Before I post further, are you very sure of this opinion?
It was not something that was said just once. I did seek clarification and advised him how I found it.
I never approached this thread along the lines of 'I'm black, and therefore I'll side with the black kid'. To try and say that I am somehow more sensitive to this subject or believe or see this as I see it because of my skin colour, it was offensive.
I actually thought it was just me at first. So I actually posted his comment in the back room and I was not alone in seeing that statement as racist. When I posted that comment, I actually expressed surprise that he had said it. Because I actually couldn't believe I was being accused of being biased, or more to the point "touchy and sensitive" solely because of my colour. And the way it was worded was, to me, accusatory. Along the lines of 'you're black, so yeah you're going to be biased because the victim is black'..
I try and think back to the past when I had made comments about culture, religion and race in particular. Like the time when I queried how you, a Western white male, could think it acceptable to dictate how Muslim women in France dressed (the burka debate I think it was). Or more to the point, how was it acceptable that men were deciding what women should and should not wear - be it Muslim and non-Muslim alike. At the time I felt that women should be allowed to dress as they please and if they choose to wear the religious dress of their own free will, then that is their choice and the white and non-white western and non-western males in France shouldn't impose upon their free will to dress as they please. I believe you and I had differing opinions (not unusual at the best of times).
What I felt from Neverfly, and I did try to seek clarification and yes, I was very offended at that point, which didn't help matters much, was that I felt he was telling me that I shouldn't be posting in this thread because to him I am black, and thus compromised as because I am black, I would automatically side with the "the black kid". That was what I felt I was being told each time I got him to touch on this statement in seeking clarification. And he alluded to this when he commented on how he doesn't post in certain thread topics because of his race or because he feels that he is biased.
And
I tried to bring it up here:
Bells said:
Neverfly said:
Your debate tactics and accusing those that disagree or state the facts as racist in order to tarnish their stance with political taboos.
Acknowledging that you are black or he IS black is no more racist than acknowledging that the sky is Blue. That you can perceive racism there demonstrates your desire to see what is not there.
You bring up my race and make spurious accusations about it to me based on and because of my race and colour. You fail at not only debating, but also even understanding basic facts.
Your comment was very much racist Neverfly. Sorry to burst that bubble of yours, but it was and that was how I perceived it.
You attempted to use my colour as a way of saying that I was someone biased or more affected by this. That is racist.
Because he didn't just acknowledge my colour, or what he perceives as being my colour. He said that because of my colour, I would be more touchy and sensitive and thus, not able to be unbiased in this thread. To say that I was hostile towards him because I was black, in this thread.. You get where I am going here?
To me, as the recipient of that comment and sentiment, it was racist.
And I am sure, you will disagree with me and try and tear me a new one. Because the sky will fall and the world will end if we ever agree on anything. Seeing that I'd like to wake up tomorrow morning with the sky still up, I am sure you won't disappoint. But you asked me how I felt and believed and I have answered you honestly and truthfully. If you want to argue with me about it, I'm not going to respond to it, sorry. But I have come to realise that life is too short to spend my time fighting with you when I post here.
I went into that warning and moderated after being counselled by a colleague and yes, I did express my personal concerns of how it looks inappropriate and how I am compromised because of the fact that I was so involved in this discussion against Neverfly. And I even went against his recommendation that I moderate and said that I could not, because of the appearance of the conflict of interest and because I was so angry.
And then I acted and made sure I detailed every step of my actions in the back room, with links explaining why I acted and also again sought a review of not just my interraction with Neverfly but also my actions and the ultimate decision to issue him with the warning. If they find I acted inappropriately, I will apologise to him and withdraw the warning.
Now that is out of the way, let us get back to the thread, shall we.. It's been off-topic enough as it is.