SIR — What a pity a very good teacher is being banned from the profession for some petty trivial 'racist' remarks, not all of which were made by him (Free Press June 24). It is all the worse because he resigned on the assurance that no further action would be taken. This teacher had been specifically asked to accompany a group of difficult 13-year-olds because of the rapport he had with them and at the end of the outing they thanked him and said what a good experience it had been. I am British and can be referred to as a 'Brit'. Other nationalities cannot be similarly abbreviated, so it seems. If I go to New Zealand the Maoris will call me a Pakeha, in Australia I am a Pommie, in South Africa a Rooinek, in South America a Gringo, in North America a Limey and if the old Red Indian (who is not Indian at all) calls me a Redskin! The teacher concerned is known as Paddy on account of his Irish ancestry; he is not offended although the term 'Paddy' is, I believe, on the banned list. What a nonsense this is. Surely we should all use common sense and if we have a sense of humour we should accept that others may have a different sense of humour. All around the world one race tells jokes about the other and in my experience no offence is caused. The important point is that no offence should be intended, then hopefully it will not be caused. Joe Blackwell, Southfield, Wiveliscombe.
