Otago cricket campaign a 'racist slur'

We seem to be forgetting that we are the hosts here - if we invite visitors from overseas here, then surely the prerogative is on us to make them feel welcome. Those who protest against political correctness are the very people who really don't give a damn about others anyway...it's not a crime to show politeness to others, it's just good manners.

Memo to Otago Cricket Marketing: You are boneheads.

No, it ain't racist...no, it's not funny..... but as has already been pointed out, this is just a lame phrase. "It's all white here"....oooh, man that is SHARP!! That is really pure genius....I mean, cricketers wear white....so we'll put up "It's all white here" posters all over town..." Seriously, that's the best you can come up with?

Are we living in Apartheid?

With things like this becoming 'catch phrases' and supporters chants, it certainly seems like it. If this actually happens i'll start supporting Australia, at least when they're being racist they come right out and say it face to face (re Symonds Vs Harbijan)... are we no better than the past mistakes, just because half of Dunedin is drunk/stoned students, dosen't mean those in leadership have to suggest actions as if they also are. GROW UP DUNEDIN!!!!

Perfectly stated Peter..that not one of these fools who came up with this thought about how it would be seen is proof positive that they are not fit to decide on anything of public interest! Go and take a good look at yourselves in the mirror. Would you invite a guest to your home and treat them this way? You probably would you insular, small minded cretins!

At long last this issue of colour has come out of the uniform closet. West Indian cricketers have for too long suffered the indignity of having to wear white kit. I have always found the name of the New Zealand football team, the All White's racist, especially as very few people of colour are selected in it. And Asian's all over the World have long suffered the offense of the yellow shirt doned by the Brazilian soccer team. So it is plainly inappriopate for members of the public to be invited to attend any sporting fixture wearing clothes of a particular colour. Any right thinking person recognises that such arequest is racially motivated and designed to insult and offend. The idea of writing to the visiting team ahead of the event to try to convince them otherwise is also ludicrous. That God for Political correctness. Bring back labour.

Not everything is about 'race'. Get over it NZ, you are an ethnically diverse nation and with that should come the tolerence to allow words and slogans to be just that. Don't let the whingers attach non existing racial undertones to them.

If it had been Australia touring this wouldn't even have been an issue.

I cannot believe in a country such as ours, the "kiwi neutral" so to speak, whom has embraced culture, and lived, grown in a non xenophobic society that we would be commenting on such a inconspicious marketing campaign. However in the name of bad taste, I could not think of a more ridiculous slogan to have at a test match, especially for a touring team from the Caribbean, it makes us seem more like idiots than racists, which would you prefer!!!

People are not saying that it was intended as racist, but that it will be construed as racist. A fair proportion of posters are either being obtuse or are just stupid. No wonder juries struggle to come to correct verdicts. PC often goes too far, but sometimes is necessary - eg banning slavery and stopping cock fighting and prodding lunatics with sticks through their cage bars.

The first impression of the phrase is that of segregation, and it will offend. There is a level of ignorance and/or insensitivity displayed by the council and cricket officials who are trying to defend the choice and use of the phrase. Also, I am a West Indian living in New Zealand, and in attending the match I would have to anticipate that I am being set up to be taunted by the rowdy few who, by the middle of the day, try to find anything but the game to 'entertain' themselves. I am a big fan of both West Indian and New Zealand cricket. We can do best to serve both teams by not manufacturing an issue that will insult peoples, distract from the business inside the boundary, ridicule the great traditional New Zealand welcome that guests have come to expect, and possibly put at risk the safety of players and fans.