Racism Rears Its Head in Europe

[highnote]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/10/AR2008111002810.html

Some Public Figures Display Open Scorn


By Craig Whitlock
Washington Post Foreign Service
Tuesday, November 11, 2008; Page A15

BERLIN, Nov. 10 -- Europe erupted in cheers to celebrate Barack Obama's election as president, but the continent is seeing its share of insensitive racial blunders, too.

Over the past week, a number of European lawmakers and journalists have made foot-in-mouth comments regarding America's black president-elect, suggesting that some otherwise respected public figures in Europe are far from enlightened on racial matters.

The day after Obama's victory, a leading Austrian television journalist said on camera that he "wouldn't want the Western world to be directed by a black man." A Polish lawmaker stood up in Parliament and called the election result "the end of the white man's civilization."

[robert99]

These clowns really do think they are saying something funny.
They are decades behind the times and attempt to get cheap "laughs" acting as if their countries are still some superior ethnic monoculture. USA has moved light years ahead in comparison. It is particularly bad in politics and sport.

"Not too long ago black footballers in the United Kingdom were frequently faced with monkey chants from the terraces and racial abuse from their opponents. Now the problem seems to have been mostly eradicated from the British game, and it is not unusual to have a black player in the football league (approximately 25% of professional players are of black origin). Yet a series of incidents over the past decade throughout Europe suggests the problem is still rife in mainland Europe.

http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/12/23/163044.php

Racism is an issue in Spanish sport and reflects attitudes held in wider Spanish society.
However, cases of serious discrimination or violence based on race seem no more prevalent in Spain than in other western European countries.
Where it is possible to point the finger at Spain is for its wide tolerance for less extreme forms of racism - like using race as a way to hurl insults or make fun of someone.
The racist taunting of Lewis Hamilton (World Formula One Champion) is just the latest high-profile example.

'Acceptable' abuse
Four years ago, British football players Shaun Wright-Phillips and Ashley Cole were the target of monkey chants from Spanish fans during an international friendly in Madrid.
British fans were outraged, but for many Spanish fans this is seen as an acceptable way of abusing the opposition. It regularly occurs in Spanish league games.
That incident followed Spanish national football coach Luis Aragones making abusive racist comments about French striker Thierry Henry.
You could imagine that sort of incident in Britain leading to the resignation of the national football coach - not in Spain.
The Spanish Football Federation was very slow to take action, but did eventually end up fining Aragones. The Spanish press reacted, but not with much of a sense of outrage.

The decision by a small group of fans to paint themselves black and taunt Lewis Hamilton with racist abuse at the Formula One circuit in Barcelona was denounced by Spain's sporting authorities."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7229551.stm

[ddog]

would agree, the cultures in the main on the other side of the pond contain much more racist types and that is where the next wave of terrorist i expect are coming from.

They do not assimilate as well as we do and we do a poorer job than we used to.

[highnote]

When is England going to have a black king or queen? :D

Sorry if that isn't politically correct. The notion of it just strikes me as funny for some reason.

Actually, a black prime minister might get elected someday.

[JustRalph]

These clowns really do think they are saying something funny.
They are decades behind the times and attempt to get cheap "laughs" acting as if their countries are still some superior ethnic monoculture. USA has moved light years ahead in comparison. It is particularly bad in politics and sport.

"Not too long ago black footballers in the United Kingdom were frequently faced with monkey chants from the terraces and racial abuse from their opponents. Now the problem seems to have been mostly eradicated from the British game, and it is not unusual to have a black player in the football league (approximately 25% of professional players are of black origin). Yet a series of incidents over the past decade throughout Europe suggests the problem is still rife in mainland Europe.

http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/12/23/163044.php

Racism is an issue in Spanish sport and reflects attitudes held in wider Spanish society.
However, cases of serious discrimination or violence based on race seem no more prevalent in Spain than in other western European countries.
Where it is possible to point the finger at Spain is for its wide tolerance for less extreme forms of racism - like using race as a way to hurl insults or make fun of someone.
The racist taunting of Lewis Hamilton (World Formula One Champion) is just the latest high-profile example.

'Acceptable' abuse
Four years ago, British football players Shaun Wright-Phillips and Ashley Cole were the target of monkey chants from Spanish fans during an international friendly in Madrid.
British fans were outraged, but for many Spanish fans this is seen as an acceptable way of abusing the opposition. It regularly occurs in Spanish league games.
That incident followed Spanish national football coach Luis Aragones making abusive racist comments about French striker Thierry Henry.
You could imagine that sort of incident in Britain leading to the resignation of the national football coach - not in Spain.
The Spanish Football Federation was very slow to take action, but did eventually end up fining Aragones. The Spanish press reacted, but not with much of a sense of outrage.

The decision by a small group of fans to paint themselves black and taunt Lewis Hamilton with racist abuse at the Formula One circuit in Barcelona was denounced by Spain's sporting authorities."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7229551.stm

You are an interesting guy Robert. One minute you are calling us Hayseeds, and the next you are giving the U.S. a compliment............?

Or have I forgotten the context of the Hayseed comment? Maybe so....... ......

[JustRalph]

When is England going to have a black king or queen?

I don't know, at the rate Obama's relatives are showing up in everything from Huts to Housing projects............. how long could it be?

The Genetic-Jackhammer was well traveled........... *














*Credit Tom

[PaceAdvantage]

You are an interesting guy Robert. One minute you are calling us Hayseeds, and the next you are giving the U.S. a compliment............?

Or have I forgotten the context of the Hayseed comment? Maybe so....... ......You read my mind there Ralph. All of a sudden, the US is good again. I guess this Obama thing is paying dividends already!

[ddog]

maybe you should TRY to think "mulatto" just once in awhile!

:lol:

[highnote]

maybe you should TRY to think "mulatto" just once in awhile!

:lol:


That is the ironic thing about Obama. He's as much white as he is black.

[ddog]

and i will bet a thousand bucks that he is now wondering if a loss might not have been better.

this is gonna be some thrill ride the next 4-5 years or maybe worse than that.

p.s and this will be PI , but I always viewed him as 70-30 white.
no Willie Horton "full on type" would have a prayer even today.

[Valuist]

These clowns really do think they are saying something funny.
They are decades behind the times and attempt to get cheap "laughs" acting as if their countries are still some superior ethnic monoculture. USA has moved light years ahead in comparison. It is particularly bad in politics and sport.

"Not too long ago black footballers in the United Kingdom were frequently faced with monkey chants from the terraces and racial abuse from their opponents. Now the problem seems to have been mostly eradicated from the British game, and it is not unusual to have a black player in the football league (approximately 25% of professional players are of black origin). Yet a series of incidents over the past decade throughout Europe suggests the problem is still rife in mainland Europe.

http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/12/23/163044.php

Racism is an issue in Spanish sport and reflects attitudes held in wider Spanish society.
However, cases of serious discrimination or violence based on race seem no more prevalent in Spain than in other western European countries.
Where it is possible to point the finger at Spain is for its wide tolerance for less extreme forms of racism - like using race as a way to hurl insults or make fun of someone.
The racist taunting of Lewis Hamilton (World Formula One Champion) is just the latest high-profile example.

'Acceptable' abuse
Four years ago, British football players Shaun Wright-Phillips and Ashley Cole were the target of monkey chants from Spanish fans during an international friendly in Madrid.
British fans were outraged, but for many Spanish fans this is seen as an acceptable way of abusing the opposition. It regularly occurs in Spanish league games.
That incident followed Spanish national football coach Luis Aragones making abusive racist comments about French striker Thierry Henry.
You could imagine that sort of incident in Britain leading to the resignation of the national football coach - not in Spain.
The Spanish Football Federation was very slow to take action, but did eventually end up fining Aragones. The Spanish press reacted, but not with much of a sense of outrage.

The decision by a small group of fans to paint themselves black and taunt Lewis Hamilton with racist abuse at the Formula One circuit in Barcelona was denounced by Spain's sporting authorities."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7229551.stm

Wasn't there some embarrassing gaffe by Spain's basketball team at the Olympics? The details escape my memory but I thought it was some racist remark/gesture against the Chinese.

[robert99]

When is England going to have a black king or queen? :D

Sorry if that isn't politically correct. The notion of it just strikes me as funny for some reason.

Actually, a black prime minister might get elected someday.

These are strange times but the colour is booked white for most of this century.
Elizabeth is 82 and her mother lived to 101.
Her son Prince Charles is 60 and takes over sometime in next 20 years, say.
Prince Charles's son William is next to inherit and he is 26 but could marry a black girl - Obama's princesses are possibly too young, else we could inherit USA back again by marriage. Their first born son, Leroy, would indeed be the future King. A bit of a long shot. Prime minister the more likely.

[toetoe]

Racists will be forgiven if they convert to the Religion of Peace. :D

[highnote]

Prince Charles's son William is next to inherit and he is 26 but could marry a black girl - Obama's princesses are possibly too young, else we could inherit USA back again by marriage.

There is a decent probability that William will marry a younger woman. Are Obama's girls "royal" enough -- or would William have to abdicate the throne if he married one of them?

The conspiracy theorists would have a field day if William got serious about a woman of color -- they won't forget what happened to Princess Di.

Eventually, there will be enough inter-marriage even in England that there will be Royals of color -- assuming the Royal family is still around by that time.

After the invasion of 1066 even some French and English married. Then there were the Roman conquests. So there is some probably a good bit of genetic diversity in the Royal family.

It's a whole new world. Actually, it isn't. It just seems that way. :D

[LottaKash]

Racists will be forgiven if they convert to the Religion of Peace. :D

Nope, no 13 virgins for me, I will remain an infidel.......:jump:

best,

[Steve 'StatMan']

Might be some black kings and queens in some of the Afican countries, certainly there were in the past, don't know how many monarchies are left. Otherwise, the you have to settle for chess to find a black king and queen. ;)

[Tom]

The concept of royalty is a slap in the face of free people. It is a myth.
There is no such thing as royal blood. The French had the right idea about royalty - off with their heads.

[highnote]

The concept of royalty is a slap in the face of free people. It is a myth.
There is no such thing as royal blood. The French had the right idea about royalty - off with their heads.


What are you talking about -- of course there is royal blood. You've got royalty in your blood. You're a royal pain the ass. :D

Just kidding. We all love you. :)

[robert99]

Royalists: 1 Republicans 0
General Tom sends for taller troops: