Re: Carol Thatch | Forum — The Modern Antiquarian

dee Feb 7, 2009 14:17:43

Replying to dave clarkson

I used to think Ben Elton was ok, dont know much about him these days. The real issue for me here though is the fact that the word 'gollywog' includes the word 'wog' which is racist, offensive and inexcusable. And by the way, im born and bred northern working class, and still am, and dont see anything wrong with being PC if it means that you dont use offensive racist (or homophobic, sexist etc) terms. Seems to me that there has been a massive PC backlash which makes people think that it is ok to use offensive language whic, in my mind is total bollocks!

dave clarkson Feb 7, 2009 14:51:30

Replying to dee

...fair enough and I see your point. However my point was don't you think its weird how one of the persons who supposedly took the carol thatch conversation out of the green room and into the public domain has made a career out of offending people, appearances, sexism, stereotypes etc?

geoffrey_prime Feb 9, 2009 02:31:52

Replying to dee

I'm sorry I have to disagree, I don't want to shy away from using words because they "could" be linked to words which are offensive to some people/groups today.
I certainly agree that "wog" does not have a place in 2009 English vocabularly ...unless you are wanting to be offensive and therefore clearly it should be condemned.
"Golliwog", however, is a word to describe a character largely associated with childrens fiction...but, as we know, which has also been used as a term of racial abuse.
I believe we should preserve and use the word "Golliwog", in "nomal" parlance..but strictly condemn , when it is used in a racist and offensive way.
However, as I get to the end of writing this, I am wondering whether, people find the Minstral character itself offensive...so maybe my approach will never wash?