Stephen Fry, the world's most beloved Tweeter, if not twit, is a national treasure in England - but now persona non grata in Tokyo, Japan (death threats even, allegedly) for joking on his comedic panel show about a double-survivor of the A-bomb attacks in WWII - the BBC has had to apologise; as they have had to apologise to the the Mexican ambassador, for a joke from Jeremy Clarkson, another national treasure and TV personality, which claimed that Mexicans were lazy and feckless.
Last night, on yet another British TV show, I saw yet another well-known comedian make a joke about how the death of millions of Canadians wouldn't be so bad - because they're Canadian. Substitute the word "Jew" or "Irish" or "homosexual", and one sees the problem. The BBC has argued that "national stereotyping is part of British humour". Uh - okay. And apartheid was part of the South African regime. Reprehensible traits, however "native", can and must change - and are not merely "political correctness gone mad".
Far be it from me to stereotype all English people as xenophobic, culturally superior in tone, or racist - though a recent poll finds the British the most obsessed with immigration among a number of nations (all with higher rates of immigration). I understand how an island mentality used to projecting massive power globally is likely to need to deploy humour to downgrade the value of other peoples (sometimes threatening, sometimes threatened) - and I understand that the British have a sense of humour that stands them in good stead in hard times (which these are). Still, it is time for jokes about various nationalities to cease - within reason. It cannot be right to mock Mexicans or Japanese people in this way, let alone Canadians.
Last night, on yet another British TV show, I saw yet another well-known comedian make a joke about how the death of millions of Canadians wouldn't be so bad - because they're Canadian. Substitute the word "Jew" or "Irish" or "homosexual", and one sees the problem. The BBC has argued that "national stereotyping is part of British humour". Uh - okay. And apartheid was part of the South African regime. Reprehensible traits, however "native", can and must change - and are not merely "political correctness gone mad".
Far be it from me to stereotype all English people as xenophobic, culturally superior in tone, or racist - though a recent poll finds the British the most obsessed with immigration among a number of nations (all with higher rates of immigration). I understand how an island mentality used to projecting massive power globally is likely to need to deploy humour to downgrade the value of other peoples (sometimes threatening, sometimes threatened) - and I understand that the British have a sense of humour that stands them in good stead in hard times (which these are). Still, it is time for jokes about various nationalities to cease - within reason. It cannot be right to mock Mexicans or Japanese people in this way, let alone Canadians.
Comments
If these comic indiscretions are banned, then we'll be bereft of an important channel for letting off steam. Even in former times the King had his jester who could speak unwelcome truths and be laughed at.
Summa summarum, this angst and obsession with political correctness in the public domain is a serious threat to freedom of speech AND freedom of conscience. One should perhaps note that Brits are also more willing to laugh at themselves. So, in this one area at least - they've got a LOT of problems in other areas - maybe others should learn from them instead of cutting a swipe at them.
What's wrong with a bit of teasing and some gentle banter?
Best wishes from Simon
don't dress them up or pass them off as humour.This is a real and insidious issue , have you not heard Cameron of late? As for 'Political correctness' it is a ridiculous notion and is used as a decoy. Things are neither 'politically 'correct nor incorrect,that term is merely bandied to dismiss and invert what is right from what is wrong.
On the other hand, whilst the Japanese joke was tasteless, the failure of their nation to address their behaviour in the war might slightly lessen the sympathy.