BNP - have we learnt nothing from history?

I was shocked to discover that almost a million British people voted for the BNP (British National Party) in the recent European Elections. Seventy years ago a whole generation of young men (and women) combined from all parts of the world fought - and many died, giving their tomorrows for us to have freedom today. Those who fought against the horrors and evil of Nazism came from all countries, races, colours and creeds. A tide of humanity united against the atrocities that were committed against so many innocent people, and hoped that they had left behind a better world for us to inhabit.

Nick Griffin and his party have the right to free speech that we often forget is so precious to liberty - Napoleon Bonaprte was quoted as saying "Four hostile newspapers are to be feared more than a thousand bayonets". Free speech is a two way street, however, and whilst some of the questions and comments put to Mr. Griffin showed him and his beliefs to be at best, confused, at worst, abhorrent, my favourite quip of the night was from Bonnie Greer, who kept her cool admirably throughout, pointing out "All of us are descended from Africa".

I've always found pharmacy to be a very tolerant and meritocratic beast and have rarely come accross any racist tendencies with people I have worked with. I'm sure some individuals have experienced it in their time and I have been told by some during a recruitment process that they do fear it's effect and impact, which has a huge influence on areas where they might consider working and living. That is soul destroying to hear.

My favourite incident which highlighted the crass stupidity of people believing in racial stereotypes occurred a few years backm, when we recruited a man, we'll call him Geoff (not his real name) for an independent pharmacy, after considering posts with a small group and a major multiple. Geoff enjoyed three years in the job in a middle class, almost exclusively white populated area. His patients and customers really thought very highly of him, not just because he was so good at this job, but because he was a really pleasant, caring, dedicated man who would go out of his way for anyone. I don't know if it helped his situation that he spoke with a cut-glass English accent that would have fitted well on the BBC in the 1950's.

More than once after securing the job for Geoff, I visited the pharmacy to see how he was getting on. It never failed to make me smile when a ptient who had spoken to him on the telephone came into the pharmacy and saw him for the first time. After asking to speak with Geoff, they were told politley, "Hello Mr. Jones, nice to meet you at last. I'm Geoff". There would follow a moment of uncertainty as Mr. Jones would stutter, "But.. but..". "Geoff would help them out "Yes Mr. Jones, I'm black. I'm from Nigeria". A relieved Mr. Jones would reach out to shake Geoff's extended hand "But you sound so English!".