I have just put up a couple of political correctness posts on Tongue Tied but, meanwhile, back at the ranch:



ONLY NON-CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS ALLOWED

A school today defended its decision to exclude a pupil after she refused to take off her crucifix necklace. Sam Morris, 16, was told to remove her cross and chain on Thursday by deputy head teacher Howard Jones at Sinfin Community School in Derby. When the year-11 student refused she was told not to return until today and without the item of jewellery. The 1,070-student comprehensive has a strict policy which bans most jewellery being worn.

Items can be worn out of view or if they are part of religious beliefs, such as the Kara, a bracelet worn by Sikh males. But the policy has been described as "unfair" by Sam's mother, Debra Saunders.

Sinfin Community School deputy head teacher Howard Jones said her daughter's one-day exclusion had been a "last resort" after a 30-minute conversation failed to persuade her to take it off. He said: "There was a long period of persuasion with her and she was given time. It was only at the end of that that I reluctantly had to exclude her for a day. "I met with her mother today and readmitted her daughter." Mr Jones said the strict jewellery policy, which bans large earrings or items worn on the outside of clothing - was to avoid accidents and to remove temptation from thieves. However, Sikh male pupils are allowed to wear the Kara, one of five physical symbols worn by followers of the faith.

Mr Jones said: "As a Christian I don't have to wear a crucifix but Sikhs don't have that option and we have to be understanding. We live in a multi-faith society."

Mrs Saunders, of Thackeray Street, Sinfin, told the Derby Evening Telegraph: "Sam has worn this necklace for more than three years and it is of great sentimental value to her. "No-one has told her to take it off before and she doesn't want to. "She thinks it is very unfair when other people are allowed to wear religious symbols and it just ends up creating a divide between the pupils when everyone is told they should be living in unity."

Source



DISPLAYING THE ENGLISH FLAG IN ENGLAND IS "RACIST"?

A war of words has broken out between soccer club bosses after a fan unfurled a St Georges flag with the words "Born in England Live in England Die in England ." Brentford manager Martin Allen said he felt the words on the flag were racially offensive. He spoke out after his side's FA cup match against Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park . Two weeks ago the same flag was flown when Oldham played Brentford in a league match at Griffin Park and police ordered it be taken down. The flag has now been banned from the ground while an investigation takes place.

Mr Allen explained the London club has a number of black players in the squad who took great offence at the message. He said: "Sadly, very sadly, that flag has racist undertones and we made a complaint about it then. "Although it was removed it came back out again near the end of the game and nothing was done about it. "It made it a difficult afternoon. "If we see it again at our ground I will find the person responsible and burn it in front of him. "There is no room for it in society or in football."

Following its reappearance in Oldham he complained to club officials who promised to look into the situation. But Oldham manager Ronnie Moore, said: "How can that be racist? Maybe if it was being flown at a match in Wales or Scotland it could be considered racist but I can't see how that it is racist here - I don't know what he's going on about. "We have foreign and black players on our team and none of them said anything or complained to me."

A spokesman from the Commission for Racial Equality, said: "Flying the St Georges flag is not viewed as racist, but racism in football and racist comments directed against players and fans should not be tolerated."

Source



Fur incorrectness waning: "Last Christmas, Kathleen Kelly, a stylish blond Washington financial analyst, finally treated herself to a longed-for luxury: a floor-length mink coat with fox trim. 'I wanted a fur for a long time,' she says. I'm 32. I bought it as a present to myself and I love it. I wear it with jeans. It's fun. Miss Kelly says she adores the mink and wears it with pride. She has not been the target of anti-fur activists, who have been known to verbally abuse fur wearers and even toss red paint on high-priced pelts. 'It's nobody's business,' Miss Kelly says. What would she say to a protester? 'I'd say it's my choice. We live in America.' People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has mounted a long public campaign against fur wearers. Some women have been cowed by their tactics -- but not Miss Kelly. 'The minks are raised on a farm. That's what they're for.' Fur industry officials say Miss Kelly is not alone. Younger women now account for more than half of the industry's U.S. sales."