Thetownend.com

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/dec/22/alan-hansen-black-footballers-coloured

I can't believe Alan Hansen has had to apologise for this. I can remember, not so long ago, you weren't allowed to call blacks "blacks". You were supposed to refer to them as "coloureds". What's next? White people outraged because they are really hint of pink or mellow yellow?

Anyone taking offence needs to get back in the real world. I'll tell you what, nowadays, unless you're black, gay or a woman, or preferably all three, you can't say anything without being accused of being something or other.

I'm far from someone who embraces political correctness, but like "half-caste", describing someone as "coloured" is wrong and offensive in my opinion and he's right to have to apologise.

things i dont get is, their skin is more brown than black.

Where in the world?

Sea world.

No, PC World!

As anyone with a science GCSE and a degree in smartarsery will tell you, neither black nor white are colours.

People should only take offence to words if they are said to offend.

What are you supposed to call people that aren't white and aren't black? That's a question, not a joke.

Not sure that calling Asians or South American's black is accurate. Or is that what they prefer?

I can't help but feel some people just like complaining and arguing about something.

Chocolate face

Many years ago, the word "Caramac" was used  (not by me, obviously)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vz8EAFiPCJE&feature=related

Bears4Life

I'm sure Luis Suarez wouldn't mind being called black...

It's a poor state of affairs when the word "black" is considered more offensive than the word "cunt"

Its lucky we've got someone like the England captain to cover all the bases for us

As arriba posted above, it's often not the words but the way they are said.

I have some sympathy with Hansen's comments, he resists using the word black (I guess because of what John Terry said), but struggles to work out what to use instead that is PC.

It's going to be like the US soon, where no-one is black or white, they are African American or Caucasian.


If Terry had called Ferdinand a "Fucking Person of African Origin Cunt" would that have been ok?

Really? That offends you Barry? I'd have thought it was more accurate than 'black'. Honest to God, the world has without doubt gone stark staring mad. I'm pretty sure Hansen is not a racist and shouldn't have to apologize. We live in a multi-racial and in the main pretty racially tolerant society (notice I put 'in the main' in italics which means I realise we're far from perfect). Some of us are different to others and referring to those differences is not in itself 'racist'. I suspect that he didn't know what fucking word to use and ironically was probably trying to be politically correct.

It's soon going to get to the stage where no public figure is going to want to discuss any matter relating to race for fear of being totally caned in the media and potentially fucking up their career. This cannot be a good thing.

As has been quite rightly said, it is not so much the word itself but the intent behind it. I used to work with a bloke and we were good mates. He happened to be Scottish and I called him a 'Jock Bastard' all the time. Guess what? He wasn't offended because he knew I was only pissing about.*

*he probably also knew I was factually correct  ;)

P.S. That was not a rant aimed at you Barry. I just picked up on your point and used it to expound my own views on the subject.

This whole shebang is getting on my tits now
Do we call the half caste people chocolate babies cos that pretty much every Londoner calls them?!

I'm pretty sure in the 70's and 80's people used to think coloured was a polite way of saying black.I'm not black though so its not for me to decide whats offensive. I've never been victim of racism,if a black person says coloured is wrong then fair enough its wrong.

Someone at some point decided that 'Eskimo' was racist. Now they have to be called 'Inuits' or something...until someone decides that's racist I suppose  ::)

.....actually, come to think of it, I'm starting to feel a little bit offended.....

I don't get why people get so up tight about it to be honest. Racism is wrong but if an American called me a Limey I wouldn't give a toss !

But in the UK you can't be offensive to a white, heterosexual, non disabled, non pikey.

This Hansen 'non event' is pathetic. It seems some people are just waiting to be shocked, offended or appalled at any moment.

I'm offended at the way people take offence so easily.

The only way they be more shocked, offended or appalled is if Clarkson himself had said it.

I kind of agree arriba....but the proof in the pudding is when it is you or your family..if you were in town Xmas shopping and someone called your wife/son a name for example that person might laugh and say...just kidding mate,dont take it so serious.

Would you say ok bud no problem?.....dont know if i would,it is a fine line knowing if a person has said something in Malice.....whats wrong with him apologising....nothing in my view.

Its not him apologising is it.....just the Beeb doing there best to appease all as usual.

Couldn't agree more McSporran 8)

I think perhaps saying I'm offended is going a bit over the top. I feel myself cringe and know that many people hate it. I think to be honest, that I'm more reacting to the fact society, or a large portion of it, is offended.

In many ways I'm sort of in Ralphy's camp. People do need to grow up, but on the flip side, unless you are part of a minority and have experienced discrimination I imagine it's hard to know quite how people really feel.

There's a YouTube video of Morgan Freeman somewhere, where he says if people just stopped talking about it, racism would stop and he's right to a degree. It's like I saw some disabled bloke on TV in the build up to the Olympics saying disabled people should not be called disabled. What?! Get a life. If you want to be treated the same as everyone else, get on with your life, stop fucking whinging about the badges society gives you and how you think you're owed something.

And I know you weren't ranting at me OST.

See I get the whole issue with words like n*gger, p*ki and such like, as all too often they've been used in such ways that the historical meaning gives them their uber racist tag. Same as calling a disabled person a sp*stic. It's not right. However jock, Taff, paddy, even chinky has no such overly negative historical association, as far as I'm concerned. Although I know plenty of Scots who don't like being called jock, but that's not to say it's offensive, well that's my take on it.

Now let's have a group hug.

I've thought this for a long time. All of the protection against discrimination that is given to ethnic minorities, women, the disabled and so on just defines them as being different and becomes self fulfilling. If you want equality you have to treat everyone the same, not give certain groups special treatment.

I wonder how many of the people complaining about Hansen's comments have told or laughed at a joke about Scottish people being tight, or alcoholic? Bet you all of them have, fucking hypocrites.

He is indeed right to a very very large degree.

One example being when I moved house a few years ago and I signed on with the local doctor and you have to fill out a standard form. One of the questions asks you what ethnic group you belong to. I was very tempted to tick the 'Irish Traveller' box or cross it out altogether and write 'Pikey Scum' or 'Gillingham Fan'.

In all seriousness though.....WAKE THE FUCK UP. AS LONG AS YOU ARE ASKING IRRELEVANT POLITICALLY CORRECT BULLSHIT BOLLOCKS QUESTIONS LIKE THIS WE CAN NEVER CALL OURSELVES A TRULY RACIALLY MIXED SOCIETY!!

Fuck me.

Jonny don't get your point. What's having a factual conversation got to do with all of this?

Exactly right. And treating any ethnic group any differently specifically because of their ethnic group is racism. It works both ways.

Good point, well made 8)

I blame Abraham Lincoln.

The whole Hansen thing is pathetic. It's the BBC covering their arses because they don't want to upset anybody. In the same way as ITV pulling Tim Minchin's song from the Jonathan Ross show (Youtube it if you haven't seen it yet) just in case someone takes offence and complains.

I'm sure if you analysed every comment on TV there'd be someone somewhere who could be potentially offended by it. We may as well just do away with any form of dialogue on TV, just in case.

I'll tell you what's funny about all this.......those very same people that are outraged on behalf of blacks will no doubt be joining in with The Sun and The Mirror at the Euro 2012 making snidey comments about "the frogs" and "the krauts". And then there'll be the commentators, the biggest dicks of all, suggesting that Johnny Foreigner will be diving at the earliest opportunity, play acting, and generally trying to con the referee and linesman - whoops, referee's aasistant.

Yes it is. And yet ironically, I'm sure a far, far higher percentage of their viewers/readers/customer base is utterly pissed off at their pathetic, mealy mouthed, bleeding heart liberal, poltically correct, toss pot bullshit than those who are supposedly 'offended' by Hansen's 'racist' remarks.

Fuck off BBC.

It all started a few years ago with that row with Labour over wmd's in Iraq or that bloke who topped himself over them or something like that, can't remember the details now. Ever since then their whole stance has changed for the worse, far too concerned about doing or saying anything controversial. Not sure you can blame them, it was the politicians that did the damage to their independence.

Hansen is right to apologise. The language he used was out of date and inaccurate.

As has already been said, the term 'coloured' does not reflect what he is trying to describe. It is a term which is meaningless in a descriptive sense and one which people may take offense to.

There's no need to get into any silliness about 'racism', because he wasn't being racist. He just didn't know the acceptable language to use to describe 'black' or 'mixed race' footballers.

Hansen is a giant cracker cunt.

You have just done it yourself oxford fan.Did you know that 'mixed race' is now deemed offensive as apparantly there is no mixed race we are all one race.

So he has nothing to apologise for. The whole thing is ludicrous and anyone who has taken offence is overreacting.

That's pretty damned offensive and you know it.





You've ruined my life.

you're only saying that because you're a honkey.

Talking of honkies (I'm allowed to say that because I am one) There's only one thing to post at a time like this. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you ITV prime time, circa 1973....you couldn't make it up....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_gN7zlpnz8

Take your pick from this lot:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_terms_for_white_people_in_non-Western_cultures

Man alive. This one is fantastic. Fast forward to 41 seconds. Unbelieveable....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bjq8UmBdhx4&feature=related

well, he sure is one goddamn racist 백인.

But in 1973 or whenever that was, that was pretty normal.
 
Normal (and funny) enough in fact to be deemed suitable for prime time viewing  ???

Fortunately I was born 13 years later so a delicate soul such as myself never had to witness such things.

Fuck me the 70's was fantastic wasn't it.  Nice to see what Nick Griffin was doing as a young man.

There's one episode that wasn't included on the DVD release as apparently it was deemed too offensive. Bearing in mind how bad the average episode is I dread to think what went on in that one. I really want to watch it now though.

And of course you do.

I bet it was you who decided that 'Eskimo' was racist wasn't it?

Indeed right DRS...we're the human race...I'm proud to trace my roots to Africa...but if those cunts from Kepler-20f, want to come here....

Has somebody been reading the Daily Mail?


Anyone who has taken offence to the taking of offence is overreacting.

Hello 'pox fan' how you doing me old mucker?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cycXuYzmzNg

But nobody here has - not seriously I would have thought. It's merely a discussion on the lunacy of PCness spiralling out of control.

That's what forums are for.

Ha, ha mixed race is offensive. Brilliant.

The problem with today's society is that everyone is just so fucking sensitive. Everything can be deemed offensive if you wanted, just becasue you're offended doesn't mean that you're right. Seriously some people just need to get laid.

That is my whole point cookie. Some find being called black offensive,some don't like being called coloured and some don't like being called mixed race.

It's fucking crazy now. Imo it isn't what you say it is how you say it. If you say 'that fucking coloured cunt' then yeah you are being offensive but if saying it like Hansen did causes offence then we are alli a world of trouble

There is always the option of not referring to people by the colour of their skin, which solves the problem.

Unless you are discussing an explicit case of racism on a TV program, then its quite difficult.

Spot on Dean.

I have a lot of black friends who cant stand being called black and dont like the term coloured either, not when its directed at them or to them so I never bring it up, I also have an American friend who is black and insists on being called Afro American, nothing else will do!

Some people are just after confrontation and argument no matter what, its all fucking pathetic, as for A.H. comments.....they werent meant as an insult so why take offence and its not like it was calling him the "N" word which is racist and offensive (unless its said by one black to another then its fine)

Yet its still fine to call someone a fat bastard or a ginger fucker etc there is no difference at all IMO so where does it all end?

I overheard the term in a pub one bloke talking about the Scots as being "blue wogs"......best of both world of insults there then! an insult and a racist term all in one.

I used the term 'Red Indian' at work the other day, (perfectly innocently), and got roundly critisised for it. Apparently I should have used the term 'Native Amercian', since Red Indians has connotations assocaited with the oppression of these people by the pale faces (pales faces is allowed btw), and the systematically forcing thme off their land..

yeah right, and I was there back in the 1830s or whatever, on the front fucking lines of the cavalry..no really.

Jeez, I wish someone would keep us better up to date of what we can and cant say..its hard work.

Not surprising that  people would have reservations...

Interesting from Collymore:


http://www.twitlonger.com/show/essdn5

Spiraling out of control!? A TV presenter has apologised for using a word which, really, anyone who has a decent grasp of social conventions should know is not acceptable and has not been acceptable for a good 10 or more years.


Yes, I do. Don't try and use DRS' Daily Mail propaganda to say otherwise.

Stan Collymore is becoming more and more of a cock as each week passes. Very high opinion of himself. Joey Barton likewise, if there was a twitter twat brigade they'd be founder members.

Joey Barton cracks me up quoting Nietzsche all the time. Looks like a right idiot trying to make himself appear above and beyond the thug that he is.

Anyone who knows me will tell you i am far from a daily mail reader.I prefer to go with the opinions of my black friends .So oxford fan,are you saying i should listen to you instead? Who decided when 'coloured' was wrong.It's clearly a personal thing because like i say i know people who are not offended

Barton annoyed me the other week, when he was trying to start a campaign to stop factor getting to number one. He really thought he was going to make a difference, even though the military wives campaign had started weeks before he jumped on someone elses bandwagon. Poor bloke really didn't have a clue.

Collymore was alright a few months ago but he's getting too caught up in everything that goes on. And when it comes down to it his history is so chequered I find it hard to respect the bloke.

When Barton first came on twitter he totally changed my opinion on him (for the better) but the more it goes on the more I think there's a PR machine behind him. Don't know, I agree with him on some things but not on others.

they are also known as porridge wogs :nod:, what annoys me is the fact that if you listen to radio 1 xtra its always advertised as being the home of black music,imagine a radio station playing white music :hmmm:, you will never win on this subject because the mention of the word colour you are racist

Frankly what utter bollocks !

Who is to say whether "coloured" is acceptable or not - I am pretty sure it's not you !!

If I have friends that are "coloured" and they tell me they would prefer "coloured" to "black" - Shall I tell them they are wrong and frankly are offending me ???

Hanson did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING wrong at all !  Anyone who thinks he did needs to get a fucking life and as someone else said - get laid !  It might make them less wound up !! 

Your "black friends"....not your coloured friends?

I'm just telling you why he has apologised, or been made to. It is obivous, as you say, that some people will be offended by some words and others not in the least bit bothered.

But 'coloured' is not a term which is socially acceptable any more. If I heard someone use the word in a pub I'd wonder what colour they were talking about and also think they were a little bit ignorant and backward. Things change, language changes, fucking deal with it.

The point is, and it illustrates what I'm saying, if Hansen had talked about 'mixed race' or 'black' footballers then he wouldn't have needed to apologise. I'm not in the least bit offended by what Hansen said, I can just see why he apologised for using language which is pretty much redundant.

It's obviously not one person who decides this about language, and its certainly not me but thanks for the mention, but collective opinion. If you don't know why 'coloured' is a nonsense and offensive word, read this:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/6132672.stm

I like Gareth's bit in the office about it too:


If you want to be like Gareth is, just don't adapt and you'll look as stupid as him.

And anyone who thinks this has anything to do with "getting a fucking life" or "getting laid" is a fucking moron. Anyone who can't understand why Hansen apologised is probably a racist, or really fucking stupid, or both.

And the comments below the BBC article are pretty much perfect too, especially this one:

Oh fucking hell. I'm, a good old fashioned lefty but I'm fuking sick of this pious "I'm offended for you" bollox.  I'm bloody inclined to start calling people sambo or whatever on the basis that whatever I say, someone will be offended. I might as well know i'm offending someone rather than crap myself that I might have.

You may want to tell the thousands of members of this organization then that they are 'a little bit ignorant and backward

I am sure they will be sure to listen

http://www.naacp.org/

Again, at the bottom of the BBC article:

Sorry you have the cheek to call me a daily mail reader but are giving me bbc links? Yes i saw that at the bottom which is one comment, i am using that site to echo my point that not all black people find the word 'coloured' offensive which is what my original point was.

As i said some people find mixed race offensive,that's not daily mail bullshit that is from people i know.

You personally may think the term coloured is offensive but as i said i know coloured/black people who don't.I think the best way to sum it up is that it is old fashioned but not really offensive unless saying it in a nasty way

We can go round in circles here but what i take exeption to is being called thick or racist because i don't have the same thoughts as you on the matter

I used to love that programme !!!!

I only know one black person and that's only cos I used to work with him.His names Norm but on Facebook he's called Lynx.

Why do black people hate me so much?Am I a victim of fat and uglyism?

We hate the left
We love the right
That Paolo DI Canio
Makes O***** look shite

Bring on March, we should be twenty points clear of them by then, anyway hello everyone (Oxford fan from FF.net?) I'd just like to say I've got no time for PC types, no time for racists, no time for o*****, that is all :suicide:

Its a pretty fucking obvious point. But using your statement:

1. Not all black people find the word 'coloured' offensive.
2. The majority probably do.
3. Hansen was right to apologise.

Right?


It really doesn't matter what I personally believe. I am not offended by the word 'coloured', but I recognise that it comes from the ideology of racism, that white people are white, and everyone else is somehow coloured. I recognise that a large proportion of the people of whom it is used to describe do find it offensive for those reasons. It is a word that is nonsense, not fit for purpose, factually incorrect, and old fashioned.


Agreed my niggah.

neville's gonna get ya!

So according to our resident friend from down the A420 I must fucking deal with it, I am fucking stupid and a racist

And all because I think something different from him

What a prick !

My friends who are from Afro Caribbean backgrounds are also obviously wrong according to his tiny little closed mind.....

It might be Christmas - but fuck off please........   

We dont have any friends down the A420, both ends

Your contribution to the discussion so far, aside from calling me a prick and telling me to fuck off, has been to tell people to "get a fucking life" and "get laid".

If you've nothing of worth to contribute then take your own advice.


Only if you still can't understand why Hansen apologised. I'll take that as an admission.

It's interesting that you think referring to someone as coloured is racist, but referring to them as Black is OK.

On that basis, what is your take on the John Terry incident?

I'm waiting for him

'Coloured' needn't be racist, Hansen wasn't being racist when he used it. As has been covered here its how the word is used that is important.

What did Terry do, call him a "black bastard"? Definitely racism isn't it, the word is acceptable in the right circumstances but not when used negatively.

Terry said 'you fucking black cunt'.

Should finnish him off for England. Suarez, again, racist langauge.

Hansen, not racist. Just used the term that is not fashionable at the moment. Genuine mistake, give the bloke a break.

Both words together are not acceptable in any circumstances.

No doubt he said it but he does claim he preceded it with "I didn't call you a....". Yeah, we believe you John.

I know they say innocent until proven guilty but bollocks to that. If he plays for England again I really am done with it.

After seeing this video, I don't understand how he can claim he didn't say it...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/video/2011/oct/24/john-terry-anton-ferdinand-video

Correct, get a grip people. Some of this is cringeworthy

Apparently he said he called him a blind cunt.