Denis Lusby says he is the victim of political correctness after being forced to resign for printing Irish jokes in his parish magazine below
Posted on 09/12/2007 3:30:00 PM PDT by Stoat
As an Ulster-born Catholic, Denis Lusby is perhaps more qualified than most to poke fun at the Irish.
But although most enjoy reading the jokes he prints in his parish magazine, some can't see the funny side.
And after a council official complained they were racist, Mr Lusby, the magazine's editor, resigned.
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Denis Lusby says he is the victim of political correctness after being forced to resign for printing Irish jokes in his parish magazine below
The 58-year-old, who runs the village shop in St Breward, near Bodmin, Cornwall, has spent 11 years building up the magazine from a flysheet to a 56-page monthly.
His 30p publication, which sells about 500 copies, includes information on local events.
Schools in villages on the edge of Bodmin Moor also use the Blisland with Temple, Helland and St Breward Community Magazine to tell locals of their news.
But after reading the May issue, Cornwall County Council's equality and diversity boss complained that the use of the names Murphy and Paddy in jokes in the magazine was racist and ridiculed the Irish traveller communities with whom she works.
Ginny Harrison-White then wrote to schools asking whether it was appropriate to have their news printed alongside 'such derogatory material', claiming that the jokes may have an impact on the attitudes of the children.
She called for headmasters to boycott the magazine.
But Mr Lusby, a grandfather of four, was furious.
He said: "I have spent my life being non-racist and anti-racist - and to have somebody accuse me of being racist is really hard to take.
"IRA bombings were going on, so I reckon I know a lot more about racial prejudice than she does.
"The magazine evolved out of the church notices and grew over the years but I've always put in the odd joke or two."
Mr Lusby, who is chairman of St Breward's parish council, added: "It had all sorts of jokes, not just Irish, but in her letter this lady complained about the use of the names Murphy and Paddy, which is funny because Patrick is my middle name.
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"I feel she has used her position to put pressure on the schools.
"The only time I have spoken to her was after we ran a joke about an Essex Earthquake appeal, which was full of Essex Girl jokes.
"She rang up and said her neighbours came from Essex and was concerned they would be offended.
"I told her that all humour is subjective.
"I felt her letters to the school put the tin lid on it, so I am resigning."
Mrs Harrison-White, who lives in the nearby village of Blisland, said that she sent the letters to the schools as a 'concerned local resident' rather than in her capacity as a council worker.
"The context of the letter was to follow up an informal conversation," she said.
"Because of my role I clearly come from an informed position with particular expertise and knowledge.
"I firmly believe that it is the responsibility of all members of society to support each other to ensure that any actions, comments, or public materials do not cause offence."
Her letter said: "There are three items which are distasteful and two of them use racist language or ridicule based on race as defined under the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 and which may have an impact on the attitude and behaviour of the children and the wider school community.
"I am asking if you feel it is appropriate for the school and church to have their articles, which demonstrate and promote respect and celebrate achievement, published alongside such derogatory material."
Mr Lusby, originally from Londonderry, said the jokes weren't even his. "People sent them in for me to use."
**Raquel Welch**
Over here in Germany many pizza joints offer the “Sophia Loren pizza.”
Comes with two fried eggs on it.
LOL. The funniest Seinfeld line.
Hell hath no fury like a woman hyphenated.
Same here. :’)
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