http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/crime/story.jsp?story=549843

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For his own part, Mr Hussain says that suggesting harassment is a by-product of the kind of families on the estate is just an easy away of denying racism exists.

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Well, I would suspect that both things are true at once. There is often (always?) a class aspect to racism, and this one is pretty familiar in England. Those housing estates are exceptionally grim places, and a lot of people in them still turn to the easiest, know-nothing explanations of why their lives are so hard.

Even in the statements from supposedly sympathetic or "proper" witnesses in that story, you can detect the racism peeking through the prissy surfaces. And England First got 12 per cent of the vote in a by-election -- sounds about right, unfortunately.

(Was it England First that invited Le Pen over to speak a few months ago?)

[ 10 August 2004: Message edited by: skdadl ]

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Originally posted by skdadl:

(Was it England First that invited Le Pen over to speak a few months ago?)

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Yes, I remember the "reception." Most entertaining write-up we linked to.

I wonder who England First are, then. Must do a bit of research. Why wouldn't people just join the BNP if it is a xenophobic, racist party they are looking for?

[ 10 August 2004: Message edited by: skdadl ]

[ 10 August 2004: Message edited by: Mike Keenan ]

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Originally posted by skdadl:

Why wouldn't people just join the BNP if it is a xenophobic, racist party they are looking for?

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Originally posted by The_Calling:
True but it is still more racist than Canada and the US.

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That said, the US does have some qualities.

[ 10 August 2004: Message edited by: The_Calling ]