No, it's you who is spectacularly missing the point.

If you actually listened to Rafiq's testimony you would understand that he fully accepts his own shortcomings and responsibility. He was just as immersed in an unacceptable culture as anyone. The difference was that the hurt it caused him had to be suppressed and resulted in mental health issues. That he too participated in the unacceptable abuse makes some sense in that context.

That's not to excuse it. It is to explain it. His purpose is to be honest about this and argue for a change in the culture. Which is the message that most people seem to have received.

Attempting to deflect criticism onto him, when he has already owned it, ask more questions of those who deflect than their target.

For the avoidance of doubt any comments in response to a previous post are directed to its ideas and not at any, or all, posters personally.

Just checking.

You have presumably noticed that I have stopped responding to your drivel? I'm not debating with the deluded.

So apologies all round then and everyone is happy. Presumably as everyone appears to have generously forgiven him for his anti semitic comments then presumably he can now forgive those who offended him and we can close the matter in the knowledge that he has raised awareness which surely this is all it's about.

If money exchanges hands as a result of all this I would not be happy and I would say it would be reasonable for the Jewish community to take him to task and make a claim against him. Or does compensation for racism only work with certain races?

Jewish leaders were on a, ahem! Sticky wicket. They are always moaning about racism, not that they are a race, but they couldn't really throw Rafiq under the bus on this since everyone in authority has to appear 'woke' and this kind of story helps drive that agenda. In fact, the fuss over this is entirely designed to do just that.
Secretly, they might think that he is a massive anti Semite hypocrite.

It does make you wonder how far these woke Puritans would take it if let unbridled.

Fancy dress is out for a start. Too risky.

I have noticed a lot of Black Santas in the media recently. Isn't that cultural appropriation? Ah! But that only works in one direction, as we all know.

It's all nuts.

While I don't agree with racial language....and that should be sorted out in-house I have to say the idea that people can't have fun and blow off steam because others take offence is similarly out of order....it should have all been sorted out with apologies...but I don't think this has been up front and honest.

Words are words and intent and context matters......A world where the race card is accepted for every perceived slight has led to the current 'witch trial' culture.

What is really evil about all this is that if you think like me but are say really good at cricket or football then you are persecuted out of the game.

It's the opposite of meritocracy.

I'll make the point again.....When the social conservatives ruled these institutions....back when Botham, Gower and Boycott were playing if you held the opposite opinions....no one stopped you making a living.

This point really needs forcing home because what is happening isn't good and it isn't progress, in fact I regard it as authoritarianism and anti western.

Edited by Stirlingsays (19 Nov 2021 1.13pm)

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