Off topic ramble.

It wouldn't be a lie to say that British politics is in a sorry, sorry state. You needn't even look past the front page of the papers to see politicians and policies getting a real grilling. Most of the debate revolves around the same handbags that have been present for years but one development is justly causing concern. It is of course the BNP and their ever increasing support. With Nick Griffin's controversial Question Time appearance came little in the way of intelligent questioning and much in the way of media frenzy. However there was one interesting question. Could the BNPs rise in popularity be attributed to Labour's poor immigration policy? My direct answer to this question is a simple 'no'. Instead I offer another possible explanation and attitudes that I believe must change.

The Concept of Equality

We live in a time that is often described as 'politically correct'. This term is always bemoaned and never used positively. This fact is essentially the basis for my argument. 

In the age of 'PC' we must ignore differences in gender, age, physical appearance, race, culture & religion. If we fail to do this we risk being branded a number of titles usually ending with 'ist'. Herein lies a huge problem. A taboo has been created and this only serves to breed contempt. The masses are constantly reminded not to be racist and simultaneously forced to be racist through media-brewed fear. I'm sure you are well aware of the anti-Islamic articles and coverage of which I speak. 

So with the pull of 'PC' and the push of fear, people are left in a very odd limbo. Racism is essentially bubbling up under the surface and a well timed entrance from Mr Nick Griffin seems to be the much needed release. This is where the man is very clever. He has seen a disgruntled public and has some pretty nasty designs on how to fix it. He always speaks about 'us' and 'we', he talks as though part of the public rather than part of the establishment. He always mentions the censorship and 'PC' attitudes that 'we' are tired of and in all honesty he seems to be the only politician who has understood this. However, his specific branch of racism is true racism and not just 'non-PC'. But give the public a choice between 'PC' & 'non-PC' and there will likely only be one winner.

Does this mean I'm in agreement with the BNP? Most definitely and absolutely not. My point is that in his 'ashamed to be British, we're being alienated' doctrine he has unearthed something very important. The state of political correctness that we have attained is in no way successful to stamping out racism. If anything it has fuelled it.

What solutions does this leave us with? Well first we must examine our whole concept of equality. It is based on a lie. People are not the same and that is just a simple fact. We must realise that progress is in being able to see peoples differences and still treat them equally, not in being able to ignore peoples differences. Each and every culture, race, religion, gender and generation is graced with such a beautifully rich gift of knowledge, attitude and wisdom. These qualities make different people better at and more suited to different things. To ignore these differences is for me a far more serious crime than not knowing what words are today acceptable.  

If we could ever get to the stage where we could celebrate the difference in people and learn from it rather than worrying and describing "the tall guy, blue jeans, short hair, red jumper" when we mean "the black guy" then we would be looking at a far more engaging society. If we could lose the stigma and realise that race is just another difference within the same species and perhaps inject a sense of humour into the issue in the way that Richard Pryor did so beautifully. If people felt comfortable and could laugh about these issues then perhaps they could lose their fear of the unknown and the contempt that comes with it. 

If a mainstream politician could for once acknowledge these problems and address them rather than ignoring the BNP as if they were a stain under a rug then we might get somewhere. Apparently David Cameron would like to introduce all female shortlists and Gordon Brown's labour "would increase support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender candidates at the next general election". Both of these decisions are horribly misguided efforts to gain kudos and keep the good ship 'PC' afloat. Politicians must cease to be part of an insular unit that believes it benefits the public. The public after all are real people. We are white, black, asian, gay, straight, lesbian, Christian, Muslim, Jewish, atheist, singing, dancing, sleeping, shitting lumps of flesh. Through all our differences we bring great diversity and all we want is to respect each other and have fun. We don't want people to worry about stepping on our toes and we don't want people to pretend we're the very same as them. 

Rules must change, attitudes must change and perspectives must broaden.  If things continue the way they are then the BNPs support can only increase and the day the BNP are in charge of this country is the day that I leave it.