RACISM

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Mum Linda Wood was branded a racist for telling a toddler not to put a dark-skinned doll in her mouth because it was dirty. PC busybodies were told what she said and reported her for racism because of the doll's colour. Linda was given an official warning, the head refused to see her and she was warned she could be banned from the premises. The incident happened as she waited with other mothers outside St Giles Church of England Primary School in Matlock, Derbyshire. She said, "All I wanted to do was stop the little girl getting germs into her mouth because the doll she had was dirty."

In the letter, headteacher the Rev Julie Stanton said, "It has been brought to my attention following a conversation with a number of parents that racist remarks were made by yourself with reference to a 'black' doll." The head refused to meet her and officials told Linda other schools in the county had been warned about her.b The Rev Mark Crowther-Alwyn, one of the governors, blasted education chiefs. He said, "The school have fired an Exocet missile which in my book is the last thing you do. I hoped the school would respond properly and not cower behind the walls." (Source: Sunday People, Nov/07)

Alton Towers fun park has announced it is to hold a 'Muslims-only' day. Up to 28,000 are expected when there will be no music, alcohol or gambling. Instead there will be prayer areas, Muslim stalls and all food served will be Halal. Non-Muslims phoning the Staffordshire park have been refused tickets. George Hughes, who rang up for 15 tickets for a friend's birthday, said, “Can you imagine all the fuss if there was a Christians-only day? What’s the world coming to when people are being banned from flying the St George’s flag yet this sort of day is allowed?"

Some Muslims have condemned the idea. One university student on a Muslim website forum said, “What next, an all Muslims shopping day out in the Trafford Centre in Manchester?” Abid Hussan of Islamic Leisure insisted the day was open to all faiths, although Islamic laws would apply, and said, "We’re trying to get Muslims to go to this day because they wouldn’t normally go somewhere like Alton Towers. We’re trying to integrate Muslims into the wider community. People can come down and see the way we live. It will be a peaceful family environment.” (Source: The Sun, Jul/06)

Pub landlady Angie Sayer was questioned by police after using a Welsh flag as target practice during a St George’s Day archery competition. Angie was accused of anti-Welsh racism after the celebrations at the New Inn in Wedmore, Somerset. Officers arrived to question her a week later on the ground of “inciting racial hatred”. She said there was no significance to the Welsh dragon; it was the only dragon that she had. Locals in fancy dress used home-made bows and arrows to “slay the dragon”, which was pinned to an archery target. The two officers who interviewed her for almost two hours said that she was being investigated for inciting racial hatred. Avon and Somerset police confirmed that an incident had been reported but that a formal complaint had yet to be made. (Source: Times Online, Jun/06)

How can Sikhs declare that they want the freedom to follow their religion by declaring that they want to carry their swords in all public places? I find this so deeply offensive to my moral and Christian upbringing that it has left me incensed by its attack on all western democratic culture. Were my sons to be stopped and be carrying a knife, then they would be immediately arrested.

This is an attempt to push through minority views and flout our laws. If it is wrong for me or my family to enter a passport office, an immigration centre or to travel by air carrying a knife, then it is wrong for Sikhs. No-one is above the law. There cannot be one law for a western democracy and another for minority cultures. B. Longworth

The Kirpan is a ceremonial sword and NOT a knife. To suggest that it is a `knife', or a `weapon' or merely a cultural symbol is both misleading and offensive to Sikhs. The kirpan can be traced back to the lifetime of the sixth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Hargobind Ji (1595-1644) and was made one of the 5K's in 1699 by Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji meaning that it is mandatory to be worn by baptised Sikhs.

Legally, there MUST be freedom of religion as this is an essential part of the Sikh Religion and recognised by the Governments and currently under the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (section 139) and Criminal Justice 1996 (section 3 and 4) allows anyone to carry a blade exceeding the length of 3 inches for religious, cultural or work related reasons. The Criminal Justice Act and the 2003 Religious Discrimination Act safeguards the Sikhs to carry the Kirpan. Gurjeet Singh

The Kirpan is not and has never been known as a knife. The Kirpan is one of five sacred articles of faith for Sikhs. It is compulsory for all baptised Sikhs to wear the five Ks at all times. It is truly hurtful that still there is a level of ignorance and lack of understanding towards the Sikh religion. Sikhs are the most identifiable of all major world religions, and this is due to the articles of faith, namely Kesh (unshorn hair) tied in a turban, Kara worn on the wrist, Kirpan (small ceremonial sword), Kachera (special shorts) and Kanga (comb).

These five Ks cannot and should not be compared to any other religious items that may be worn, as they are not optional, unlike a crucifix. English law permits Sikhs to practise their religion with full freedom, like other religions in this country. This is what makes Britain a strong and equal democracy, not discriminating against different religions and placing restrictions on them, as we are seeing in France. So, wearing the Kirpan is not breaking the law. In fact stopping Sikhs from wearing it is.

It should also be noted that there has never in history been any case where a Sikh has been accused or even suspected of misusing a Kirpan. I would also like to highlight that Sikhs, who served under the British in both World Wars, fought bravely upholding and practising their religious beliefs and wearing all the five Ks. Christians should try to respect the Sikh religion and other faiths. Jaswinder Singh

How many non-Christian countries are as tolerant to Christians as Britain is to other faiths?

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council offered free driving lessons, funded by taxpayers, to young Asian men. The classes were designed to cut accidents by teaching road safety but critics accused the organisers of racism and sexism because they were not available to girls or white residents. The council claimed it was planning to extend the scheme.

The project is to be expanded from the predominantly Asian area of Bastwell in Blackburn, where it started, into two mostly white wards. The Kick Start Safe Driving Project, created by the Blackburn with Darwen Primary Care Trust, is funded by cash from the Government's Neighbourhood Road Safety Initiative. It includes classes on wearing seatbelts, the dangers of driving after drinking or taking drugs.

The trust said the scheme was offered in Bastwell because it had the highest number of young-driver casualties between 2000 and 2004. Jennifer Butterworth, the trust's acting director of corporate development, said, "Research shows that people in deprived areas are five times more likely to be injured in a road accident than others in affluent areas. It also shows that young Asian men are three times more likely to be injured in an accident than others in affluent areas."

The council denied it had deliberately focused the initial scheme on Asians, and insisted the decision to extend it was not a result of the criticism. Council leader Kate Hollern said, "Areas were chosen according to levels of accidents, not on race grounds, and young men and women are able to attend regardless of race." It isn't the public who are creating racial tensions it' PC Jobsworths who decide that they should exclude everybody who is not of an ethnic minority. (Source: Mail on Sunday, Aug/06)

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