Quote from Ingrid Seward, Majesty Magazine (courtesy of BBC Online)
“I think it was a private video, he was talking about a friend of his, they were having fun and they were calling each other nicknames and I think it’s been taken out of context.
“Yes, it would be very offensive if Harry went around calling people Pakis in a racist way, but this was not meant, you know, it was meant more of a nickname.
“I mean, Harry’s mates call him Ginge or Ginger – that could be equally offensive to people with red hair.”
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A bangladeshi friend of mine use to call me White Boy. I never took offence because it was light-hearted. He use to called his Pakistani Friend ‘you Paki’. Again light hearted. Even my wife calls Pakistani, Pakis. No racial afterthought there. I believe because his grandmother is Queen of England, he has to tiptoe at every verbal word that come out of his – and other royals – mouths. Now that’s sad. Again we can thank the ‘awful’ UK media who are a pretty nasty bunch compared to most.
Comment by Nil Feeder — January 11, 2009 @ 5:48 pm |
Has anyone actually asked the collegue in question whether he is actaully offended by the remark?! I bet he’s not!
Comment by KB — January 12, 2009 @ 8:56 am |
I’ve had 24 hours more to think about it. I can add that yes that word was used in racist terms especially during the 1980’s.
However in the Prince’s case, I cannot see he meant harm. I believe maybe the people who do take offence of that word, are the minority in U.K. who have been affect by racism and being called this word.
I remember an Indian friend of mine being called it, during the 80’s at school. Yes I believed it was a racist remark my friend being called that word.
Comment by Nil Feeder — January 12, 2009 @ 9:14 pm |