BS: Extreme prejudice and friends

Subject: RE: BS: Extreme prejudice and friends
From: English Jon
Date: 15 Jun 01 - 05:57 AM

They still try old nazis for war crimes.

Sorry, but I had to say it.

EJ

Subject: RE: BS: Extreme prejudice and friends
From: Patrish(inactive)
Date: 15 Jun 01 - 05:47 AM

Lyndi, these people are average age of about 70 - a different generation. I was always brought up to be polite and respect your elders - I think this is why we all got on so well.
One of them is quite elderly and seemingly very intelligent, I wonder if I spoke to him about how uncomfortable his views are for me, that he would understand. But then after yesterday he surely knows already.
I am not good at confrontations, but perhaps I am about to learn
Patrish

Subject: RE: BS: Extreme prejudice and friends
From: Brian Hoskin
Date: 15 Jun 01 - 05:36 AM

I have to say I'm with Jon on this, you can't choose your family, but you can choose your friends and with friends like that . . .We're clearly not just talking about minor differences of opinion here, people who support the BNP are fundamentally nasty individuals and you'd be better off away from them.

This is not a pleasant or easy situation to be in and we'll all be behind you however you resolve this.

Best wishes, Brian

Subject: RE: BS: Extreme prejudice and friends
From: English Jon
Date: 15 Jun 01 - 05:27 AM

I hate to have to say this, but F*** 'em. You do not need Nazis in your life. If I were you I would steer well clear. They may be very nice in many other respects, but this kind of attitude is going to make you feel very uncomfortable to say the least.

The BNP are not very nice people.

Also PM offer if needed.

Cheers,

Jon Loomes

Subject: RE: BS: Extreme prejudice and friends
From: Lyndi-loo
Date: 15 Jun 01 - 05:26 AM

A Difficult one. My father-in-law (now deceased) was a racist and a bigot and no amount of reasoned argument, quiet discussion or downright quarrelling could make him change his views. Maybe it was because he was from a previous generation when Britain still had colonies. Thankfully his son sees things differently! I'm afraid I can't really offer any constructive advice, but it would be a pity to lose an otherwise good friendship because of a difference of opinion. Peopple do have differing views on all sorts of things from abortion, religion, death penalty and so on. Racism is just another opinion, albeit (in our view) a wrong one

Subject: RE: BS: Extreme prejudice and friends
From: Patrish(inactive)
Date: 15 Jun 01 - 05:20 AM

They are regulars at my local pub, I have known them for years - they did not voice there opinions till yesterday. They started off by talking about immigration and finished off by more or less saying we should bring back the empire! There comments on asians was send them back. They vote BNP!
I think trying to change there ideas is not possible, although I did try.
Thanks for all the PM offers, I am having lunch in the local in about an hour and a half, they are bound to be in there, I think I will just see what happens, I might bring my brazilian friend in (very dark skin and the biggest smile you ever saw!)
Let you know what happens
Patrish xx

Subject: RE: BS: Extreme prejudice and friends
From: English Jon
Date: 15 Jun 01 - 05:06 AM

It kind of depends what you mean by "racist" - do they just make rude jokes about foreigners, are are they KKK horsewhipping burning-paper-bag-with-a-turd-in-it-through-the-letterbox style gun-toting loonies?

either way, their prejudices will be based on ignorance - if you can make them see that racial stereotypes aren't actually true, maybe you can save the friendships. Personally I think I'd run quite fast.

Best of luck, and try not to let it get you down. Sympathies,

English Jon

Subject: RE: BS: Extreme prejudice and friends
From: mooman
Date: 15 Jun 01 - 05:00 AM

Same goes for me or Lady McMoo Patrish, just PM us if you need to chat. We've encountered similar problems over the years and as Carol says it's sometimes not easy.

mooman

Subject: RE: BS: Extreme prejudice and friends
From: CarolC
Date: 15 Jun 01 - 04:57 AM

I had a similar experience not too long ago. It was very unpleasant and didn't end well at all. I don't think there is any good way to handle things like that except to follow your conscience and hope for the best.

Good luck with it, and PM me if you want to talk about it privately.

Carol

Subject: Extreme prejudice and friends
From: Patrish(inactive)
Date: 15 Jun 01 - 04:46 AM

I am looking for some advice, so where better to ask.
I have found out recently that some of my friends are infact racist. I tried to put a different point of view, but was so shocked that I made a crap job of it. I then made an excuse and left. I am not quite sure what I do next when I see them. I am not comfortable with having friends like that. Do just mark it up to experience and avoid them - which then means I have to change almost all of my social life(such as it is)I would be interested to know your thoughts on this.

PS These friends have nothing to do with mudcat