A thousand Welcomes for Obama, and racial abuse for our black taxi drivers.

samsham

Some of the same people that flocked to TV screens and to Collage green to hear and welcome US President Obama, most likely are the same people that refuse to use Black taxi drivers on Irish taxi ranks. A growing number of the Irish population now refuse to travel with Black taxi drivers, A human rights watchdog collected data on Galway ranks and published it in 2010. Overcharging was often an excuse to mask blatant racism. Before the black community started driving taxis, Irish taxi drivers had the reputation of overcharging, miraculously now these drivers are being sought on the rank rather than travel with black drivers. Thankfully this is only a small portion of Irish society, but it must be added one of our own communities the traveler community are among the worse when it comes to Black drivers, Instead of having some Empathy with the drivers they show their distaste for them.

Overheal

samsham wrote: »

Some of the same people that flocked to TV screens and to Collage green to hear and welcome US President Obama, most likely are the same people that refuse to use Black taxi drivers on Irish taxi ranks. A growing number of the Irish population now refuse to travel with Black taxi drivers, A human rights watchdog collected data on Galway ranks and published it in 2010. Overcharging was often an excuse to mask blatant racism. Before the black community started driving taxis, Irish taxi drivers had the reputation of overcharging, miraculously now these drivers are being sought on the rank rather than travel with black drivers. Thankfully this is only a small portion of Irish society, but it must be added one of our own communities the traveler community are among the worse when it comes to Black drivers, Instead of having some Empathy with the drivers they show their distaste for them.

Your premise is based on a glaring assumption with no references. It also fails to take into account that one is the President of a major superpower and the other is a group of taxi drivers which you have classified and singled out as being black, to complain about racial discrimination toward that group. That in itself is racism, by the by. And then you go to take a stab at the Traveler Community in much the same manner, by insinuating that they are racist, and using generalization in doing so.

People flocked to greet the POTUS because he was the POTUS, not because of his race, gender, or creed. If racism in the Taxi industry is a real problem, would you really need to drag the POTUS in as a strawman to discuss the issue?

Condatis

Mandela got as warm a welcome as Obama. Neither were here to displace Irish jobs – which is what most black taxi drivers do.

Where practical, considering the economic climate, I will support Irish jobs. Not just taxis, I'll also support shops and filling stations where the staff are Irish. In those cases the staff are rarely black – but they are not Irish.

I also go out of way to buy Irish products, failing that I will European when I can.

AlekSmart

samsham wrote: »

Some of the same people that flocked to TV screens and to Collage green to hear and welcome US President Obama, most likely are the same people that refuse to use Black taxi drivers on Irish taxi ranks. A growing number of the Irish population now refuse to travel with Black taxi drivers, A human rights watchdog collected data on Galway ranks and published it in 2010. Overcharging was often an excuse to mask blatant racism. Before the black community started driving taxis, Irish taxi drivers had the reputation of overcharging, miraculously now these drivers are being sought on the rank rather than travel with black drivers. Thankfully this is only a small portion of Irish society, but it must be added one of our own communities the traveler community are among the worse when it comes to Black drivers, Instead of having some Empathy with the drivers they show their distaste for them.

Crikey Samsham,that's one great leap of faith for Mankind you're making there.

The report on the alleged Galway Taxi Racism issue is at best a bit of a struggle and it has been robustly challenged by may of those whom it sought to harshly criticise.

http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cerd/docs/ngos/CHRNUI_Galway_Ireland_CERD78.pdf

I suspect that the "racism" issue appear to see relates far more to a level of general public unease with the collapse of standards within the Taxi Industry following on from it's deregulation.

The issue really has far more to do with how a so-called Taxi Regulator has presided over this collapse and yet continues to draw a substantial salary from the public purse.

Programmes such as RTE's Prime Time Investigates also served to support the level of unease as they identified "Black" drives as being involved in highly unsavoury conduct....would you wish that "Black" Taxi Drivers were subject to a lesser scale of inspection than other classifications ?

President Obama has sweet FA to do with the Irish Taxi Industry,so any attempt to use his visit as a parallel really does your arguement a disservice.

The retired Garda Commissioner was spot-on.....Fingerprint ALL Taxi-Drivers immediately to eradicate the type of carry-on which is destroying the legimate industry,"Black and White" !

Emoi

I have a niece and a cousin both in NUIG at the moment, there has been numerous incidents at night involving black taxi drivers, these incidents were extremely alarming for the individuals involved.

Female students have been warned 'off-record' if you like, by the gardai, to avoid where possible black taxi drivers as they still don't know who these individuals, who commited the offenses are (which included false imprisonment).

If it became known that a bald taxi driver had commited a crime against a passenger, I'm afraid I would be a little cautious about all bald taxi drivers until the culprit had been caught.

I'm sorry OP but this has nothing to do with racism just an alarming lack for standards among the taxi industry and comparing the problem in Galway to Obama makes no sense.

saintsaltynuts

The last two taxi's i used were driven by two black men.One short-changed me and the other man did not know were he was going when i asked him to take me to such a destination.Hasnt happened to me ever.So i dont blame people for not using their taxi's.And i for one wont be in future.

RMD

I'll take the first taxi I see. I've never been short changed or had a driver who didn't know the directions. From experience it's generally the Irish drivers who are the most racist and annoying of taxi drivers.

mikemac

RMD wrote: »

From experience it's generally the Irish drivers who are the most racist and annoying of taxi drivers.

But that's kind of your own fault.

I've never heard any of this as I sit in the back, fold my arms and look out the window.
If they start ranting then why were you even talking to them in the first place. And they'll stop if you tell them.
If you endure maybe a 15 minute drive with lots of racist ranting and annoying talk and didn't nip it in the bud, well who is to blame?

Not aimed at you RMD.
Just I read this all over boards. Not talking to your driver solves all problems.

samsham

Nothing I am seeing here is changing my mind. From generalization of black drivers overcharging to "off the record" warnings from Garda regarding the dangers to females from black drivers. Yet some here can read these posts and still insist there is no racism. For those who don't see the Hypocrisy here, I am a little amused. As to Obama. he was here half a day, some black drivers are here 12 to 15 years. I think there probably more Irish than some Irish at this stage.

samsham

Overheal wrote: »

Your premise is based on a glaring assumption with no references. It also fails to take into account that one is the President of a major superpower and the other is a group of taxi drivers which you have classified and singled out as being black, to complain about racial discrimination toward that group. That in itself is racism, by the by. And then you go to take a stab at the Traveler Community in much the same manner, by insinuating that they are racist, and using generalization in doing so.

People flocked to greet the POTUS because he was the POTUS, not because of his race, gender, or creed. If racism in the Taxi industry is a real problem, would you really need to drag the POTUS in as a strawman to discuss the issue?

Thats the hypocrisy, most racists would not take into account one being a superpower and the other being a taxi driver. You seem to justify this by stating one side are merely taxi drivers.

smcgiff

samsham wrote: »

Nothing I am seeing here is changing my mind.

I don't think that was the intention of any of the responses.

bmaxi

I thought prospective taxi drivers had to sit geographical a test on where they intended to operate. Is this not the case or is it the typical Irish " How do you get from Parnell St. to O'Connell St and back" type test?
Personally, I wouldn't care what colour my taxi driver was, most are probably genuine guys trying to support their families like the rest of us. I can never understand the thinking that the colour of one's skin fundamentally changes one's humanity although I do accept there may be cultural differences.
What would worry me more would be the taxi driver/bus driver depicted in the Dodgy cabs documentary although I did have a sneaking admiration for him, anybody who can stand Dublin's traffic for eighteen hours a day deserves a medal

Memnoch

Overheal wrote: »

Your premise is based on a glaring assumption with no references. It also fails to take into account that one is the President of a major superpower and the other is a group of taxi drivers which you have classified and singled out as being black, to complain about racial discrimination toward that group. That in itself is racism, by the by. And then you go to take a stab at the Traveler Community in much the same manner, by insinuating that they are racist, and using generalization in doing so.

People flocked to greet the POTUS because he was the POTUS, not because of his race, gender, or creed. If racism in the Taxi industry is a real problem, would you really need to drag the POTUS in as a strawman to discuss the issue?

Sadly, the post after yours underlines the sentiment the OP is complaining about. His post might be poorly constructed but what he's saying till holds true.

axer

samsham wrote: »

Some of the same people that flocked to TV screens and to Collage green to hear and welcome US President Obama, most likely are the same people that refuse to use Black taxi drivers on Irish taxi ranks. A growing number of the Irish population now refuse to travel with Black taxi drivers, A human rights watchdog collected data on Galway ranks and published it in 2010. Overcharging was often an excuse to mask blatant racism. Before the black community started driving taxis, Irish taxi drivers had the reputation of overcharging, miraculously now these drivers are being sought on the rank rather than travel with black drivers. Thankfully this is only a small portion of Irish society, but it must be added one of our own communities the traveler community are among the worse when it comes to Black drivers, Instead of having some Empathy with the drivers they show their distaste for them.

What a major fail. You claim racism exists against black taxi drivers while showing blatent racism against the traveler community with your prejudice and generalisations.

BlaasForRafa

samsham wrote: »

Thats the hypocrisy, most racists would not take into account one being a superpower and the other being a taxi driver. You seem to justify this by stating one side are merely taxi drivers.

Crying rascism is the laziest response to an issue that is happening. Most black taxi drivers I've had have tried to overcharge me for a standard journey, several have tried to take detours during less busy times so as to make the fair bigger, also when a driver needs a sat-nav to get to well known streets then you have to wonder about their knowledge. I've never had any of these problems with local drivers, thus I'll only contact taxi drivers that I know.

Instead of addressing any of the actual issues the equality authority types like you just want to tar everyone with the rascist tag. Nobody I know ever had an issue with black taxi drivers until they actually had to take one.

The Waltzing Consumer

OP, can I ask, why is it "racial abuse", as you call it, for a person, to pick a taxi? You did not mention any physical or verbal abuse in your post, you just say that some people don't pick some taxis. How is that "racial abuse"?

If I am working at a till in a shop, and there are three tills open, and the customer can pick any till to go to, are they being "abusive" for not picking two other tills?

I don't see how it is abusive to choose a taxi. You are choosing a service. I would not want to go into a taxi with any person I really did not trust or was really dodgy, so by choosing not to go into that taxi, am I abusing the taximan I did not choose?

Absurdum

But the President is as much white as he is black, what's the point of this thread

Nodin

Condatis wrote: »

Mandela got as warm a welcome as Obama. Neither were here to displace Irish jobs – which is what most black taxi drivers do.

Where practical, considering the economic climate, I will support Irish jobs. Not just taxis, I'll also support shops and filling stations where the staff are Irish. In those cases the staff are rarely black – but they are not Irish.

I also go out of way to buy Irish products, failing that I will European when I can.

......how do you know that these black taxi drivers and others are not Irish?

paulgalway

Wife was out in Galway last Friday nite, 1st night out in a while. All the taxi's near-by had black drivers. because of this, she rang me to go and pick her up.

Could she have rung the taxi office and asked for an Irish driver?

Daughter is at NUIG, when out for the nite, she will not get into a taxi with a black driver; reason is she has heard too many disturbing stories from other students.

yoshytoshy

Heard from my sister that she got home in a taxi a few nights ago ,when she handed the taxi driver €50 ,he started shouting at her:eek:
He told her "you should have told me only had €50 ,before she got into the taxi". She argued with him for ten minutes ,before he handed her the change (€35 out of €50).

I have to say ,certain people treat women like muck.

BlastedGlute

OP I hope your trolling.

Nodin

paulgalway wrote: »

Wife was out in Galway last Friday nite, 1st night out in a while. All the taxi's near-by had black drivers. because of this, she rang me to go and pick her up.

Could she have rung the taxi office and asked for an Irish driver?

Daughter is at NUIG, when out for the nite, she will not get into a taxi with a black driver; reason is she has heard too many disturbing stories from other students.

You can show her these and maybe she'll never get in a taxi again.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0208/ryanj.html

http://www.rte.ie/news/2005/0405/berminghamo.html

happydayz8

Most people don't avoid black taxi drivers because they are racist but because they need to protect themselfs, and this is done by selection, and they have every right to do so. I for one don't drive with taxi drivers in track suits, personal choice, but I won't support some one that can't get dressed properly for the job. Also I don't get into dirty or old cabs for safety. Does this make me a discriminator? It is consumers choice and as long as the motives are kept quietly that is all it is.

Joe10000

I have a problem with any taxi driver that does not know his way around the city, as it happens they all seem to be foreign nationals and they should not be in this line of work, regardless of skin colour.

Nodin

happydayz8 wrote: »

Most people don't avoid black taxi drivers because they are racist but because they need to protect themselfs, and this is done by selection, and they have every right to do so.

So automatically associating skin colour with danger isn't racist...Hmmmm.

smcgiff

paulgalway wrote: »

Wife was out in Galway last Friday nite, 1st night out in a while. All the taxi's near-by had black drivers. because of this, she rang me to go and pick her up.

Could she have rung the taxi office and asked for an Irish driver?

Daughter is at NUIG, when out for the nite, she will not get into a taxi with a black driver; reason is she has heard too many disturbing stories from other students.

The only taxi driver I know of that was found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman was white (one legged as well!)

RMD

feelingstressed wrote: »

But that's kind of your own fault.

I've never heard any of this as I sit in the back, fold my arms and look out the window.
If they start ranting then why were you even talking to them in the first place. And they'll stop if you tell them.
If you endure maybe a 15 minute drive with lots of racist ranting and annoying talk and didn't nip it in the bud, well who is to blame?

Not aimed at you RMD.
Just I read this all over boards. Not talking to your driver solves all problems.

I understand where your coming from, I'll generally make small talk with the taxi driver if they're looking for a chat, otherwise I don't talk to them. If it strays into any sort of racist crap, I'm quick enough to tell them to stop.

happydayz8

Nodin, personally I don't think so. As long as one doesn't say that they are not getting into the cab because the driver is black. I just wouldn't state my motive.

amdublin

paulgalway wrote: »

Wife was out in Galway last Friday nite, 1st night out in a while. All the taxi's near-by had black drivers. because of this, she rang me to go and pick her up.

Could she have rung the taxi office and asked for an Irish driver?

Daughter is at NUIG, when out for the nite, she will not get into a taxi with a black driver; reason is she has heard too many disturbing stories from other students.

Hopefully a university education might open your daughter's mind somewhat.

God forbid she goes off on a J1 visa, will she survive at all in America with all them black folk.

Bullseye1

We don't mind black people or other nationals for that matter in Ireland as long as they are in their own country. We didn't mind these people when employment was close to 100%. But as soon as people lost their jobs those jobs we turned our nose up at soon became more attractive. We are not unique in our reactions.

dsmythy

Nodin wrote: »

So automatically associating skin colour with danger isn't racist...Hmmmm.

My sister and mother do the same thing with regards avoiding taxis with black drivers. It is based on their individual experiences. Everyone's experiences will be different but that is theirs. I don't see it as a good or bad thing. It is what it is. They feel safer and that's fine by me. It's not illegal.

amdublin

happydayz8 wrote: »

Most people don't avoid black taxi drivers because they are racist but because they need to protect themselfs, and this is done by selection, and they have every right to do so. I for one don't drive with taxi drivers in track suits, personal choice, but I won't support some one that can't get dressed properly for the job. Also I don't get into dirty or old cabs for safety. Does this make me a discriminator? It is consumers choice and as long as the motives are kept quietly that is all it is.

So if you are racist but keep it on the Q-Tee it is okay

Nodin

happydayz8 wrote: »

Nodin, personally I don't think so. As long as one doesn't say that they are not getting into the cab because the driver is black. I just wouldn't state my motive.

....so if you don't state out loud that you're not using the service because of skin colour, its not racist? Is this some form of quantum effect where it only becomes real if verbalised and thus recognised by both parties....

Nodin

dsmythy wrote: »

My sister and mother do the same thing with regards avoiding taxis with black drivers. It is based on their individual experiences. Everyone's experiences will be different but that is theirs. I don't see it as a good or bad thing. It is what it is. They feel safer and that's fine by me. It's not illegal.

It may not be illegal, but it is racist, which was the point I was making.

happydayz8

it won't provoke any thing at least. All I'm saying is that if a person feels less comfortable with a black taxi driver / dirty taxi driver / overweight taxi driver... then they have every right to avoid them. By the way I've had no bad experience so far and do use taxis with black drivers

amdublin

Personally I don't judge taxi drivers by the skin colour.

I've been in cars with nice white dudes, I've been in the car with nice black dudes.

But the majority of the time I've been in the car with pain in the @rse white dudes and the majority of the time it is pain in the @rse black dudes.

So that's why I try and avoid taxis and taxi drivers full stop!!

Some of the people's on this threads attitude that because a couple of black taxi drivers are bad means ALL black taxi drivers are bad is POSITIVELY SICKENING.

God forbid, while your wives and daughters and girlfriends are avoiding the black taxidrivers I hope nothing bad happens them in the white taxi drivers cars.

Think about it! They are not lessing any risk to themselves by getting in the car with a white taxi driver.

Nodin

happydayz8 wrote: »

it won't provoke any thing at least. All I'm saying is that if a person feels less comfortable with a black taxi driver / dirty taxi driver / overweight taxi driver... then they have every right to avoid them.

.....however it is racist to do so, whether it be blatant or no.

dsmythy

Nodin wrote: »

It may not be illegal, but it is racist, which was the point I was making.

It says nothing about their general character though. There's nothing wrong with what they are doing. They are discriminating but it is an unloaded description of what they are doing.

happydayz8

Well Nodin, I guess I'm a potential racist. But then, I prefer to keep safe.

Nodin

dsmythy wrote: »

It says nothing about their general character though. There's nothing wrong with what they are doing. They are discriminating but it is an unloaded description of what they are doing.

....what?

If you discriminate because of skin colour - a discrimination based on stereotyping an individual on the basis of their ethnicity - you're a racist. Thats not really that hard to work out.

Nodin

happydayz8 wrote: »

Well Nodin, I guess I'm a potential racist. But then, I prefer to keep safe.

And like I posted earlier....
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=72476160&postcount=22

You seem a bit selective in what information you take in to judge whats safe and what isn't.

mike65

Hmmm the first generation of black Irish taxi drivers are clearly going to have their work cut out.

happydayz8

I use personal experience Nodin, and then again, that is my choice of selection. Do you want to dictate how people should make choices?

dsmythy

Nodin wrote: »

....what?

If you discriminate because of skin colour - a discrimination based on stereotyping an individual on the basis of their ethnicity - you're a racist. Thats not really that hard to work out.

Words are words. Are you implying it in a derogatory way or as a simple neutral description of an action.

amdublin

happydayz8 wrote: »

Well Nodin, I guess I'm a potential racist. But then, I prefer to keep safe.

By not getting into a taxi drivers car because of their skin colour you are not a potential racist you are actually being racist Full Stop.

Best of luck with only getting into the car with a white driver. You are not making yourself any safer.

Nodin

happydayz8 wrote: »

I use personal experience Nodin, and then again, that is my choice of selection. Do you want to dictate how people should make choices?

You'll do as you see fit. However don't go pissing on heads and announce its raining.

rorymcgrory

I refuse to take taxis driven by black people simply because I don't trust negros. Simple as that.

It's a free country and I can make my own decisions.

Nodin

dsmythy wrote: »

Words are words. Are you implying it in a derogatory way or as a simple neutral description of an action.

Racism is illogical, bigoted behaviour.

dsmythy

rorymcgrory wrote: »

I refuse to take taxis driven by black people simply because I don't trust negros. Simple as that.

It's a free country and I can make my own decisions.

Ohhhh...kay.....

amdublin

dsmythy wrote: »

Words are words. Are you implying it in a derogatory way or as a simple neutral description of an action.

There is nothing positive about racism.
There's nothing neutral about it.

There is only negatives. So yes I'd imagine they were saying it was derogatory.

Would you like if you were black and because of something that another black person did people avoided you personally?

Would that make sense to you? Would that be fair to you?

happydayz8

Not yet. As stated earlier I do get into a taxi with black drivers.