All too often, casual racism is explained away by saying
that “it’s only banter”, that anyone
likely to hear it “won’t be offended”,
that some of the author’s best friends are from an ethnic minority, and in any
case, where’s your sense of humour? King of the laddish faction in such matters
is Jeremy Clarkson, professional slob of no fixed waistline, who is inexplicably
still hosting Top Gear.
"Fired"? Hmmm, that's an interesting word
What is also important to bear in mind is that Clarkson, in addition to his presentational duties at the BBC, is also a columnist for
Rupe’s downmarket troops at the Super Soaraway Currant Bun. The symmetry of
this arrangement leads to the Murdoch press turning a blind eye to his
foot-in-mouth moments, whereas the Mirror
has
no compunction in giving him both barrels.
And so it came to pass that previously unscreened footage
was unearthed, showing The Great Man in the act of choosing between two
similarly priced cars, the Toyota GT86 and Subaru BRZ. Clarkson starts off with
“Eeny, meeny, miny, mo”, then starts
to mumble his way through the next two lines. But on the Mirror’s video he can be clearly heard saying “catch a n***** by his toe”.
That this was unacceptable is merely reinforced by the
finished version of the show, in which he has replaced n***** with “Teacher”. So, even if Jezza didn’t know
that it was wrong, someone else certainly did. And, to make things worse,
Clarkson has tried to suggest he didn’t say it: “I did not use the n-word. Never use it. The Mirror has gone way too far
this time”.
This latest slice of “only
banter, where’s your sense of humour” comes after Jezza revealed that he had
named his black West Highland Terrier after footballer Didier Drogba, and
inappropriately used the work “slope”
at a time when it appeared to have been directed at an Asian man (the word is a
derogatory reference to Asian people, especially in Australia).
So, apart from the Murdoch press, where else is this story
not being reported? Well, at the BBC, for one, and with good reason: although
the Corporation has
deployed a straight bat and responded with “We've seen the story. The Mirror didn't approach us before publication.
Clearly we will establish the facts before commenting”, there are
commercial considerations in play here.
Top Gear is BBC2’s
top rating show. The spin-offs, notably the marketing of the programme to many
other English-speaking countries’ broadcasters, bring in additional revenue.
But there has to be a point where Clarkson’s inability to exist in the 21st
Century outweighs the benefits. Even his co-presenter James May concedes that
Jezza is a “massive bellend”.
The time must surely
be approaching when the BBC chooses to bite the bullet.
Clarkson is an arse, for sure, but I'm dubious of the merit of this story. It's not entirely clear what he says, it was never broadcast or meant for broadcast so someone with it in for him has leaked it, and he could have been deliberately arsing about knowing full well it wasn't for use or could have said 'nipper' (quite a common variant used in schools etc after the n-word rightly fell out of acceptable mainstream use).
ReplyDeletewhen I was young I was taught the ryme with the n****r word in it and if I am not thinking that is how I will recite it. I know it is wrong but that is now it is in my head. maybe clarkson was not thinking and recited it by rote first time? as the story says it was re-shot and replace for the finished shot. how often dose stuff said without thought end up on the cutting room floor?
ReplyDeleteif this is how it happened it was a bit foolish of him to denie it maybe an "yes it sliped out honiet mistake we reshot it imitatley I am sorry" would have been better
Clarkson may be a twat who went a long way to help Cameron into office, BUT I can recall an article he wrote many years ago about language in which he said he wasn't bothered by his kids swearing (which I think was a topic being bounced around the media at the time) but that word was absolutely banned from his house.
ReplyDeleteAnd whilst there may be some truth about a Mirror v. Murdoch battle I'd look inside the BBC/ production company for people trying to undermine him.
Alternatively I'd look into the Top Gear contract. It makes a huge amount of profit (not just in English speaking countries, it's dubbed into many more) and I wonder what would happen if the BBC cut links - would it be more profitable for the producers if they dealt direct?