silvertop
Member
- Location
- Portishead
- Country
England
I had a standing row with some fellow students many years ago. I was talking about someone and then saw her. I identified her as the black woman. I was attacked as racist.Do you think in the dressing room or out on the pitch any of them notice, let alone care?
They are team mates and our players. That’s what differentiates them from other people. Not any physical or ethnical characteristics.
2 arguments.
One, I reduced her to her ethnicity. To avoid that, I should have done as they demanded. Describe her by reference to the colour of her coat etc.
Two, I cannot make reference to her ethnicity as it is something that cannot be said, perhaps as she should be ashamed or embarrassed about having that characteristic.
Option one is simply bizarre.
Option two is offensive to them.
Race is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act. It is on a statutory footing.
Ethnicity should be something a person embraces and loves. Absent any prejudice or other ill intent, it should also be something people can discuss openly without fear. If I am discussing someone over there who happens to be the only black person in the party, I should be able to refer to her as the "black woman". Otherwise, I am not treading upon perception of prejudice, I am treading upon white guilt.