In a recent classroom discussion about proportional representation in regards to minorities living the UK and whether their population percentage should be reflected in Parliament. (AS Politics student) I noticed a few interesting things..
During the discussion, the old 'I don't want to be racist...' card was used quite a few times, by students who happened to be white, despite them stating 'socially-acceptable' views on the matter and not actually offending anybody in the room.
What I found interesting was that the other non-white people in the group felt that they could discuss minority struggles freely and did not have to add 'I don't mean to be racist...' or 'I don't mean to offend but..' and things did get a bit heated during the end, with a student adding that 'proportionate representation is a travesty to British values.'
Could the use of pre-emptive statements like 'I don't mean to be racist' perhaps suggest a particular guilt that white British people have or perhaps, a guilt that has been forced down them?
Also: do you think that white British people have to be more aware of what they say around minority groups and do you think that this is fair?
Sidenote: I believe that people should be free to express what they want, as long as it does not cause direct distress to other people. As it will only cause further divisions and conflict between people who differ from one another.
During the discussion, the old 'I don't want to be racist...' card was used quite a few times, by students who happened to be white, despite them stating 'socially-acceptable' views on the matter and not actually offending anybody in the room.
What I found interesting was that the other non-white people in the group felt that they could discuss minority struggles freely and did not have to add 'I don't mean to be racist...' or 'I don't mean to offend but..' and things did get a bit heated during the end, with a student adding that 'proportionate representation is a travesty to British values.'
Could the use of pre-emptive statements like 'I don't mean to be racist' perhaps suggest a particular guilt that white British people have or perhaps, a guilt that has been forced down them?
Also: do you think that white British people have to be more aware of what they say around minority groups and do you think that this is fair?
Sidenote: I believe that people should be free to express what they want, as long as it does not cause direct distress to other people. As it will only cause further divisions and conflict between people who differ from one another.
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