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Carol Thatcher says she is baffled that a remark made by her in jest has caused such upset. The top brass at the BBC have decided that her services are no longer required on The One Show, presented by Adrian Chiles and Christine Bleakley. Thatcher, a roving reporter on the show, described a French tennis player as a “golliwog” while chatting off-air to Chiles and the comedian Jo Brand. They objected, her
apology was hopelessly inadequate and now she is gone.
It was meant to be a laugh between people Thatcher assumed shared her prejudices. They were white, after all — how could they not see the joke? Many of my white friends are put into this position by cab drivers, neighbours and workmates who assume that it is OK in white company to use racially offensive banter. When that happens it is impossibly hard to object.
Some do, most let go. But that doesn't make it right. Maybe Thatcher doesn't get the way society is changing and must change. In some way she is still George, the jolly, boyish girl in The Famous Five by Enid Blyton, a loved writer who popularised “golliwogs” and other distasteful words and images. Inexplicably, some Britons still look back with affection at those books and times. In one story, three golliwogs, “Golly, Woggie and Nigger”, sing Ten Little Nigger Boys and in another they entice Noddy into the woods and steal his car and clothes. These were hardly innocent imaginings. Oh, it was a private conversation, says Thatcher. But the “green room” where she made the remark is where guests and staff gather before going on air. It is as private as a busy bus stop. To keep life decent and polite, we should try not to sound off without a care in public spaces — and on emails and blogs too. Such language is the verbal litter that we need to guard against to protect our social environment.
The real question to ask is this: would Carol Thatcher have made the same hilarious observation if a black man, say Lenny Henry or Darcus Howe, had been in the same room? Of course not. Somewhere deep down, she knows what she said was unacceptable — yet she refuses to apologise fully, adding injury to insult.
In any case, the BBC is not a private white members' club. It is a national institution catering for Britons of every hue. That brings extraordinary responsibilities. It was right to dump her.
Reader views (21)
As soon as people start berating "the PC brigade" or words to that effect you know there's condoning of something nasty coming along. Golliwog is a racist term when used to refer to black people. If you have an old Gollywog toy - fair enough, if you waved it at people you'd soon realise its potential offence. Thatcher should have known better. If Ross had been racist, he'd have been sacked.
- Bryan Fleak, Hitchin UK
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.
- Missy, Wolverhampton, UK
reference the overreaction by top management to the Carol Thatcher affair to appease that strange breed,the polically, correct,who live in some rarified atmosphere not frequented by normal human beings
Reference the massive overreaction by senior management over the Carol Thatcher affair, in a bid to placate that strange breed the polically correct, who obviously live on a planet not inhabited by we mere mortals it would appear that the word hypocrisy is now to be spelt BBC.
- Spike Edwards, shrewsbury
PC brigade having anoter field day. If only they stopped believing they were doing good but rather the opposite to this country. How sad that snitches like Adrien Chiles and hypocrites like jo brand can be applauded.surely the next bimbo i imply looks like barbie will confirm me as a rascist !!!
- Mo, wimbledon, london
These rather tiresome liberals that infest the BBC these days are putting me off watching their programmes these days. I've dumped that Adrian Chiles bloke and his companion and now I've got hooked on Emmerdale! The best way to avoid causing offence to the hypersensitive is to avoid contact with them. That way nobody gets upset.
- Gordo, Birmingham, UK
Has anyone asked her mother for her opinion? Does the BBC want to drive more people away to other channels?
- Jonathan Montmorency, cooden, uk
You are so wrong on this but hey I respect your right to say it, that's freedom of speach in a civilised society. GollyWogg is not and never was a racist term, any more than BaaBaa Black Sheep. The word relates to a charicature doll. Ross should have gone, Thatcher should stay.
- Sceptic Sal, Not sure any more
How is it possible to be offended by this? Even if you think it inapproprate, are we not big boys and girls? If you have a tendency to be offended you should wait until something crops up that really causes offence. Please dont be so precious and grow up!
- John, arezzo italy
Strange institution the B.B.C.. The foul mouthed Ross is kept on with a token slap on the wrist whilst Thatcher is sacked for what many consider a relatively harmless remark made in private,deemed racist by the P.C. brigade.
I must go and look out my collection of Robinsons jam badges!!
- Charles, Stanmore. London
The problem is that leaked and briefed in private against Carol Thatcher, to get the ball rolling so that it was all over the media and they could gauge reaction before they made a statement. The aim was clearly to back her into a corner, so that whatever was said would paint her in a bad light. The BBC at its worst, it needs disbanding.
- Ian, Reading, England
Since when did a 100+ year old word describing a (hero) doll become racist ?
Who decides this, surely not Jo Brand of ALL people !
PC mad Britain
- Cap, London
Sorry I just do not agree with Yasmin, talking in society is becoming very dangerous make the wrong comment you could lose your livelihood even if you do apologises. United Kingdom is becoming a police state. I could say much more but for obvious reasons I refrain from doing so
- Robert, Norwich
A gollywog is a charming, attractive little toy. If it is going to be banned, then all dolls of whatever colour or representation must be as well. Otherwise I might get really hurt and offended by Barbie say, or perhaps children will feel bullied by baby dolls or......madness.
- Serena, London UK
where on this planet is there no racism to anyone or where ?
- Joe, Swanley Kent
If she was at work, how come they were allowed to drink? No properly run company allows staff to drink on the premises. Oh... of course, it's the BBC, funded by my licence tax, so naturally it's not a properly run company.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland
This stuff about being about racist. It's just a stick to beat us all with and to make us accept a subordinate position in our own country (not that it is any longer). It's just far left propaganda which has us all quaking in our shoes and afraid. And makes some people feel morally superior and that they have the right to preach. Just wait until this is a Islam country; you'll regret challenging free speech then.
- Stephen, Steep UK
What a load of nonsense from the usual PC suspects. It was a dumb comment but I hear much worse from the likes of Brand and her equally smug fellow 'comedians' who have a license from the BBC to be offensive about anyone non-Labour.
- Keith Price, Luton
Well said! It obviously offended someone otherwise we wouldn't have heard about it! I have nothing against Carol Thatcher but I believe she is wrong to take the stance she is.
- Sarah, Reading, Berks, UK
I wouldn't be so fast to call Carol Thatcher a racist for the use of the word golliwog, in reference what a tennis player reminded her off. But her view of that what that tennis player reminded her of is something she should have kept to herself.
I don't view using the term golliwog as a light hearted joke. The term is racist, anybody with any intelligence would know that. Carol Thatcher is an entertaining and intelligent women. But she obviously lacks emotional intelligence is she thinks anybody including white people, like being around a person who uses racist terms as just a light joke !
- Ben S, London
I absolutely agree with Yasmin on this. Apart from it being insulting, racist language, Carol Thatcher was not 'in private' she was at work - the Green Room is where staff go after a show and this is still 'at work'. She clearly offended colleagues in a work environment.
- Helen Smart, London
"a national institution catering for Britons of every hue"
...as long as they are into the arts and think Tony Blair is the greatest thing since sliced white.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland
