All of this is staggering to read and very scary for those of us who share our gender critical views on-line. I have a two yearly DBS check for a volunteer role so assume anything on me will show up on that but I find it chilling that you can be recorded as having committed a crime without any right of reply, let alone a judge and jury.
Dystopian doesn’t cover it. I’m constantly shocked but never surprised. Something about Orwell being read by the authorities as an instruction manual rather than biting satire on appalling state overreach, seems apt. Safeguarding systems will always be gamed by bad actors to either avoid scrutiny or to appropriate the rights and assets of others. Or, in your case, to harm an individual speaking truth to power. Stay strong, Helen. I know you will.
I remember very clearly having discussions with many people in 1999 when the MacPherson report came out. As a former police officer, I was horrified at the idea of police records being created purely based on 'perception' rather than evidence. Most concerning was the fact that this was not just the perception of the 'victim' (although that was bad enough) but "any other person".
At the time I was living with a non-white partner. I gave the example to friends that we would sometimes have playful banter where he might say something like "Get back in the kitchen, woman!" and I would joke back "You go back to your own country!". I pointed out that the recommendation in MacPherson meant that if someone overheard my remark and reported it to police as a racist incident, it would have to be recorded as such even though the "victim", my partner, could vouch that it was not. I would therefore have my name on a police database as having been involved in a 'racist' incident.
Everyone told me I was being ridiculous and that this would never happen.
And here we are, 26 years later, with people's names being recorded not only against NCHIs but as having committed actual crimes - and, in most cases, without their knowledge.
Thank you for taking a stand. This has gone on for too long. It has to be stopped.
As always, a lucid, intelligent and cogent article by Helen Joyce. This is a monstrous situation to be in and HJ has my support and sympathy for what’s worth.
Everyone here in the US that is contemplating/proposing going down a similar path needs to read your essay (I’ve restacked it to do my little bit in getting this piece out). Orwellian only begins to describe this. The interview is also excellent—thank you for including it. I look forward to reading your piece in the Critic, too.
Yes, well, re: 'every single one has done a massive eye roll and said words to the effect of “for goodness’ sake.”'. Just so, as in: nothing polite to say (ffs).
I have watched the YouTube posting of the panel (discussion? "debate"?) with the Freda (Fred?) Wallace character, him drinking and spouting some quite foul nonsense as you alluded to above. Peter T. even trying to get him to put down the drink. What impressed me was your calm, unwavering logic, sticking to the topic in an uncomfortable and insulting situation.
All of this is staggering to read and very scary for those of us who share our gender critical views on-line. I have a two yearly DBS check for a volunteer role so assume anything on me will show up on that but I find it chilling that you can be recorded as having committed a crime without any right of reply, let alone a judge and jury.
Dystopian doesn’t cover it. I’m constantly shocked but never surprised. Something about Orwell being read by the authorities as an instruction manual rather than biting satire on appalling state overreach, seems apt. Safeguarding systems will always be gamed by bad actors to either avoid scrutiny or to appropriate the rights and assets of others. Or, in your case, to harm an individual speaking truth to power. Stay strong, Helen. I know you will.
I remember very clearly having discussions with many people in 1999 when the MacPherson report came out. As a former police officer, I was horrified at the idea of police records being created purely based on 'perception' rather than evidence. Most concerning was the fact that this was not just the perception of the 'victim' (although that was bad enough) but "any other person".
At the time I was living with a non-white partner. I gave the example to friends that we would sometimes have playful banter where he might say something like "Get back in the kitchen, woman!" and I would joke back "You go back to your own country!". I pointed out that the recommendation in MacPherson meant that if someone overheard my remark and reported it to police as a racist incident, it would have to be recorded as such even though the "victim", my partner, could vouch that it was not. I would therefore have my name on a police database as having been involved in a 'racist' incident.
Everyone told me I was being ridiculous and that this would never happen.
And here we are, 26 years later, with people's names being recorded not only against NCHIs but as having committed actual crimes - and, in most cases, without their knowledge.
Thank you for taking a stand. This has gone on for too long. It has to be stopped.
As always, a lucid, intelligent and cogent article by Helen Joyce. This is a monstrous situation to be in and HJ has my support and sympathy for what’s worth.
Everyone here in the US that is contemplating/proposing going down a similar path needs to read your essay (I’ve restacked it to do my little bit in getting this piece out). Orwellian only begins to describe this. The interview is also excellent—thank you for including it. I look forward to reading your piece in the Critic, too.
Yes, well, re: 'every single one has done a massive eye roll and said words to the effect of “for goodness’ sake.”'. Just so, as in: nothing polite to say (ffs).
I have watched the YouTube posting of the panel (discussion? "debate"?) with the Freda (Fred?) Wallace character, him drinking and spouting some quite foul nonsense as you alluded to above. Peter T. even trying to get him to put down the drink. What impressed me was your calm, unwavering logic, sticking to the topic in an uncomfortable and insulting situation.