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Is Prince Harry really racist?
Evening Standard 13 Jan 2009NO, says Nirpal Dhaliwal
Diana must be turning in her grave. Harry, the son of the princess who embraced a Pakistani surgeon, an Arab playboy and a multitude of African orphans, has been caught calling a fellow soldier a “Paki”. I wonder how he would have described Dr Hasnat Khan had his mum fulfilled her desire to marry him: “My Paki stepdad”?
However, his offhand comment, made while shooting a video as he and his equally bored colleagues waited for a plane three years ago, does not prove he is a racist, nor does it require more than an apology in recompense.
Sure, he muttered a stupid and tactless sentence. But did he victimise anyone? No. Harry lacked the malice (or is it bottle?) to use the word to Ahmed's face. The third in line in to the throne knows better than to upset possible future Commonwealth subjects — or risk a smack in his posh mouth.
Made when he was a 21-year-old cadet, the video shows Harry for what he then was — an insecure, awkward young man desperately trying to fit in with his new peers. As well as the race jibe, he made jokes about his grandmother and his “ginger pubes”. It only proves that he was willing to embarrass himself in order to gain acceptance and raise a cheap laugh.
I said many offensive things in my youth. But now I expect be given the benefit of the doubt and regarded as a reformed adult. It wouldn't be fair to vilify me for them now, nor is it fair to overblow the charges against Harry. What matters isn't a stupid joke he made as he emerged from his teens but how he now behaves as a man.
So I don't think Harry's racist, but if he wants to know how much Asians dislike being called a Paki, he should try calling me one sometime. I'll be happy to set the little honky straight.
YES, says Liz Hoggard
I've had a soft spot for Prince Harry ever since he placed a white rose on his mother's coffin.
He adores his girlfriend and has done charity work in South Africa and my neighbourhood, Peckham. He's young, he likes a laugh and has been educated in that strange hothouse, the public school — so of course he's going to put his foot in it.
But this thing is bigger than Harry's casual racism. It's about the nature of language itself.
Words have the power to wound. We use them everyday, for fun, in love, to tease colleagues, but each one can become a little Sabatier knife. As Ricky Gervais observes: “I never let my conscience take a day off.”
Forget claims that it's political correctness gone mad. We need to be more PC, not less. As the dictionary changes every day to accommodate new words, then surely we can learn when a term is out of date or debased.
As for the argument that British Asians might use “Paki”, I believe it's up to the special interest group — who effectively “own” the term — how they wish to use it. If you're gay, you might well prefer to call yourself queer (celebratory) not homosexual (a medical term).
And Harry's language is not as benign as it seems. He is referring to a young man who has enjoyed some of the same privileges as himself, including elite military training at Sandhurst. But by labelling him “Paki”, Harry reminds his friend who really holds the whip hand. Ahmed's father is no doubt painfully aware of the treatment meted out to his countrymen by British hands. No wonder he's angry.
The final irony is that Harry is using street argot when he's never been remotely “street”. When was he ever in an urban environment with “da youth”? It's like posh white boys boasting about how much they love reggae.
One day, with a level playing field, we won't have to be so scrupulous. But until then, get with the programme, people.
Reader views (18)
Prince Harry is hot! oooh Sizzle Sizzle Sizzle!
- Kiki, Glendale, USA, 10/06/2009 10:18
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Not quite sure if the term "honky" really relates to what Nirpal Dhaliwal is saying, or its bearing on his "roots"; seems to me a fatuous expression from someone saying very little with regards to common sense or decency, but who is "tarting up" his piece with inappropriate expressions that relate to a completely non-Asian culture - unless of course he actually is African-American, and no one has noticed..
Could I take you back to Prince Harry's "Gestapo" period? Wasn't that just passed of as youthful silliness? He seems a nice enough guy, but to allow him - or others - to continue making racist, homophobic or any other sort of slur on members of society just doesn't cut it. The amount of people who offer apologies after being caught in some sort of "nastiness" more often than not means they are sorry and unhappy about being caught, rather than being genuinely contrite for their actions (again, see Gestapo period). If Harry wants to be racist or foolish, then he had best only do it when he is with others like-minded folk, and not when it can be reported.
- Les Reed, East Ham England, 14/01/2009 10:36
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This is so pathetic. The 'incident' happened 2 years ago. harry has served well in the Army and only had to leave the 'Stan because of the actions of the damn media.
yes he lives a life of privelage, but that is not his fault. He is trying to make the best of it. Worse language is used up and down the country every day.
- Chaz, Perth, Australia, 14/01/2009 00:36
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The level of ignorance, either real or pretend, of people on this forum knows no bounds. The term "Paki" has been used for decades in the UK as a term of abuse for anyone who looks like they are from south Asia i.e. Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka etc. At no point in history has it been short for someone who comes from Pakistan. Would anyone posting this nonsense on here actually refer to an Asian person as a "Paki" to their face? The term was accompanied by "bashing" i.e. "Paki bashing" for the way Asians used to get regularly attacked in the street for being Asian.
It's the same logic as suggesting it's acceptable to refer to someone from Niger or Nigeria as a 'nigger' on the basis it's short for their nationality.
The irony is, this Standard article and both authors are quite moderate. Neither are saying Prince Harry warrants any punishment but both point out it is simply a term of abuse and neither seeks to pretend it is somehow short for "Pakistani".
- Saunaing Tic Gill, London, 13/01/2009 23:13
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The simple fact is that using the term paki is racist ... amy be not the street thug type of racism .. but never the less it is racist. Using the term shows that Prince Willaim gave in to the little racist voice insiode his head. This actually lives in a lot more of us than we wuld like to admit. We can make excuses .. such as using this type of word in certain environements (as the army is OK) .. but is is not. It is derogatory and it is racist. By reflecting on his use of the word and apologising, Harry is taking an important step in ammending his ways ... Let him do it .. Acccept his apology .. and for all those who say that the use of the word was OK ... reflect on your own views .... you are the racists!!
- Marke, Houston, Texas, 13/01/2009 22:59
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Racial minorites have been given all sorts of preferences over whites in the United States, perhaps Harry is just responding to the beginning of such preferences worldwide.
- Tomas, Philadelphia, USA, 13/01/2009 22:50
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This story is all about money, both for the News of the World and the creep who sold the video clip to them.
- Bob, London, 13/01/2009 21:46
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Commentators and journalists know very little of Army life, and should not voice such naive opinions. Prince Harry is in the Army. He acts like any soldier. Why should he watch what he says in this environment? In the Army he uses the language of the Army, not of armchair socialists. We (real people that is, and particularly soldiers) have never bulked at Paddy, Taffy, or Jock. So why this uproar? If the Pakistani officer concerned does not understand Military camaraderie, then he should leave the Army instead of trying to fit in where he may not belong.
- William, deal,kent, 13/01/2009 16:38
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Let me say that
Sol, bexley,kent.u.k.
Could not have said it any better. So, I will not retype his thoughts. Those two young lads, can't do anything without some damn camera stuffed in their face. LEAVE THEM TWO LADS ALONE. Really they are human, and poor Harry he knows and undstands where he fits in and he will be fine let him raise a little hell, he is not out to harm anyone, he is just raising hell like any young lad his age would and will, Young in the military and leaving the life.....
- Susan Jones, Augusta Ga, USA, 13/01/2009 16:05
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I believe people should give Prince Harry the benefit of the doubt. It is an insult to his father and late mother to say he is racist, somehow I think he and his brother were raised better than that. Let the lad alone.
- John, arizona, usa, 13/01/2009 15:11
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Prince Harry is a soldier making friends in the way soldiers bond best; by insulting each other.
Soldiers can't live without friends.
That forces them to be pretty good people, and that's the reason they seem so much simpleer and more generous than others.
They insult each other unmercifully - sometimes in ways that seem more than a little over the top to the uninitiated.
Prince Harry was forging a friendship that would stand the heat of battle.
- Mike, Coventry, England, 13/01/2009 14:36
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The true racists are TV companies like Sky News who repeatedly support one sector of the UK population and condem the indiginous people of the country. They are looking to creat a violent response for future TV coverage.
- Peter Fordham, Pego, Spain, 13/01/2009 13:38
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let me start off by saying that i am not a supporter of the monarchy.i do however sympathise with the amount of scrutiny that the royals are put under by the media solely to profit out of every little gaffe they make.i wonder how many people could cope with having their every move monitored by the press 24/7.as for harry,just because he`s a royal lets not forget that he is also still a young man trying to find his way in the world.we all do and say things that we later regret,and all we can do is learn by our mistakes and try not to repeat them.were harry a racist,i wonder,would he waste his time doing his charity work in countries like Africa.How much do any of us know about this young man,other than what we read in the papers or see on t.v.The fact that he is willing to get stuck in and get his hands dirty when the need arises,to me,shows that he is trying to fit into everyday life as best he can. Give the kid a brake,eh!Harry,if you read this,give up the booze,stop the clubbing and dont forget that your every move is being watched.Trust no one outside of your family,lest the gold diggers cash in.Good luck!!
- Sol, bexley,kent.u.k., 13/01/2009 13:34
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i have never read such a load of drivvle in all my life as the comments of liz hoggard,i can only suggest that she has become too sensitive to have any oppinion at all to the people of this great country,the saying paki is a shortened version of their origin ie pakistan the word already exists in its name how can it be a racist comment,i am from britain and sometimes called a brit again a shortened version of origin but it does not upset me,or am i not allowed to be upset because i am not as sensitive as liz hoggard,people who think it is a racist comment need to get a life as there are names like these for nearly every country that exists,many from our own shores ie jock,taff,pommie,cockney,scouser and gordie to name a few,do you think the people of this country care about being called these names i dont think so ,and im a welshman working in england so i get a load of comments but i take it in the light hearted manner that it is given,
- James Jones, swansea .wales.uk, 13/01/2009 13:07
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You poor misguided person. If you think calling someone a Paki is derogatory, take a look around you. Is Jock offended or Taffy, Poms? Brits (short for British) Ausie (short for Australian) Paki (short for Pakistani) Don’t fall for this one Harry you did nothing wrong, It’s just the PC do gooders gone mad !! Kick this stupidity into touch now.
- Chris James, Croydon, 13/01/2009 12:59
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This really is getting silly.We were called Limies by Americans and we called them Yanks. Every nationalty has a nick name but there is always someone looking to be insulted. The forces are well known for their banter but most of the time it is taken in good part.People need to grow up.
- Pauline Dickinson, Staffordshire WS70DP, 13/01/2009 12:57
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Commentors and journals not very little of Army life, and should not voice such naive opinions. Prince Harry is the the Army. He acts like any soldier.Why should he watch what he says in this environment.In the Army he uses the language of the Army, not of airchair solialists.We(real people that is,particularly soldiers) have never bulked at Paddy,Taffy,or Jock. So why this uproar. If the Pakistani officer concerned,does not understand Military commarderie, then he should leave the Army intstead of trying to fit in where he may not belong.
- William, deal,kent, 13/01/2009 12:19
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Of course he is. Given the upbringing and education available to the offspring of the most papmpered and fawned-over family in the land, there can be no excuse. If he MUST behave as a yob, let him do so as private individual, at his own expense AND take the punishment that WOULD have been meted out to the ordinary yob.
- Harry Lauder, Edinburgh, 13/01/2009 12:17
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