[Closed] Clarkson/Top Gear guilty of offence racial term say OFCOM - [slope reference]

I'm so outraged I've just wet the bed!!!

Be fair the guardian is not that bad, surely you are used to bad spelling by now 😉

So who wrote the script?

There's a new script for each show?

Actually, I remember when my daughter was about 2 and her favourite TV show was The Teletubbies. I was always amazed at the way they kept showing the same stuff over and over again. In fact, in any 25 minute slot there would sometimes be only 5 minutes of unique material. Apparently, the developers of the show had commissioned some psychologists who told them that constant repetition was the best way of catching the attention of an undeveloped brain.

I guess the team behind Top Gear used the same psychologists.

"Racist man is found to be racist shock!"

There's a new script for each show?

Actually, I remember when my daughter was about 2 and her favourite TV show was The Teletubbies. I was always amazed at the way they kept showing the same stuff over and over again. In fact, in any 25 minute slot there would sometimes be only 5 minutes of unique material. Apparently, the developers of the show had commissioned some psychologists who told them that constant repetition was the best way of catching the attention of an undeveloped brain.

I guess the team behind Top Gear used the same psychologists.

Clarkson and May are starting to resemble teletubbies as well and they both talk nonsensical shit. Although they are slightly more bigoted, ignorant and xenophobic than LaLa and Po.

An impressive amount of frothing in so few posts!

Ofcom received two complaints from viewers who complained that the word Clarkson used was an offensive racist term.

WTF! Is there not some threshold for bothering to waste money looking into things?

^
This.
What a complete and utter waste of time and money.

2 complaints - I guess that the person from Ofcom who investigated the complaint was the other person who still reads the Guardian.

An impressive amount of frothing in so few posts!

This is new concentrated STW. Twice the frothing, for only half the contributors.

Anyway. We all know the rules. Fans on the right, haterz on the left.

Also, as we are playing Kabaddi rules, you must hold your breath while posting.

GO!

I'm more amazed (well, not really) that nobody noticed this when the show went out and that we all had to have it pointed out to us.

That's how racist it was.....

There should be an non-complaint system in place, so you can register a non-complaint. If these non-complaints outweigh complaints then the complaint is dropped & the professionally offended should be fined for being idiots.

I mean, how hard can it be..

I only really keep up with Top Gear through clips of Stewart Lee mocking them and occasional Guardian articles about how their tiresome humour has been ruled definitively racist.

🙂

Slope?

I don't get it.

The bed wetters must be placated at all costs.

Charlie Brooker wrote [url= http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2007/sep/17/comment.charliebrooker ]this[/url] years ago. And it seems more relevant than ever to describe the professionally offended

probably clarkson and wilman that wrote the script...

Slope?

I don't get it.

It's a racial stereotype based on the fallacy that all asian men like snowboarding.

I'm more amazed (well, not really) that nobody noticed this when the show went out and that we all had to have it pointed out to us.

That's how racist it was.....

This!

They'd be better off firing someone in Ofcom...

My favourite part is white people declaring how silly the whole thing is.

This is new concentrated STW. Twice the frothing, for only half the contributors.

Genuine lol at that!

Slope?

I don't get it.

Me neither. Is it racist to point out the wonkiness of a wonky bridge.

Am I racist now? Is slope actually a racist word? (obviously any word is if used in racist intent), but is it a full on racial slur, like Porch Monkey? Can we take it back? Is it too late? I use slope all the time, I don't want to be racist...

Quite surprised how many people think casual racism is ok in mainstream Tele. I wasn't outraged or shocked by it by I'm happy for Ofcom to give the beeb and top gear a slap over it.

Is slope actually a racist word?

That's the inference! I think it's one of those words which is more racist in other parts of the world. I certainly didn't know it was considered a slur, and thus totally missed the joke at the time. Personally I think it's funny, but I'm not prone to hang wringing or mouth frothing.

Me neither. Is it racist to point out the wonkiness of a wonky bridge.

was probably what the beeb's lawyers said to ofcom, that worked well for them.

1. They knew what they were doing, and it was quite clear from the way it was scripted and shot. Even if you didn't know 'slope' in that context was a slur, it was clear - or should have been - something was going on. Admittedly it is a program for infants so this might have passed some by.

2. That you don't know it's a racial slur, doesn't make it not a racial slur. Perhaps if it had been in Africa and they'd joked about leaving a 'spade' on the bridge my offense would be approved.

3. I agree with Charlie Brooker's article. It has zero relevance to racism.

The "joke" works because (hilariously) the bridge has a camber, and there is also a Burmese chap on it. So when he says "it's got a slope on it", that is a witty [i]double-entendre[/i].

Someone wrote that joke, and obviously came to the conclusion that "slope" wasn't really a racist slur.

That was a fairly bad decision. A swift look at the top 5 definitions on Urban Dictionary would reveal that you probably shouldn't call someone a "slope" if don't want to take some flack. Especially for the incredibly limited payback of that joke.

was probably what the beeb's lawyers said to ofcom, that worked well for them.

Hardly the same level of proof as a court. Ofcom just looking to bash the BBC to keep it's masters happy....

so footflaps you genuinely believe it was not a pun/joke using what is held (if not widely) as a racially pejorative word?

Wikipedia maintains a [url= http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ethnic_slurs ]List of Ethnic Slurs[/url] which is useful if you either (a) want to avoid derogatory terms for people of other races in your comedy or (b) want to use racial slurs as part of the controversial opinions you have for money.

🙂

My favourite part is white people declaring how silly the whole thing is.

you presume a lot with that statement.

so footflaps you genuinely believe it was not a pun/joke using what is held (if not widely) as a racially pejorative word?

I'll answer the question with a question, could you prove beyond reasonable doubt that it was intentional?

you presume a lot with that statement.

I presume only that white people make up the overwhelming majority (which they do) and that being so, that they would be most likely to dismiss racism against an overwhelming minority.

Plus let's not kid ourselves. This is STW and look at the most of the responses on this thread.

Im not racist, I have a colour TV.

I'll answer the question with a question, could you prove beyond reasonable doubt that it was intentional?

Keep up. Top Gear already admitted it was intentional. They described it as 'wordplay'.

I didn't even know the meaning of 'slope' until now but then I can expect such term from Mr Clarkson so not a surprise. However, it's not the end of the world.

I wonder what jezza thinks about it all?

......I suspect that hes just your stereotypical brit and could care less about an ofcom ruling
[img] [/img]

Im sure the only reason hes not joined UKIP as a candidate is that hed be snubbed at the next cameron/brooks/murdoch shindig in chipping norton

then he could stand on a platform of abolishing the EU and all regulatory watchdogs

Crikey, that photo put me off me fag. 😯

Plus let's not kid ourselves. This is STW and look at the most of the responses on this thread.

all I'm saying is that there is a certain irony in your sweeping statements, given the subject matter.

Middle Aged Shit For Middle Aged Shit Eaters.

He seems to be a paragon for all those men we know who buy from the **** shop, whinge at smelly Arabs and are persistent and proud with their misogyny. The kind of man who uses the word "poof" to define weakness and see "culture" a threat to Masculinity.

How's that for vitriol. PISH.

That's quite the....

[img] [/img]
[img] [/img]

I'm more amazed (well, not really) that nobody noticed this when the show went out and that we all had to have it pointed out to us.

That's how racist it was.....

When did you carry out this poll? I must have missed it.

I for one am offended by the offended

Please some explain [s]Jamie[/s] Jamie's picture post?

I guess the team behind Top Gear used the same psychologists.

And your response to Top Gear threads. 😀

Like I've said in previous threads I missed the alleged reference just seen the slant that the bridge construction had.

Anyway been done on here before can't see anyone's tune changing.

When did you carry out this poll? I must have missed it.

Ofcom did. 2 people were offended enough to complain (most probably on behalf of others). How many million watched the eposode?

Out of interest, is anyone else up for trying to waste some time and money? pick a tv show to complain about then a couple of us (apparently this is all it takes for a full on investigation) write a vitriolic and mortally offended letter, just to see what happens? Masterchef irks me occasionally, when's that next on? Though iirc that's already been investigated over the condition of a souffle. Not joking. Really.

Interestingly, I was told I had a racist bike, as it was called a(n Intense) Slopestyle. Oddly they didnt notice the 'SS' logos all over it..

Lieutenant-General Alsatian ?

Lieutenant-General Alsatian ?

Nailed it.

I for one am offended by the offended

See, the term offended in these cases is used by the JC apologists to mean people are almost fainting with shock.
They're not, they're just standing up and saying being racist isn't right. That's all.

Not offended, just not going along with the bigotry "cos it's all a harmless laugh really".

Got it. I'm overwhelmed by offence towards your Meme Lite that I don't understan.

Edit. Like it.

General + Alsatian = Generalisation.

IGMC.

Not called Alsatians any more. Good old German shepherd is back in vogue after all that war misunderstanding.

True story.

As you were.

German shepherd

Racist, surely the dog is just a Shepherd? 😀

Wht's shocking is that Clarkson was deliberately baiting his editors - who in turn baited the BBC, who in turn baited the two offended people, who in turn baited Ofcom, who baited the Graunidad.

Anyone with any common sense or editorial control would have just taken it out.

I'd imagine this is simply Ofcoms and the Guardian's way of promoting the new series of Top Gear.

There should be an non-complaint system in place, so you can register a non-complaint. If these non-complaints outweigh complaints then the complaint is dropped & the professionally offended should be fined for being idiots.

The best idea to be applied to the stw forum buttons yet....

The Asian world will be mightily relieved to have the might of ofcom by their side. I hope that the extent of our offence on their behalf is some comfort.

Why do folk say professionally offended?
Seems a weak slur used because cannot defend the use of racist language and so you, ironically and tragically , just use insults instead.

Racist language is unacceptable. Why do you think it is ok and why do you think only "professionally" offended object

Do you wander everywhere using racial slurs and telling folk to get it over it or something?

Its a shame the only defence is to attack folk who say he should not be racist in a flagship BBC programme.

Joking aside, I learned whilst flicking through channels that my wife - who is black - now refuses to watch Clarkson.

When I questioned her, her response was "intentionally scripted or not, he chooses to use words which are racially offensive. Any person doing so either himself or repeating on the bequest of others implies they find such obvious racism acceptable, otherwise they wouldn't voice/ repeat it"

...our offence on their behalf...

Oh, and...(from a professional ranter earlier...)

...professionally offended...

Seriously...really?

These are phrases of the intellectually bereft and as such are used in the manner that FeeFoo pointed out somewhere ^^^up there. i.e. to deliberately belittle the point of view of someone (and most people in these cases) who's simply saying "look, being a bigot is not ok...ok?" It's entirely possible to point this out to someone without being "offended" oneself, let alone fainting with shock at the offence felt.

Clarkson annoys me and occasionally makes me laugh. Nothing is_accidental in what he does.
I do find myself far more offended by the 4 letter abbreviation of ****stani a few posts up.

When I questioned her, her response was "intentionally scripted or not, he chooses to use words which are racially offensive. Any person doing so either himself or repeating on the bequest of others implies they find such obvious racism acceptable, otherwise they wouldn't voice/ repeat it"

That's all well and good but what's her profession ?

Does she earn a living being offended ?

Why is it intellectually bereft to be offended for other people? There must be ten of us now. Is it enough to do one of those petition thingies?

I'm prepared to believe this was a misjudgement of the level of offensiveness of this particular word by the scriptwriters and it's already been apologised for - why not leave it there?

Script probably not by Wilman who is producer (tho' obviously he has responsibility), a lot of scripting is by Richard Porter who has his own site wwww.sniff petrol.com well worth a look IMHO.

Not saying this particular script was down to Porter BTW.

Wht's shocking is that Clarkson was deliberately baiting his editors - who in turn baited the BBC, who in turn baited the two offended people, who in turn baited Ofcom, who baited the Graunidad.

Sounds like quite the circle jerk.

ernie_lynch - Member

Does she earn a living being offended ?

Why belittle the statement- because you aren't black or Asian or with enough conscience to feel offended by Clarkson?

I'm prepared to believe this was a misjudgement of the level of offensiveness of this particular word by the scriptwriters and it's already been apologised for - why not leave it there?

And luckily it isn't a BBC flagship series. Otherwise I'm sure they would have made the effort to google the word, when they wrote their joke.

^^^^ as I said ernie IMO a misjudgement which quite possibly included a failure to google the s word. If you want to see it as a deliberate effort to cause offence - your call.

I hope someone has told these guys.

[img] [/img]

because you aren't black or Asian or with enough conscience to feel offended by Clarkson?

If you want to see it as a deliberate effort to cause offence - your call.

Excellent, I appear to have been accused of being both not offended and offended within 3 posts.

🙂

^^^ ernie at the risk of getting sucked in here partial quotes are a great way to misrepresent.

You can now add this to your rap sheet.

We're rapping about it now?! Who's doing the beat box?

rickk - Member

^^^ ernie at the risk of getting sucked in here partial quotes are a great way to misrepresent.

You can now add this to your rap sheet.
Posted 1 minute ago # Report-Post

My apologies, I didn't realise that I was misrepresenting you.

Here's your full quote copied from the previous page :

rickk - Member

^^^^ as I said ernie IMO a misjudgement which quite possibly included a failure to google the s word. If you want to see it as a deliberate effort to cause offence - your call.
Posted 16 minutes ago # Report-Post

hth

Every days a school day - never knew the word had a racist connotation until Ofcom pointed it out.

The fact that only two people knew and complained suggests I am not alone in my white, able bodied, middle class, heterosexual bubble.

Not sure if I feel a twinge of guilt for my ignorance, or a twinge of guilt that my ignorance prevents me being outraged.

We're rapping about it now?! Who's doing the beat box?

On it.

The fact that only two people knew and complained suggests I am not alone in my white, able bodied, middle class, heterosexual bubble.

You're a member of the last group who can be persecuted without consequence.

It also worryingly puts me in the same group as Clarkson....

Indeed, as he and his likes like to mention to defend themselves when they've been caught out being arseholes.

all I'm saying is that there is a certain irony in your sweeping statements, given the subject matter.

Except not really. You said I 'presume a lot'. Presuming the country is 90% white isn't 'a lot'. Give or take a few percent, it's a fact. Presuming the vast majority of people are either ignorant of, or not bothered by, racial slurs against East Asians is again, not a massive leap.

I fail to see any irony, unless you think 'reverse racism' is a thing.