Originally Posted by BOURBON

As I understand it, in the first instance, the new employment legislation will only apply to public sector appointments. It will have 'advisory' status in the private sector. Admittedly, my only research is r4.

If the police wish to appoint or promote an asian officer over and above an equally qualified caucasian officer, because they consider their ethnicity more beneficial to the community they will serve - they have my blessing.

If three equally qualified teachers are interviewed for a position in an all white department - hiring the black guy can only enrich the cultural diversity of the school community, to the benefit of the kids being taught.

(COMMENTS BY ATW) I don't neessarily disagree with that view especially if the balack and asian guys are bloody good at what they do.

I could go on...but won't. You get the point. We are a culturally diverse country, but equality is a myth. The UK is still class-ridden and the middle-class white male has supremacy. He can take a few knocks while everyone else catches up.

(ATW) Equality is not necessarily a myth but total equality is, and it is an impossible goal because we all discriminate people for all sorts of reason, not just race or gender.

We will have an equal society when we don't even notice that our lawyer is black or female because it's commonplace. This is the direction we all* want to move in, so what's wrong with a small fillip to get over the initial road-humps?

(ATW) The problem here though is that laws like this, and people using our history to stir up racial tensions will always draw attenion to someone's colour, or background. It enrages the far right and works up the white working classes (who have government jobs) fearing for their jobs. It's irrational I know but that's human nature for your.

Besides I think all this is moot anyway - my missus works for the DWP and if the Tories get in they are promising significant job cuts especially in that department. So naturally the curent election results are causing to have kittens.


(*I say all, but I hear more people voted BNP in the bi-election for Boris' seat than voted Labour. I find that much more frightening.)

Originally Posted by aspiretowrite

Yes very bloody frightening - still let's hope it doesn't last eh?

Originally Posted by BOURBON

I am a jam doughnut.

Originally Posted by Non Serviam

I agree.