Are people afraid to air their true point of view?

rosettayelow

I have to agree with you Simon, we are afraid to air our views as we get called racist if we do. I always thought we had freedom of speech but we get told we cannot say certain things in case it offends others. When I was little, the word racist hardly exsisted but it seems today thats all people seem to shout.

Avalon

i,m not..if they want to live the proper muslim way , then go to Saudi Arabia..and then see how they like it

colin m

of course it suits the bnp ive never considered myself racist but im sick of muslims its alright people writing in saying they are not afraid to speak there mind but what about people in office the pope rushdie the cartoons in denmark etc they want to kill them

Jan

Yes, i`m not afraid to air my point of view, and hey, if they don`t like it, lump it, tough turkey, i say. I agree with you, we are all equal, and entitled to our own opinions!!

ALAN Q

It is now offcially impossible to publicly air one's point of view on this subject, as minorities, and some in particular, know all about making protests and accusations. The pc movement, divisive as it is, aids the suffocation of public debate, by inhibiting the use of our own language.

Those who insist on wearing clothes that, in English society, will be seen as intimidating, only fuel racial tensions.

MGN2006

I do apologize but I cant stand the bloody idiots in the BNP and cant say that, in my opinion, their views differ that much from Hitler's Nazis. But at the same time 'Racism' is the reason given all too easily for certain people to get their way all the time or to dismiss our opinions without having to answer to them or face up to them.

tutankhamun

true british people cannot win,in our own country,,no matter what we say,

phooey

You should be able to hold any personal opinion and hopefully be articulate enough to express it in a way wish is not aggressive towards anyone. Freedom of speech needs to be actively encouraged, or was George Orwell right?
I beleive we should introduce Australian style tough immigration rules, deport those who shouldn't be here, introduce American style welfare reforms. I am not a racist or bigot (I have gay and coloured (or whatever PC phrase you're supposed to use)).

MCP

Today there was a guy locked up for 3 years for saying what he thought on line. This is where this government has taken us.

Lucy

i completely agree with you

robert t

The only thing that gives the bnp power is votes

M. S.

I think in this day and age, with strong racism against blacks happening only last century, that people are still very hesitant to say anything speculatory or possibly negative against an entire race, particularly minorities. At the same time, it's deemed okay to say something of the same nature against whites. It isn't fair, and everyone should be allowed to say what they would like, but let's leave color out of it to give everyone a level playing field.

Stephen

People are certainly more cautious in expressing their views and opinions, especially those in Public positions. Its never been more so than in todays society that you really do have to put your brain into gear before engaging your mouth. otherwise you run the risk of being associated with that over subscribed word...
Racist.

andylefty

Just say what you want, people use the word 'Racism' as a way to stifle any opposition argument

this is our ******* country, the English indigenous peoples its not little Africa, or little Pakistan, or little Arabia its England and English people should stop being so soft.

amber_xx66

yes i agree with you very much,send them all back home and make way for families that don't have a proper home

The Pooh

I don't know. People should watch what they say in case it does sound racist, but how sad that we can't say what we really feel. However the scarves that Muslims wear is for their religion. So what if they wear them? There was an idiot on BBC breakfast today trying to say that it is the men's interpretation of the quaran (i apologise for the spelling) is what makes women wear the head dress. Em excuse me, but men interpreted the Bible and there is inequality in the western world. e.g women cannot be priests.

And I'm not even Muslim.

La Gueta Micaela

I think many are afraid to express themselves. They would rather go along with the crowd

Political correctness has run amok a long time ago . The favorite past-time of the self-righteous . It gives them carte blanche to go power happy .

Billy W

The problem is that racism only works one way, e.g. if i were to go into a bank wearing a balaclava i think its pretty obvious what would happen.
You are correct you should be able to say what you think and not worry if you may offend someone, if you do they have a right to say something back, i don't know of anybody that has been offended to death! do you?

James B

We should not be afraid to air our views.

I agree with Jack Straw - but only after I read a piece by he head of the Muslim Council of Great Britain who explained that the viel is cultural and not a religious requirement.

I do not think it wrong to expect citizens to adapt to the cultural values of the country where they choose to live.

I do however fear that some comments could fuel the far right so I would still advise high profile figures to act with caution and condisider how their words could be twisted by those with a more sinister agenda.

quasar

yes jack straw is right in the context he said it it is not racist,
you have to be racist to think it is racist, the days of common sense have gone to many do gooders who have no idea of what is really going on in real life,
as for the British national party that's your point of view & at the moment you can say things like that as its nothing to do with a religeon.

LBBYFT THE BBC HAS JUST TOLD A NEWS READER TO TAKE OF HER CROSS

libbyft

But what happens to freedom of choice if Muslim women aren't allowed to 'choose' to wear a veil, do we then ban people from wearing the crucifix because someone doesn't like it? Do we stop girls from showing their belly's off because it could cause offence? Perhaps we should all wear a uniform so that no one can be offended or discriminated against.

One of the foundations of this country is democracy, and democracy gives people freedom of speech - but also freedom of choice.

So feel free to say you agree with Jack Straw but think how you would feel if someone told you that you can't choose what to wear!

jedi_rei

where one's right ends, another's right begins.

sixmilliondollarguy

The BNP may be the only hope for Britain, as ALL the major parties will keep us in the EU, who force "human rights" legislation on us, as well as the tide of human refuse from other countries. I would also like to see reasoned debate about the re-introduction of capital punishment, something the EU are dead against. So just you vote for the same party as your parents did, (as most folk in the UK seem to do) , but don't come running to me when Sharia law is imposed and free speech is a thing of the past!

Lindsay

Yes, you are entitled to your on views, but your views may hurt people. so be careful

michel t

Didn't Benjamin Franklin say ' Those who would sacrifice freedom and liberty for stability are worthy of neither.

jackie

I don't know how it is in Britian, but here in America people have no problem speaking their mind and being openly racist, especially if they think they can appeal to a certain audience, get votes like the politicians or sell books. Twenty-five years ago,they were picking on the Asian boat people, then the Cubans, always the Blacks, now the Mexican illegals. They just want someone to blame for all their problems.

dave

Isnt it great that we have this freedom to express our views.

I will always say exactly what I think.

I think Jack Straw is after the job of "minister for nasal hair" Why else would he want women to lift their veils?

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