But you are saying that people should accept it, as it's the law.

Kayal's Pal: The Galloping, Greek, God, Georgios! (U13244)

No I didn't.

I'm saying you should accept that you cannot voice a racially prejudiced opinion, because it's the law.

Winston - there is no way of knowing... so you are to assume the worst? That doesn't seem like the most sensible suggestion... what happened to innocent until proven guilty?

Is there any way of knowing whether or not someone is genuinely prejudiced against tall people/small people/ ginger people/ fat people?

So Russians should accept anti-gay legislation because it's the law?

Which law says you can't say something racially prejudiced?

You aren't allowed to incite violence, but that is something else.

Kayal's Pal: The Galloping, Greek, God, Georgios! (U13244)

We're discussing your right to voice an opinion.

As I understand it, voicing an opinion that being openly gay should be allowed is not illegal?

Is there any way of knowing whether or not someone is genuinely prejudiced against tall people/small people/ ginger people/ fat people?

------------

These 'genuine prejudices' are pretty rare in my highly limited experience of the world. Never seen a debate about 'anti tall person hate crimes', probably because we haven't needed one.

Fat/ginger is a bit more of an issue.

We are going to witness the greatest World Cup ever next summer in Brazil. Followed by a racist tragedy in Russia and then in Qatar one that will ruin the football season for every club in Europe.

Incidentally...

Is the WC held over the WHOLE of Russia, and does that not throw up similar problems to Platini's 'Euros for Europe' idiocy?

MrMortimer (U8234)

I'm sure you can work out what law you might be charged with, if you stood up in public and started saying that black people should have less rights than white people, you'd be arrested.

Are you intent on arguing anything?

comment by Kayal's Pal: The Galloping, Greek, God, ... (U13244)
posted 15 minutes ago
Just because it's the law, does that automatically make it the right decision?
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you may not agree with it but its the law in that country. we expect people here to respect our laws

As I understand it, voicing an opinion that being openly gay should be allowed is not illegal?
---------------------------------
Have you watched any of the protests? How can someone voice an opinion when they are targeted and assaulted by authorities?

comment by Winston (U16525)
posted 1 minute ago
MrMortimer (U8234)

I'm sure you can work out what law you might be charged with, if you stood up in public and started saying that black people should have less rights than white people, you'd be arrested.

Are you intent on arguing anything?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Inciting racial hatred. No?

I read that wrong, ignore me

MrMortimer (U8234)

It's not about assuming the worst.

It's about tying it in with racism.

What other choice do you have? Please do tell me what your suggestion would be.

Assume that people making monkey gestures are just having a bit of banter?

Ad-nan

Respect is earned. If a law is unworthy of respect it should not be respected.

Kayal's Pal: The Galloping, Greek, God, Georgios! (U13244)

Slight difference to protesting.

But seeing as you're taking this line of argument, are you now saying people should be able to express openly racist views, without fear of recourse?

What exactly is your point, apart from trying to defend your pedantic criticism of my earlier opinion?

Again trying to get back to the original point of the article.

Look at Russia'a football culture.

Lot of hate, violence and extremism there, like we used to have. We were banned from European competition, they are hosting a WC.

comment by Kayal's Pal: The Galloping, Greek, God, ... (U13244)
posted 1 minute ago
Ad-nan

Respect is earned. If a law is unworthy of respect it should not be respected.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

why is it unworthy? is it because you disagree with it?

Winston - go to speaker's corner you will hear people say exactly that!

Yes you can be arrested for incitement, but equally you can state a belief that one race is superior to another without being arrested.

MrMortimer (U8234)

haha - I've been there, and I know what you mean!

But just because police choose not to enforce certain laws in certain situations does not mean it's within the law.

I imagine in Russia if you expressed that it was okay to be openly gay in front of the wrong official, there would be serious consequences. I also imagine if you were openly racist in the presence of the wrong UK politicians, there would be no consequences.

Once again you have missed the point completely. Nobody said it's okay to be racist, but you seem to want to make out that everyone disagreeing with you is. I'm saying it's hypocritical to have a "right" and then exclude certain views from said right. If everyone is entitled to an opinion, as you claim, then that means racists too.

Winston - it is about assuming the worst - you have said exactly that. It is worse because you can't tell if there is any genuine racism behind it. Why not assume the worst with all forms of abuse then?

My suggestion would be to campaign against all forms of abuse - (that would end the entrenchment of race as something where reason and rationality is abandoned and ignorance rules) and promote a more positive atmosphere for all.
I think the best anti-racism campaign you could ever have though would just be encouraging players to travel more. Competition in football means teams can't afford to be racist, they will buy the best players regardless of the colour of their skin - and fans are tribal, they will support a black player playing for their team and doing a good job.

It may take a while but it will be far more effective if people embrace change themselves, rather than have our views imposed on them with threats of punishment.

Winston - I think the law is against incitement, I don't think there is a law that says you can't say something to the effect of one race being superior.

There are laws against causing offence, so it could come under that I suppose but then again so could calling someone fat.

why is it unworthy? is it because you disagree with it?
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Are we talking about the anti-gay law? Yes, I disagree. Therefore, it is unworthy of my respect.

Anti-racism laws I respect, obviously, but I don't think they are a solution to the problem.