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Is It Racist To Be Called Frank?

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anotheoldgit | 13:46 Wed 25th Sep 2013 | News
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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2431562/Black-commander-called-Frank-Bruno-West-Midlands-firefighters-passed-promotion.html

Seems to me this chap is using the race card when it is not at all called for. being the highest-ranked black officer in the West Midlands Fire Service, can't be all bad, can it?


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mikey4444

" DUNDERHEADS "?

First "KNUCKLE-DRAGGERS" and now "DUNDERHEADS"

You know where your it got you last time, I wonder how long it will be this time before you are forced to apologise once again?
-- answer removed --
AOG it is evident from his wife's summing up that his being called Frank is an incidental detail. But the Daily Mail want to have it as the essence of the case. Well, that's predictable, just as it's predictable for you to seize on it. It's one of the Daily Mail's journalistic ways, and not a particularly good one, but it obviously works
aog...don't be daft...go and have a lie down !
Question Author
FredPuli43

//// He's been the highest-ranked black officer, eh, AOG? So what has he got to complain about? LOL ///

Another 'spec-savers' moment, or is it the rose-tnted specs that are the problem, read what I actually put, not what you would have liked me to have put.

*** being the highest-ranked black officer in the West Midlands Fire Service, can't be all bad, can it? ***
AOG, how does what I put differ in any material way from your actual quote. The meaning is the same.
Question Author
mikey4444

/// aog...don't be daft...go and have a lie down ///

Obviously you have a vocabulary problem, is that the reason why you can only enter abuse?
I will take no lessons from you when it comes to using abuse...it is your stock in trade after all.

You will feel much better after half an hour on the sofa !
Question Author
FredPuli43

/// AOG it is evident from his wife's summing up that his being called Frank is an incidental detail. But the Daily Mail want to have it as the essence of the case. Well, that's predictable, just as it's predictable for you to seize on it. It's one of the Daily Mail's journalistic ways, and not a particularly good one, but it obviously works ///

Didn't the Daily Mail also use in their headline:

*** and passed over for promotion for seven years ***

Was this also an incidental detail, or do you think the Daily Mail should have put all the points of his case in a single headline?

*** Mrs Simpson added: 'In conclusion, it is submitted that Mr Simpson has experienced racial discrimination, victimisation and harassment in the form of a constant shifting of the goalposts by the respondents. ***

*** 'They have sought to block his progression beyond that of station commander, demean, subjugate and belittle him, ignoring him when he raises serious concerns and then adding insult to injury by claiming it is all in his head and sending him for a mental health assessment.' ***

You do seem to have a difficulty in understanding certain things.

"I will take no lessons from you when it comes to using abuse"

youre good enough without lessons on abuse, you seem to get away with it an awful lot on this board.

you love calling people names like facist etc, the irony is thats exactly what you are....anybody who doesnt hold your naive little view on life gets all sorts thrown at them
you are truly pathetic
Is it racist to be called Frank?

Clearly not, but that appears to be a very small element of the story.

As I understand it, virtually every firefighter anywhere in the country is given a nickname - it is all part of the camaradarie and bonding that is an integral part of the job they do.

Had the gentleman taken issue with his nickname, i am sure he was not so much of a shrinking violet that he could not expressed his displeasure.

As to whether or not there was actual discrimination regarding his promotion, or lack thereof, that remains to be seen.

It does appear that there is an element of button-pushing of the readership by the Mail's sub-editor.
AOG

You asked whether it is racist to be called 'Frank'.

No.

However, that's not the crux of the story. Or do you think it is?
AOG

Let me expand a little...

It's not racist to call someone Frank.

It's a little childish to call a black man Frank, simply because he's black and Frank Bruno is black.

If he was the spitting image of Frank Bruno, it would be understandable - but I've looked Mr Simpson, and I can't see it.

I would like to challenge you on your assumption that Commander Simpson is using the race card.

Why do you say that?

What is your experience of the career path in the fire service?

I have to put the question like that, because unless you have some in depth knowledge of Commander Simpson's case, then it's quite unclear why you think that this man is playing the race card.

What have you based that on?

Apart from the very meagre details published in the Daily Mail...
Also AOG, he may be the highest ranking black officer, but (and I don't pretend to know the Fire Service grades), that doesn't in itself, mean anything.

Think about it...
bazwillrun

In answer to your question posted at 15:17...I'm afraid that the rules of AB don't allow me to supply you with the word which summarises those who automatically assume that black people are simply playing the race card whenever they have a complaint (without even checking whether the complaint is legitimate).

...but I like to call them 'clarksons'.

Capiche?
He looks nothing like frank Bruno imo
gina32

I suppose it's all very subjective, but I can't see it either.

This is what the Daily Mail has done to meet the requirements of their...ahem...'undemanding readership'.

They have taken one detail from the claim, and they have reported the story as it is central to the claim of racial discrimination.

The Daily Mail readership (and unfortunately AOG) have taken the 'Frank' part of the story, and lead with it...even though, the summary of the claim doesn't mention it.

Isn't this what they call 'spin'?
It's more valid that he believes he was passed over for promotion for 7 years. That is what needs looking at and may or may not be true. Nicknames are not uncommon in the workplace and although I can see a resemblance, I don't see that being black or it being noticed, is actually racist, or an insult.
AOG, I'll let others decide whether I understand things. The Daily Mail picked out and prioritised the 'Frank' reference in its headline.

Now, what was your point in saying "can't be all bad , can it?" after saying that this man was the highest-ranked black officer in the West Midlands Fire Service? The innuendo may be that you think that he's done well for a black man.

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