Before 2008 it seemed inconceivable that America would elect a President who is black, and has a name like Barack Hussein Obama. To some backward-looking people it is still inconceivable. But evidently most people have moved on from the prejudices of the past, and Obama was elected, twice, by good majorities. It's about time the UK moved on too. Chukka Umunna is a bit young to be going for leader this year, and the gutter press would be predictably savage with him. Maybe next time.
Its nothing to do with his name Its the fact that he's a smarmy, self interested, self promoting, self serving pratt that shows all the worst of modern politics. He's cameron, blair and miliband all rolled in one He has none of Obamas qualities at all
Loz, the word racist is thrown around in this country far too quickly these days, often in an attempt to shut down debate or scare people into submission. Just look at the Rotheram council case & others; where horrible crimes were covered up for fear of being labelled 'Racist' The original poster simply spoke about Chuka Umunna's name feeling strange for a British PM. Well it is different from Harold Wilson or John Major you'll have to admit. Did his sentance have a racist undertone? I don't know, because I don't know what he meant by it. Maybe, maybe not. The OED defines racism as - A belief that one’s own racial or ethnic group is superior, or that other such groups represent a threat to one's cultural identity, racial integrity, or economic well-being; (also) a belief that the members of different racial or ethnic groups possess specific characteristics, abilities, or qualities, which can be compared and evaluated. Hence: prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against people of other racial or ethnic groups (or, more widely, of other nationalities), esp. based on such beliefs. I don't see any of this in the original poster's sentance. Just my point of view.
..............after all..........The Human Rights Act guarantees Free Speech........ ..........does it ****.
I have to agree with you, here. Crimes that are overlooked for fear of the authorities appearing "racist" are still crimes and it is criminally negligent to overlook them. I don't believe there is anything malicious in the OP's statement. It does however betray an expectation on his part though that a British PM should have a traditional British name. However, the OP may have posted the same if a chap calling himself "Zaphod Beeblebrox" was a candidate for PM. No one would have thought the post he made had any racist undertone in that event - it's just a "funny-sounding" name. Only the OP knows whether he posted because the name Chuka Umunna sounded "funny" or sounded "foreign" to him. Perhaps he hadn't considered why he found the name odd, it's a matter for his own conscience. Indeed. My only interest in all this is that the OP, and anyone reading along, carefully consider their reaction to the idea that any individual's name sounds "funny", whether or not that individual intends to become the British PM.
I didn't 'attempt to paint it as racist'. Richard1200 mentioned the issue of racism himself in his own post and appeared to be genuinely looking for other people's opinions about his own statement. I gave my opinion, which you don't have to agree with of course, but interestingly the OP has indicated that he himself does agree, so I'm perfectly happy with the content and tone of my original response, thanks all the same...
arnt they all called zaphod? David zaphod Cameron edd zaphod milliband chuka zaphod ummuna. or the two faced beast of Westminster? same thing really.
Although the nutcase right of the US political system are currently comparing Obama to Adolf Hitler... Weird how the most left-wing president America has ever had is being compared to the most right-wing dictator Europe has ever had, by the American far right... Only in America...
PS: I just realised that by not quoting Richard's original post in full you might not have been aware of the entire context, and my comments might have seemed like I was gratuitously racing the racist flag, so if that's the case I apologise!
There is always the ghastly Mrs Balls. She should keep us safe from a Labour government for a term or two.
You can be proud of your country without being a bigot or a racist or a xenophobe as well but sadly there are a lot of people that seem to equate them.
Its not racist to say your preference is for a British born PM. The unusual name is neither here nor there, except there will be people who will not vote for a person with a name that is clearly not British. From the perspective of a political party they would probably think about that first. I realise that Chuka Umunna is British born.
its the same as saying I prefer mars bars to twix. Personally I don't care whether the next PM is called Mohammed or Alan, but there are plenty that would.
