Much faux outrage has been spewed on the topic of young Prince Harry (pictured) using the P-word. I'd be interested to know how many people have done the same, I can confirm that I once did (and was carpeted for having done so, even though I was merely reporting reported speech).
Vote here or in the sidebar.
Sunday, 11 January 2009
Fun Online Poll: Have you ever used the word 'Paki'?
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7 comments:
I voted no. I'm too sensible, although I do think it's stupid how he's being rebuked for something that could be (and probably was) said as a joke.
Some killjoys don't seem to realise that in many cases racism becomes a bit of a joke amongst friends as opposed to abusive, particularly in a multiracial setting (like my school).
There is a line of course, but some people don't even think there's a line - and those people ought to go and befriend people of another race instead of tutting at the rest of the population.
Or else they should go on youtube and watch that Canadian-Indian comedian who does the racist jokes - I think his name is Russell Peters.
People should stop trying to ignore the differences between other cultures and races, and celebrate it - even if that involves a bit of a laugh. There's a difference between discriminating against someone, and discriminating one person as different from another. Russell Peters actually does this quite well with a sketch of the white guy too embarrassed to describe the person they've just seen as being black for fear of being accused of racism.
...otherwise just go and watch a clip of At Home with the Kumars when he claims the Royal Family is Indian, but that Prince Charles must be African due to his big ears.
I made an official complaint to the BBC about the website headlining this crap.
I'm not holding my breath....
From the outside it is amazing how the original occupants of England/Britain have to watch their mouths.
And you all voted for this stuff.
Darwin would have been amazed.
Changed my vote to yes... just used the term in a comment of this story elsewhere.
I can't say its a word I'd use in regular life because I'd take the trouble to discover someone's nationality/origin and use the full word rather than an abbreviation. But having said that, I don't find it a particularly offensive term and I doubt any of my Pakistani friends would either, if used in the manner that the Prince did between friends.
Funny you should ask the question Mark. I voted yes, and had already posted this explanation at Cranmer's place as to why.
I was at college with a guy from Southall who used the word 'Paki' himself as a self-deprecatory term. I spent two years with him and we were inseparable. We had great times and I'd throw the insult at him every now and then when he made me laugh, he'd hit back by calling me a 'whitey twat'.
Nothing vitriolic, just banter between very good friends.
I wonder sometimes if those that wish to portray the Harry situation as racist don't actually want further racial emnity.
Funny how some people take it upon themselves to get offended about things on behalf of other people who don't seem fussed themselves. Do the people finding offence think they get PC brownie points for doing so?
What's wrong with the word Paki? What's wrong with the word Brit? Both are just contractions.
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