I think this says it all..........

During the 1990's a former UK officer serving with the Bermuda constabulary
for a number of years was accused of calling a black officer a 'kaffer'.

The allegation was treated seriously and instead of dealing with the issue
by way of discipline, the officer found himself summonsed to appear at
Magistrate's court in Hamilton, Bermuda for an offence of 'insulting words
and / or behaviour'.

One questions whether the UK officer could have been treated fairly; the
matter was investigated and considered by the prosecution service. No one,
when handling what was a career destroying allegation against the former UK
officer, could find in his favour, the matter progressed to Court. What
could the prosecution team do, call the black officer a liar?

As is the way in Court proceedings, the prosecution put their case at the
Magistrates Court. The evidence against the officer was the word of the
person he allegedly called 'kaffer'; a fellow serving officer. The evidence
was given and apart from refute the allegation and stress that the words
were never uttered, what could the officer, or his defence counsel, do?

Before the black officer, making the allegation, was released (allowed to
leave the witness box) the Judge put a question to him:

"officer, what do you understand the term 'kaffir' to mean"

The reply from the black officer:

"I don't know what it means"

Case dismissed.

If you do not know what something means then they cannot cause you offence,
the offence is not complete


--
David Hill
Abacus nurseries
www.abacus-nurseries.co.uk