The Brazilian President Lula da Silva speaking at a Press conference this week has blamed the current global economic crisis on ‘the irrational behaviour of white-skinned people with blue eyes’. This would appear to count Gordon Brown out. Or does it? What of the brown-eyed long-standing friend of all bankers Gordon Brown? Da Silva points out that white-skinned, blue-eyed people seemed to know everything before the crisis but are now proving that in actual fact they did not.
Brown was visiting Brazil as part of his 5 day whistle-stop tour of the Americas and Europe during which he hopes to save the World. Da Silva’s statement is not something Brown wanted to be aired just before next week’s critical G20 summit.
Having plenty of his own guilt and diplomacy, Brown did not attribute blame to any particular race or individuals going on to say that he was looking towards asking the G20 summit for $100 billion to kick-start World trade.
However, da Silva compares any kind of protectionism to drug-taking. Appearing to use yet more pointed language da Silva asks the question, ‘Why do people use drugs?’ He gives the Press his own answer, ‘Because they are in crisis and they think the drug will help them. But its effects pass quickly.’ Wise words indeed da Silva.
Brown has already prepared a few fixes himself during the past couple of months. The effects have worn off so quickly they have been unperceived.
What of da Silva’s racist statement concerning ‘white-skinned blue-eyed people’? Is it politically correct to single out a particular white race and blame the crisis on them? What would Brown and other leaders have to say if the blame had been laid at the door of black people with brown eyes or yellow people with slant eyes? Lula da Silva’s racist remark appears to have gone unchallenged by all.
Anna is the landlady of the Raccoon Arms. She lives in the Monbazillac area of South West France and still takes a keen interest in British politics.
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I blogged on those remarks a couple of days back. I don’t think they were intended as racist. da Silva’s comments were referring to northern hemisphere types as opposed to Latin Americans.
You shouldn’t see racism where none is intended.
I admit it – it was me. I started the whole financial cricis. Mea culpla.
Janes ………… Don’t take all the blame …………. I had a hand in it. A few credit cards etc.
Cato ………. Thank you for this. That’s the irony of it ……….. So many people feel so caught out now that they dare not say anything about anybody in case somebody in some place is offended. And there is usually no slur or racism intended ……… but some group or individual inevitably could be offended. However, Brown obviously didn’t consider himself to be one of those Northern Europeans or Northern Hemisphere types …………… and still remains oblivious.
I think da Silva has it in the bag when he compares Gordie’s injections of money with the fix of drugs. Brilliant ………. And of course he is so right to say it.
Heard this morning:
Gordon Brown is popping out of his London home for a brief walk and is approached by the stereotypical post-drunk Scotsman.
“Have yae got
Well the Brazilians and their next door neighbours have previous when it comes to harbouring white-skinned, blue-eyed people. It is why Brazilians and Argies have names like Horst and Jurgen.
If da Silva’s main experience of
Funnily enough my old dentist was born in Brazil ………. Never liked to discuss his father’s previous life in Germany. He’s very white with big blue eyes ………..
Bloody hell Coco, a “white” Brazilian dentist!! Did you never see “Marathon Man”?
Henry Crun …………. He was ……….. a safe dentist. Very safe and German. Like a VW!