[Closed] Clarkson 'n-word' furore!

FFS using a nursery rhyme that was common place, is not racist in intent, nor as I inadvertently did recently because it suited the moment, using an expression you've used for years, it's at worse an error in judgement and at best a failure to notice the world has changed around you.

In that case derek why did he not just say it rather than deny saying the word, claim he never used the word, insist it was not broadcast and still apologise?

Its racist because he knew how offensive the word is when used lightly (not for historical or descriptive purposes) and yet chose to use it anyway, knowing full well that it could hurt certain ethnic groups. It shows complete contempt and disregard for those people, contempt which he has clearly shown for anyone who isnt a white middle class car driver.

Hang on. I've just heard what he said and the context.

WTF.

Especially the BBC - idiots.

I don't even know why hes apologizing. Makes it an issue out of nothing.

hora - Member
Hang on. I've just heard what he said and the context.

Careful hora, that is dangerous territory.....

[i]Makes it an issue out of nothing.[/i]

Yay, We're back to page 1 🙂

Its a non-event FFS. Is it slow news day, then the interviewees with some punters, one might as well as said I'm so angry but I dont know about what

[i]I don't even know why hes apologizing. Makes it an issue out of nothing.[/i]

Precisely !

I fear a lot of folk don't [i]get[/i] Clarkson and so inevitably become part of his [i]Joke[/i].

Carry on. Enjoy the bickering, and you get an extra day for it, this weekend.
🙄

I fear a lot of folk don't get Clarkson and so inevitably become part of his Joke.

Exactly

Solo - Member

I fear a lot of folk don't get Clarkson and so inevitably become part of his Joke.

I agree.

He refers to such people as his fans.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eeny,_meeny,_miny,_moe

Only a few of the earlier versions of this song used the n-word, why then is the song that he chose in of itself "not racist" and why did he feel the need to choose that version of the song?

I fear a lot of folk don't get Clarkson and so inevitably become part of his Joke.

He's not bloody Oscar Wilde.

7 pages of ranting about a word that wasn't used in a clip that wasn't aired in the context of finding it very hard to choose between two cars. It's ok not to like a public figure, but to try and manufacture a spurious allegation of racism against them simply dilutes the SNR in which genuine incidents exist and damages the cause.

And Stewart Lee's piece on Scotland and Willy Wallace is a showcase of brilliance in material, delivery, and guts! But he can seem very bitter and whiny sometimes, like in the piece on a "stolen joke".

We were ignorant of any concept of racism

That's staggering. I have been aware of racism throughout my entire life.

Even at 6mths or 1 year old? Impressive.

Maybe children these days are fully/more aware of it, but 20, 30, 40 yrs + ago I doubt they were (especially in some parts of the UK).

He's already guilty after using the term "slope", I don't care if he mumbled this word (sounded like the n word to me).

Remember this one?

In response to Campbell saying Clarkson wasn’t very sound on gay rights, Clarkson replied: ‘Oh yes I am. I demand the right not to be bummed.’

klumpy - Member

7 pages of ranting about a word that wasn't used

Yes it was used. I heard it clearly.

but to try and manufacture a spurious allegation of racism against them simply dilutes the SNR in which genuine incidents exist and damages the cause.

He's the most influential motoring journo in the western world.

He is consistently behaves in the manner of a racist, a homophobe and a bigoted bore on the one of the flagship shows of our national broadcaster.

He hates cyclists and has no issue in saying so.

That's why we're still discussing this.

He is consistently behaves in the manner of a racist, a homophobe and a bigoted bore on the one of the flagship shows of our national broadcaster.

Which is partly why I have never paid a license fee and just use my laptop to watch shows.

...and hopefully don't watch TV either. At least you are safe Tom, it's the rest if us who are in peril.

(Edit: Beaten by the edit. )

I might add, I watch those shows totally legally. On netflix. So yaahbooog THM.

JC has just been on BBC1 news, saying "I did everything in my power not to use that word"

Not a word of comment from the presenter.

"I did everything in my power not to use that word"

Yahhh, except use one of the non racist variants.

Tom_W1987 - Member

Which is partly why I have never paid a license fee and just use my laptop to watch shows.

Seriously, you lot'll be second against the wall when I take my rightful position as Leader.
First up are the blue badge abusers, obviously. 😀

Indeed as credible as a THM explanation when challenged about teachers using it

Say another rhyme whilst refusing to do it because it was racist would be everything in his power

Perhaps he is bullied at work and they made him do it?

I'm outraged! How can he get away with this?

Only a few of the earlier versions of this song used the n-word, why then is the song that he chose in of itself "not racist" and why did he feel the need to choose that version of the song?

To be brutally honest, it's probably the one he was brought up with. It was the version I heard at school growing up, and the one I immediately thought of when my little 'un started reciting "eeny meeny..." to chose between my or mum to take her swimming. Her version used 'fisher' instead but still to this day is makes me slightly nervous when I hear her saying it, even knowing she has thankfully never heard the offensive version.

I'm not a fan of his and don't have intentions of watching top gear. Nothing to do with any of his rants about cycling etc I just don't enjoy TV program's he's on.

I really do think its a slap on the wrist incident. Had he referred to someone on live tv/social media as a N-word then fair enough.

If this was completely in isolation I could probably brush it off as being an idiot saying something stupid in a thoughtless moment. However, clarkson has got form for saying vile things time and time again and apologising for them and then continuing to say them.

It doesn't take much digging to understand his political leanings or stand point. He's an old fashioned boorish right winger who thinks the world is overly politically correct and that everyone other than white middle class middle aged men should be treated with contempt. I have no doubt that he used the N word in this context because he has nothing but contempt and ignorance towards other ethnic groups and thought it was funny to try and sneak it in but then thought better of it.

And having his other boorish, right wing, middle aged, white middle class mates stating that he's not a racist is hardly drawing a line under it.

Reading how the people here are defending what he "said", or what he "appears" to be, reminds me of a rather disturbing conversation I had with an EDL member about how they "appear" to not hate Muslims.

What? You are barkin'

[img] [/img]

I really do think its a slap on the wrist incident

I would agree if it was an isolated incident, a public apology and slap on the wrist would be appropriate. But it isn't an isolated incident, he has made a half arsed non apology because he doesn't care what he said, he cares that he has been caught.

Contrast that to when Mark Lawrenson, used the term "coloured" in a discussion about racism in football. He immediately came out and made a genuine heartfelt apology. And everyone was able to look at the incident and say fair enough, he is a guy who usually talks about football, tackling a serious issue, who stumbled over language due to the gravity of the subject matter. It was a minor mistake, that had the potential to cause some offence, he realised that and did the right thing.

I think I'll stick Pulp Fiction on tonight

Whats wrong with 'coloured'?

What am I supposed to call my son?!! Half-caste? Why are we so hungup on words.

For me racism is when there is malice or intent in tone/voice.

Then you have films, music etc where someone can say ho's, bitches and **** repeatdly.

Whats wrong with 'coloured'?

It has a strong association with the language used for slaves and segregation in America.

What am I supposed to call my son?

Don't you know his name?

What am I supposed to call my son?!! Half-caste?

You can if you want but I've always thought double-barreled names are a bit pretentious.

I love it when someone injects some much needed humour in to these argualympian epic threads! 😀

hora - Member

Whats wrong with 'coloured'?

That one is a minefield - excellent programme about it on Radio 4 recently.
Half the world uses it without issue, half doesn't.
When in Rome etc.

What am I supposed to call my son?!!

Why are we so hungup on words.

Me :

There's never been a time when people didn't understand the concept of racism. Just look at the struggle against fascism for proof of that.

Thrown back at me :

America fought against fascism, and yet had racial segregation. After the allies had taken Paris the new French government insisted no black soldiers took part in the celebration parades.

Yeah I was really suggesting that racism is a recent phenomenon which didn't exist before 🙄

EL - I think your experience differs simply because you lived in London and so people would have actually met people who had immigrated from the Commonwealth. Other areas of the country especially rurals areas just would not have done so their sensibilities where not informed in the same way. When the first black guy moved into the village where I was brought up, it caused quite a stir and that was in the early 80s.

We end up with ridiculous situations like this on the BBC today

Although he mumbles the offending word, the presenter clearly begins by saying the letter "n".

There is nothing wrong in saying the word FFS. It's like the whole John Terry reporting. The word that was **** was ok to use but no to write, whereas the word that was wrong to use was ok to print. We have got ourselves in a ridiculous linguistic tangle.

At least in SA you can use black, white, coloured as intended despite the history that goes with each. We should learn the lesson. Hora +1 again.

At least in SA you can use black, white, coloured as intended despite the history that goes with each. We should learn the lesson.

The racial make up of the population is very different in SA than the UK though, it isn't a realistic comparison between the two for the use of language.

hora - Member
Whats wrong with 'coloured'?

What am I supposed to call my son?!! Half-caste?

I don't know. What's his name?

It's a fair point that my experiences were different to maybe some others mefty, although I find it very hard to get my head round the concept that some didn't understand what racism was. And it has be said that I was brought up in a particularly anti-racist environment, indeed it was drummed into me from a very early age that all humans were equal irrespective of their race, class, or religion. Shamefully homophobia and sexism was ignored.

Ironically, in Spain of all places they called one of their Ibiza model's 'Bocanegra'! - black face 😀

I don't know. What's his name?

+1. There. I said it.

I was brought up in a particularly anti-racist environment, indeed it was drummed into me from a very early age that all humans were equal irrespective of their race, class, or religion.

Indeed, I find peoples differences interesting, not something to be feared, belittled or s****ed at, particularly by some in a nudge, nudge, wink, wink kind of way.