A Rose By Any Other Name

Martyn Best

I'm pleased that global warming is not responsible for the sudden proliferation of roses in the office and glad that a nice gesture by our noisiest red has been accepted for the thoughtful gesture that was intended.

Sadly, however, it seems that the smallest of comments and gestures can still be badly misconstrued and be deemed 'politically unacceptable'.

Firstly, let me set my record straight - having worked in the middle east for a few years, and travelled pretty extensively, I have no pre- or mis-conceptions about race, gender, age, colour or anything that happily individually distinguish us from the other 6.2 billion who share our wonderful planet.

Black is that, just black, age is just that, age, ethnic origins are just that. Let's just accept it - we can rejoice in such matters but to draw erroneous conclusions based on one very small, though clearly important element of a person's make-up is clearly not a helpful route to understanding.

So, for example, in the absence of malice and reinforcing stereotypes, does Prince Harry deserve such censure? Is it wrong to use the term elderly? Do we define Barack Obama by his colour alone?

I don't think so. Let's celebrate our differences but not be afraid to be honest about them. Let's also recognise that descriptions and adjectives are just that - part of, but only part of, the wide and wonderful people we are.

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