Being a Caucasian woman middle age, I’ve never experienced racism in my entire life.
Well, that’s not strictly true. When I moved back to the UK from Italy I was teased for being a ‘spag’ (short for spaghetti), but I hardly think that counts.
I have, however, witnessed plenty of racism directed at black and Asian friends over the years – and I have to admit, a lot of it is casual and, yes, unconscious.
Such as the time one was assumed to be a waiter purely on the basis that he was the only black man in the room; or another who was happily sipping his cocktail on a beach in an upmarket resort when another guest spotted him – and complained to the management.
Those and other jaw-dropping moments prove, to my mind at least, that people do judge others on the basis of their skin colour, and that even if we don’t mean to we can sometimes cause serious offence.
Especially if we come from the sort of ethnic background that hasn’t generally had to put up with very much of it. Just because it never really happens to us doesn’t mean it’s not real.
That said, there are some times when you just can’t win, however hard you try.
One such moment happened this week, when Fiona Bruce, presenter of BBC1’s Question Time, was accused of racism for directing a question about the cricketer Azeem Rafiq at the only person of colour on her panel, former Crown Prosecutor Nazir Afzal.
SARAH VINE: There are some times when you just can’t win, however hard you try. One such moment happened this week, when Fiona Bruce, presenter of BBC1’s Question Time, was accused of racism by panellist and former Crown Prosecutor Nazir Afzal
‘The brown person will answer first,’ he said, flashing a knowing smile at the audience. She responded, somewhat surprised. ‘Nazir, do you think that was wrong of me to come to you first?’ He replied, ‘I think so’.
Clearly upset by his response, she said, ‘Well let’s not do it. I’m not being sarcastic at all. I mean if that’s how you feel, I respect that.’ She then went to another member of the panel, Jordan Peterson, for his view.
This was a truly remarkable moment. It perfectly illustrated the problems of today’s toxic, increasing atmosphere surrounding issues of race. Much of it is fuelled from America.
Bruce was a white guy and it is impossible to do so.
If she had not gone to Afzal first, she may have been accused of unconscious bias towards the white members of her panel, and found guilty of exercising her – and their – white privilege over the only person of Asian descent among them.
Maybe she had that in mind as she approached him. Perhaps she was just curious to learn more from the man who might be able to offer best advice due to his experience and campaigns in this region.
Pictured: Former Crown Prosecutor Nazir Afzal, who scolded BBC Question Time presenter Fiona Bruce for asking him a question first on cricketer Azeem Rafiq
This would be a reasonable and logical move in the context of leading an ongoing debate on the topic.
But of course it’s not about the debate, or about exploring a very complex issue in a civilised and constructive way. It’s about scoring as many points as possible, which is exactly what Afzal chose to do.
It was a mistake that I believe. Bruce was not only unable to control the conversation but also lost his bearings. The line that separates legitimate grievance from deliberately inflicting offence when absolutely nothing is meant.
That’s it. The vast majority of people are more than willing to accept that yes, racism – conscious or unconscious – is a problem and that it’s in everyone’s interest to eradicate it. What they can’t accept is that all white people are de facto and by virtue of their birth automatically guilty of it.
Fiona Bruce, a former Crown Prosecutor Nazir Afzal was charged with racism after she directed a question regarding Azeem Rahiq, a cricketer.
This is the American narrative of the last few years, which has now taken root in schools, universities, and other institutions.
All people of color are considered victims, and whites the oppressors. It is simplistic, divisive – and most importantly, it’s not true.
Because as we saw from the case of Rafiq himself – who having given evidence to the select committee about the appalling abuse he suffered at Yorkshire Cricket Club was later found to have posted antisemitic jibes on Facebook – non-whites can also be racist.
Martin Luther King had it right when he stated that his dream was for his children to grow up in a country where their character and not their skin colour would matter.
We will not be closer to achieving that dream if things continue as they are.
- Colin Pitchfork, sentenced to ‘life’ in 1988 for the rape and murder of 15-year-old girls but released two months ago after serving 33 years is now back behind bars after exhibiting ‘concerning behaviour’. However, he shouldn’t have been permitted to leave. The definition of life should be: It’s really not that complicated.
We are sorry Meghan, but once you were an actress…
Watching the Duchess of Sussex on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, it occurred to me that, as misguided and mystifying as her appearance was, it wasn’t real.
The performance was only another in the Meghan repertoire. We’ve had sad Meghan (talking to ITV’s Tom Bradby in South Africa), victim Meghan (Oprah), and now this is fun, upbeat, relatable Meghan.
But this month the Appeal Court heard about the real Meghan, the one who likes to ‘pull at the heart strings’. It begs the question: Is anyone still believing her ridiculousness?
Pictured: The Duchess of Sussex appears on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on Thursday
A Church of England primary school which removed Winston Churchill and J.K. Rowling as house names has justified its actions on the basis that ‘the change was entirely driven and led by our pupils’. That’s the core problem. Children should be led by adults, and not vice versa.
- According to reports, the Government may consider a boycott of Beijing’s Winter Olympics next year. ‘Considering’? What are you supposed to be considering? As if Covid and the genocide of the Uighur Muslims isn’t enough, how about the Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai, who vanished two weeks ago after she accused China’s ex-vice-premier of sexual assault? Britain’s absence won’t, of course, make a blind bit of difference in the grand scheme of things; but it would at least send an important signal.
This is narcissistic absurdity!
My son recently asked me how I knew that you were finally grown-up.
That was, I stated that flossing is when you have finally learned to actually put your plate in the dishwasher.
But actually I’m wrong. It’s when you open the latest edition of Vogue, see nonsense like this, below, and realise that all high fashion these days is narcissistic nonsense.
Pictured: The December edition of British Vogue featuring Dandy glove bag and an oversized tweed coat
- It’s suggested that the Remembrance Day bomber, Emad Al Swealmeen, may have converted to Christianity in order to strengthen his bid to remain in the UK. He wouldn’t be the first – or the last – to pull the wool over the eyes of gullible Church of England clergy desperate to get more bums on seats. Many middle-class people become religious to help their kids get into good churches.
THE BIG MET QUESTION
The Met Police had just released 44 questions that officers need to answer before handcuffing suspects. A friend then sent me video footage from his neighbourhood watch group.
This video depicts muggers pursue a middle aged man in Sloane Square, repeatedly beating him and his friend while trying desperately to get him away. He writhes and screams before the attackers take his watch.
If you ask me, there’s only really one question that needs asking: why is Cressida Dick still in her job?
Pictured: Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick
- Why do men – like the Australian cricket captain Tim Paine – think it’s a good idea to send women pictures of their appendages? Even attached to a sportsman, it’s never a pretty sight.