Chuka Umunna - What Happened ?

Nigel and Margaret are good names :Smuggrin:

 

Surely then it can't be said to be 'neither here nor there'?

 

US Presidents have to be US born, is that racist ?

The issue here seems to be can someone who is British have a "foreign" sounding name, and the answer is obviously yes. There may be some who mourn the passing of a bygone age where life was simpler but we have moved on, get used to it.

Chuka does make me wince though. Notice that the reason given, "he is not comfortable in the media spotlight", is exactly the kind of reason that can be ditched at some point in the future with no criticism. As Frank Underwood would say, "timing is everything"

 

His dad's Nigerian. Nuff said.

 

I have absolutely no problem with anyone saying they are uncomfortable with him for reasons such as yours, these are based on his actions and statements and are entirely legitimate reasons to admire or despise him and any grade between the two. Where I have a real problem is someone seeming to object to him based on his name, skin colour, country of birth of his father or any other similar bigotry reasons

 

A 'real' problem. Really? You must have a much easier life than me.

 

So not liking someones name is now also taboo? We take many things at face value and make snap decisions. I would no sooner like to have a Chinny Chana Mahamaad as PM as I would like a Sebastian or a Tarquin.

And I reckon the OP would be the same if the fella was so white anglo saxon he was first mates with Nick Griffin.

 

It could be worse. You could be called a "tristram hunt ".

 

I have read this thread with increasing concern, and just to be clear, are some people on this forum stating that the following statement is acceptable:

Anyone with a name that is not traditionally British should not hold a position of importance within politics in this country irrespective of their country of birth.

I sincerely hope that is not the case but fear I may be wrong. I will not be adding any bastard stupid smiley faces to this post to lighten its tone!

 

Unless I've read it wrong I don't think anyone here has expressed personal prejudice in the way you describe, but some have speculated whether others might make that judgement and therefore whether Umuna's name might be an electoral disadvantage.

 

Yawn....

 

No using your teeth, you. I don't want to feel teeth.

 

Ok. What about a jolly good gumming?

 

We have a frog (picture) and loz not exactly answering the question - FFS, yawn, one assumes your bored, so go to bed and don't bother us/me with your great informed opinion.

Anyone else wants to justify their previous comments?

 

You're right, I was bored.

 

No one has said that statement is acceptable. Have you actually read the thread?

 

Really? If there's anything worse than people throwing the 'racist' tag around in an attempt to win an argument, it's false outrage. Here's a 'bastard stupid smiley face' just for you petal

 

Can I not choose to vote for someone with an English name then or its racism? Last time I heard, David was Welsh...

 

People are free to be racist.
It's certain kinds of expression of racism that the law frowns upon. Voting, or not voting, for someone based upon what their name is, is allowed, as far as I know. Stating publicly that they are doing so is also legal, as far as I am aware.

Of particular concern to me personally is people acting upon racist impulses without understanding that this is what they are doing. I would prefer that if people are racist, they understand that this is what they are. I am asking for self-awareness in this regard.

Is this too much to ask?