A Poor Role Model For Black Folk?

[eyethenkyew]

The Tory peer Lord Taylor, it has just been announced, has been found guilty of false accounting, i.e. "fiddling expenses".

As one of the very few black peers, what kind of message does this send out to the black community who, we are often told, need positive role models?

[naomi24]

ETY, I agree. Nothing that ought to be addressed should be swept under the carpet, but I really can't see what difference his skin colour makes. Crooks come in every flavour.

[eyethenkyew]

naomi,

C'mon, get into the real world. In an ideal, utopian world, a person's skin colour, ethnicity etc, ought never to come into the equation, but I live in a world where, sadly, there is far too much made of it.

My topic merely reflects something which is pertinent, i.e. continual calls for positive role models for black communities. This gentleman has damaged that cause.

[sandyRoe]

Eyethenkyew, do you look to the lords for your role models? Why should ordinary people, of whatever skin colour, see them as role models?

[Ankou]

given that there is so little visible representation of black people in british life, it is unlikely that lord taylor is a role model, and even if he is this is unlikley to get black brtons in too much of a bother.

i would guess they are far more likley to be looking to sports personalities/tv presenters or business men like damon buffini and tidjane thiam than at any politician/would-be crook.

[naomi24]

I think continually highlighting the need for positive role models does black people no favours at all. It seems to me there are plenty of positive role models - but the poor ones get more publicity.

[jackthehat]

<<C'mon, get into the real world. In an ideal, utopian world, a person's skin colour, ethnicity etc, ought never to come into the equation, but I live in a world where, sadly, there is far too much made of it. >>

Often by people on this site, ETY....

[eyethenkyew]

Looks like I was wrong, according to some, to put Lord Taylor forward as a role model for black people?

In which case, Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, vice chair of the Tory Party, was also similarly misguided only a few days ago when she was on telly requesting more black role models for ethnic communities?

Some on here clearly believe that reaching the giddy heights of the Lords is something which blacks + ethnics should only dream about, as opposed to aspiring to, which Baroness Warsi and Lord Taylor have achieved?

What negative attitudes by people on this thread.

[naomi24]

^^Exactly.

[naomi24]

Cross-posted. That was in agreement with Jack.

[eyethenkyew]

Sorry, jack, can you back up the racist jibe you aimed at me at 17:25, please? Example(s), please?

[bazwillrun]

It proves that just because you are given a peerage, to try and fulfil some P.C. ethnic quota you still arent above the law.

hes a thief simple as, he knowingly stole money

[jackthehat]

I was pointing out that skin colour seems to matter to a lot of people who post in the News section........not pointing fingers at individuals.

But perhaps you feel that particular cap fits you, ETY ?...........

[eyethenkyew]

Thank you, Jack, you cannot provide any examples where I posted racist remarks. There is one simple reason for that: I never have, therefore please keep your innuendo for those who deserve it. I've seen people banned for less.

[naomi24]

ETY, I didn't read anything racist in Jack's post. In fact I agreed with it. I seriously think that people who continually highlight the need for positive black role models, however well-intentioned they may be, are actually belittling and patronising black people - and hence undermining them. If I were black I'd be furious!

[eyethenkyew]

naomi,

Yep, so would I, but that's what happens, and it's usually other black people who are coming out with it from what I've seen and heard.

[sandyRoe]

Isn't the phrase, 'Black folk', a bit racist?

[jackthehat]

I refer you back to the answer I gave at 20.25.........

[naomi24]

ETY, //it's usually other black people who are coming out with it from what I've seen and heard. //

Not this time.

Sandy, I can't see why it's racist. 'Black folk' as ETY puts it are black. It's a fact of life.

[sp1814]

eyethenkyew

I am fairly sure that to you that very few young people, black or white had even heard of Lord Taylor prior to this story.

You can test this out for yourself...if you have young relatives, ask them, "Who are your role models?"

They may come back with the following:

Dappy
David Beckham
Cheryl Cole
Saoirse Ronan
Will.I.Am
Daniel Radcliffe

I doubt very much that many people would add Lord Taylor to the list. It's almost as weird as having a junior member of your family putting up posters of Chris Patten on his bedroom wall.

[sp1814]

eyethenkyew

With regards to black role models, I heard something on a discussion programme shortly after Barack Obama was elected which it quite pertinent, and something I'd never considered before.

The woman talking (can't remember her name) said that whilst she was happy that Obama had won the election, she inwardly groaned, because she suspected that if he failed as a President, there would be a number of people who'd view him as a failed black President, rather than a failed Democrat.

I believe what she meant is that the shouldered responsibility of successful black people (as opposed to the somewhat prosaic 'black folk') is greater than their white