WHILE applauding Jack Straw's attempts to do away with racial prejudice, I wish that he would learn that legislation only fuels it by providing more reasons for people to make their allegation that a person got a job, not because of their suitability, but because of their race.
When filling most situations, an employer is less interested in an applicant's written qualifications, considering personality, experience, dress appearance and attitude more important.
America introduced a law obliging film makers to include at least one 'coloured' in the script. Shame to say, when I see one on the screen the thought 'obligatory black' goes through my mind and I do not consider myself racially prejudiced.
Unfortunately, society has always discriminated against anyone who is different in any way, be it dress, appearance, religious beliefs or accent.
No amount of legislation can stop what a person thinks and, much worse, it tends to harden resentment.
Please, Mr Straw, look for another solution, I know it won't be easy.
L LAWES, Bold Street, Blackburn.
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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