racist??

[lauralovestodig]

While on a visit to HMS collingwood, during a lecture, we were told by a
Lt Commander that... and i quote

'muslim people will never join the Navy because all they have been raised to do is work in shops and have lots of children'

racism?

amongst a group of potential warfare officers i was the only one who took offence

 

[Passed-over_Loggie]

No.

 

[stumpy]

Such a comment is totally unacceptable, as well as being untrue.

 

[lauralovestodig]

more concerning that the potential officers, many of which had already passed thier AIB, leaped to his defence when i dared to suggest he was wrong to voice this opinion... or more importantly to think this.
i did notice he did a quick scan of the room to see who his audience was before becoming so outspoken!

 

[higthepig]

He must have been in all week and hasnt met a serving muslim, is there not a supply Admiral? I may be wrong.He`s out of order anyway.

 

[dondon]

more concerning that the potential officers, many of which had already passed thier AIB, leaped to his defence when i dared to suggest he was wrong to voice this opinion... or more importantly to think this.
i did notice he did a quick scan of the room to see who his audience was before becoming so outspoken!

Well you do have to be carefull, sorry ,

 

[Greenie]

more concerning that the potential officers, many of which had already passed thier AIB, leaped to his defence when i dared to suggest he was wrong to voice this opinion... or more importantly to think this.
i did notice he did a quick scan of the room to see who his audience was before becoming so outspoken!

The two and a half was probably fishing ---------- and you took the bait. :lol: :lol: and obviously swallowed the hook .

 

[lauralovestodig]

rather have taken the bait than not stood up for what i believe in... just because i want to be an officer should i sell my soul to kiss up to Lt ass?

 

[angrydoc]

Not a terribly bright comment to make, especially in current climate. However, I doubt if it was meant in anything but jest. Even Lt Cdrs have a Jack sense of humour...

 

[Always_a_Civvy]

The statement is clearly bigoted in the way the speaker stereotypes those who have chosen the Muslim lifestyle. It is not racist however. Islam is not a racial identity but a lifestyle choice, like Christianity or Marxism.

 

[Passed-over_Loggie]

Greenie is right; he was probably provoking reaction and debate. The presentation was clearly extreme but was there a partial truth there? We know that Muslims are underrepresented in the Forces proportional to their share of our population. Do they have a cultural aversion to serving under our flag? It can't be an version to military service, otherwise the Pakistani and Bangladeshi Navy, Army and Air Forces would be a fraction of their actual size.

If the 2 and a half was stereotyping, then certainly DG Log (Fleet) doesn't match it. Anybody who has attended a meeting with him will know what I mean. A very sharp man and just what we need.

If nothing else, the Lt Cdr probably drew out the thin skinned and black and white thinkers.

 

[Always_a_Civvy]

Greenie is right; he was probably provoking reaction and debate. The presentation was clearly extreme but was there a partial truth there? We know that Muslims are underrepresented in the Forces proportional to their share of our population. Do they have a cultural aversion to serving under our flag? It can't be an version to military service, otherwise the Pakistani and Bangladeshi Navy, Army and Air Forces would be a fraction of their actual size.

If the 2 and a half was stereotyping, then certainly DG Log (Fleet) doesn't match it. Anybody who has attended a meeting with him will know what I mean. A very sharp man and just what we need.

If nothing else, the Lt Cdr probably drew out the thin skinned and black and white thinkers.

Whilst I agree that Greenie may well be right, I still contend that the assertion was both provocative and bigoted. The danger that arises from incautious remarks of this nature is if they are overheard or their contents become more widely known beyond the original recipients (as we have become acquainted with it through this thread) there is a significant risk of damaging the reputation of the RN not only amongst potential Muslim recruits thinking about joining the Service, but also very sensitive politicians, ready to exploit this kind of thing for their own agenda. The Lt.Cdr. in question ought to be repremanded for behaviour likely to bring the Service into disrepute. It is bad enough for Jack to do it. For an Officer to do so is far more serious. Why give the Labour Party ammunition to attack the Navy?

Steve.