Right here is an effective check case occurring earlier than our eyes. The broadcaster Alastair Stewart has left his job of a long time after sen
Right here is an effective check case occurring earlier than our eyes. The broadcaster Alastair Stewart has left his job of a long time after sending a citation of Shakespeare to a member of the general public. The citation (as a result of it refers to an ape and the recipient occurs to be black) is being interpreted as an indication of racism. An indication so grave {that a} lengthy and illustrious profession is over.
So here’s a check. Does ITV really assume that Alastair Stewart is a secret racist, actually hates black individuals and has spent his life hating black individuals? Does it assume that he has managed to cover this all through the course of an extended and illustrious profession, through which I think about that he labored with individuals of each possible race and background? Does it assume that his deep, horrible racism has solely come to the floor as soon as? And does it consider that on the one event when Alasdair Stewart lastly happy his racist urges he did so via the medium of ‘Measure for Measure’? The probability – as Jeeves would say, would look like a distant one.
Mr Stewart – who, I suppose I ought to point out, I have no idea, and don’t consider I’ve ever met – has used the identical citation earlier than, in dismissing different social media combatants. However at moments like this the details appear of little significance.
But maybe this time we may make it completely different. Maybe this time we will ask ITV and the jihadis of social media whether or not they truthfully consider the set of occasions outlined above. Do they truthfully assume that the above ideas are true? Or is it potential {that a} man used a citation he had used earlier than with none racist intention in any respect?
Some individuals will say that it’s only the profession of Alastair Stewart that lies within the steadiness. I disagree. At moments like this what lies within the steadiness is whether or not now we have any curiosity in fact or not. Whether or not now we have any perception in justice or not. And – in a manner – whether or not now we have any recognition of the fallibility of man. Or not. Let’s see.