Does this poster look racist to you?

[Caladan 19]

The message is 'create security', and given the limited context, it seems to be equating security with deporting minorities. Sounds pretty prejudiced to me.

[Carolyn 1]

Pardon my ignorance, but I've never heard of Switzerland having ANY crime or security problems with the possible exception of unsavory types (dictators, embezzlers, etc.) hiding money in their banks .

Edited September 2, 2007 by Carolyn

[Jasman0717 9]

[mendeleev 69]

Pardon my ignorance, but I've never heard of Switzerland having ANY crime or security problems with the possible exception of unsavory types (dictators, embezzlers, etc.) hiding money in their banks .

There are right-wing politicians in Switzerland who disagree -- and they do have it in for black, gays, and often (maybe surprisingly to us gringos) gypsies.

[Aymerlu 3]

Yep

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Pardon my ignorance, but I've never heard of Switzerland having ANY crime or security problems with the possible exception of unsavory types (dictators, embezzlers, etc.) hiding money in their banks .

There are right-wing politicians in Switzerland who disagree -- and they do have it in for black, gays, and often (maybe surprisingly to us gringos) gypsies.

I just did a bit of reading on the SVP. They were a minority far-right party up until a few years ago. Same sort of unpleasant nationalism that's been enjoying a bit of a resurgence in the last few years. Like the election of Nicholas Sarkozy in France recently...

[Jason-Sasha 1]

"Black sheep" is a person who is regarded as a disgrace or failure by his family or peer group.

Call it racist, but it's the first thing that comes to mind and has nothing to do with race.

This is exactly what I thought avout "black sheep". But people are always looking for a reason to cry "racism!" Why have we all become such pansies?

[Caladan 19]

More just calling it what it is, given the context. A black sheep generally, no, it's just a saying. A black sheep tied to a message of foreigners get out by a party that is known for promoting racist policies... what would you call it?

[trailmix 77]

More just calling it what it is, given the context. A black sheep generally, no, it's just a saying. A black sheep tied to a message of foreigners get out by a party that is known for promoting racist policies... what would you call it?

[Jeraly 4]

My point was merely that despite the phrase "black sheep" existing, would a similar response have been achieved had the sheep been green or pink? Whatever colour it is doesn't necessarily mean it is racist. However maybe it is indicating that different is bad...?

[Ban Hammer 14,396]

My point was merely that despite the phrase "black sheep" existing, would a similar response have been achieved had the sheep been green or pink? Whatever colour it is doesn't necessarily mean it is racist. However maybe it is indicating that different is bad...?

if it was pink someone probably woulda screamed it was anti-gay.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

My point was merely that despite the phrase "black sheep" existing, would a similar response have been achieved had the sheep been green or pink? Whatever colour it is doesn't necessarily mean it is racist. However maybe it is indicating that different is bad...?

If it was a different colour they couldn't have used sheep. Wouldn't have made sense...

[Jeraly 4]

My point was merely that despite the phrase "black sheep" existing, would a similar response have been achieved had the sheep been green or pink? Whatever colour it is doesn't necessarily mean it is racist. However maybe it is indicating that different is bad...?

if it was pink someone probably woulda screamed it was anti-gay.

Nah - that would be purple or rainbow surely

Wouldn't have mattered if they were pixies - the fact is the poster is showing one "different" sheep being discarded due to their difference. Although the poster is obviously trying to use the "black sheep" analogy the fact remains if there were three red pixies and a yellow one in the same context it would still be displaying discrimination due to the difference of the minority

[Lilith** 0]

Switzerland actually has quite a murky past, especially in regards to eugenics......

[mawilson 2,133]

Why does it have to be a "Black sheep"? That's racist... Hehehehe!!!

Because sheep are white?