The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #122763   Message #2696313
Posted By: Jim Carroll
09-Aug-09 - 08:16 AM
Thread Name: Anti-Semitism : A Mon Like Thee
Subject: RE: Anti-Semitism : A Mon Like Thee
There is a little difference between using terms like 'Turk' and 'Jew' as derogatory stereotypes and presenting Turks (or French/German/etc) and English theatrical characters as combatants, as they historically have been.
Unfortunately we live in a world where these stereotypes have become weapons used by scumbags like BNP and it does no harm to consider carefully before they are used - the oy vey response seems to me to underline this; a bit of closet racism if ever I heard it.
Having followed with interest the events in the north of Ireland over the last three decades I find the 'even the bible' bit a little rich.
Religion, christianity included (especially even), has been the cause of enough persecution, suffering and death down the centuries to be worthy of a long hard look before exposing a child's mind to its teachings.
In general, I feel censorship to be undesirable if it can possibly be avoided, but we have to make room for the fact that racial stereotypes are designed to be hurtful, discriminatory and, unchecked, can be lethal in certain circumstances.
It's easy to say they do no harm if they don't effect you or yours.
Jim Carroll