Paphitis wrote:The forum has had considerable debate on issues of free speech lately. I start this new thread to encourage further debate about the important issue and to also touch on the taboo subject of racism.
Recently, I and others made a short appearance on another forum. Our agenda was not to offend but to engage that particular forum in a social experiment. Sadly, the forum in question failed the test by not identifying any underlying issues or at least approach the situation with humor.
On this forum I had posted the following:
"Hello my colonial masters,
I am another new member from the CF who has only recently discovered this splendid forum. I had been a member at CF for about 2 years. The CF is a bit too heavy. Too many political discussions about the Cyprus Problem.
But since I discovered this site, I do not think I can go back. You all seem so splendidly friendly. Why discuss that silly Cyprus Problem when we can talk about the really important issues such as Animals and Animal Welfare, Health and Fitness, Cyprus Cost of Living, Restaurants and Bars, Home and Garden, Going Out, Buying Property and my all time favorite - Food and Recipes. Oh yes, sometimes I get in the mood to whack on the apron and cook up a storm. So I look forward to sharing a few recipes with you splendid folk
I am afraid that the CF has become a little too heavy for my overly delicate and sensitive nature. Thank heavens for this forum. I mean what a jolly good life saver. I might even find the forum very useful when I decide to move to Cyprus. So I will be looking for useful tips on where to buy a property complete with a swimming pool, so that I can have an endless supply of water. Useful tips on pool maintenance will also be welcome.
Thank you all. "
The above post could be deemed as rather sarcastic, but the ulterior aim was to test many things as outlined below. The readers unfortunately failed to comprehend or identify the underlining social tests, which is quite sad.
Now, the above post was a social experiment of sorts. Sadly, the way it was dealt with seems to indicate the severe non existence of humor. It made myself and others appreciate the clinical, bitchy and bitter nature of that forum's participants. Others may have dealt with the post in a different manner and countered it with a bit of humor. I know that Australians, Cypriots etc are very famous for "taking the piss" and laughing at themselves. Why were these qualities not prevalent at this forum? Does this reveal a sense of insecurity?
Even posts about philosophy met the axe! Was this because they were posted by Cypriots that had migrated from CF and engaged them in not so trivial banter?
Does this indicate a perception of being "beyond reproach" and being superior to the indigenous Cypriots?
Does it indicate a violation against freedom of speech and expression which is something we are blessed with at CF, thanks to Admin.
Does it indicate a degree of shallowness by avoiding cutting edge issues and discussing issues of triviality such as "pool maintenance" at a time when Cyprus is drastically rationing the precious resource?
Does it indicate that certain individuals do not care or appreciate the drastic problems faced by the island?
Have I and others identified a source of bigotry?
Many years ago, when many migrants were flooding into Australia, the immigrants had to face the indignity of racial victimisation in a conservative young Anglo Saxon society. These migrants congregated in certain suburbs and generally stuck together due to language and cultural similarities and as a comfort zone against their insecurities of being in a foreign country. These days, this racism has dissipated and these immigrants have now more or less assimilated into Australian culture. The new wave of migrants from Iraq and Afghanistan are now suffering the same indignities from the Anglo Saxon society and also from second and third generation migrants!
In Cyprus we are seeing the same thing with migrants searching for a better "life style," congregating in their own ghettos, mainly in Pafos. Are some migrants avoiding the experience of Cypriot culture?
Do the indigenous locals have a right to express their concerns against these ghettos and request upon certain individuals to "assimilate", as was experienced by migrants in Australia, USA and UK?
Should Cypriots be irritated with the aesthetic poor architecture of many developments catering to the individuals in question, who are searching for a better lifestyle?
Have many traditional Cypriot villages been destroyed by these developments?
Are certain individuals treating the indigenous Cypriots with a certain degree of contempt and disrespect in their own country?
Are these individuals racist?
It will be very interesting to read your views.
DISCLAIMER: THE INTENT OF THE ABOVE POST IS TO ENCOURAGE SERIOUS DEBATE ABOUT CERTAIN ISSUES. IT WAS NOT INTENDED TO OFFEND OR TO GENERALISE AGAINST ANY CERTAIN GROUPS OF INDIVIDUALS. DISCLAIMER # ABC7224787XYZ. 
