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RE: Just words or something sinister - 1/14/2009 3:26:44 AM

MissMorrigan

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Ya know, my mother is as politically correct as Jim Davidson and refers to my partner as 'The Wop' - he giggles like a schoolgirl when she does. She's nearly eighty and tells him he'd better shave before he goes out as she doesn't want him shot when he tries to board the train to work. They understand one another and if she was ever in need of help he'd be the first there and not because she is my mother. If she ever heard anyone racially abuse him I'd have to have her sedated to prevent her doing them serious harm. They understand that due to their friendship they are afforded certain privileges which aren't extended to others.

Words are only empowered by the intention behind them.

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RE: Just words or something sinister - 1/14/2009 1:18:23 PM

dominantguyx

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A couple of thougths:

Its interesting when white people (from their profile pics) who presumably don't regularly face racism seek to define what is and isn't racist.

When we seek to excuse Harry's racism by saying that the guy who faced the racism was not offended - I wonder how honest he could really be about his feelings. He is a serving officer, trained not to break ranks. He is part of a social circle that does not break ranks. Didn't we learn from the inquiry into the police , following Stephen Lawrences murder, that people in closed organisation find it difficult to break ranks as say 'yes , i did feel offended' ?

If Harry wants things to be 'private' then fine - he can give up the grace and favour apartment, the royal millions, the title, the perks, etc - get a job as a regular solider and enjoy all the privacy he deserves.

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RE: Just words or something sinister - 1/14/2009 1:55:03 PM

NorthernGent

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Aneirin

who is anyone else to comment.

I'm more than entitled to comment: I pay tax to fund these people. It follows thus I want certain assurances for my contribution, one of them being that they abide by the notion of tolerance - you know, a principle we English are supposed to hold dear to our hearts, and one that became embedded in our political framework well before the French and the Americans adopted this principle during the enlightenment. I've no real interest in watching those in a position of authority display tendancies toward discrimination (considering they have a duty to inclusivity).

I'm assuming you understand the notion of 'the public interest'. It means you personally can do whatever you like on the grounds that you're not in a position of authority, so your behaviour is of no consequence.

< Message edited by NorthernGent -- 1/14/2009 1:57:15 PM >

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RE: Just words or something sinister - 1/14/2009 3:14:55 PM

happypervert

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quote:

I'm more than entitled to comment: I pay tax to fund these people. It follows thus I want certain assurances for my contribution, one of them being that they abide by the notion of tolerance -

Well, considering that Harry was in the army at the time he made the video, his paycheck was really going to compensate him for fitting in with a crowd where they're supposed to kill people first and then tolerate them. So he was just being one of the boys then, and good natured and crude ribbing of your mates is part of fitting in.

He's got plenty of time to be tolerant and conform to the royal role now that he's back lounging around the palace sipping tea and eating scones.You can't apply the same standards to him then that you do now,.

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RE: Just words or something sinister - 1/15/2009 2:50:42 AM

dominantguyx

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quote:

ORIGINAL: happypervert

quote:

So he was just being one of the boys then, and good natured and crude ribbing of your mates is part of fitting in.

'good natured and crude ribbing' ....... wow, thats quite a way of looking at it. Would that be on the same side of the tollerance divide as good natured denial of access to promotion, crude ribbing shouted at South Asian women in the street by skin heads or even the good natured stabbing of black kids at bus stops.

Words are the most powerful things. Racist languages (from a well educated, well travelled white prince) - good natured and crude ribbing or an insight into his true feelings and upbringing?

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RE: Just words or something sinister - 1/15/2009 7:07:41 AM

UncleNasty

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quote:

ORIGINAL: subtee

quote:

ORIGINAL: hizgeorgiapeach

And people getting their panties in a bunch about a Private video that was released without the consent of all of those who are IN said video - is (to me) the equivalant of Digital Eavesdropping.

quote:

C) My opinion of those who get their panties in a bunch over such issues......

I'm offended by the references to peoples panties and the offensiveness of the bunchiness of them because I don't wear them and therefore am pantiless with no advantage of the opportunity to have a panty-bunch situation.

Also my sensibilities were offended by the suggestion in another thread that NG not only wears panties but that they are at this time bunched, which has rather offended my perfectly good NG fantasy image.

Just kidding.

But seriously, words do have power, especially for the powerful. If they didn't Hitler wouldn't have been a world-altering dictator, but only a wanna-be artist with a little penis and a bad moustache.

I am tremendously resentful and offended at your reference above. Their is no such thing as a "bad mustache." It was not the mustaches fault that a bad man chose that style, which by the way was very popular, in fact the height of style during the period, until HE destroyed its public image.

Uncle Nasty

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RE: Just words or something sinister - 1/15/2009 8:00:34 AM

FullfigRIMAAM1

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Just words, and I don't think he should have been sold out by whomever did. M

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RE: Just words or something sinister - 1/15/2009 9:16:18 AM

cjan

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quote:

ORIGINAL: subtee

quote:

ORIGINAL: Arpig

I find the whole concept of being offended by words to be inane...I am not in any way bothered by somebody saying cracker or honky or whitey...they are just words and only have the power I choose to give them

What does offend you? Wouldn't we reasonably have a choice to feel offended or not by anything, theoretically?

It's one thing to chose whether to be offended or not and quite another to have an unconscious knee-jerk reaction. Haven't we learned anything from guys like Lenny Bruce and George Carlin ?

Yes, language is powerful. However, we can make the choice as to how much power we give it.

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Post #: 48