexual harrasment,(though it did cause confusion when home on leave when my oppos would phone my house and mum answered)
The Navy has nicknames for everyone and everyting and some of these may make a PC 'civvie' cringe, the only time action would be taken against somone going a bit to far would be if a term was used with malice.
However I only have the Navy to form my opinions on and I can honestly say that I've never worked with a better organisation of people since! No matter what the colour of the persons skin - I trusted every person onboard to do their job and would trust my life with any one of them - you can't feel like this if there is any racism or bullying in the workplace!
I appreciate Patrick Mercer's opinions and respect him from voicing them, instead of following the party line and making sure every word and statement is filtered through dozens of staff to ensure it is squeeky clean and PC, Patrick Mercer told it how he saw it. Major over reaction by Mr Cameron which does nothing but make him (and those that were so keen to condem Patrick Mercer) look like hyper-sensitive children.
"Anyone who is a bit different, redheads for example, the skinny or overweight - can expect to get a ribbing in the military. It's a tough job for tough people and the best can handle it."
That's right Rod - nothing wrong with bullying in the army - it's bound to be good for morale and certainly isn't the sort of thing that Nicholas Blake QC identified as a problem at Deepcut, where of course nothing happened anyway!
Come on Rod - bullying isn't just a bit of harmless fun - it can lead to people dying or despairing and hating their job - their job being to put themselves in harm's way, and if their morale is moribund then that isn't going to work.
"...It's not for the ´óÏó´«Ã½ to say..."
That's a joke, right? Not a day goes by without the ´óÏó´«Ã½ forcing some agenda or other down our throats. The ´óÏó´«Ã½ News quality has been declining for years, but it has deteriorated sharply over the past couple. Well, since the Gov. kicked its arse over the Dr. Kelly incident anyway. I, and many others that I know, will no longer trust the ´óÏó´«Ã½ to provide anything close to the truth...
Cameron has shown he can discipline his troops here. Any criticism of race through Labour Governement edicts leads directly to 'racism' but this is not necessarily so. There are traits of the English, I am sure, that other races find disturbing, but 'tolerance' being one of them is more acknowleged than 'indifference'. I for one do not understand 'racism' but I can see the difference in races. Mercer should be respected for stepping down - but he is still right in observation of his recruits. Partly to blame are 'race quotas' caused by the current Governement as well as economic issues that attract less able recuits. Cameron has my Vote but he should listen to the obvious too.