THE BBC often makes mistakes and is regularly accused of excessive political correctness. But the broadcaster is absolutely right to dismiss Carol Thatcher over her off-air use of the word 'golliwog'.
The fact that she said it in a 'private conversation' and 'in jest' makes absolutely no difference and her refusal to apologise for using the word or recognise its offensive nature is frankly bizarre.
I am quite sure that a large number of Britain's licence-fee payers would prefer not to pay Thatcher's fee for presenting segments on the One Show...or for the car that picks up Carol Thatcher and takes her to the studio...or for the pastries she eats in the BBC green room where she caused such offence.
Growing up in Croydon in the 1980's I remember very clearly the term 'wog' and 'golliwog' being used in my school and neighbourhood. It was often used by the same people who thought the words 'paki', 'nigger', 'coon' and 'darkie' were acceptable ways to describe non-white people.
Within my earshot 'wog' was never used as a compliment or by someone seeking to point out the likeness of a person to the Robertson's jam mascot. The West Indian family that lived three doors away from me were no strangers to these slurs, whilst the three or four other black pupils in my school would, to this day, be able to recount several times when they were called a 'wog' or 'nigger'.
For members of my parents' generation these words caused far more damage than they do today. When they emigrated here from east Africa in the early 1970's these words were shouted at them on the street and followed them to their place of employment. Thankfully they are no longer deemed acceptable in today's workplaces, which is why it is absolutely right that Thatcher has been ditched.
We know Carol Thatcher is from an educated family. Both her parents had the money and influence to give their daughter an education that was second to none. She must have studied slavery at some point and the horrible stereotypes that were created, which led to the 'golliwog', people performing in 'blackface' and 'the minstrel shows'. Surely she must know that the 'golliwog' was created as a grotesque looking character with big clown lips, jet black skin and wild frizzy hair, exaggerating features that were deemed as 'inferior' at the time.
Even in London, there are still people who see nothing wrong in what Thatcher said, or dismiss it as a faux pas. Unlike me, they never had the word 'paki' etched on the letterbox of their front door, or can recall an evening when their whole family were called 'wogs' by a group of drunks coming out of a pub.
But I am glad that Britain is moving on, despite the odd reminder. Prince Harry, at least, apologised for calling a fellow soldier a 'paki' and In 2004, the football commentator Ron Atkinson resigned and apologised when he used the word 'nigger'. Carol Thatcher has shown herself to be less enlightened.
Why not reprimand Carol as they did Jonathan Ross. If anyone should have been sacked it was that overpaid, pompous person who is still gloating.
Posted by: Jenny Lloyd-Jone | 06/02/2009 at 10:09 AM
I fully understand the negative connotations and painful memories such a word can bring back by those who have been subjected to taunts and verbal abuse. My concern with this affair is the lack of consistency and the diminished status that sexism and homophobia appear to have when compared to racism in the context of political correctness. We regularly hear JR using the word poof or see him behaving in a sexually provocative manner towards his female guests and yet this is tolerated. We hear Jeremy Clarkson referring to cars as gay on his TV show and both get a slapped wrist. Whilst Carole Thatcher may be wrong to use the word to liken somebody to a Gollywog she has certainly not behaved in a more inappropriate manner than the aforementioned male tv presenters. Her harsher treatment by the BBC not only reinforces my own belief that political correctness and equal opportunities is not applied consistently but also illustrates that sexism is alive and well in the BBC.
Posted by: Matt Belgium | 06/02/2009 at 10:23 AM
The offensive term used by Carol Thatcher beggars belief that such abusive language can be seen by her to be okay in what she thought was a private setting.
She should make an abject apology and go on a aniti-discriminatory course immediately.
Name calling of ethnic or minority groups should not be allowed in any public service or private company/organisation.
Georgina Norwich UK
Posted by: Georgina Moles | 06/02/2009 at 10:24 AM
Well said,it was the bane of my life through the seventys and hinderd me socialy and at work.Britain is moving on thankfully now I just have to cope with being old in Britain.
Best wishes
David Wright
Posted by: David Wright | 06/02/2009 at 10:25 AM
And I won't be watching Carol on BBC talking about her mother - enough is enough!!
Posted by: Chris | 06/02/2009 at 10:27 AM
I agree with this article 100%!!!
Well articulated! Spot on!
Thank you!
Posted by: Omar Days | 06/02/2009 at 10:48 AM
I absolutely agree and find it incomprehensible that the BBC has received over 2200 protests at her firing. Apparently there are at least 2200 people who are not afraid to brand themselves, and the television presenters they want, as racists.
Posted by: Adam from Newcastle | 06/02/2009 at 10:48 AM
Overreaction, but it seems strange that she didn't just apologize for unintentionally causing offense.
Posted by: tse123 | 06/02/2009 at 10:57 AM
Well said Amar. It's not big, it's not funny and she should have known better.
Posted by: Richie | 06/02/2009 at 10:58 AM
Absolutely spot on. Thatcher should be banned from the BBC altogether.
Posted by: Joe Middleton | 06/02/2009 at 11:16 AM
Interesting to note however that Jeremey Clarckson can get away with refering to Gordon Brown as a lying one eyed Scot and not a word comes from the hallowed towers of shepherds bush.
Oops sorry i forgot its ok to insult scots,welsh irish and indeed any race so long as they are not coloured at the bbc. god forbid our sensiblities are upset.I want to know why Clarckson has not been dragged over the coals by the BBC or is it because his statement has tacit bbc approval
Posted by: pcarmody | 06/02/2009 at 11:22 AM
I don't think "Wog" and "Golliwog" are the same thing. They certainly weren't when I grew up in South London in the 50's. One is an acronym, a three letter abbreviation or "TLA" for Westernised Oriental Gentleman - nothing whatever to do with black people of any culture. A Golliwog is a kid's doll. Those who called black people "wogs" demonstrated their own ignorance of culture and should be disregarded as uneducated themselves. Those who bandy the words "paki" and "nigger" are obviously more sinister and I sympathise with all members of the black community who have been forced to endure this sort of treatment. However, Do you really think that the use of the word "Golliwog" in the context that she was saying the man reminded her of a caricature of a 50's trade mark is any more offensive than when you and your fellow journalists constantly compare every political/religious/business/media leader on the planet with other, equally childish caricatures? It is a question of degree. Why don't you ask the tennis player himself if he was offended, amused or even grateful at being notable enough to even warrant comparison with a previously iconic device.
Posted by: Colin | 06/02/2009 at 11:27 AM
I couldn't agree more with the article.
Posted by: Dan | 06/02/2009 at 11:38 AM
I'm a Canadian living in the UK. I don't have the same cultural background but I do have my own cultural understanding of stereotypes Frankly, I don't understand how golliwogs can be so endeared and hold a place in the UK mindset. I see them in gift shops and on key rings. It reminds me of those USA confederate flags, still being clung to by those who long for the good old days segregation. The golliwog is a racist stereotype Why does the UK still hold on to this image? And another thing, I know really good, smart, kind people where I live that throw around expressions like “paki shop” and “paki” without concern. They say it does not make them racist. I say it does. Why does this country still hold on to these racist terms. Try using nigger or any other racist remark in North America, heads will turn and you will know that you have said something that is not accepted. But here “paki” gets chuckled at. People nod in agreement. You don't own the world any more. Stop acting like you do!
Posted by: Chris | 06/02/2009 at 11:38 AM
I am white and unfortunately even to me the UK seems a very racist place.
Everyone should stand up and speak out against this kind of thing. Although the BBC management are in general a disaster at least they got this one right.
Posted by: Gareth | 06/02/2009 at 12:06 PM
I couldn't disagree more. Yes, the word offends the vast majority of people, but it was said in a private conversation - not the air.
Besides, she is being victimised purely for being Margaret Thatcher's daughter. Had the comment been made by someone else, I very much doubt that that person would have been sacked, nor would the case be receiving so much publicity.
And by the way, I am a white person who has spent the majority of my life living in predominantly black areas, and I am certainly no stranger to being on the receiving end of racist comments and harrassment myself. Racism isn't just one way, as you seem to think.
Posted by: Caroline | 06/02/2009 at 12:46 PM
When I hear people like that making remarks like that it puzzles me. I can't imagine being in a private conversation, even in an all-white group of apolitical people, where such a remark would be made. I suspect if it was, people would be embarrassed or their jaws would drop open. I certainly can't imagine it being made in a workplace or a social gathering of acquaintances and strangers. At least when people make the 'coming over here taking our jobs' comments there is a scope for rational discussion.
To me, there are clear racist connotations, which Amar has outlined. That aside, I guess most of us make bitchy and insulting remarks about others or sick jokes when we're with close friends, but when we're in a more public or random gathering we temper our views and language, just out of courtesy.
It seems that when these people make these remarks they are showing that they are utterly oblivious to what generally goes as social niceties and good manners.
Posted by: Gert | 06/02/2009 at 02:00 PM
Amar,
I couldnt agree more with you. I think that Carol Thatcher thought it acceptable because there were no ethnic-minorities around. When she was pulled up on it, her arrogance shone through.
To make things worse, she has the affront to say it's because of who her mother is!! This is a woman who throughout her Mother's Premiership used her name to her utmost advantage.
The fact that she refused to apologise and take some responsiblity shows a modern trait many of our politicians have....I wonder where she learned that from???
Posted by: Roy, | 06/02/2009 at 02:48 PM
You would think that in 2009, supposedly educated and intelligent people would have evolved sufficiently to be able to treat fellow human beings in a civilized and humane manner. Well done to the BBC for taking this person off our screens.
Posted by: Missy | 06/02/2009 at 03:22 PM
When one is at the office part one is still "at work" and behaviour is observed and judged. We all know that. It just shows that people like her who have the best education mummy can buy and from a ertain "class" still think it is OK to refer to others in this old fashioned and now offensive manner. She is the type of person who is out of touch and unsuitable, which the BBC have correctly had the balls to deal with in the correct way.
Posted by: TG | 06/02/2009 at 05:40 PM
In the midst of the debate about whether a single word is in itself offensive it may be worth pointing out that the greatest verbal cruelty and humiliation can well be inflicted through quite "neutral" words. It is the intention that matters. Have we now become so "politically correct that we miss that important truth?
Posted by: Howard Marshall | 07/02/2009 at 02:04 PM