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| Privilege check on the pale, stale male Privilege check on the pale, stale male | |
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| Simon Jenkins’ attempt to cast older white men as a put-upon minority suffering discrimination in all walks of life (Pale stale males are the last group it’s OK to vilify, 15 December) is absurd. Jenkins suggests that the era of white-male hegemony is over and that we are now in a world where older white males are routinely discriminated against in the labour market. This is a little far-fetched. All evidence shows that ethnic minorities and women remain far more subject to discrimination than men at all ages. | Simon Jenkins’ attempt to cast older white men as a put-upon minority suffering discrimination in all walks of life (Pale stale males are the last group it’s OK to vilify, 15 December) is absurd. Jenkins suggests that the era of white-male hegemony is over and that we are now in a world where older white males are routinely discriminated against in the labour market. This is a little far-fetched. All evidence shows that ethnic minorities and women remain far more subject to discrimination than men at all ages. |
| He then segues into a rant about state discrimination against the elderly in general. This, too, is nonsense. There is no state campaign against the elderly, whose state pension entitlements have been protected in a period of austerity unprecedented since the aftermath of the second world war. There is, however, a state campaign against the poor and against public services that has resulted in great suffering among people of all ages, including those over-60s unfortunate enough not to have decent pensions, to be sick, or caring for a sick relative. It is the shame of rising inequality and failing public services that should spark his indignation, which should be directed at the Conservative governments that have been responsible for it (I write as a white male of 67).Tim ClaydonMarket Harborough, Leicestershire | He then segues into a rant about state discrimination against the elderly in general. This, too, is nonsense. There is no state campaign against the elderly, whose state pension entitlements have been protected in a period of austerity unprecedented since the aftermath of the second world war. There is, however, a state campaign against the poor and against public services that has resulted in great suffering among people of all ages, including those over-60s unfortunate enough not to have decent pensions, to be sick, or caring for a sick relative. It is the shame of rising inequality and failing public services that should spark his indignation, which should be directed at the Conservative governments that have been responsible for it (I write as a white male of 67).Tim ClaydonMarket Harborough, Leicestershire |
| • I am so sorry that as a “pale, stale male” you find it distressing to face the blame and recriminations of the dark, young, and female, such as myself, for all the evils of the present age. Having lived as a foreigner in the UK for over 10 years, eventually returning to my native exotic land (France), I feel your pain. It is distressing indeed to be held responsible for political and economic events beyond one’s control. | • I am so sorry that as a “pale, stale male” you find it distressing to face the blame and recriminations of the dark, young, and female, such as myself, for all the evils of the present age. Having lived as a foreigner in the UK for over 10 years, eventually returning to my native exotic land (France), I feel your pain. It is distressing indeed to be held responsible for political and economic events beyond one’s control. |
| How painful, also, that you feel invisible in the media and that products are not marketed to you. I remember how rare it was to see olive skin in television ads when I lived in the UK from 1999 to 2010, so I know exactly what you mean. Thank goodness the Kardashians have changed all that. What fine sentiments you evince at the close of your article: “Would it not be better just to call people people?” Indeed it would be. The trouble is that the dark, the young and the female do not have much experience of being “just people” in the great country that is Britain. Perhaps we could start there and see what happens?Mireille MazardGoettingen, Germany | How painful, also, that you feel invisible in the media and that products are not marketed to you. I remember how rare it was to see olive skin in television ads when I lived in the UK from 1999 to 2010, so I know exactly what you mean. Thank goodness the Kardashians have changed all that. What fine sentiments you evince at the close of your article: “Would it not be better just to call people people?” Indeed it would be. The trouble is that the dark, the young and the female do not have much experience of being “just people” in the great country that is Britain. Perhaps we could start there and see what happens?Mireille MazardGoettingen, Germany |
| • Simon Jenkins read my mind. As an ageing, white female I feel increasingly sorry for “old white men”. Some of my best friends fall into this now-despised category. My late husband certainly did. I was under the impression they had all made, or still are making, a positive contribution personally and professionally, but now it seems they are responsible for all the ills in our society. I judge people on their political views and, more importantly, their actions. To do anything else is ageist, racist and sexist.Karen BarrattWinchester | • Simon Jenkins read my mind. As an ageing, white female I feel increasingly sorry for “old white men”. Some of my best friends fall into this now-despised category. My late husband certainly did. I was under the impression they had all made, or still are making, a positive contribution personally and professionally, but now it seems they are responsible for all the ills in our society. I judge people on their political views and, more importantly, their actions. To do anything else is ageist, racist and sexist.Karen BarrattWinchester |
| • As a white, male, heterosexual pensioner, I have for a little while now felt that I have been pigeonholed by different people as a racist, misogynistic, homophobic parasite. This is not symptomatic of self-pity, rather of irritation, as I feel assumptions are being made about me that are as prejudiced as the ones of which I seem guilty by association. | • As a white, male, heterosexual pensioner, I have for a little while now felt that I have been pigeonholed by different people as a racist, misogynistic, homophobic parasite. This is not symptomatic of self-pity, rather of irritation, as I feel assumptions are being made about me that are as prejudiced as the ones of which I seem guilty by association. |
| It was something of a relief, therefore, to read Simon Jenkins’ piece. It seems to me that it is the misuse of power, however that power manifests itself, that creates the victim, whatever colour/gender/sexuality/employment status s/he may have. Should we not address who exercises power and how, rather than starting by making assumptions which themselves can be an abuse of it?John WilliamsLeicester | It was something of a relief, therefore, to read Simon Jenkins’ piece. It seems to me that it is the misuse of power, however that power manifests itself, that creates the victim, whatever colour/gender/sexuality/employment status s/he may have. Should we not address who exercises power and how, rather than starting by making assumptions which themselves can be an abuse of it?John WilliamsLeicester |
| • Simon Jenkins seems to believe, like Paul Dacre, that “sensation sells papers”, so this may not necessarily be his view. And perhaps the reason why voters in the UK voted for Brexit was a justifiable anger at their treatment by successive administrations. | • Simon Jenkins seems to believe, like Paul Dacre, that “sensation sells papers”, so this may not necessarily be his view. And perhaps the reason why voters in the UK voted for Brexit was a justifiable anger at their treatment by successive administrations. |
| Nevertheless a contract between “the nation’s old”, who have “the spending power, the pensions, the houses”, and the “thrusting, dynamic young”, who don’t, is badly needed. Not only because the elderly need the young to care for them, but also because when they are cared for with dignity both parties grow in humanity through the experience. Such a principle of mutual care is also necessary to deal with climate change, whereby the haves must cut their consuming now to ensure a habitable world for those coming after them.David MurrayWallington, Surrey | Nevertheless a contract between “the nation’s old”, who have “the spending power, the pensions, the houses”, and the “thrusting, dynamic young”, who don’t, is badly needed. Not only because the elderly need the young to care for them, but also because when they are cared for with dignity both parties grow in humanity through the experience. Such a principle of mutual care is also necessary to deal with climate change, whereby the haves must cut their consuming now to ensure a habitable world for those coming after them.David MurrayWallington, Surrey |
| • Simon Jenkins threatens that “pale, stale males” will have their revenge. Judging from 2016, it appears they already have.Derrick CameronStoke-on-Trent | • Simon Jenkins threatens that “pale, stale males” will have their revenge. Judging from 2016, it appears they already have.Derrick CameronStoke-on-Trent |
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