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View Full Version : Do I have a racial lawsuit but against whom


sara333
Jun 16, 2013, 07:57 AM
Its very long and complicated but I will be as brief as possible, recently I have had some nasty text messages from my ex's partner calling me a paki I didn't reply to her message but I did text my ex telling him I was going to report her he text back mocking me and saying report it to who the paki police and he went on to say well you know you actually are a pakistani I don't kniw why you hide it you hid it from our daughter and in the end I told her". So my point here is I am 51 yrs old I have had to go through all my adult life hiding mine and my daughters ethnicity because of people like him and his girlfriend and the rest of society who are quick to call you a paki its actually scarred me so badly nit even my closest friends or my new partner know my ethnicity because I'm too embarressed to say it.

smkanand
Jun 16, 2013, 08:07 AM
I don't think so. You admitted that you did hide you ethnicity. I think it's the issue of trust and understanding. Your partner (he or she) called you from your nationality, not your religion or color or anything else. If that offends you then you should be more open with your identity and be confident. If this kind of messaging is consider offensive in eyes of your domestic law then it might make a case. I would suggest do not hide your identity from people if you haven't done any wrong. What ever the reason might be for your embarrassment, remember you are not responsible for that.

sara333
Jun 16, 2013, 08:12 AM
Hi thanks for reply like I say its long and complicated didn't think I had enough space for rest of it the reason for hiding my ethnicity is I was a singer in a band for nearly 20 yrs after a gig we wiuld slwa

joypulv
Jun 16, 2013, 08:20 AM
You don't have a lawsuit regardless, sorry. If it were an employer or person in government, you might.

As for hiding your ethnicity, a totally separate subject, that was your choice. It seems very strange to me, being in a band or not. Maybe a couple of generations ago, but now there is so much more room to be proud of who you are.
I am a Caucausian American. I had a Pakistani exchange student sister live with me for one year in high school. I understand that in England (or other places?) there is more discrimination because of the poverty of many immigrants, but I still can't understand why you would hide, especially in the music industry, where music speaks for itself.

sara333
Jun 16, 2013, 08:20 AM
We would always get asked to stay behind for a drink with a few of the locals my hair was quite blonde bk then so I used to look like someone who just had a tan well as soon as the doors closed the conversation would always always be of a racial manner pakis this pakis that they should go home they stink and it so on the thing I couldn't get over was in didn't matter what town city we played in it was the same all over the country I used to cringe listening to it all so in the end I've said I'm of mixed race because the proof is there look what happened when my partner found out my ethnicity I started getting racial comments from him and his

smkanand
Jun 16, 2013, 08:23 AM
I think the question is do you really want to take this on legal level? Because in that case you will automatically reveal your identity which you hide for your own reasons.

joypulv
Jun 16, 2013, 08:29 AM
You hung out with an ignorant crowd. I wish you could have found your way out. Every country has it's areas of discrimination. But you just don't have a legal case, which is what this is about. If someone attacked you and hurt you physically, maybe it could be considered a Civil Rights case. But even those need a pretty dramatic basis showing that it was deliberately connected to background, such as a gang saying 'Let's go beat up a Paki.' This is texts between two people, and people say all sorts of hurtful things to each other. You are better off thinking of good ways to respond. Better yet, get people like them out of your life.

sara333
Jun 16, 2013, 08:47 AM
Thank you for replies, I am quite sure though there is a section of the parliament act 2003 section 127 that states any material sent thro telecommunications I.e text message etc that is abusive racial oroffensive in any way can be taken to court but don't quote me on this

joypulv
Jun 16, 2013, 10:10 AM
I would look it up if this were a case that I felt could make it through about 2 years and 3" of documents. I doubt it would get past the first stage. It's hurtful words from a spiteful woman living with your ex.
Someone you shouldn't even be looking at messages from. Why are you even talking to your ex?
You have wrapped yourself in a little prison. You should be defending your heritage, even in the face of adversity. Look at all the people of color who can't 'hide.' When you were in those bars with nasty remarks, you could have said one proud sentence and walked out.

ScottGem
Jun 16, 2013, 11:18 AM
First, any question on law needs to include your general locale as laws vary by area. So do racial prejudices.

Section 127 does, indeed, provide relief for you, but I agree it would take years of expensive litigation to pursue it.

Also, the context may matter here. Since you are a Pakistani, referring to you as one would just be telling the truth.