Our boy Jeremy again

Just to add that I am completely indifferent to Jeremy Clarkson, although from what I have heard he pushes the boundaries of political correctness. I do think this muttered remark has been blown up out of all proportion. He is like a naughty little boy testing Nanny's patience.

What was more frightening was a campaign not so long ago advocating 'Jeremy Clarkson for Prime Minister'. Although perhaps he would fit into Parliament quite well.

I remember the n word being used casually during my childhood and I had no doubt, from a very early age, that it was meant in a derogatory and demeaning manner. I have every sympathy with black people who have reclaimed the word to use as they see fit. That does not in my opinion give a white person the right to ever use the word.

I don't know whether JC used the word or not, but I have watched his apology and think its's rather an odd statement. 'Didn't try hard enough not to say it'. What on earth does that mean? I accept that he may not be a racist, but we all have a responsibility to consider how language is used and how some terms (and rhymes) belong in another era, whether or not they are used privately or for publication.

I too wonder whether there are any gransnetters from a minority ethnic background and wonder what their feelings might be on reading this thread. I don't expect they would feel inclined to tell us, but it would be good to hear it.

I was born in 1953. In our family we were taught that there were some words that we shouldn't use, nigger, paki and chinky among others. We used the word tiger in the eeny meeny rhyme, never referred to paki shops or going for a chinky although they probably weren't relevant till I was a bit older.

I think my parents had very strong opinions on the subject possibly because of the landladies' sign 'No blacks, Jews or Irish' all three of which were represented in our extended family.

Nightowl, 'didn't try hard enough not to say it' just makes me think of a 7 year old in the nursery, head hung down being told off by Nanny as I said previously. Then, having been told 'no Easter egg for you today, Master Jeremy' scampers off to see what other mischief he can make. With or without his pals Jimmy and Ricky.

I think a few on here are older than you, baubles (including me).

The book and TV film 'Small Island' gave me more of an insight into the difficulties faced by immigrants from the Caribbean.

But he's not 7 is he rosequartz. He's a middle aged man, well educated, not stupid, who has done very well for himself, from a privileged background and leading a very privileged life. If he didn't actually use the word, or 'didn't try hard enough not to', he openly used the word 'slopes' which I think indicates that he has no sense of what is acceptable and what is not.

I agree, nightowl, not defending him, as I said previously he is puerile.
That is the vision I had when I read his explanation in your post.
But with a huge influence, as with the campaign for JC for Prime Minister.

And I think he knows perfectly well what is acceptable and what is not.

I just looked up "slopes". I've never heard of it before and had no idea what it could mean. Urban Dictionary defined it as a "Vietnam-era Charlie" so I had to look that up as well

Sometimes I'm quite glad I've led a relatively sheltered life! What a minefield slang is!!

I am not alone when I say that before all this fuss about blew up I had no idea that slopes was a racist term. If you watched the programme you could clearly see the difference on the bridge. It's obvious to me that if someone wants to be offended by a word or phrase then nothing is going to stop them. Oh, and by the way, my grandfather was from The Philippines, so I reckon that makes me an "ethnic minority".

I just wish Clarkson would think before he opens his big mouth, if he doesn't mean to offend. If he does then he deserves all he gets.

I had never heard of that either.

And I have to be careful because where we go to stay in Australia some of the population refer to themselves as W**s (other half of what was golly). It is not derogatory and refers to people of Italian, Croatian or similar background. A comedy film was made called 'W** Boys'. When they asked if I had seen it, I said they would have to change the title before it was released in the UK. Then I had to explain why which caused astonishment.
As opposed to 'Skippies' (British background).

The BBC apology for the use of the term 'slope' by Jeremy Clarkson included the following paragraph:

' "When we used the word 'slope' in the recent Top Gear Burma Special it was a light-hearted word play joke referencing both the build quality of the bridge and the local Asian man who was crossing it," the statement read.'

This was not an accidental use of the term by someone who didn't know that 'slope' was a racist term. Or if it was (giving Jeremy the benefit of the doubt) the producer clearly knew it was by the reference to 'light-hearted wordplay' and still allowed it to be broadcast.

Carry on apologising for him, after all, it appears the rest of us just need to get a sense of humour

That is the issue to me here.

I bet that there are so many people who have never watched the programme but jumped on the bandwagon to bash him over the head with the 'racism' tag, purely because they don't like him.

The programme clearly is talking about a 'slope' on the bridge.

Had Clarkson said something like:

"There is a natural incline in the gradient of the level of the surface area of the tarred area appertaining to the surface area of the said bridge"

Some idiot or trouble maker would still have accused him of taking the p--s out of the native person who happened to be walking over a bridge.

I thought his programme on the Victoria Cross was excellent.

I am not apologising for him for one. Nor condemning.

I think it has blown up out of all proportion but it is keeping him in the limelight!
Now who released this to the Mirror?

Night owl

I am interested to see that apology.

I have only seen reports that have pointed to the 'light hearted joke' causing upset and had the BBC known the word was offensive it would not have been used.

My belief is the use of the wording 'light hearted joke' was referring to the discussion about the bridge, not a 'light hearted joke' about the man.

So why did the producer say it was 'light-hearted wordplay' POGS? I don't actually waste much time thinking about Jeremy Clarkson. Several males in my family like Top Gear; I go and do something else if they decide to watch it. I am certainly not looking for an excuse to bash him over the head. He really doesn't bother me that much. I don't like mealy mouthed excuses, and weak and prevaricating apologies for using racist terms though.

Crossed posts POGS

You're right, they did go on to say that they hadn't known the term 'slope' could be offensive, although they obviously knew it was a term used to refer to certain ethnic groups. I don't really buy that to be honest. I know the term is not widely used in the UK, but surely if you have heard the term at all you must know it could be offensive.

PapaOscar I know we don't always see eye to eye, but you have hit the nail on the head exactly with your last post.

As for digging thing up from the past ... lots if that in the news recently too and no one is saying that should be buried.

Message deleted by Gransnet for breaking our forum guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

Is there an up-to-date record of what words aren't politically correct or are very rude? I knew nothing of slopes until this thread and it was only a few weeks ago that DD1 took me to one side and explained that spunk (can I say that on GN?) is now quite RUDE!

Oh really? I posted on another thread that Merida and Ana (Brave and Frozen respectively) were spunky. Profuse apologies if it caused offence to anyone.

The HSBC advert comes to mind about different cultures, different values.

I would never refer to anyone by the 'n' word or the 'w' word, but, as I posted above, the 'w' word is perfectly acceptable in parts of Australia.
And I have encouraged DD1 to be 'spunky' like Merida.

Now I'm totally. Best shut my mouth.

[bye]

I get very confused. I have a mixed race friend who refers to herself as coloured - so that was how I referred to her to my sister about 5 years ago. Who being a Londoner was horrified. So obviously now that I have lived out in the sticks for a few years my slang is way out of touch - as is my 'newly' black friend's!

Slope? WHY? How did they get such an odd name?

I still insist on referring to happy people as being gay - largely out of deference to my poor friend whose name also happens to be Gay, poor woman. Coloured and Gay, she stands no chance!

Well that was a good bit of nit picking bags. If something could be offensive to others it is usually respectful to avoid it.

Can't be bothered with this thread any more, I'd rather do the ironing.

janerowena, the word 'slope' is an acronym - Google it, because I couldn't put it on here!