No, I don't get it either, but not all the BNP members are automatically racist; the party line for years has been taht they're explicitly not racist, and have been on a recruitment drive saying as much.
You and I know it's not true (and I live close enough to enough of them), but that doesn't mean every member is a white supremacist arsehole. Sure, it makes it incredibly likely, but it's not guaranteed.
Membership of a legal organisation should not prevent employment in a professional capacity. Whether that organisation is legal is of course currently under legal review.
The BNP's party line is the same neo-segregationist line spouted by nearly every white supremacist and race-hate group in the modern day. The BNP does not have a purpose in existing beyond promoting hatred of non-whites, and anybody who would join it should be judged for that rather than assuming that there's some kind of legitimate, non-race-hate reason to join it.
Seriously, I've been out campaigning in BNP areas over the last few months. A lot of their supporters believe them when they say stuff like "we're not racist" and "we're what Labour used to be".
I know, personally, at least one muslim of asian descent who was planning to vote for them before we set him straight.
At the moment, they're actively promoting anti-islamic stuff, and appealing for votes from people who are scared of muslims.
Combine that with the areas they're most active, frequently 'safe' wards where LAbour have held the seat for decades and the other parties have withdrawn to fight in more favourable districts, and they also attract a lot of "anti-Labour" voters, again some of whom will believe the "not racist" line (or simply not know any better).
I have no clue, at all, how a teacher can not know this stuff, but I've met very highly qualified graduates who're completely clueless about basic stuff outside their speciality.
Not every BNP supportet/member is a racist. Most are.
Both of those are statements of fact, I can't link to prove the former, but I've met such people, they exist.
Regardless, 10,000 members in total across the entire country, some of whom are "family" members and similar. Tiny little sect with very little genuine electoral support. Much of which is protest/ignorance anyway.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2010-03-13 12:30 am (UTC)No, I don't get it either, but not all the BNP members are automatically racist; the party line for years has been taht they're explicitly not racist, and have been on a recruitment drive saying as much.
You and I know it's not true (and I live close enough to enough of them), but that doesn't mean every member is a white supremacist arsehole. Sure, it makes it incredibly likely, but it's not guaranteed.
Membership of a legal organisation should not prevent employment in a professional capacity. Whether that organisation is legal is of course currently under legal review.
(no subject)
Date: 2010-03-13 12:34 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-03-13 12:43 am (UTC)Seriously, I've been out campaigning in BNP areas over the last few months. A lot of their supporters believe them when they say stuff like "we're not racist" and "we're what Labour used to be".
I know, personally, at least one muslim of asian descent who was planning to vote for them before we set him straight.
At the moment, they're actively promoting anti-islamic stuff, and appealing for votes from people who are scared of muslims.
Combine that with the areas they're most active, frequently 'safe' wards where LAbour have held the seat for decades and the other parties have withdrawn to fight in more favourable districts, and they also attract a lot of "anti-Labour" voters, again some of whom will believe the "not racist" line (or simply not know any better).
I have no clue, at all, how a teacher can not know this stuff, but I've met very highly qualified graduates who're completely clueless about basic stuff outside their speciality.
Not every BNP supportet/member is a racist. Most are.
Both of those are statements of fact, I can't link to prove the former, but I've met such people, they exist.
Regardless, 10,000 members in total across the entire country, some of whom are "family" members and similar. Tiny little sect with very little genuine electoral support. Much of which is protest/ignorance anyway.
(no subject)
Date: 2010-03-13 12:45 am (UTC)