Say What!?

When a TV correspondent reported that Lord Taylor of Warwick was given a 12 months sentence for fiddling his expenses I was equally saddened for his verdict as I was for those before him. Losing one’s freedom can not be an easy thing either on the person or their family and loved ones – nevertheless that’s how we punish those who offend in this country.

However, my sadness quickly turned to fury when the reporter continued by saying some parties are asking for leniency in the imprisonment part of the sentence on grounds that he is a role model to young black kids!!!

Young black kids have enough negative “role models” both in prison and outside it “running around” with ASBOs. Not jailing Lord Taylor will send the wrong message and say, in this country there is one rule for blacks and another for non blacks – and it’s okay for a black person to commit a crime because the law has a special concession for skin colour.

When David Chaytor was imprisoned I didn’t hear anyone say Mr. Chaytor going to prison will damage young white kids form the North of England! How dare anyone use race in such a derogatory and degrading manner? It’s an insult to everyone in our country and especially black people.

This is 2011 Britain, please let’s move away from race and skin colour excuses. As for role models, black kids today have enough honorable parliamentarians in both houses of parliament, on either sides of the aisle to look up to in Adam Afriyie, Oona King, Helen Grant, Sam Gymiah, Chuka Umunna and Kwasi Kwarteng (there are that many I know I forgot a few names).

Young people of African descent today; most definitely don’t need to model themselves on the likes of Lord Taylor of Warwick.