Wednesday 4 February 2009

Political Correctness

Years ago when I was a serving soldier I often had to travel through the old East Germany to reach Berlin which was an island of democracy in an ocean of communism. At that time the people were even too scared to wave back when greeted as we sped through rail stations. East Germany was a dreadful country and I still remember wondering how it would be if one couldn't trust a neighbour or even a family member because they were all spying on each other.

The introduction of political correctness which has replaced free speech generally regarded as the lynch pin of democracy is changing our society much quicker than I ever thought possible but then comes the case of Carole Thatcher.

Apparently in a light hearted remark she likened the hair of a tennis player (Andy Murray) to that of a 'golliwog'. Anyone who has seen Andy Murray knows that generally he has an unkempt appearance. Now along come all the experts debating the connortations of the word 'golliwog' and almost without exception they refer to the trademark of Robertson's jam which depicted the happy smiling face of a little black boy.

They forget that the real golliwog was a soft padded doll which white kids used to take to bed and cuddle as they dropped off to sleep. It was never meant as a racist weapon.

I agree it is not nice to be told for example "You can shut up Golly" but then it wasn't nice when I was told "You can shut up you Ginger bastard".

The case of the ethnic minorities in this country has been advanced far further than I would ever have believed. Very few people even see race today apart from those who have a massive chip on their shoulders. If they can use a harmless child's doll as a weapon to illustrate racial hatred then in my opinion they should get over themselves. It is pathetic!

Carole Thatcher has been attacked by the BBC because she was the daughter of a former Tory Prime Minister and does not agree with NoLab. It is pure spite.

UPDATE
I now know that she wasn't referring to Andy Murray and was indeed referring to a black tennis player but the sentiment remains the same. People like Jo Brand who poses as a comedienne take their politics very seriously. Her humour is offensive but she is very quick to take offence even when none is intended.

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