Quote:
Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington
I can't see how saying something that is true can be construed as prejudice.
Prejudice in my book, is when you have no personal experience of a situation, yet make derogatory comments about it.
OK, I agree that racist language does not make for the best discussion.
The bottom line is that many people do not like travellers living close to them because they know that they have a justifiably bad reputation.
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As you say Margaret, "Prejudice in my book, is when you have no personal experience of a situation, yet make derogatory comments about it" and it was that sort of prejudice that I was referring to. How many people on here actually experienced the bad part of those 2 cases? But even if you were on the receiving end, I'm just saying that you must respond in an adult to adult way, rather than a parent to child way like many do - eg "I'm not going to discuss this because you are wrong and I am right and no matter what you say I am right" sort of thing. Alternatively people sometimes react like children - eg "it's not fair, this is where I want to play and they've come and spoiled it. Daddy (council, police) go and give them a good hiding."
The adult way is to do as has been done in these 2 cases. If G Jones or Clare Pritchard had not got involved would anybody else have taken the same steps? As you say "many people do not like travellers living close to them because they know that they have a justifiably bad reputation" but how many would just complain, moan, whinge and use racist language, how many would have a go at the travellers and abuse them, and how many would take the course that was successful?