Money and Power Don’t Excuse Racism: Challenging the Notion of Superiority
My Thoughts For Tuesday
My musings for today!
Money does not make one less of a bigot, racist, or misogynistic pig! Somehow, people think that racists, misogynists and bigots are excusable if they have money, wealth, power and/ or celebrity status.
I don’t think so!
One of the biggest donors to the UK conservative party says that a particular black female Member of Parliament (MP) is making him want to hate all black women — as if we are all one homogeneous group that thinks and acts the same.
Generalisations about any group of people can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and misunderstandings. This is how we have created societies that are racist, bigoted, and misogynistic!
Frank Hester and his racism
Frank Hester, the UK chief executive of The Phoenix Partnership (TPP) and the biggest donor to the conservative party, has admitted to making “rude” RACIST comments, the specifics of which were first reported by The Guardian. He has since expressed deep regret for his actions.
He cannot see that we are all different and have different personalities. He went so far as to suggest that the MP should be shot.
Apparently, he is so sorry for his remarks now that it has come out that he is a racist pig! Oh, sorry, a racist.
He reportedly said: “It’s like trying not to be racist, but you see Diane Abbott on the TV, and you’re just like… you want to hate all black women because she’s there.
And I don’t hate all black women at all, but I think she should be shot. (The executive) and Diane Abbott needs to be shot.”
We all hold equal ground in this world!
Humanity seems to have gotten itself mixed up with some false hierarchy.
Possessing wealth or power does not elevate one’s worth above another. Each person, regardless of their status, possesses intrinsic value. Those in positions of authority, especially in politics, must serve the populace.
Respect for all
I was brought up to respect all people regardless of the title they hold and the wealth they have. Unfortunately, people of colour still have to deal with this issue all the time.
Why is our colour always such a big issue?
I am so glad I grew up in a very diverse area and that when I entered government, it was becoming too difficult for them to hide their racist ways.
This meant they could not just refrain from promoting us due to the colour of our skin. They had to go on our ability — this was still difficult, but many of us studied and got promoted at quite a young age!
But it was not for me so I left! I want to me my own boss and always have!
But even in Parliament, they say racist things.
In an article written for the Fawcett Society’s new collection of essays, Seeing Double: Race and Gender in Ethnic Minority Women’s Lives, Butler describes how former Tory minister David Heathcote-Amory confronted her as she went to sit in the members’ section on the terrace. ‘He actually said to me: “What are you doing here? This is for members only.”
‘He then asked me: “Are you a member?” And I said: “Yes I am, are you?” And he turned around and said to his colleague: “They’re letting anybody in nowadays.”
Well, well, well…
You reap what you sow.
Our families came to the UK to help in a time of need, so we are here to stay. You think they would have gotten used to us by now? But so many are just so small-minded.
Even the all-mighty Gandhi had something to say about ‘Black’ Africans. Thus, we see how Gandhi had excellent PR and marketing. And now he is quoted all over the place!
According to the book, Gandhi described black Africans as “savage,” “raw” and living a life of “indolence and nakedness,” and he campaigned relentlessly to prove to the British rulers that the Indian community in South Africa was superior to native black Africans.
In 1903, when Gandhi was in South Africa, he wrote that white people there should be “the predominating race.” He also said black people “are troublesome, very dirty and live like animals.”
🎶Something inside so strong I know that I can make it Though you’re doing me wrong, so wrong You thought that my pride was gone, oh no There’s something inside so strong Oh, something inside so strong🎶
🎶The more you refuse to hear my voice, The louder I will sing. You hide behind walls of Jericho Your lies will come tumbling. You can deny me, you can decide🎶
Dear reader, I’ve learned that we’re all human, and I refuse to bow down to anyone regardless of ‘social status or position.
While you can respect someone’s words and ideas, considering them superior to yourself is a mistake.