Are we to accept blatant racism on AB?

[acw]

I refer not to the interesting (if a little heated) debates in news today, but to this thread. 

I'm not Muslim myself, but I am still hugely offended by what's been said. 

There's no racism option when it comes to reporting posts, or questions - so I plumped for "abusive".

I realise everyone's entitled to a view on here.  But where is the line?

Ed - I look forward to hearing your views in a nice little pink box! 

[jno]

btw... 10ClarionSt posted a thread last night saying the reason he distrusted Muslims was that his daughter was sexually assaulted by an Asian taxi driver. You have to sympathise with him, though I felt he was drawing entirely the wrong conclusions - the risk comes from unlicensed taxi drivers, not from Asians. The thread's been removed (I assume because he framed it as criticism of you acw, which I feel was a mistake); but it did help to explain why people think the way they do. (And my apologies if I've assumed 10ClarionSt wrongly to be male.)

[manilow]

mystress - there is a posting from 10clarionstreet on chatterbank last evening which does to a point explain his views.

[georgit79]

I reported that thread to have it removed though, because it was very abusive towards acw.

[acw]

I did see the thread and was upset by it - thanks for the info and the comments.  As you all know where the thread is, if you pop back and take a peak you'll see that i've posted recently.  I refer to the thread where the comments appeared as an answer, before the user reposted it in a more noticeble place (i.e., as a question). 

For the record, I too reported it, but I was happy for the post to remain, if the abuse aimed at me was edited out. 

I was genuinely interested to hear the background to 10ClarionSt's views and it's something I wish we'd known about earlier.  At risk of further abuse, I think it's sad that that user has reached the conclusions (s)he has about Asians on the basis of one (admittedly horrendous) incident.  However, I don't personally know anyone who's been sexually assaulted and perhaps if it happened to a friend of mine I'd be so angry that I too would develop opinions that to others might appear utterly irrational. 

If ABE reads this, I ask him/her to consider replacing the posts, but preferably in an edited version.  I think it's only fair that 10ClarionSt gets to tell the story. 

I realise that nothing I say will stop him/her hating me, and I know that many others share 10ClarionSt's views of me.  On the limited number of posts used as an example, they are probably right to do so. 

ctd...

[acw]

...

I would, however, like to reiterate that I have also made many positive and helpful contirubtions to literally hundreds of other threads.  I am working to make more measured and respectful responses, and I am certainly steering clear of all race based debates at the moment, whilst things remain so heated.  I know I won't change people's minds about me, but I'm honestly trying to be a more responsible poster. 

To those who have the patience to see through my crossness and rudeness, and find the quality in my answers, and especially to those who have voiced this, I really do thank you very much for your recent kindness. 
acw

[manilow]

Well said acw -  I thought you should see his posting (not cos of the insults to you - but his reasons for racism).  As I pointed out, the man was evil not because he was asian but because of himself.  I'm glad you've had the chance to reply.

[manilow]

I would like to clarify that by "him" being evil I do not mean 10ClarionStreet.

[mfewell]

acw, please don't boycott subjects for fear of upsetting people, it's part of life, and nobody, but nobody hates you ! Also please don't be tempted to alter the content of your answers to what you think people want to read and thus increase your 'popularity' because then you would have stopped being you. I have always enjoyed your posts, I often get a delightful mental picture of you at the keyboard and it lightens my day. I had already envisaged you as elfin :-)

Keep posting all over the place.

[ludwig]

Why is criticism of muslims considered racist? It's a religion. Christians get ridiculed and sl4gged off all the time on here and no-one bats a virtual eyelid. I'm not christian or muslim by the way.

[MargeB]

Bloody composers, get right up my nose they do :-))

[misundrstood]

its only offensive if it offends i live next door to people who are muslims the man works hard and the woman does the same as a married woman who is white and lives in this country yes she shouts at her child but only to reprimand her yes she shouts but only in arguements with her hubby i can tell you more but dont be hitting on me with coulors i got polish on the other side they are white and far more trouble than the indians on my left