(V):   What do u consider the differences between American standards of racism & British ones?

Ferris Bueller: I'll give you an example. During WWII as you know many GI's came over to the UK. A training film had to be made to explain to those who came over to our country (staring Rocky's trainer from the original Rocky films) that there was no segregation in the UK. I think the UK attitude towards skin colour was different due to our Empire days, where many UK citizens lived, worked or fought in countries of the British Empire. And after WWII the Empire became the Commonwealth. Gurkha's still join the British army and fight side by side with British born soldiers, and more recently won the right to remain in the UK after retirement thanks to a campaign by UK citizens which forced the government to give in despite the cost... They earned the right.

Before WWII we had the British Union of Fascists led by Oswald Mosley, but at it's peak it had only had 50,000 members and soon lost ground. The Daily Mail supported them at one stage, yet after an anti-fascist protester lost an eye during a confrontation that support was dropped. In 1936 an act was passed banning political uniforms and required police permission for political marches.

Extreme groups that incite violence or hate are illegal by law. The likes of the KKK would never have been allowed or supported in the UK. We just find such groups utterly distasteful. Yes we have small groups of racists on both sides of the colour coin, but in public they know to keep their mouths shut (generally except the stupid ones) or face fines or prison. Our old divides use to based on class (upper, middle and lower) not race.

As a country.. we've never had the room to have separate places to non-white people, so our communities have always (except for a few areas) been mixed. People just get on in general except for a few hot heads.

The likes of Nick Griffin and his whining about lack of Britishness is just pure rubbish. Every year the proms (amongst other UK folk stuff) celebrate Britain and people around the country watch, join in and sing along with it. English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish flags you see being flown freely. He's just a little idiot blaming other ethnicities for his insecurity and lack of self worth.

Ferris Bueller:

Ferris Bueller: No, the UK is not perfect, there are idiots in all races that think they are superior to other colours or religions.

post code turfs, and groups being groups trying to act 'gangster rapper'

And yes.. we had the slave trade. But that was then, a stage thankfully passed. We got some people of all races creating strife.. As in one interview a politician decreed he would not be happy if he had a child that married to a Muslim through love.. and their would be some on the Muslim side who'd feel the same, etc.

... But a minority as a rule. The use though of race as a means to stir anger and violence is forbidden. As some have found in court. The 'PC' crowd can go to far.. we ain't out the water yet.

(V):   Sounds a lot like what we have in the states.  There does seems to be one glaring exception, however.  We tend to value freedom of speech over quelling racial tensions.  For that reason, the KKK & Neo-Nazis are allowed to march on our streets w/ the proper permits.  I'm not sure either side of the pond is headed in the right direction.  There is something to be said for discouraging hate speech & symbols, but where do u draw those lines?

Ferris Bueller:

>  There is something to be said for discouraging hate speech & symbols, but where do u draw those lines?

I think that while extremist racists have their freedoms of scpeech protected by the Constitution, there are limits imposed on what they can do.

Here in Canada we had a famous case in 1984.  James Keegstra was the town mayor and a school teacher in Eckville, Alberta.  He taught his social studies students that the holocaust was a fraud and that Jews were greedy, power-hungry, destructive, treacherous, etc.  Keegstra was saying that Jews inveted the Holocaust to gain sympathy.

He was charged with hate crimes for willfully promoting hatred against an identifiable group.  He tried to have the charge quashed because he said that the charge infringed upon his right to freedom of speech.  The Supreme Court denied his claim and he was fined $5000 (a joke) and given a 1 year suspended sentence which he served doing community work.

The case was a landmark case and later other Aryan Nations and KKK members in Canada found themselves in trouble with the law.

Where do we draw the line?  I think the line is clear.  Anything that promotes hatred or racism is against the spirit of the Constitution.  Freedom of speech does not mean freedom to hate.

Übergeek 바둑이:Freedom of speech does not mean freedom to hate.
what about "freedom of free thinking"?
your case regarding the teacher just once again proves government is trying to control our minds, our freedoms, and our rights of life. what happened to that teacher was not justice...it was a political coup,imo.

Ferris Bueller: Having an opinion is everyone's right. But the law is is that to incite hatred or violence is illegal. The BNP can do rallies as much as the Green party. Animal rights folks can protest about experimentation. But as soon as it gets nasty.. People have the right to carry out their lawful business.

That the KKK, etc can march without permits (or any group that needs to) is crazy. If trouble starts at least there will be police to protect both sides from hotheads. They can shout at each other.. some name calling is expected and depending overlooked. But out and right crap. It ain't right.

Artful Dodger:   One of the few times we seem to agree w/ one another.  LOL

Artful Dodger: That poll is 7 years old!!

Things have changed to what is happening in the UK since then

The main problem is the stirring of extemists on both sides of the Muslim - Patriotic British groups.

But it's not everywhere!!