Reply To: No surprises

[Bucksiron]

Of course age isn’t an excuse for racism, Siderite, and I’m not for one moment saying it is. The point is that older people — and 83 most definitely falls into that bracket — come out with all sorts of stuff, which can very easily be misinterpreted, and anyone whose spent time with older people will be very aware of this.

Ngozi Fulani is obviously as British as anyone, just as black Brits are as British as anyone. But was Hussey questioning that? It seems doubtful given that Ngozi Fulani would surely have said so; and as far as I’m aware she hasn’t, but maybe I’ve missed it. There’s nothing remotely wrong with asking people about their background and family heritage and Deerey’s comment about my asking the black people I know is just plain daft. What does it matter how many people I’ve asked? The point is that not a single person I have ever asked has ever taken offence and why should they? I ask white people just as much as black people because it’s interesting to know — the people I’ve met have always appreciated that I’m interested in them and the idea it’s somehow racist is absurd.

As for “blaming black people for inviting racism on themselves being low”, that is just ridiculous. It doesn’t matter what colour someone is, black, white, orange or purple, there’s good and bad everywhere. The idea that Ngozi Fulani is perfect because she’s black is as nonsensical as claiming that someone is bad because they’re white.

Ultimately, context is everything. Yes, Hussey was wrong but a lot of people are questioning Ngozi Fulani’s motive for saying what she has and whether she is looking to exploit the situation; and just because she’s black doesn’t mean that’s impossible. The truth is that we just don’t know. My understanding is that Hussey has asked to meet Ngozi Fulani to apologise to her in person, which is exactly the right thing to do.