Top gear racism row (2 Viewers)
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SlowerThanPlatt
Well-Known Member
I'm sure someone will explain why we cannot use the word "slope" now, just watched the clip and I thought he was talking about the bridge. :thinking about:
Houchens Head
Fairly well known member from Malvern
Haven't watched this show for years. Can't stand Mr Smugness-itself- Clarkson nor his squeaky, mouse-like idiotic side-kick Hammond! It's a close call between these two and Ant & Dec which are the two worse twats on TV are at the moment!
Otis
Well-Known Member
Have you seen the Stuart Lee Top Gear thing, Houch? It's really funny
[video=youtube;K7CnMQ4L9Pc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7CnMQ4L9Pc[/video]
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mark82
Super Moderator
Yep. Sure he just said the bridge had a slope. Hoping a daily mail reader can explain to me how in that context it was offensive.
Otis
Well-Known Member
Err.....
I believe, or at least how it is quoted, the quip from Clarkson was ....
'That is a proud moment, but there's a slope on it', as a man walked towards them on their makeshift bridge over the River Kwai.
If true, that is I would have thought, racist. Knowing Clarkson that is pretty much his style I would have said.
'But there's a slope on it' as an Asian man walks across the bridge has a different connotation to 'the bridge has a slope' I would suggest.
I believe, or at least how it is quoted, the quip from Clarkson was ....
'That is a proud moment, but there's a slope on it', as a man walked towards them on their makeshift bridge over the River Kwai.
If true, that is I would have thought, racist. Knowing Clarkson that is pretty much his style I would have said.
'But there's a slope on it' as an Asian man walks across the bridge has a different connotation to 'the bridge has a slope' I would suggest.
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thaiskyblue
New Member
i lived in Kanchanaburi for 10 years right next to the bridge, this is the first i have heard of this word slope.
Houchens Head
Fairly well known member from Malvern
Many years ago (1966) there was a film called "The Sand Pebbles" starring Steve McQueen and Richard Attenborough. It was based in China during 1926. In the film, as I recall, the Chinese were often referred to as "slopeheads" and "coolies" by the American Navy lads, as per the script. So, the word "slope" to refer to people from the Far East has been around for some time. It IS a derogatory term but not having seen the Top Gear episode, I can't really comment on that. By the way, it's a brilliant film if you've never seen it. One of my all-time favourites.
Otis: I haven't watched those videos yet but I will in a while.
Otis: I haven't watched those videos yet but I will in a while.
Houchens Head
Fairly well known member from Malvern
Brilliant Otis! :claping hands: He sums up EXACTLY how I feel about Top Gear! Clarkson and Hammond in particular!
andrew.roberts
Well-Known Member
Do not forget Alan Titchmarsh...and yes I agree with you about the top gear trio especially the psycophantic Hammond hanging on to Clarkson´s every utterance with his doe eyes as if he´s waiting for a pat on the head
duffer
Well-Known Member
Definitely a derogatory term, although I've only seen it used by Americans talking about the Vietnamese war.
I watched Top Gear, and didn't notice this as aimed at anyone - this bridge really did have a slope (i.e. tilt) from one side to another. Maybe I missed the reference.
I wouldn't put it past Clarkson to say something as unnecessarily offensive as this, and Top Gear is full of an awful lot of puerile crap these days (imho), but I suspect this particular thing is blown out of proportion.
Them dicking about and racing on public roads in large, unroadworthy vehicles, now that does bother me slightly. I guess if it's in a foreign country and nowhere near Chipping Norton it doesn't worry Clarkson or the beeb too much though.
I watched Top Gear, and didn't notice this as aimed at anyone - this bridge really did have a slope (i.e. tilt) from one side to another. Maybe I missed the reference.
I wouldn't put it past Clarkson to say something as unnecessarily offensive as this, and Top Gear is full of an awful lot of puerile crap these days (imho), but I suspect this particular thing is blown out of proportion.
Them dicking about and racing on public roads in large, unroadworthy vehicles, now that does bother me slightly. I guess if it's in a foreign country and nowhere near Chipping Norton it doesn't worry Clarkson or the beeb too much though.
Houchens Head
Fairly well known member from Malvern
Otis
Well-Known Member
Yesterday: Daily Mirror says Clarkson used racist word (ni**er) on unaired clip from Top Gear.
Clarkson tweets: "I did not use the n word. Never use it. The Mirror has gone way too far this time."
Mirror gets in audio foresinc experts to analyse the footage.
Today: Clarkson 'begs forgiveness for using the n word.'
Clarkson tweets: "I did not use the n word. Never use it. The Mirror has gone way too far this time."
Mirror gets in audio foresinc experts to analyse the footage.
Today: Clarkson 'begs forgiveness for using the n word.'
Otis
Well-Known Member
smouch1975
Well-Known Member
'Slope' is racist in Australia. It's in reference to the typical angle of the fore-head apparently.
I'm sure the Arians are all over it.
Yes I got a nazi reference in. It a proper thread now!
I'm sure the Arians are all over it.
Yes I got a nazi reference in. It a proper thread now!
Otis
Well-Known Member
It is, Mark, but the fact is that he keeps on doing it. Think that is why people are all over it. It is a catalogue of such ill advised or obnoxious comments. This in itself, is absoultely nothing, but tot all the things up and it's a lot more damning. The idiot just keeps on doing it.
Covstu
Well-Known Member
yes a catalogue of smart ass comments but I must admit a lot of what he says is actually quite funny. TG wouldn't be the same without him so there was no way they were getting rid of him. Lets hope this is an appropriate shot across the bow for him to rein it in a little.
Otis
Well-Known Member
A bit more than smart ass comments I think Stu. 'But there's a Slope on it' is hardly smart ass.
I agree that this latest thing is just a joke, but he has a history of being offensive and coming out with racist comments, though I don't believe he is a racist. I think he just deliberately tries to be offensive. Calling Gordon Brown a one eyed Scottish idiot when the bloke is actually blind in one eye is not funny, clever or even smart ass. It's just offensive. Would he call David Blunkett, a blind person a no eyed idiot perhaps? Would anyone call a blind person a no eyed idiot? Is it therefore fine because it's just the one eye?
No excuse. And to my mind, the bloke isn't even remotely funny at all, which just makes it all so much worse.
Brighton Sky Blue
Well-Known Member
He comes across as a boy who hasn't grown up and needs to compensate for it by driving massive cars and making wisecracks.
Frisky blue
New Member
Frisky blue
New Member
Are you serious?
Otis
Well-Known Member
Errr, about which part? My not knowing 'slope' is a derogatory term, or the fact that 'slope' is a derogatory term?