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Carol Thatcher’s no racist: she’s just been left behind by a better Britain
David Matthews06.02.09
Carol Thatcher has entered light-entertainment's Hall of Shame. Having referred to an unnamed tennis player at the Australian Open (believed to be Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga) as a “golliwog” in the green room of The One Show, the BBC has axed her from the programme. Last week she was a “roving reporter” on the show. This week she joins the ranks of former football manager Ron Atkinson (“nigger“), gameshow host Jim Bowen (“nig-nog“) and Robert Kilroy-Silk (assorted gaffes) as one of those naff presenters who think freedom of speech is a licence to talk nonsense.
But to call Ms Thatcher a racist may be pushing it. I don't know what her track record is on race — whether she's ever denied someone a job because of the colour of their skin or whether she even has any black friends. But I doubt that she's a racist in the crudest sense of the word.
People like her live in a different world from most Londoners. She is the product of a privileged, mollycoddled environment, where many people still simply do not get all this crazy cosmopolitan stuff about equality, rights and respect.
I suspect that if Carol Thatcher does pal around with any “ethnics,” one will soon emerge from obscurity and, in time-honoured fashion, will admit to having a cuddly racisit nickname — just as Prince Charles has his token polo chum “Sooty” and Prince Harry, his cuddly army mate “Paki”.
When I was growing up in the East End in the Seventies and Eighties, my concerns as a black man were rather different. It wasn't uncommon for me to be called a “nigger” or a “coon” by complete strangers in the street, or be chased by skinhead Nazis and then go home to find these prejudices reinforced on television in programmes such as Love They Neighbour, Mind Your Language and the Black and White Minstrel Show.
I have been called a golliwog, spook, wog, sambo, black bastard: the racist's lexicon is limitless.
Then, while researching a book in Sheffield a few years ago, I was stunned to hear a local landlady use “nigger brown” with a straight face, as
a descriptive term. People would routinely refer to a convenience store as a “Paki shop”. In London, such language today would seem not only racist and dated but also absurd, unless put in some sort of context.
And context is king in all of this.
On the whole, I'm against any form of censorship that fosters a “war on words” to satisfy some twisted PC agenda. Whether it's “nigger,” “queer” or “cripple”, people have the right to use whatever words they want however they want, as communication tools that make a point, any point they want to make.
If someone uses a racial epithet and it causes offence, they have to ask themselves if it was intentional or through ignorance. If it was intentional, they need to see a shrink. If it was the product of ignorance, address that as the root cause.
What's really disappointing about “Thatchergate” is that the expensive educations, privileges and opportunities count for nothing. By using a cheap, outdated and yes, largely racist word like “golliwog” Carol Thatcher betrays her lack of wit, charm and vocabulary, rather than a predilection for white supremacy.
Right-wing commentators have been quick to lambast Thatcher's sacking as “political correctness gone mad”, blathering on about liberal conspiracies and bleating about her remark being made in private, as though privacy is a defence against offence. It isn't. It's merely a smokescreen, a place in which moral relativism can be stretched to breaking point.
Just because people can say what the hell they want in the privacy of their own homes or in the closed shop of a bar-room drinking circle, that doesn't make it right or acceptable to today's man on the Clapham omnibus.
No, Thatcher's remarks were anything but private. They were made in the workplace (a public arena if ever there is one), for a broadcaster funded by the public, in front of a group of journalists and some very public figures that included presenter Adrian Chiles and Leftie stand-up comedian, Jo Brand.
But while the BBC is right to take racism at its White City HQ very seriously, it should have bigger fish to fry than Carol Thatcher. In terms of senior management and editorial staff, black people are woefully underrepresented at the Beeb.
Black media professionals with serious track records complain constantly that they do not get the breaks at White City. Similarly, black viewers feel cheated by a licence fee that does not serve their tastes.
The Corporation is particularly sensitive about foul, offensive and “inappropriate” language in the wake of the Ross-Brand affair. But once again, it has displayed duplicity and muddled thinking over the matter. On the one hand, Thatcher has been dumped from The One Show, but on the other, according to BBC1 Controller Jay Hunt, she is still “welcome” to work for the Corporation.
Unlike the vitriolic Ron Atkinson, who in 2004 described former Chelsea player Marcel Desailly off-air as “a lazy, thick nigger”, Carol Thatcher's outburst smacks more of a woman out of step and out of tune with modern Britain than someone informed by deep-seated racism. “Golliwog” is a leftover from Enid Blyton, from a world of Empire and conquest, where black people knew their place.
But this England is, thankfully, another country. Every Friday night I like to shoot the breeze and have a drink with friends in Brixton, an area once synonymous with racial tension but now the embodiment of something approaching racial harmony.
It would be the perfect place for a chastened Ms Thatcher to hang out, meet some real people, clear the air and learn a little about modern Britain. We won't bite. I'll even get the drinks in. Oh, and rest assured, the conversation will be strictly private. How about it Carol?
David Matthews is a broadcaster and filmmaker.
Reader views (26)
A better Britain? Children stamping people to death and stabbing and shooting each other? Where is this better Britain, I haven't seen it?
- Pat, Essex
I don't know what she actually said, but is likening a feature of someone to something (whatever it represents) really racist? I am confused by this. Over the years I've heard many people describe people as having a 'hitler moustache' as everyone knows then what this would look like, not meant as something to indicate that the person being described is a genocidal racist. I am not sure I see the difference.
- Annie, London, UK
It never stopped Jim Davidson from being on the telly. If it's good enough for the Royal Family it should be good enough for the Thatchers.
- R Roger, Epping England
It never stopped Jim Davidson from being on the telly. If it's good enough for the Royal Family it should be good enough for the Thatchers.
- R Roger, Epping England
Judging by the number of over three thousand and counting rang the BBC to support Carol Thathcer and only over one hundred and fifty in support of the political correct stance of the BBC. This is a clear indication of in a general election, the party that opposes PC will win with a massive majority. For those that support and belive in political correction, this is the beginning of the end.
- Joe, Swanley Kent
"Better Britain"? I beg to differ - just have a look at the story above right - "Evil' train gang robbed and beat up students."
- Pat S, London England
In interesting article, David. I would be interested to know what you think of my situation. I am half German and have been subjected to a lifetime of taunts about the war etc. even though my dad was born in 1945. Should I have to tolerate this? It certainly makes me feel uncomfortable.
Moreover I imagine there are people who see the word Dover and immediately jump to all sorts of conclusions, purely on the basis of a blitz of misguided media coverage a decade ago. The bigotry sickens me. I feel I am the victim of prejudice as well yet I feel I am regarded as fair game. Maybe we are all the victims of prejudice in one way or another.
- Steve, Dover, Kent
As a white person working in education where we are in the business of developing open-minded, respectful and socially competent young people it amazes me that anyone would defend Carol Thatcher's comment,defending Carol Thatcher in my opinion is pure ignorance. What she said may to some seem innocent enough but it is why she felt it was acceptable to say what she did that is the issue. Why did she say it? Well in my opinion and in my experience adults who use what is deemed to be racist language often are. Saying it isn't so doesn't make it so, because in this case the word speaks louder than any action. I completely applaud Jo Brand for challenging her and making a complaint, I hope I would have done the same. We all have a responsibility to constantly rebuke this behaviour and this language because we all want and deserve to be shown respect and consideration. It is down to everyone of us to take responsibility for our actions and our words. To call a black person a "gollywog" is regarded as racist and whether some people accept this or not doesn't change the fact that it is. Would she have used this term directly to a black person I wonder and I wonder why not?
- Caroline Horgan, London
Where did Darrell's family come from? And does he really believe that a concern for immigration prompted Carol Thatcher to use an insulting term for a French tennis player? Is he for "diversity of views" but against "diversity of population"? He probably misses the golden-age of serfdom when the nation was really 'proud"...
- Max, Leeds
"In addition New Labour's policy of mass immigration has in fact destroyed the culture of this once proud Nation."
Just like the British empire and even recent presence of British expats making loads of money in places such as Singapore, destroyed once proud cultures. President George Bush used to say, terrorism was started by Al Qaeda and we will deal with it in our own terms. Similary the Brits started the empire and the subjects are dealing with it in their own terms. Tit for Tat.
- George, Arlington, VA, USA
"There were 12 people in the room with Carol. Most are on record as finding her remarks offensive. None came forward from that room in her defense."
Odd how they didn't 'go on record' until after all the hoopla and media frenzy, isn't it? Cynical umbrella work, from where I sit.
Predjudice, be it racism or any of the other '-isms', is not something that you have or you don’t have. It is something you choose to allow into your life, to influence it (from either side of any question), or you don't. Everyone, everywhere, (including the sanctimonious 'not me’ crowd) is subject to comparing themselves against others; weighing their self-virtue and worth against those who are different - the more obviously different, as in religion, thinking and/or appearance, including racial characteristics, the more likely for there to be judgmental opinions.
PC dogma 'papers-over' these opinions by making a one size fits all gestalt, a dumbed down society where demonized select words are synonymous with intent; where the meaning of reasons and excuses is blurred; where simple thought no longer matters - and where demagogic individuals do the thinking for others too lazy/weak minded to do it themselves.
Education, not brow-beating dogma, is the answer - as always, because historically when you drive something underground you strengthen it. But the flag-wavers for 'progress' can still go along, happy in their illusion that "the problem is going away" under PC, can't they!
- Rogan, Irving
Good article - well balanced and sensible. Only one slight problem: sadly, everyone is prejudiced against something or someone; it's human nature and although not nice, and we all need to be educated to understand how hurtful it can be if on the receiving end, I think we have to be careful not to make so much of an issue over every remark made. The pendulum can swing and political correctness could be ousted by something much more nasty so we need to beware!
- Trisha, London
Not sure it is a crime to be "lacking in wit, charm and vocabulary" nor for being "out of step and out of tune with modern Britain". But the article indicates it is so. More to the point is the fact that modern Britain is a myth .. it is perpetrated by the PC Brigade who seek to force their point of view on society as opposed to coercing their view. They have manifestly failed. Hence the diversity we have.
In addition New Labour's policy of mass immigration has in fact destroyed the culture of this once proud Nation.
- Darrell, South Croydon, England
I for one don't think this is a better Britain, I think it's very much broken, and this PC twaddle is not helping.
But thank you for allowing people to feel free to speak in their own homes? I feel so much better for that!!
- Denise, London UK
Does no one belive that racism comes from all races ? Tell me where on this planet that there is no racism to any race ?
- Joe, Swanley Kent
David, judging from your photo you appear to be in your thirties (apologies if you're younger - or older). Thus you are in no position to know what Britain was like in the 50's, 60's or 70's. We may have been poorer materially and for that reason alone, I would not wish to return to those days, but in my opinion (as someone in his 60's) it was a far more pleasant place to live, people were more friendly, more trusting and most importantly more trustworthy.
- Mike, london
Total unmitigated rubbish.
In the course of this article you have used just about every racial slur there is. But that's OK, because, in the context used, you meant no offence, eh? Miss Thatcher meant no offence either, so where is the difference?
Moreover, your comments are intended for publication, hers weren't.
Being non-white doesn't entitle you to a halo and the shroud of victimisation in which you so self-pityingly envelop yourself is truly pathetic to behold
- An Ex-Apprentice, Peterborough UK
Carol and Mark Thatcher are the only children of Britain's first woman prime minister, a formidable woman. One is a failed journalist, the other is an international conman. Carol had to appear in the 'jungle' just to get a few bob. Mummy probably stopped dishing out the dosh. With all the privileges, contacts and guidance they have both had. neither of them could make a go of their lives. It is always the wish of parents for their children to supercede them. In the case of the Thatcher's, the children have become a national embarrassment.
- Deji Ogundero, London, England
Is it a better Britain where free speech is only allowed if it reflects the opinions of the sanctimonious left wing bigots who have grabbed control of the social and political agenda without considering any views other than their own?
- Warren Hertzberg, London
You must have something to sell to the BBC.
- Chris, Woking. UK
Carol Thatcher did not make an outburst.Modern Britain does ,indeed ,seem to be "another country";one where free speech is frowned on and large sections of the population lack common sense.This is not modernity but might well be called stupidity.
- Wallis, Bordeaux France
This is not a better Britain, its the same old colonial hatred and ignorance as before. Institutionalised racism is a relic of the past but maintaining it requires a collective effort. Britian is light years behind the USA in terms of race relations and needs to be educated, fast!
- Geoffrey Sinclair, London
You are right. She is a basically OK person but seems to be stuck in a time warp about 40 years out of date. It's not PCness but that the world has moved on and she hasn't.
If she just removed the caveats from her apology, then all would have been well.
We compare this with Jonathan Ross and now with Jeremy Clarkson. Ross did apologize unreservedly. Clarkson was a personal attack rather than a generalized prejudice. There were 12 people in the room with Carol. Most are on record as finding her remarks offensive. None came forward from that room in her defense. I know certain people want to blame in on the "room" but the numbers say Carol got it wrong.
As for being singled out because of her mother. Well the offense remains whatever her surname: the Thatcher name has simply been a rallying cry for those parts of Britain that remain either prejudiced or stuck in the same time warp or both.
- Richard, Cheltenham
I agree David with much of your article. I also think Carol should have had the savvy to know better. It was a dumb and silly mistake which no doubt caused those who were in her group to cringe.
- Paul, Bromley
Yes, let's send all these misguided people for reprogramming at the local centre for equality and diversity training.
- Richard, Cardiff, UK
What 'better Britain' might that be then, Matthew? Certainly not the socially alienated, fearful, violent, mutually suspicious, misery-infested dump I live in.
- James Murphy, Petersfield, hampshire
