I am NOT coloured!
Came the annoyed response from the black lad in our class at school. We didn't give a feck that he was black, he was a mate, that was that. Skin colour hadn't even entered our minds. We were 15/16 at the time and a tree-hugging-yoghurt -knitter supply teacher was taking us for our ( compulsory ) R.E lesson.
Our usual teacher was a top bloke and had introduced us to the faiths of others in a; on reflection, superbly balanced way. Not this wombat. 'People of colour', 'ethnic peoples', 'aboriginal people'. Patronise patronise. Paul had enough. He had a little outburst which still makes me chuckle. I have to paraphrase here.
I am NOT coloured!, I AM A NIGGER!. HE IS A FUCKING HAIRBAG ( me ), HE IS A FUCKING SKINHEAD ( another mate ), SHE IS A FUCKING JEW. IT'S WHAT WE FUCKING ARE SO SHUT THE FUCK UP.
The first and only time I ever heard Paul swear. He was livid. Up until that point, there had been no differences, we just never thought much about it. Kids don't.
She stormed from the room and was replaced by the Deputy Headmaster; a fine, balanced man. He asked what happened and we explained. His response was a smile, a little chuckle, a 'good man' comment to Paul and we spent the next half hour discussing his favourite sport, rugby.
We aren't born racist pigs, we don't really notice. To this day, I find the PC insidiousness abhorrent, and that was the start for me.
( moonbadger Doesn't judge a fish by its ability to climb trees, Mon 25 Feb 2013, 12:58, 9 replies)

for some reason this reminds me of the "south park" episode
where there is all that fuss about the flag being racist and how ridiculous the PC brigade are.

but when it's revealed, it's in fact a picture of 10 white men hanging a black man.

however, the children don't see the colour difference and chef feels duly humbled.

it's lucky i don't write for "south park" as i've managed to ruin that in the telling...
( rachelswipe with a fork, Mon 25 Feb 2013, 13:02, closed)

Hairbag?

( monster munch person, man, woman... camera... TV?, Mon 25 Feb 2013, 13:08, closed)

NWOBHM
The Mod/Ska revival and Greasers. I was a greaser. Long hair, patchouli, METAL!
Apparently we were supposed to hate mods and vice-versa. Couldn't be arsed, I was equally happy with Madness+Motorhead. Still am.
( moonbadger Doesn't judge a fish by its ability to climb trees, Mon 25 Feb 2013, 13:19, closed)

I see.
Discrimination on the basis of haircut is the worst.
( monster munch person, man, woman... camera... TV?, Mon 25 Feb 2013, 13:51, closed)

Noo Romanticks
Or 'Flickheads' were the worst of the lot, with their flicky haircuts and eyeliner.
That really was the extent of racism/bigotry displayed until we were taught about it. The South Park flag episode referenced above is sadly being repeated. Young children care not about colour/race/religion/creed. To find what triggers bigotry, look toward elders.
I am a proud member of the EDL, no, not that lot, the English Disco League!, and I encourage all to join.
( moonbadger Doesn't judge a fish by its ability to climb trees, Mon 25 Feb 2013, 14:36, closed)

I hate disco,
and so will run you out of town with a pitchfork, should the need arise.
( monster munch person, man, woman... camera... TV?, Mon 25 Feb 2013, 14:42, closed)

We'll set the funk machine to stun
So funk you!
( moonbadger Doesn't judge a fish by its ability to climb trees, Mon 25 Feb 2013, 15:25, closed)

Get a haircut,
hippy.
( monster munch person, man, woman... camera... TV?, Mon 25 Feb 2013, 15:28, closed)

ps.
From that class of 30 pupils, 12 of us went to primary school together, so by the age of 15, we'd known each other for 10 years.
( moonbadger Doesn't judge a fish by its ability to climb trees, Mon 25 Feb 2013, 15:25, closed)