Having said that,

This is a discussion forum wher as you say, you have the opportunity to explore issues and record the process.

And the questions that matter to you are as important as the questions which matter to everyone else.

Furthermore, as Sinsull has pointed out, race is an issue and to pretend it isn't is just plain silly.

And it's an uncomfortable issue to discuss.

It poisons everyday discourse.

It gets between me and friends and makes us wince s we squeeze through it " ... oh yeah I've got this friend who ... " " ... oh what does she look like ... "

" ... well he/she wears a blue hat ... he/she's white/black ... "

- wince -

" ... yeah so anyway ... he /she thinks blah blah ..."

And for you it's important to talk about it.

Now that is healthy.

People who insist on talking about these issues intelligently serve to keep the rest of us, white and black, from becoming complacent.

Race crime is apparently on the up in the UK of late ...

... and this ... the cradle of civilization ...

Begorrah and Bejaysus!!!