On 26 Oct 2017 at 7:30pm White Zulu wrote:
It is November 5th 2019 and here come the Zulus of Borough, processing down the High Street. Their costumes resplendent with multi coloured feathers and their faces as white as the day they were born.
See how the crowds rejoice. See how those of all political persuasions now enjoy Bonfire together, all differences set aside. See how Bonfire is now accepted by everyone as a welcome and integral part of the cultural diversity of this wonderful town.
.....and then I woke up.
On 26 Oct 2017 at 7:35pm Mr sensitive wrote:
It is November 5th 2019 and here come the Zulus of Borough, processing down the High Street. Their costumes resplendent with multi coloured feathers and their faces as black as the day they blacked them up.
See how the crowds rejoice. See how those of all political persuasions now enjoy Bonfire together, all differences set aside. See how Bonfire is now accepted by everyone as a welcome and integral part of the cultural diversity of this wonderful town.
On 26 Oct 2017 at 7:39pm White Zulu wrote:
I just LOLed 
On 26 Oct 2017 at 7:49pm Lopster wrote:
How would anyone know it was a Zulu costume if their faces were white?
Perhaps we should all be labelled to make it clear to others what we are trying to portray...
On 26 Oct 2017 at 7:58pm history man wrote:
next year it will be back to the `Sectarian` issue, it just goes around in circles.
Its the best part of Lewes on the 5th (the 4th this year)
On 26 Oct 2017 at 9:39pm monty cute wrote:
. . . and yet the issue I NEVER hear discussed is the amount of money that, indirectly at least, the good folk of Lewes place in the hands of explosives manufacturers each year. Surely there are more worthy causes?
On 26 Oct 2017 at 9:48pm Eric wrote:
ute wrote:
. . . and yet the issue I NEVER hear discussed is the amount of money that, indirectly at least, the good folk of Lewes place in the hands of worthy charities each year. There are less worthy causes.
On 26 Oct 2017 at 10:06pm So....? wrote:
Been having a discussion on the back of the Lewes Facebook post about this and as far as I can see it's not an issue around racism but more cultural appropriation. Is there any actual link between Lewes Borough and the Zulu's? Apologies for my lack of local historical knowledge.
On 26 Oct 2017 at 11:06pm Bonfire Boy wrote:
Let me think about that as I listen to my jazz collection while wearing my Kaftan...
On 26 Oct 2017 at 11:37pm Rob wrote:
After tomorrow's multiple approaches to courts and law enforcement under the provisions of the Religious and Racial Hatred Act 2006, which is law, we think so-called Bonfire is finished. Widespread preventative arrests under the Act's provisions are the way forward that we have agreed.
On 27 Oct 2017 at 9:28am Minstrel wrote:
Some years ago, my neighbour took some young black South African friends to Bonfire and when they saw the Zulus they were a bit freaked out, but were certainly far less offended than some of the people on this forum. I think they saw it for what it was - an eccentric and embarrassing hangover from from another era, rather than a deliberately provocative act of racism.
On 27 Oct 2017 at 10:20am Observer wrote:
I don't think anyone thinks it is a deliberately provocative act of racism. I think the critique is that it is exactly "an eccentric and embarrassing hangover" that can easily be misconstrued as racist.
On 27 Oct 2017 at 11:18am Eric wrote:
Newsflash......Face painting at all Lewes children's events to be outlawed. A number of non-locals have called it animalist. Apparently tigers find it offensive although the hyenas just thought it funny.
On 27 Oct 2017 at 11:25am roaving reporter wrote:
ERIC - I just spat my coffee out !!!! made me chuckle like a hyena !
On 27 Oct 2017 at 12:11pm Inclusive wrote:
The ostracisations will continue until diversity improves.
On 27 Oct 2017 at 1:58pm Helen wrote:
Actions aren't good just because they're traditional and people should challenge them if they're not - blackface is offensive, end of story (so is dressing as Native Americans for that matter)
Racism doesn't have to be deliberately provocative - it can just as easily be lazy and entrenched in some rose tinted view of 'tradition'.
On 27 Oct 2017 at 5:30pm Eric wrote:
More b0ll0x from Helen.
On 27 Oct 2017 at 5:37pm Tom wrote:
Eric - what a superb argument! You win intellectual of the year from me! Why is it that the only person who seems to be able to argue intelligently on this forum is Pedro and he just takes a lot of knuckle dragging flak to do so.
On 27 Oct 2017 at 5:46pm Mr Tick Tock wrote:
@helen, you know nothing of the traditions and links to the native people of America , stop creating a problem in your own bigoted head and trying to force your incorrect views onto others.
On 27 Oct 2017 at 8:18pm Eric wrote:
Well, Tom, I like to get straight to the point and say it as it is. And i did. No point in wasting my valuable time on some long winded reply to a post that barely deserves a one word reply let alone the four words I actually used. Think yourself lucky I bothered to write this much in reply to you.
On 27 Oct 2017 at 8:49pm The. Real lewesian wrote:
Helen.... And don't even get me started on the Mongol hordes
On 27 Oct 2017 at 10:33pm Rooks Fan wrote:
I have just come back from Brighton where I saw 3 coloured gentlemen in fancy dress, complete with whitened faces. Should I be offended and start a petition?
On 28 Oct 2017 at 9:11am Observer wrote:
Yeah, cos people painting their faces extra white is no different to painting your face and body black and putting on comedy African headdresses.