Letter: Motson no racist

Motson no racist

Sir: There is a facile self-righteousness in the recommendation by Trevor Phillips (Comment, 10 January) that the BBC chastise John Motson for his inability to recognise certain footballers, especially if they are black.

We are, by and large, best able to recognise and distinguish that with which we are familiar from a very young age. In my profession I meet people from many countries and more than once I have heard from some, especially from the Far East, that they find it difficult to tell one Westerner from another. Do I feel slighted? Do I note that their treatment of me and my fellow Caucasians is otherwise affected? Of course not.

Unfortunately, real racism generates a disposition on the part of some to espy it in the most inappropriate contexts.

ERIC HARVEY

Totnes,

Devon