THE FACT that some Black comedians have used the word ****** in their humor does not make it an okay word to use
Pretending that the N word is only used in Chris Rock shows is amazingly dishonest.
I do respect your opinions but I believe that words have the power you give them. You feel entirely different. It is a fundamental difference and we will not possibly reach an agreement.
People also seem to think derogating terms are only used in a humorous way for minorities in the army, that the bia is racial only. That's completely untrue. If you are Welsh, you will likely be know as a taffy (I hope I got that right), etc.
They lampoon themselves in every possible ways. You may think that it is extremely distastefull to mock someone based on things he/she was born with and can't do anything about (like skin colour, country of origin, sexual orientation, social class), but it is common place in the army and at least nobody is protected from such teasing. Equal opportunity banter all the way.
To me, context, intent and purpose are paramount.
I wasn't in the least bit offended by anything Harry said.
I was however offended by Silvio Berlusconi's comments on Barack Obama's 'tan'. Silvio didn't use the N word but by he made the word 'tan' sound just as offensive, especially considering they were not private comments with his buddies but pretty much official statements made in a formal setting by an elected head of state.
If Harry goes on using the paki term outside the licentious world of the army (where much worse is allowed and considered completely normal) then we can make conclusions about his character. In this instance, he was just being one of the boys.
they are not isolated incidents. It was a standing joke
Probably right. That kind of banter goes on all the time, as I already pointed out, and as most young men (and the not so young too) in the military will be able to confirm to you.
Harry is not "anybody" he is the third in line to the throne - he should set an example.
He should set an example in private silly videos taken in private contexts? If it was filmed at a royal function, I would understand but can't he have down time and be silly. The video was probably stolen from someone private collection or sold by a 'friend' who turned out not worth of the trust. I am more worried about the example the backstabber and/or thief is setting here.
I have never seen him behaving anything but like a gentleman when he is on officitial duty (royal or army).
Above any sugestion of racism i actually think Harry's overall behaviour in the video clips is worse - i think he had a bit of an attitude, a bit of cockiness to him that i don't quite like but cant put my finger on exactly what it is.
I believe the term you are looking for is 'frat boy'. He behaves like a typical one, albeit an amusing one, imo.
How do we know that Harry isn't racist? I don't know if he is racist, but I don't think there is exactly proof out there that Harry isn't racist.
Indeed. But since calling someone a racist is the worst possible thing you can say about someone after calling him a pedophile, I am distressed at how casually that title is thrown around.
At this point, racist is the most overused and misused words in the English language, and it is doing a great disservice to a very real issue.
Considering the flimsy evidence and put in perspective with other things we know about him (like his commitment to the children of Lesotho, or his reported relationship with people from minorities, including that Black soldier he called the 'real hero' when he got back from Afghanistan), calling Harry a racist isn't giving him a bad name but rather is giving racists a good name.
Rant over.