tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872289811002419028.post218693962226701456..comments2023-07-21T10:01:32.456+01:00Comments on T Childs Christianity Blog: Racism isn’t the Only PrejudiceT-Childshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14973808285834438472noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872289811002419028.post-70131175400818810362012-09-29T16:33:16.434+01:002012-09-29T16:33:16.434+01:00Hi Daz. Your first paragraph sums it up rather nea...Hi Daz. Your first paragraph sums it up rather neatly. It seems that though there are people genuinely campaigning for equality, there are some who see it as a game, something that makes them look trendy and with it. But my argument is that the white middle class will take umbrage with almost any prejudice EXCEPT where class is concerned, perhaps unsurprisingly. I think that they don't believe in equal rights at all, they believe in SPECIAL rights, especially for themselves. If you really do believe in equality for all, then no one is excluded.<br /><br />Yes, inverted snobbery exists but I think in the end it is a reaction against the vapid prejudice and snobbery that comes from those perceived to be higher up the food chain in the end. I've given up going into rough pubs!!!<br /><br />You wrote: 'Group thinking is no thinking.' I agree with you. Groups always seem to make unhealthy decisions; we see that clearly with the class system. Thanks for the intelligent and very thoughtful comment Daz.T-Childshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14973808285834438472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872289811002419028.post-71399598323858553572012-09-25T19:39:40.513+01:002012-09-25T19:39:40.513+01:00Hi TC. It sounds like you're getting at the &#...Hi TC. It sounds like you're getting at the 'PC middle class' who talk about equality from inside an ivory tower and support it as long as the effects don't come anywhere near them. The one thing you've perhaps neglected to mention is that just like most people aren't racist, nor are they snobs in any way.<br /><br />What I'll say as a 'working class lad' if you will is that a certain inverted snobbery also exists, where the dirt under one's fingernails is worn as a badge of honour. Go into a rough pub on a Friday night and you'll understand exactly what I mean.<br /><br />What we should all strive to do is see ourselves and each other not as members of a particular race or class, but as individuals. Group thinking is no thinking.Daz Pearcehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07935407418226324575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872289811002419028.post-23360627502904120562012-09-23T19:59:59.263+01:002012-09-23T19:59:59.263+01:00It does seem that every other prejudice in Britain...It does seem that every other prejudice in Britain is tackled, albeit usually very weakly, but that class as an issue is studiously ignored by those very same people who will protest all day about racism, sexism, prejudice against the disabled, and so on and so on. I think in many cases, as you rightly pointed out, the churches, and the church as an organisation, can be just another part of the class system sadly. Shouldn't Christians be actively promoting equality, shouldn't genuine Christians of all backgrounds be trying their best to live in harmony with each other and not being class obsessed? <br /><br />I don't understand the nature of deference at all. By looking up to someone without any real reason at all, you are suggesting that they are superior to you and you are inferior to them. How can we live in a democracy when we have all this nonsense going on? I just don't understand it really.<br /><br />Thankfully, God sees our hearts, not our wallets or our social class. T-Childshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14973808285834438472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872289811002419028.post-77523605498605824802012-09-23T19:52:15.905+01:002012-09-23T19:52:15.905+01:00I think one of the reasons they haven't got ba...I think one of the reasons they haven't got back to me is that they don't like what I am implying, that some Middle class are indeed selective about equal rights and refuse to accept that class is an issue, when of course it is for many people.<br /><br />I grew up in a mixed race area too and had friends from all walks of life and of different coloured skins. You wrote: 'I really believe there are good and bad in all classes and races, but I believe that we can rise above any kind of prejudice by not being like that ourselves...' Yes I agree with you; we are all very different in effect and class seems to put people in boxes.<br /><br />I am going to keep on writing to the Institute of Race Relations until they answer me and from time to time I am going to write about issues of class and prejudice on my blog too, amongst many other things.<br /><br />It is ultimately the selective nature of those who are supposed to be fighting for equal rights that I am taking issue with. Their website can be found here at: http://www.irr.org.uk/ If you check it out you we will see they publish a magazine called 'Race & Class'; I merely wanted to know that if it is called Race & Class why they don't deal with issues of class as well. As of yet, they have still not replied. I truly wonder why. T-Childshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14973808285834438472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872289811002419028.post-88983484400057295492012-09-23T18:27:05.733+01:002012-09-23T18:27:05.733+01:00Hi Tim,
What a superb article about social class a...Hi Tim,<br />What a superb article about social class across Britain and in England in particular. As one who attended church regularly for nearly forty years, I have wondered whether John 3:16 originally read:<br />"For God so loved the well educated, that he gave his only begotten Son, that any highly intelligent believes, should not perish but hath everlasting life..."<br />It is unfortunate that the church I attend, along with other churches nearby, places a lot of enthusiasm on University students, while anyone who leaves school to take up an apprenticeship is virtually ignored.<br />Also so unfortunate, I think it will be impossible for English society to eradicate the class system, as this would entail doing away with the monarchy, who until 1966 (I think) ruled over a quarter of the whole world. As it is, the higher class you are, the closer to the Queen you become.<br />But we thank the Lord that the Scripture says that God so loved THE WORLD...which, as you say, means everybody regardless of wealth, race or class.<br />An excellent post.Frank E. Blasihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12218732913319387677noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872289811002419028.post-35463113053402029422012-09-23T14:10:05.224+01:002012-09-23T14:10:05.224+01:00Hi Tim,
It is good that people discuss predjudices...Hi Tim,<br />It is good that people discuss predjudices and the reasons for them. I think probably the reason you haven't had an answer from 'the institute of race relations' is because you have pointed out an issue they need to rectify. I was brought up in an area near a dockyard so there were people of mixed nationalities everwhere. I have never felt any racial or class predjudices, maybe because of that. My father died when I was eleven and so my mother had to go cleaning in a hospital for some years to help with finances until we were of a working age. We were brought up in a four bedroomed council house, and I am glad we were. It was well built, very roomy, had nice big gardens, and was on the edge of the town. I had many jobs in my working life from cleaning in a nightclub to working in offices, for which I taught myself to touch type ( which has been a brilliant help for writing and blogging ). My friends have consisted of people out of work, working class, middle class and even one millionaire when I was in my teens. I really believe there are good and bad in all classes and races, but I believe that we can rise above any kind of predjudice by not being like that ourselves, and maybe even convict those who are by example. We can also tackle the issue by discussion and questioning the intentions of people who claim to support those discriminated against, as you have done. I firmly believe in that, and have done it myself through letters.Brendahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16165344093549650260noreply@blogger.com