Cyprus-Forum.com

[erolz]

Issues of race, discrimination and equality are tricky issues in evry country. I thought the following article may be of some interest.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/4323979.stm

[Agios Amvrosios]

Please explain why you posted this link.

Are you saying that a post modernist rather than liberal approach to social problems is sometimes required?

[erolz]

Please explain why you posted this link.

Are you saying that a post modernist rather than liberal approach to social problems is sometimes required?

Even in a multi ethnic and multi cultural society like the UK, and without the added complications of political equality this article to me shows how complicated (and contentious) issues of race, discrimination and equality can be.

What we have here is the Commission for Racial Equality a public funded non-governmental body set up under the Race Relations Act 1976 to tackle racial discrimination and promote racial equality, calling for the possible need for segregation of education based on sex and race, in order to "promote equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of their race, colour, nationality, or national or ethnic origin."

To me it is a clear reminder that these issues are extremly complex and that simplisitc absolutist world views are not necessarily the best or right ones in such complex issues. A reminder that differentiation based on ethnicity or race are not necessarily racists in their intent or objectives just because they differentiate on race or ethnicity.

For futher info the CRE's website can be found here
http://www.cre.gov.uk/about/about.html

[Bananiot]

Findings from a recently conducted research in a large GC high school in the vacinity of Nicosia:

1. 12.3% only will accept the building of a mosque in their neighbourhood
2. 13.4% only would employ a TC
3. 74.4% would not marry a coloured person
4. 61.8% consider the increase in criminality to be associated with the presence of foreign workers
5. 82.9% would not marry a non orthodox (Muslim or Bhoudist)
6. 44.9% agree that the Greek race is tops worldwide
7. 68.5% believe that the orthodox Christian religion is the only true religion

The findings were discussed the other day in Parliament and the Ombudswoman was present. She seemed to be annoyed by the findings and she duly promised to set up an office which will conduct a programme against xenophobia and racism. She also revealed that a research conducted by her office last year showed that Cypriot in their totality would gladly blame foreigners for all crimes committed in Cyprus!

[Piratis]

I don't see why the separation should be based on race and gender and not simply on performance in school.

Bananiot, what you posted about these GC students is old news. While it is worrying, the fact is that this is the case with all other Cypriots and not just GCs.

Actually some of those things are even worst with minorities, that are afraid that they can be "swallowed" by the majority. E.g a relative of mine was forced to brake up with his Cypriot Armenian girlfriend because her father insisted that his daughter should marry an Armenian.
I am pretty sure that similar surprising findings would be found if this survey was contacted in a TC school.

Some of those points are based on wrong education (the ones related with religion, points: 1,5 and 7), some other points are created because of the occupation over the last 30 years (point 1, 2) and some other points are more general and could apply more or less worldwide (e.g. point 3 is more of a personal preference than anything else)

[insan]

I am pretty sure that similar surprising findings would be found if this survey was contacted in a TC school.

I don't think that it would be such extreme levels.

[Piratis]

I don't think that it would be such extreme levels.

Thats the difference between your guess and reality. I mean if they asked most of us to guess we wouldn't guess such results in our own school either. Although here I have to say that the above survey was contacted in one school, which is not the correct way for giving results that represent all GC students.

[insan]

But your above comment indicates that the results were the consequences of some wrong doings and didn't surprise you.

[brother]

I think if a survey on both sides was done that included at least 10 schools would be a slightly more accurate, also remember that as people grow up their perception of the world and their hang ups on certain things change.

[insan]

I think if a survey on both sides was done that included at least 10 schools would be a slightly more accurate, also remember that as people grow up their perception of the world and their hang ups on certain things change.

This is true, bro. There are so many collumnists, particularly left wingers in South that I find them more advanced (in sense of humane values) than any of our most advanced left winger collumnists.

Ok. Now I'm going worldlingo to have a look today's Haravgi...