The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #113211   Message #2414066
Posted By: Phil Edwards
14-Aug-08 - 06:06 PM
Thread Name: The Weekly Walkabout (part 2.)
Subject: RE: The Weekly Walkabout (part 2.)
given all the immigration that has occurred all around the world, what is best FROM NOW ON?; and I'm sure it should be restricted

You've conceded that you believe less immigration would have been better, so it's not just about FROM NOW ON. I'm sure you don't bear any malice towards actual English people of immigrant stock, but your starting-point is still "you're OK, but I wish you hadn't come here" - or, at the very least,"you're OK, but we don't want any more of your kind here".

You believe immigration should be restricted so that different cultures don't mix. You believe that native cultures shouldn't mix with immigrant cultures, and that native cultures will suffer if they do, and that people's freedom of movement should be restricted so as to stop this happening. You've spelt all this out many times.

What you've never explained is how this viewpoint is compatible with not being a racist. Here's that OED definition, in full this time:

"The belief that all members of each race possess characteristics, abilities, or qualities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races. Hence: prejudice and antagonism towards people of other races, especially those felt to be a threat to one's cultural or racial integrity or economic well-being; the expression of such prejudice in words or actions. Also occasionally in extended use, with reference to people of other nationalities."

LH: I'm well aware that I have racist views; I grew up in the 1970s, when a certain level of racism was taken for granted, and you never entirely leave the attitudes you grow up with behind. For that reason, if someone does call me out on a turn of phrase or a way of thinking which they think is racist, I take it seriously and think hard about it. That's all I'm asking WAV to do.