Disabled pensioner is banned from using Sainsbury's home delivery service ...

[Ammi]

....'for calling their driver a coloured gentleman'


A disabled pensioner claims she has been banned from using the Sainsbury’s home delivery service after describing one of their drivers as a ‘coloured gentleman’.

Marian Burke, 73, says she used the term entirely innocently to refer to a ‘lovely’ deliveryman who works for the supermarket.

But she says a manager at Sainsbury’s immediately branded her a racist for saying the word and said her custom was no longer welcome

Last night the supermarket insisted the ban was justified and accused Mrs Burke of using a ‘racial slur’ on three separate occasions while being aggressive towards staff.

But wheelchair-bound Mrs Burke, who has a Kenyan carer, strenuously denied the charge and said Sainsbury’s should be ashamed of its actions.

Mrs Burke, who suffers from osteoporosis and cannot leave the house, says she is completely dependent on the delivery service for her £80 weekly shop.

Being unfamiliar with computers means online delivery is not an option, so for the last ten years she has phoned the supermarket with her shopping list of food and household goods

After a string of mistakes in recent weeks with deliveries arriving without several essentials, she called the shop to inform them of their error.

She recalled: ‘When the manager asked me what the name of the delivery driver was, I had to tell him that I didn’t know. I said to him, “I don’t know his name, but he was a lovely coloured gentleman”.’
She continued: ‘Then all hell broke loose. The man on the other end of the phone called me a racist, and said they would never again take an order from me.’

Last night a Sainsbury’s spokesman claimed the company’s ban came after Mrs Burke had been ‘aggressive’ and used ‘racial slurs’.

He said: 'Mrs Burke's version of events does not reflect our experience of her. She was not solely banned for the use of the word 'coloured' but for a range of racial slurs on three separate occasions, used in an aggressive manner against our colleagues

'As you would expect we don't take action like this lightly but have a duty of care to protect our colleagues from racial and abusive language and any form of aggression.'
But Mrs Burke denied the firm’s version of events, saying: ‘That’s absolute lies. How dare they call me a racist? They should be ashamed.’

Last night one of Mrs Burke’s two carers said: ‘I heard the phone call. She was not rude and she was not racist at all.’

The Sainsbury’s telephone ordering service – which is not offered by her other local supermarkets – had previously been a lifeline for Mrs Burke, who is separated and does not have children.

She says she wept after the staff member’s outburst earlier this month and is now relying on a friend who lives nearby for her shopping needs. She said: ‘There’s not a racist bone in my body. What’s wrong with referring to someone as coloured? It’s political correctness gone mad.’

The retired secretary, who lives in Highgate, North London, was dependent on her weekly delivery from the nearby Finchley Road branch which processed her order from a call centre – although not always correctly.

‘They were always forgetting things, and it’s so hard for me to get out,’ said Mrs Burke.

‘Also, the delivery costs me nearly £10, so I felt that I wasn’t getting the service I deserved.’

She went on: ‘As a loyal customer, I had had enough, so I rang my local store, not to shout at them or anything, but because I wanted to tell them that I’m very frail and if they could try to remember everything I order, I’d be very grateful.

‘Sainsbury’s was my lifeline, and now it’s been taken away from me.’

Using the term ‘coloured’ to refer to black people is considered to be offensive because it dismisses everyone who is not white as the same

[Benjamin]

I bet she is a right bitch.

[Tom4784]

I'm guessing there's more to the story than the pensioner is admitting, no store no matter how big or small turns down regular custom for no reason especially over such a slight misunderstanding plus they wouldn't want to risk a backlash for being seen going after a sweet old lady. My guess is that she's a horrid racist hag who probably said a lot worse then she stated in the article.

[GiRTh]

Quite right too.

[Kizzy]

Well no source but I'm guessing the mail.

[the truth]

I believe her

[GiRTh]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2477153/Disabled-pensioner-banned-using-Sainsburys-home-delivery-service-calling-driver-coloured-gentleman.html

'She used racist language on three seperate occasions.'

'She became aggressive and abusive.'

The bitch can get her own shopping asnd I hope she falls in the street and bust up her hip

[Ammi]

I'm guessing there's more to the story than the pensioner is admitting, no store no matter how big or small turns down regular custom for no reason especially over such a slight misunderstanding plus they wouldn't want to risk a backlash for being seen going after a sweet old lady. My guess is that she's a horrid racist hag who probably said a lot worse then she stated in the article.

..yeah, I definitely don't think that this can be the whole story, ...it is the DM...

[Ammi]

http://www.dailystormer.com/uk-disabled-pensioner-banned-from-supermarket-home-delivery-program-for-calling-driver-a-colored-gentleman/

[Me. I Am Salman]

Age isn't an excuse for racism (I mean the other remarks, not 'coloured')

She should just order from another supermarket

[Marsh.]

Yeah, they wouldn't just ban her and brand her a racist for using the term "coloured" innocently especially if she was just a polite old lady. I mean my nan still uses the term even though we remind her not to but it's just a term she grew up with.

The fact she was ringing after they buggered up the order several times makes me think she was probably calling them in anger and frustration. Definitely more to it.

[arista]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2477153/Disabled-pensioner-banned-using-Sainsburys-home-delivery-service-calling-driver-coloured-gentleman.html

'She used racist language on three seperate occasions.'

'She became aggressive and abusive.'

The bitch can get her own shopping asnd I hope she falls in the street and bust up her hip


A Good Ban , then

[Me. I Am Salman]

I'm shocked that the top rated comment is someone saying there's more to this than she's letting on

[Verbal]

Calling people 'coloured' is considered offensive now? Honestly

[Marsh.]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2477153/Disabled-pensioner-banned-using-Sainsburys-home-delivery-service-calling-driver-coloured-gentleman.html

'She used racist language on three seperate occasions.'

'She became aggressive and abusive.'

The bitch can get her own shopping asnd I hope she falls in the street and bust up her hip

:rolleyes: Which gives you the moral high ground how exactly?

[GiRTh]

:rolleyes: Which gives you the moral high ground how exactly?Who mentioned moral high ground? To hell with her.

[user104658]

Obviously no one but her and whoever was on the other end of the phone knows what was really said, but I have to say, her version of events doesn't really stack up...

She called to complain about the service, almost certainly after getting herself worked up about it, and claims that she referred to the delivery driver as "lovely"? ... ... ..... OK. I've dealt with countless customer complaints in my time, in various jobs, and NO ONE has ever complained with a level head. It just doesn't happen. People complain when they're feeling "wronged", and they are, as a rule of thumb, pissed off enough to complain. It's one of the first things you're taught in customer service; tread lightly with complaints, because it's a minefield.

I simply don't believe that she called up sweet-as-pie to complain. Also, complaining to supermarkets (and other large companies) is a frustrating process, they'll give you the runaround all day with excuse after excuse. And with those two things in mind... it seems very possible (if not probable) that she said a few things in the heat of the moment when she was feeling flustered and annoyed at being fobbed off.

[the truth]

Age isn't an excuse for racism (I mean the other remarks, not 'coloured')

She should just order from another supermarket
false racism isn't an excuse for ageism

[Scarlett.]

I'm guessing there's more to the story than the pensioner is admitting, no store no matter how big or small turns down regular custom for no reason especially over such a slight misunderstanding plus they wouldn't want to risk a backlash for being seen going after a sweet old lady. My guess is that she's a horrid racist hag who probably said a lot worse then she stated in the article.

I agree, definately more to this story than she's letting on.

[Marsh.]

Who mentioned moral high ground? To hell with her.

You obviously felt superior to this "racist" woman and yet wished serious injury on a disabled elderly person. Which makes you better how?

[GiRTh]

You obviously felt superior to this "racist" woman and yet wished serious injury on a disabled elderly person. Which makes you better how?Who mentioned anything about feeling superior? Not me. No I feel that as a racist this woman deserves exactly what I wanted to happen to her. She's clearly lying and thus I feel my words are entirely appropriate for this poor disabled elderly racist woman. Maybe if she started telling the truth I might alter my stance but I doubt it.

[Kazanne]

why is it offensive to say 'coloured'? she could have said much worse

[mizzy25]

I said something on facebook the other week about Hannah on x factor but I couldn't remember her name and I said the young coloured girl with the great voice. One of my friends told me you are not allowed to say that now as its racist. That is totally ridiculous IMO that the word coloured when referring to a black person is racist, that is what my mate said I should have said the black girl. Utterly ridic oh and Im only 46 and I didn't know it was racist, of that I most certainly am not I grew up playing with a Pakistani family or is that racist as well?

[Jack_]

why is it offensive to say 'coloured'? she could have said much worse

Because it categorises any non-white person into a humongous bracket when there's a lot of differing skin tones and ethnicities. It's basically inferring that 'there's white people and then there's the other ones...the coloured people', and that's offensive. It's just a word which makes me think of some little old lady living in a countryside town full of middle aged white people for a black family turn up and then refer to them as 'the coloured people down the road'...well white is a colour too.

[Livia]

My grandparents, who are immigrants themselves and vehemently non-racist, use the term "coloured" in a totally innocent way. Like most people have said, there's more to this than initially meets the eye.

[Jack_]

Oh yeah just to add to that, it's a word which is mostly used innocently, but it does have racist connotations that those using it don't really realise.

[Livia]

Oh yeah just to add to that, it's a word which is mostly used innocently, but it does have racist connotations that those using it don't really realise.


I think most people make the distinction though, don't you, Jack? This woman is probably a right old cow.

[Kazanne]

Because it categorises any non-white person into a humongous bracket when there's a lot of differing skin tones and ethnicities. It's basically inferring that 'there's white people and then there's the other ones...the coloured people', and that's offensive. It's just a word which makes me think of some little old lady living in a countryside town full of middle aged white people for a black family turn up and then refer to them as 'the coloured people down the road'...well white is a colour too.

Well surely black is offensive aswell then,it's all so silly,so if you are describing a person with brown skin how would you do it?

[Headie]

Well surely black is offensive aswell then,it's all so silly,so if you are describing a person with brown skin how would you do it?

I'm mixed race (black & white parents) and I never used the word "coloured", I just say black (I also refer to myself as black). My best friend is also black and we just use the word black to each other.

I remember once I was sat in a school assembly about racism, and this old male teacher in his 60s or whatever put up a picture on the screen of 2 water fountains back in the 20th century, and they were labeled "white" and "coloured", and then he went "Coloured. That's a funny word isn't it?". I was like, um excuse you. :laugh:

[GiRTh]

During the many years of apartheid in South Africa and segregation in parts of the USA they used to put up signs that said 'Whites' and either 'Non-whites' or 'coloureds'. Coloured is a word that is associated with apartheid and segregation.

Yes it can be used innocently but I do not believe for one second that this lovely frail disabled racist old lady actually only used those words. She needs to stop lying cuz her story is simply not believable.

Also, why does it mention that her carer is Kenyan? What is the significance of that fact? In my book it makes no difference she can still be racist if she had ten Kenyan carers. This story is littered with half truths and implications.

[lime]

Coloured is not offensive in SA.Growing up I never remember any mention of coloured people on signs..it was always Net blankes or Blannke gebeid.
They make up about 9% of Sa population and are very proud of their heritage.
It's a funny world where in the UK you would offend a black person for labeling them coloured and in SA you would offend a coloured person by labeling them black.

ETA .On topic I doubt this lady was all sweetness and nice and would guess her intentions were to offend

[Marsh.]

Who mentioned anything about feeling superior? Not me. No I feel that as a racist this woman deserves exactly what I wanted to happen to her. She's clearly lying and thus I feel my words are entirely appropriate for this poor disabled elderly racist woman. Maybe if she started telling the truth I might alter my stance but I doubt it.

I just meant you're wishing this quite severe punishment on someone for their attitude/language, but your own attitude towards her is no better. Just hypocritical I thought.

A bit like fighting violence with violence.

[Kizzy]

Hang on I'm confused, is it right or not, is it ok for those fom eastern Europe but not here?

[MTVN]

Eastern Europe? :S

[GiRTh]

I just meant you're wishing this quite severe punishment on someone for their attitude/language, but your own attitude towards her is no better. Just hypocritical I thought.

A bit like fighting violence with violence.I dont apologise. My attitude becomes very bad when I come across a racist trying to justify their beliefs.

[GiRTh]

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t13/GRiT_02/Rex_theatre_zps4e2c8376.jpg (http://s156.photobucket.com/user/GRiT_02/media/Rex_theatre_zps4e2c8376.jpg.html)

[GiRTh]

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t13/GRiT_02/1943_Colored_Waiting_Room_Sign_zpseaa4556c.jpg (http://s156.photobucket.com/user/GRiT_02/media/1943_Colored_Waiting_Room_Sign_zpseaa4556c.jpg.htm l)

[Nedusa]

She's clearly a racist old bitch who thinks she needs to put these "coloured's " in their place. When you read this story a little more deeply it becomes clear this woman has been using racist language on more than one occasion and just because she feels the quality of her delivery service was not up to scratch it does not entitle her to make these racial slurs.

Old and/or disabled does not give her any right to act like this in fact since she probably suffers from discrimination herself she should know better..!!!

[Ninastar]

if she had used it as a one off, and hadn't been reported of racial abuse beforehand, i'd have felt sorry for her. but it sounds to me like there's more to the story. Colored is something i hear some people my age sometimes say, because they feel nervous saying black because they think that's racist.

[Ammi]

if she had used it as a one off, and hadn't been reported of racial abuse beforehand, i'd have felt sorry for her. but it sounds to me like there's more to the story. Colored is something i hear some people my age sometimes say, because they feel nervous saying black because they think that's racist.

..yeah, it doesn't look as it's so much her terminology but general attitude and not for the first time that's been offensive...I can't imagine a company like Sainsbury's acting so severely for a scenario that she described ....

[Marsh.]

I dont apologise. My attitude becomes very bad when I come across a racist trying to justify their beliefs.

I don't want you to apologise, like I said, I was just pointing it out.

[GiRTh]

I don't want you to apologise, like I said, I was just pointing it out.You've noticed something that I make absolutely no effort to hide. Well done. :thumbs:

[Marsh.]

:rolleyes: