“We’re really excited about this Russian-language film festival we’ll be hosting with you guys. But, um, we’re a bit uncomfortable with the fact that Putin’s rights-abusing and civilian-killing government is contributing to the funding. Their grant is only GBP1,400 so it’s no biggie; we’re happy to make up the difference ourselves as long as you turn down the donation.”
“THAT’S OUTRAGEOUS AND WE REFUSE. YOU ARE RACIST AGAINST ALL RUSSIAN SPEAKING PEOPLE.”
Out of interest, would you refuse that Russian film festival, either with or without £1500 from Vlad?
I’m not sure I would at £1500.
Personally I wouldn’t (just as I think the Guardian made the right decision when it took adverts from both pro-Palestinian and pro-Zionist groups on Monday), but I’d have no objection to someone making the call the other way.
Agree completely on the Graun.
I remain uneasy on the Tricycle, though I don’t really suspect the individuals concerned of bad faith. Possibilities (a) I’m wrong, (b) I haven’t really worked out what was wrong with Tricycle decision (assuming something was wrong), (c) I’m sensitive about anti-semitism because as a very obviously gentile man with an Irish/Scots name, educated at a catholic school, people are very willing to share their anti-Semitic views with me (also their anti-Gypsy views, as it doesn’t occur to them that I might have the odd pikey in the family).
Interesting comparison. Sorry if I seem to be picking a fight.
No worries. My take on English culture is that it’s very anti-gypsy, mildly generically racist, and really not very all antisemitic at all, but I’m open to the possibility that this is because I’m perceived as a Jew so people keep quiet (I look Jew-ish; I’m of partially Jewish but mostly Celt & Anglo descent).
On reflection, that’s probably about right. And in England (not so sure about Scotland) the various “isms” are sometimes mixed with snobbery.