I am not here condoning Prince Harry (as I suppose I must add, wearily) but pointing out that the triumph of the Left in ingraining Marxist PC in everyday discourse has spread even to institutions (eg right wing newspapers) who used to be implacably opposed to it (and still pretend they are, sort of), all because of the pursuit of profit.
I believe the word's current status stems from a campaign by the NUT in the late 1980s to render it taboo and give Britain's Asians a "Victim" name - after all, it is in the left's interest to make victims of ethnic minorities. But choosing "Paki" was ridiculous - you say it in the process of saying "Pakistani".
It is a geographical term which has been declared racist by the PC brigade & they have thus decreed that Asian is the "correct" term. Thus the BBC can, with a straight face report that "Asian & Chinese youths clashed today in ...." which I would consider insulting if I was Chinese.
There may well be some truth in the assertion that the PC brigade has hyped up the interpretation of this word, but we should not lose sight of the fact that the National Front and the BNP were at the forefront in turning it into a term of hate. It wasn't that way in the mid 1970s when it was quite acceptable for it to be used in sitcoms like MIND YOUR LANGUAGE or LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR.
It's a term I would never use and one which nowadays causes most people to squirm whenever they hear it. Indeed, just typing the word 'paki' in this blogpost makes me somehow feel uneasy. Yet, if I were in Pakistan, I would have no such worries. A commenter (Curbishlyauto) points out the website Paki.com, which claims itself to be Pakistan's biggest online portal.
Perhaps British Pakistanis should reclaim the word 'Paki', just as gay people have done with the word 'queer' and African Americans have done with the word 'nigger'. The trouble is, it's only acceptable for members of those groups to use the words to each other. The next stage will be when everyone, no matter what their colour or background feels able to use any of those three words without the group they refer to being in any way offended. I suspect we are a long way from that happening.
Language is a funny thing, isn't it? In many ways it is completely illogical that we find the word 'bonk' acceptable to use in polite company, yet the word 'f***' isn't. Why do some people from Manchester object to being called 'Mancs' when Australian's are quite happy to be called 'Aussies'? No logic at all, is there? But that's why the English language is such a wonderful, vibrant, living entity.
45 comments:
Don't forget the fashion chain called PAK1
The word 'Paki' is sometimes used in a derogatory way but it cetainly wasn't in this case.
It is nonsense for Mohammed Shafiq to claim that Harry was indulging in a 'rant'. He was obviously commenting in a knee-jerk way without having actually seen the video clip, where Harry was referring to his friend almost affectionately.
Apparently Harry's Pakistani friend was not the least bit disturbed by the remark.
You are right on the linguistic level, I still reckon Harry was foolish to leave himself open to accusations by using the word. He knows that everything he says or does will be picked apart for "racism!" or anything else.
It's a depressing world we live in.
"It's a depressing world we live in."
It will be, if we cede control of the language to unelected 'spokespeople' and pressure groups.
Who decides that, as Iain states "..it's only acceptable for members of those groups to use the words to each other.."?
Do we want to wind up like the US, where even university campuses are prone to madness as a result of unelected, professional grievance mongers..?
Next you won't be able to use the word "Mattress"
Oh for godness sake stop bringing educational degrees into this. What I you or others want to call our friends is our decision and not that of professors or politicians.
What was the point of your degree?
"Yet, if I were in Pakistan, I would have no such worries.... The trouble is, it's only acceptable for members of those groups to use the words to each other."
That is racism, pure and simple.
"The next stage will be when everyone, no matter what their colour or background feels able to use any of those three words without the group they refer to being in any way offended. I suspect we are a long way from that happening."
Wouldn't it be a lot nearer to happening if the media and bloggers abandoned their intellectually incoherent positions and themselves used words that they are perfectly happy for (certain) other people to use?
As a sweaty sock, I hope the wee ginger minger gets to see action with his Toms.
Now pick the linguistic bones out of that.
"It wasn't that way in the mid 1970s when it was quite acceptable for it to be used in sitcoms like MIND YOUR LANGUAGE or LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR."
Please tell me you're kidding.
As a sweaty sock, I hope the wee ginger minger gets to see action with his Toms.
Now pick the linguistic bones out of that.
Woops.
"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but..."
Look - at the end of the day, Harry made a couple of 'off the cuff' comments to his mates, which weren't appropriate, for obvious reasons.
But, for Gods sake, let's put this back into some kind of reasonable proportion. He meant nothing by it . . .and if every time white people in this country took offence at being called what could be construed as 'derogatory terms,' (particularly by the Aussies - or should that be 'Australians') we'd spend our lives being offended! (Which incidentally, we DON'T, because we're not allowed to, courtesy of said 'PC Briagde'!)
Attention seeking twoddle if you ask me!
I speak here as a person with links to Pakistan via my Parent's and Grandparents and via the member of the Liberal party at the time of Pakistan's creation Mohammed Ali Jinnah.
The comments by Harry are a little to far I have to say. Many people think the word "paki" is an insult and I think it is in some context.
Many elders in the Pakistani communities across the world who speak Punjabi will tell you the word "paki" means to stay pure and clean and this is used as an insult if you say to someone they are without "paki" as it means they have not cleaned themselves and their private parts properly.
Then Old Hornborn I come back to your comment in which you mention "PAK1" not they is nothing wrong with that, I know many companies that are named using the words "PAK".
Pakistan the word is meant to mean pure land and people from the country are insulted like I am from the comment by Harry because we pride ourselves on being Pakistani's.
I think young Harry like myself didn't mean to insult anyone. I myself have made comments that have been insulting to others and like Harry have apologised.
I hope the third to thrown is not discriminated for his action by the Pakistani community and I hope that the Pakistani community can work and live in this country keeping a good link with the Monarchy, as it was the UK from which Mohammed Ali Jinnah started his politics in the Liberal Party, Mohammed Iqbal studied and the Benazir Bhutto educated for the sake of Pakistan.
Jimmy, no, I am not. Watch either of those programmes now and you just want to hide behind the sofa.
"Please tell me you're kidding."
Oh, dear. You really do think history started with your generalion, don't you..? ;)
"Watch either of those programmes now and you just want to hide behind the sofa."
I certainly recall feeling that way about Mind Your Language at the time. I'm taking issue with your claim that his language was acceptable at the time. Acceptable to whom?
But Iain, we don't know if the soldier in question did object to being caused Paki. I very much doubt he did, knowing how things are in the military. I worked with joint services, and knew one soldier whose regular nickname was "Nigger". He was very much respected and liked by his fellows who called him that, and for information he was young to be a sergeant, so had not suffered due to racial discrimination.
Fast forward to 17.55 here
I know the term "Paki" well. However, the term "Raghead" deserves to be looked at in a little more detail.
This is a term, mainly used to describe Middle Eastern Muslims and Afghans, which originated in the US military and neoconservative politics. I think it had tacit official support as a term of abuse, as part of the mindset which made the Abu Ghraib disgrace possible. This mindset was based on dehumanising and stigmatising a number of groups as supporters of Al Qaeda and anti-Western jihadists, as part of a wider propaganda war. Similar to "Hun" or "Kraut" during WW1 and WW2. A very convenient generalisation for governments intent on war and regime change! This also masked the complex social, religious and political issues in the Middle East and in the Muslim world, in favour of a so-called "Axis of Evil".
It is interesting that the word is now seen as offensive, after a period of toleration and perhaps even encouragement on the part of the UK and US.
"Iain Dale is a queer"
Nah, still sounds abusive and unacceptable, and I feel the need to apologise immediately or i'll actually feel guilty. Sorry Iain :(
Jimmy, it was clearly more acceptable to society, as the word was used in sitcoms. They also thought nothing of using words like 'wog'. Unthinkable now, and rightly so.
Don't know if it's relevant but "Pakistan" was an invented acronymic name for the country: Punjab, Afghania, Kashmir, Sindh, Balochistan. It had the advantage of also meaning "Land of the Pure" in Urdu.
I also think this is a storm in a teacup because it's the meaning behind words that makes them offensive, not the words themselves, and there's no indication that the fellow soldier here objected. That said, it was a bit silly of Harry to put it on a videotape that he might have to explain later.
'Iain Dale appears at Queer Pride parade.' No problems there. Words slide into their new niches a bit at a time.
In a previous thread, a teacher pointed out the latest move of 'gay': 'My computer's gone a bit gay'. 50 years ago we'd have said, 'My typewriter's gone a bit queer.'
In fact 'gay' and 'queer', both much wandered words, are somehow gradually exchanging meanings. Which, I think, is a rare phenomenon.
"it was clearly more acceptable to society,"
I suspect you'll find more so in some sections of society than in others.
Is Blazing Saddles the best antidote to racism?
Craig Mueeay unsurprisingly has gone west on it all. It must be said that Harry is a bit of an uber chav - hey ho.
Murray - uurrgghh
Although the Prince did not mean any harm by saying these words, he has to take responsibility for his actions and the consequences that come with it. Unfortunately the term Paki is a term that is not very much liked within the Pakistani community, as this was according to my understanding a term of abuse used by the racist "skin-heads" in the 60's and 70's. In light of his highly respected position it is not good publicity and sends out a negative ethos of the Royal household, one which Pakistanis respect and regard as an epitome of greatness.
Also for information purposes to Iain Dale’s readers i have finally entered the wonderful world of blogging, and my blog can be viewed on www.the-speaker.co.uk Please do visit my blog and leave constructive comments, and forgive me for the lack of stories as i have literally started today and would be grateful if Iain could add a link.
Associates of mine are Pakistani and often call each other 'Paki' in jest.
Chris Rock announced on stage to a packed audience 'l hate niggers'
Because l'm Caucasian l'm not allowed to use these terms ... isn't that racist?
Not all Spartan, I urge you to visit a pub in Peckham tonight and use the n word to your heart's content. Can't have you discriminated against after all.
As a gayer I hate the use of the word "queer" inter or intra. It seems to be in vogue amongst a particularly showoffy, noisy, lefty branch of the sisterhood. Personally if someone yells out "Forby you old queer" at me in the street it causes me to cringe if for no other reason than it reminds my good lady wife Cordelia of the sham that lies at the heart of our otherwise untroubled marriage.
Jimmy ... nah, prefer Roman Road.
At the heart of it all is the somewhat strange view that what is important is not what your intent was but how it is received that counts.
Now I understand the argument because people do say things without thinking about how it may be received - but most of our laws are decided by intent, not result.
If someone is hyper sensitive then they will take 'unreasonable' offence, indeed some people appear to be willing to take offence over just about anything.
Perhaps if we got into the habit of saying "Yes I was careless in what I said, but you have blown the incident out of all proportion. I have nothing more to say" we could all get on with our lives?
He didn't mean it as an insult, which draws a lot of the sting. It was still very ignorant not to realise this has been used as a hate word.
After all, if one shortens 'homosexual' to 'homo' it rather changes the tone.
The more right-on have trouble saying the word 'Pakistan' at all. I feel more comfortable with the late Benazir's pronounciation Pahrkistan without stressing the 'k'.
The 'Rag-Head' causes another cringe, but I seem to remember forgiving soldiers on their way to the Falklands for the odd 'Spick'.
A friend of mine (who incidentally is black, if I'm allowed to use that word) is being prosecuted for calling a chap who assaulted her "African" She didn’t as it happens but a gang have ganged up against her and said she did. She may go to prison for this. If anyone can suggest a way she could use this outburst from Harry to her advantage I'd be most grateful to hear. Nickwood@live.co.uk
Iain, your e-mail iain@iaindale.com doesn't seem to be accepting e-mails (well not from me anyway).
White folk get worried about the terms for them out here in Japan. Try this to see what I mean - http://ourmaninabiko.blogspot.com/2008/12/g-is-for-gaijin.html
This obsession to turn this country into Fluffy Bunny Land is farcical and for me they can all f##k off as it is totally counter-productive.
To make words taboo to use empowers those self same words to be used as insults.
lf your offended by them and openly admit it ... more fool you. You're making yourself completely vulnerable and for what? ... a bloody 'word'.
The real world will never be Fluffy Bunny Land.
Tory is used as a term of abuse; should it be unacceptable to use the word?
As "paki" is merely an abbreviation of Pakistani in exactly the same way that "Brit" is an abbreviation of British or Briton, why is it deemed racist? We often refer to ouselves as brits (see tabloids/media ad nauseam)as do many foreigners. In my Army days in Ulster I was accustomed to being referred to as a "Fucking Brit bastard" by our Irish republican friends, it was obviously intended as an insult, the meaning and context were perfectly clear as it is in the Prince Harry clip, are we unable to differentiate?
Iain's is a balanced response. The problem is that the media's isn't. They have acted as judge, jury & executioner in this & are now willing to semi-forgive him because he has engaged in a very Maoist self criticism session.
This is the same media which deliberately censor any mention of our government's role in the kidnapping & dissection of 1,300 Serb teenagers to provide organs for our hospitals. You can carry out the most disgusting atrocities as long as you use only approved language to discuss it. Orwell wrote a book on the subject.
It's just about money.
There are a lot of people who depend on this industry for their income. Trevor Philips and Yasmin Alibhai-Brown to name but two.
Dave Cameron lives in constant fear of the PC mob. Some leader.
I apologise to all the readers and indeed the author of this blog, for making an accusation about Iain deleting my comment. Indeed he did not delete it, but instead it was my fault that I posting the comment in the wrong thread. SORRY :-(
Why do some people from Manchester object to being called 'Mancs'?
I suspect because it rhymes with something.
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