Is it Correct ...

[david63]

Is it still politically correct to have "Black Friday"?

[Stephen]

Is it still politically correct to have "Black Friday"?

[screwy]

I asked the wife the same question.

[oldbluefox]

Would it be politically correct to have a White Monday, White Police Officers Association, Music of White Origin, White Lives Matter?

[towny44]

Would it be politically correct to have a White Monday, White Police Officers Association, Music of White Origin, White Lives Matter?

Probably not.

[Kendhni]

I have seen Robinson Crusoe and I am not seeing anything wrong

[barney]

Would it be politically correct to have a White Monday, White Police Officers Association, Music of White Origin, White Lives Matter?

Definitely not.
But, I’m saying that with the benefits of white privilege.

[Mervyn and Trish]

I do find it ironic that Lewis Hamilton, the top F1 driver earning £40m a year, reckons black people are disadvantaged in his chosen sport.

[Kendhni]

Where is the irony?

[Mervyn and Trish]

Where is the irony?

Cambridge Dictionary:

Irony: "a situation in which something which was intended to have a particular result has the opposite or a very different result"

[Kendhni]

I didn't ask for a definition, I asked where is the irony? In many sports there are well documented differences in opportunity and treatment of different groups. Exceptions do not mean equality.

[Ranchi]

just deleted comment.

[Mervyn and Trish]

I didn't ask for a definition, I asked where is the irony? In many sports there are well documented differences in opportunity and treatment of different groups. Exceptions do not mean equality.

Lewis is talented but he's not an exception. There are three British F1 drivers currently. One is black. That's 33%. Way above the black proportion of the general UK population where 86% are white. Look at the proportion of black players in the England football squad. Or among the celebs on Strictly. Or even the Cabinet. Two of the four top jobs are filled by BME people.

I don't deny racism exists and is wrong, but where you see exceptions I see the best people getting to the top irrespective of race. That is equality. Token positive discrimination, which is still discrimination, is not.

[oldbluefox]

Stop talking common sense!!!

[Kendhni]

I don't disagree with most of what you are saying, and totally agree with you about positive discrimination. The one bit I would disagree with is basing a percentage of drivers in an international sport (where Britain is over represented) on British stats only. I don't know if Lewis is right or wrong, is there less opportunity for progressing in the sport based on ethnicity? is that resulting in a dearth of talent from particular groups?

Personally I thought that setting up Formula W was a bit patronising but I look forward to seeing the likes of Chadwick at least trialling for F1. I have often wondered why do we not have woman in the likes of the Premier League and similarly in other sports (maybe not rugby, who knows what goes on in those scrums).

My only question was where the irony existed - I genuinely was unable to see it.

[towny44]

The much bigger discrimination factor in F1, and 4 wheelmotor sport in general, is wealth. It does not matter how talented you are, if you cannot find financial backing you are unlikely to succeed. The majority of the current F1 drivers have financial backing of some sort which the smaller teams desperately need if they are to remain viable. The most successful teams don't have the same financial pressures, so are able to attract the best drivers.

[Mervyn and Trish]

I don't disagree with most of what you are saying, and totally agree with you about positive discrimination. The one bit I would disagree with is basing a percentage of drivers in an international sport (where Britain is over represented) on British stats only. I don't know if Lewis is right or wrong, is there less opportunity for progressing in the sport based on ethnicity? is that resulting in a dearth of talent from particular groups?

Personally I thought that setting up Formula W was a bit patronising but I look forward to seeing the likes of Chadwick at least trialling for F1. I have often wondered why do we not have woman in the likes of the Premier League and similarly in other sports (maybe not rugby, who knows what goes on in those scrums).

My only question was where the irony existed - I genuinely was unable to see it.

The only country where we can make changes is the UK. If you aim to end racism worldwide you're on a hiding to nothing.* Maybe take the same stance you do on climate change?

[CaroleF]

Lewis comes from a fairly lowly background whose father worked several jobs at a time to enable Lewis to get into Carting. It was there that his talent was spotted and that eventually led to him being taken on by McLaren. He certainly didn't come from a wealthy background unlike drivers like Verstappen, Lando Norris and Lance Stroll. Yes he is now incredibly wealthy and yes it was because Ron Dennis spotted his talent and became his backer but it was due to his father that it happened.

John was a great enthusiast of F1 and now, even though he's not here I still watch every race. He would have really enjoyed last weekend's race which I thought was very exciting.

Carole

[Stephen]

I like seeing someone come from nothing and reach the top through hard graft rather than the silver spoon, regardless of race (no pun intended).

[Kendhni]

I don't disagree with most of what you are saying, and totally agree with you about positive discrimination. The one bit I would disagree with is basing a percentage of drivers in an international sport (where Britain is over represented) on British stats only. I don't know if Lewis is right or wrong, is there less opportunity for progressing in the sport based on ethnicity? is that resulting in a dearth of talent from particular groups?

Personally I thought that setting up Formula W was a bit patronising but I look forward to seeing the likes of Chadwick at least trialling for F1. I have often wondered why do we not have woman in the likes of the Premier League and similarly in other sports (maybe not rugby, who knows what goes on in those scrums).

My only question was where the irony existed - I genuinely was unable to see it.

The only country where we can make changes is the UK. If you aim to end racism worldwide you're on a hiding to nothing.* Maybe take the same stance you do on climate change?

Hamilton is presenting the issue based on a global basis, it is not for you take someone elses campaign and reduce the scope thereby unilaterally moving the goal posts to suit a lesser argument (that is known as a strawman). Hamilton has managed to get drivers from all over the world and across multiple disciplines within motor sport to back his campaign, so maybe he is in a position to do something globally.

So maybe the existence of irony is only present in your strawman.

[Ranchi]

had oops.

[Ranchi]

had to look up straw man. Am currently in the Ps of my Chambers’….

[Mervyn and Trish]

Re post #20. Whereas you can move the goal posts whenever you want.

I favour free speech. Where I can voice my opinions and you can voice yours without either of us resorting to name calling.

But if you continue to insist on doing so my name for you would be bully.

[Kendhni]

Re post #20. Whereas you can move the goal posts whenever you want.

I favour free speech. Where I can voice my opinions and you can voice yours without either of us resorting to name calling.

But if you continue to insist on doing so my name for you would be bully.

Oh boo hoo. I haven't called you any names, nor moved goalposts, I only asked a simple question out of genuine interest as to where the irony was.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Sorry. Is Strawman a compliment i misunderstood?