Harry calls colleagues 'paki' and 'rag head'

[drwonderwoman]

Excellent Post!

[bpwriter47]

Excellent post 

[Ceridwen]

Excellent post Gracie51086 

[bpwriter47]

another article, just silly.  Also insults Chelsy (read whole page).  Then read some of the comments.  Gosh, really, why aren't I writing for someone if this is the kind of stuff you can get paid for??

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jan/18/victoria-coren-prince-harry

[chloe]

Excellent artice! Bravo Mr. Alexander! I've held my tongue about this so-called "controversy" the past couple of days but I can't anymore. I think this whole situation was blown completely outta proportion. Maybe Harry shouldn't have used the term "Paki" but it's not like he meant it in a derogatory manner. And honestly, how is referring to a Pakistani as a Paki any different than calling a Briton a Brit? Maybe I don't think it's such a big deal b/c in the U.S. it's not considered a derogatory racist remark. And "raghead", so let me get this straight, he's allowed to kill them but he can't call them a name? And now "foreigner" is considered inappropriate? Give me a break.....these hyper-sensitive morons really need to get a life.

...
It depends which society you live into.
For instance, using in France or in (continental) Europe the word "race" is extremely sensitive towards anyone... Hitler used it (cf. "aryan race"). Plus most of people here have learned at primary school Darwin & Linneaus (classification & taxonomy - cf. ICZN) therefore this term is used only for animals or plants. We all human beings belong to Homo sapiens sapiens ( see here on the left for the scientific classification).
Which isn't apparently the case in the US since it's used in your census... so I'd been shocked the first time I've seen someone using it on boards.

"Paki" is not an offensive term in France or in the US but it is in GB due to their history and the fact that this term is used there usually as a pejorative qualification if not else. So I understand that it has offended some people. I've talked about it with some friends especially with a friend who is a Pakistani and lives now in France. That's why I've changed my opinion.

If you can't understand that some people - within the British society - could be offended by this term, it could be comprehensible. Yet, denying their right to have this reaction without knowing their own history is not comprehensible at all.

Compare it with the "N" word into the US now..

I won't accept next time Harry comes up and dares to say that "ginger" or whatever is a prejudice to him!

[chloe]

PS : the term "aryan" before being used by the n*z*s used at first by anglophones to be meant for civilisations/languages from Iran and Europe who emigrated in India. Iran was named before "?r?n shahr" pronounced "Ary?nam xshathra" meant in the Antiquity for the "realm/kingdom of Aryas".
Aryan < ârya (sanskrit) = "noble" 
note : in etymology the sigle "<" is for saying that it "comes from" or "is derived from").

So you can see that a same term have different (radical/opposite) means depending on the historical period or people - whom are anchored into a specific society - using it. It could be "ok" within a specific social context  and definitely not into an other one.

[bpwriter47]

great post gracie51086!!

not everyone can know what term will offend certain people and "ginger" could offend me since i'm a redhead also and some people say it meanly; but guess what...I can laugh at it.  Because I can laugh at myself sometimes. 

we can go on  and on about it, but in the military, there is a sense of receiving a nickname mostly to do with what you look like or some odd thing you might do. military people actually enjoy this. why, because it is the least prejudice place to be for most.  you have to shower together, sleep together and protect each other no matter what or who you are.

The nicknames happen.  In america, I'm a hillbilly (yes, a ginger hillbilly), that is a very offensive term depending on what part of the country you are in and the further northeast you go with a southern accent, the worse you might be treated.  yes, even in america.  but i really don't care.  too many more important things. 

Harry's friend said it didn't offend him and since it was about him, he is the one to make a call whether it's offensive or not.

 And as far as the "N" word, as you can see in my avatar, I have 2 boys who are black and white (i hope these terms don't offend anyone)  and even though we don't use the word out of respect, if you go into certain neighborhoods, it's used as a nickname to someone who's a close "brother" or "sister".  I may not agree with it, but it's the culture which I've have to respect.  I think you cannot please everyone. 

Frankly, I'm tired of all the "political correctness".  Pretty soon, if you are told what words you are allowed to use and which ones you are not allowed to use...well..that can lead to being a controlled country....a dictatorship.  You loose the freedom of speech.

So, I respect all opinions here, but there's just too many more important things happening that should have taken up a newspaper than this story.

[chloe]

That's why the various newspapers or other medias (around the globe) focus on other articles/subjects that made actually the headlines whether it's about culture, news, politics etcetera, etc. It's up to anyone to read/watch this or that.

Frankly, I'm tired of all the "political correctness".  Pretty soon, if you are told what words you are allowed to use and which ones you are not allowed to use...well..that can lead to being a controlled country....a dictatorship.  You loose the freedom of speech.

Yes and it begins when people have not even the right to express their own opinion on a subject that directly confronted to within their daily life or history. If most of citizens were just naturally respecting others with their similarities and not making a big deal out of their differences, most of societies* wouldn't have to elaborate rules for enabling different individuals living together.

Harry's friend said it didn't offend him and since it was about him, he is the one to make a call whether it's offensive or not.

Harry is a not only a citizen but a prince too who belongs to a multicultural liberal democratic society in which he, a 24 years-old man, now plays a role into since he begins his public engagements.
Better for him to understand it, because it's not going to change unless he becomes a private citizen or the monarchy is abolished.
And frankly, it's up to him since it's his life with its joys and problems. Not mine's.

I give it up. I'm done. 

* these societies are defined as "liberal democratic" :
(a) liberal > there are 2 types of liberalism : the political liberalism and the economical liberalism : in this case, it's about the "political liberalism" i.e. citizens /individuals have the freedom to make their own choices into their lives whatever their culture/origins/color of skins etc. are ; it's opposed to the communitarianism ; being a liberal doesn't equal being left-wing or right-wing voter ( expect into the US where most of time liberals are Democrats and Communitarians are Republicans). Liberalism just refers to a system adopt by european societies in order to fit along with their democratic system. If you pay attention to political leaders' speeches in Europe, you'll see that.

(b) democratic < demos : people : i.e. a system voted/put in place by peoples of a Nation-state

[Mia]

Brand Republic: Royal strategists spring into action

Is there a new PR hand at work behind the scenes at Clarence House? I ponder the question because of what appeared to be a deft and aggressive media strategy emerging in the wake of the Prince Harry video story in which he referred to a friend and fellow Army officer as 'our little Paki friend'.

The unambiguous apology, quickly issued, was predictable and necessary. But it was when this failed to prevent a whole new rash of near-hysterical ‘Sorry Isn’t Good Enough’ headlines that evidence of new and proactive thinking emerged.

[chloe]

A number of editors are convinced the story was indicative of a more aggressive and savvy strategy of refocusing the image of the core members of the Royal family in an increasingly hostile media climate.

Actually, young royals (Harry & Co.) interest much more (readers) than Charles & CPB.
This excerpt contradicts his just following sentence :

The other significant aspect of the original Harry story is the record traffic of 392,000 visitors the video drove to the News of the World website in a single day.

He remains still vague with his use of "number of editors".

He gives the impression to hint sth by going in depth into the subject, yet it just an impression.

*Notice that Ian Monk forgets to talk in his article about the "Harry has homophobia leaked"..*
I guess this other main aspect of the matter would have helped him to get an answer to his question.  Nah, it wouldn't fit his (predetermined) conclusions.

Anyway, some royal members of this household just can't help themselves. They are their own (worse) ennemies. I guess too, it doesn't help if one wore previously the n***i cross for a costumed party. How fun & affectionate it is.

If only it were the first time this type of "incident" happen, the majority of the press & public wouldn't have had this attitude at first.

[leogirl]

The problem is that:
1. These things were meant as a joke and not to be heard by the public. People use racial slangs all the time, especially young people, and they don't get offended by things as easily as the older generations.
2. Harry has a good heart but I don't think he's all that bright, filming himself doing stuff like that. I remember also around the time of the N**i costume, apparently it was Pelly and William's idea, but Harry actually went along with it. Now everyone thinks he's racist even though it was a dare between friends.
Be careful Harry!

[chloe]

With his antecedents he has, now, no excuses  before the public eye. Find him any excuse you want, however it wouldn't change that concrete fact neither it would change the use that the press would make of it.

Poor little Ginger One.