This isn't racist?

garinda · 09-03-2011, 22:42

On Facebook a new production at the Civic Arts Centre showed on my page. Having an interest in theatre, I thought I'd have a look.

As part of the International Woman's Week, something that's already divisive and separatist in my opinion, but that's for another thread, they have a production called Hurried Steps, the stories of eight women, as reported to Amnesty International.

shows

It states it's presented by the New Shoes Theatre in association with the Lancashire-wide Network for Ethnic Minority Women.

http://www.civicartscentre.co.uk/documents/HSCAC.pdf

Who are the Lancashire-wide Network for Ethnic Minority Women? Thought I. Seeing as they're part funded by the council tax payer, via Lancashire County Council.

Handily they have a website.

Lancashire Wide Network for Minority Ethnic Women

Which has a link to their latest newsletter.

http://www.lwnmew.org.uk/minority_et...n/issue_79.pdf

All kinds of lovely things. Coffee and cake mornings, boosting self confidence courses. Even a five week course on complementary therapies.

If you like the sound of it, might be worth signing up for one of their courses.

Only one problem.

All these things are only open to 'BME ladies'.

Meaning black, and minority ethnic women, exclusively.

This is just the sort of blindly ignorant liberalism that fuels peoples' support for extremist political groups.

If we are to have integration for all, then these divisive, publicly funded separatists organisations, need to be outlawed now.

We have laws that make racism a crime.

They are supposed to apply equally to everyone.

Apparently they don't.

At least in Lancashire.

garinda · 09-03-2011, 22:55

If there was a group which advertised themselves as being for 'whites only', quite rightly they'd be legally challenged. As the BNP recently were, about their membership policy, which is now open to everyone.

How (publicly funded) events can be advertisted as being only for 'BME (black, and mixed ethnic) ladies only', and still be legal, is beyond me.

To all the idiots who facilitate this kind of racist organisation to flourish, jolly well done.

Only one big problem...you're now fuelling, and perpetrating racism, in all sections of society.

Well done.

suedarbo · 09-03-2011, 23:03

Well I will second you on all that Garinda. I'd give you karma but it won't let me yet but I will do eventually. It makes my blood boil to be excluded from things because of my colour but if I did it I would be had up in the courts no doubt

garinda · 09-03-2011, 23:11

By the way, if anyone from The Lancashire Wide Network for Minority Ethnic Women is thinking of deleting, or amending their newsletter, I have a copy of what you published publicly. Which contains evidence of racism, and in my opinion should be brought to the attention of the legal system.

Neil · 10-03-2011, 00:10

Which bit is racist? Its definatelt sexist with several of the training sessions stating women only.

It is disapointing to see LCC and the Lottery funding this.

I think you should apply for the the advertised job.

suedarbo · 10-03-2011, 00:13

Is it not racist to say that only Black or ethnic minorities are allowed to attend?

Neil · 10-03-2011, 00:18

I did not see that bit sorry, where does it say it

Neil · 10-03-2011, 00:22

I like how the job description says "you will be open to equal opportunities", shame the organisation is not

Neil · 10-03-2011, 00:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

I did not see that bit sorry, where does it say it

Found it and yes I think it is wrong and should be illegal

suedarbo · 10-03-2011, 00:23

I think it was this bit but I'm not sure. I know I saw it somewhere

Aims and Objectives of the Network
Aim:

To facilitate, encourage, support and work both with and for women from minority ethnic communities in Lancashire to enable them to identify, access and participate in economic and social opportunities.

Objectives:

To share and exchange good practice between member organisations in order to facilitate and improve services for women - particularly health, education, training and employment areas.

To offer advice and consultancy to employers and service providers and to share good practice and to encourage and facilitate positive action.

To develop partnerships and organisational capacity in order to ensure a more coherent and effective approach in addressing the needs of minority ethnic women in employment and service delivery areas – e.g. childcare, flexible working patterns, discrimination, domestic violence, hate crime, community cohesion and cultural issues.

To provide training opportunities to improve personal and professional development.

To seek agency support and funding to achieve the above objectives for women both in the network and in the community.

suedarbo · 10-03-2011, 00:25

I saw it somewhere but am not sure if I copied the right bit. They must be hiding it well

suedarbo · 10-03-2011, 00:26

It is sexist too, you are right

Neil · 10-03-2011, 00:30

I dont believe in sexism either, well except for jokes but thats different

suedarbo · 10-03-2011, 00:34

I've got some cracking jokes, I will stick them in the over 18's section tomorrow.

There's me being ageist

Neil · 10-03-2011, 00:53

I was surprised that Big Lottery funded what many will see as sexist and/or racist schemes so I did a search on there website. Here are the projects I found that Big has funded for Hyndburn that are specifically for woman, Asian or BME groups.

I did not find any specifically for men, if someone else does please post them.

Sorry, links removed as they no longer work

I was surprised at the size of some of the awards, the biggest being £1/2 million and added up they come to £3.5 million