Sam Kerr’s alleged comments may have had a racial element, but they were not ‘racist’

Mon, 8 Apr 2024 19:21:09 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://theconversation.com/sam-kerrs-alleged-comments-may-have-had-a-racial-element-but-they-were-not-racist-225267>

"Footballer Sam Kerr has been charged with “racially aggravated harassment”
over a January 2023 incident in which she allegedly insulted a London police
officer. According to widespread media reports, she is said to have called the
officer a “stupid white bastard”.

Kerr has pleaded not guilty to the charge and has reportedly denied using the
word “bastard”.

According to section 33 of the British Crime and Disorder Act, to be found
guilty of such an offence, the conduct would have had to cause – or have
intended to cause – alarm or distress.

Regardless of the court’s ultimate verdict, one big question seems to occupy
the minds of many: does the phrase attributed to Kerr constitute racism?

Kerr was born in Western Australia, and has Indian ancestry on her father’s
side. Can she be racist towards a white person, and more specifically to a
white police officer?

Assuming it is true Kerr used the term “white”, there is a racial element. But
“racial” is not the same as “racist”."

Cheers,
       *** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net               Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/                 Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/            Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/               Manager, Serious Cybernetics

Comment via email

Home E-Mail Sponsors Index Search About Us