Who are we kidding, who's not racist? And do you really care what he thinks?

Calling someone of asian decent a "paki" (note quotation marks) is pretty much akin to calling a black person a "nigger" where I grew up (London) and I imagine most other places in the UK. Having said that, where I live now (darkest Cornwall), no one had any idea it was considered insulting (admittedly I haven't had the time to to a comprehensive survey :p, the previous statement is based on only a couple of incidents). So, probably not, it's just the usual media bullshit.

As for the nazi thing...c'mon, those guys had some pretty spiffy uniforms, although god knows why he went for the Afrika Corps, I'd have been wearing the SS threads :p

Hes a spoiled rich kid with no real substance in the army, They ALWAYS talk like racists. Unless of course that is the other prince, in which case he is simply a stupid spoiled rich kid who is NOT in the army and that is more or less the same situation.

He's white. Everybody knows that white people are racist. Nobody else can be racist, except for white people.

I don't think so. He was referring to his friend firstly. I have a bunch of indian/pakistani/sri lankan friends and the pakistani's certainly wouldn't get upset about being called "Paki"...it's just an abbreviation of Pakistan.

As for the raghead thing...I don't know about that. I know I could get away with calling my Indian friends curry-munchers and they can get away with calling me their own 'racist' stuff.

I voted 'No' but now I realise that he's just an idiot for saying it on film.

I have a mate who is a kiwi, I regularly call him Kiwi.
Now watch as the political correct police don't give two fucks because the nation based nicknames assigned to us don't imply anyone as being a minority group. Yet if mention another mate, Thai, watch them come with pitchforks...fucking idiots.

TerraMGP:
Hes a spoiled rich kid with no real substance in the army, They ALWAYS talk like racists. Unless of course that is the other prince, in which case he is simply a stupid spoiled rich kid who is NOT in the army and that is more or less the same situation.

No real substance other than fighting on the Afghan front lines in Americas "War On Terror!!!!" calling in air strikes and air support, and being a valued member of his squad.

As for his comments while they were pretty stupid I think its understandable, these commenst were made during his basic training, a good few years ago now, when he was really just a kid, he was talking how all kids of his age talk. True doing it on his video diary is monumentaly stupid its deffinatly understandable

Aardvark:
He's white. Everybody knows that white people are racist. Nobody else can be racist, except for white people.

Good god man!

Damnation!

Hahaha

Calling your friends names is just part of growing up.

But if a walking cash pile said something to you that could possibly be deemed offensive, wouldn't you walk up to a Tabloid and say "I'll take it in twenties!"? Coz I'm damn sure most of the media would.

I have to say that Harry is probably the only royal I don't dislike, simply because he's the only one who seems normal in any way. Falling out of clubs at stupid am, doing non pc things, joking around. I don't think he's racist, well, no more racist than most young white Englishmen. I make the odd non pc comment every now and again but I don't mean anything by it, and my asian friends make jokes about every race and stereotype.

So, I should be horribly offended if someone calls me an Aussie?

CrafterMan:
After reading this I actually have to agree, this is just elevated because of the media.

Good point, friend.

Rajin Cajun:
Exactly my thoughts upon hearing this "story" earlier in the CNN News Cycle. Having come from a long line of ancestors who served not only in the US Military but our respective European nations as well before coming across the pond it isn't even surprising. I've heard far worse language at the dinner table at family gatherings.

Good to see people with common sense. Even though my family and I are staunch republicans, which are way different in Australia like left-wing radicals, I have a lot of respect for Prince Harry, hes like a warrior-prince of olden days, someone who could command and lead an army by skill and respect.

The man knows how to fight, direct artillery and air support, drive an armoured car (I believe) and is learning to fly helicopters for the army. Hes a BAMF.

galletea:
I have to say that Harry is probably the only royal I don't dislike, simply because he's the only one who seems normal in any way. Falling out of clubs at stupid am, doing non pc things, joking around. I don't think he's racist, well, no more racist than most young white Englishmen. I make the odd non pc comment every now and again but I don't mean anything by it, and my asian friends make jokes about every race and stereotype.

My mate whose in the army said the exact same thing, that he thought Harry was the only human in the royal family.

I gather from a lot of responses on this thread that in other parts of the world, paki is not an offensive word. In Britain, it is very offensive. While it is just a contraction of Pakistani, it has been used for decades as an insult, and to refer to anyone from the Indian sub-continent, not just Pakistanis. Anyone in the UK who uses it is either a racist or plain ignorant.

I'd tend to put Prince Harry in the latter category. He's an idiot. Yes, it must be difficult for him when everything he does has the potential to end up on the front pages, but he's more than adequately compensated for that out of the public purse. He's paid enough, I feel, that he should behave with a bit of dignity and stop being a complete tit. Or, preferably, we just scrap the lot of them, he could get a job more suited to his skill set, and say as many racist words as he likes.

kailsar:
I'd tend to put Prince Harry in the latter category. He's an idiot. Yes, it must be difficult for him when everything he does has the potential to end up on the front pages, but he's more than adequately compensated for that out of the public purse. He's paid enough, I feel, that he should behave with a bit of dignity and stop being a complete tit. Or, preferably, we just scrap the lot of them, he could get a job more suited to his skill set, and say as many racist words as he likes.

Umm... the army is a job suited to skill set, hes not some rich kid dicking around hes a trained proffesional soldier and they army is probably the most lenient place in the world for racism.

One gets the impression that Harry really didn't want to be a prince, just wanted to be normal. Royal princes are much more different then your Paris Hiltionesque heirs and heiresses, they get a life of duty, politics and responsibility forced onto them.

I don't understand how he was being racist. He just said "Paki". I mean, I'm not an expert on the subject but is that not the correct term for people from Pakistan? Maybe he shouldn't have said "little Paki friend" but I think people just take everything they can as a racist remark. I'm talking about everybody here by the way. I think everything is completely over-blown.

Nivag:
I don't understand how he was being racist. He just said "Paki". I mean, I'm not an expert on the subject but is that not the correct term for people from Pakistan?

No. It really, really isn't. Pakistani is the correct term AFAIK, 'paki' has been used as a specific racial slur for years. Call someone a paki in London and prepare to be punched in the face. Maybe if you said it in a way that was very clearly not an insult they might just give you a very odd look.

Having said that, I don't think he was being racist, of course you can joke around with your friends, I call my friends a bunch of cunts all the time, but I wouldn't call someone I didn't know very well a cunt and not expect some kind of comeback.

galletea:
I have to say that Harry is probably the only royal I don't dislike, simply because he's the only one who seems normal in any way. Falling out of clubs at stupid am, doing non pc things, joking around. I don't think he's racist, well, no more racist than most young white Englishmen. I make the odd non pc comment every now and again but I don't mean anything by it, and my asian friends make jokes about every race and stereotype.

Totally agree with this. It was just blow out of proportion by the media. Although that not to say Paki isn't a hugely offensive term, especially in the UK, it just depends how you say it. Tacking it onto the end of 'go back where you came from' is pretty racist. But a nickname in the army? probably just fun and games.

scumofsociety:

Nivag:
I don't understand how he was being racist. He just said "Paki". I mean, I'm not an expert on the subject but is that not the correct term for people from Pakistan?

No. It really, really isn't. Pakistani is the correct term AFAIK, 'paki' has been used as a specific racial slur for years. Call someone a paki in London and prepare to be punched in the face. Maybe if you said it in a way that was very clearly not an insult they might just give you a very odd look.

Having said that, I don't think he was being racist, of course you can joke around with your friends, I call my friends a bunch of cunts all the time, but I wouldn't call someone I didn't know very well a cunt and not expect some kind of comeback.

Ok, I'm happy to be called out on that as I am pretty naaive at this sort of thing. Then my answer is "yes". If he said it and it's racist, then he said something racist. End of.

BrynThomas:

One gets the impression that Harry really didn't want to be a prince, just wanted to be normal. Royal princes are much more different then your Paris Hiltionesque heirs and heiresses, they get a life of duty, politics and responsibility forced onto them.

I agree that he probably doesn't want to be a prince, and that's unfortunate for him: but you have to play the cards you're dealt in life. There are plenty of people who would love to be a Prince, and to be surrounded by wealth and privilege. They have to get on with living the life that they were born in to, and so does he. We are all born with expectations and responsibilities that we didn't ask for; Prince Harry is dealing with his very poorly.

He's not racist, just an incredibly sheltered Royal living an incredibly sheltered life.
Soldiers need thick skin to go into battle - how bad would it be if they were getting shot at and he was more worried about ethnic slurs?
It was over three years ago, time to move on...

He's just an over-entitled and over-indulged prat, who really isn't going to make a lick of difference in the world. If women's mags stopped taking pictures of him, the care factor would dry up pretty quickly.

Queen camilla, on the other hand, is going to be a world-changer, responsible for a number of countries bailing from the commonwealth. I dare say england may end up competing against itself in the 1st commonwealth games after she takes the throne with Big Ears.

Hmmm... wonder if he calls her noddy in the bedroom?

Right so he was a squaddie when these things were spoken, because soldiers are well known for there cultural sensitivity and understanding. "I really need to empathise with the Iraqi people before I shoot them!"

On the dressing as a Nazi front, I have this on a daily basis. No I don't wear an SS uniform, however I do wear boots and braces and blue jeans, this was the uniform of the BNP in the eighties and people still relate it even when Im wearing my Anti Nazi League T shirt they still only see a swastica on my chest and not the massive fist smashing it or the big red circle denoting "No"

I am a rather plump chap so belts dont do it for me however I dont want my trousers round my ankles, this is turned into a political statement by idiots like my old bosses who were both Indians and introduced me to all their friends and relations as "This is John and he hates darkies!"

They also smoked hashish in the workplace but thats another story entirely.

So no he's not a racist nor is he an idiot he was a man acting according to his peers, I am in no doubt he got as much stick for being a royal and ginger as he gave out to these "injured minorities!"

If people stopped being offended at every turn by everything then we could actually work to end prejudice rather than giving those that actually hate this tabloid fodder to use as ammunition to discredit the good works of groups seeking to bring people together.

If I see another story that makes someone say "Its political correctness gone mad!" I will twist out my own brain and strangle someone with my spinal-cord!

electric discordian:
nor is he an idiot

Now, to be fair, we don't know that. There is just as good a chance he's a moron as he is a genius :D

I honestly don't know enough about him to give an honest opinion.

Why did I read that and think it said, "Is Harry potter racist?" And was confused.

I think he's a 24 year old who has every word he says scrutinised by people with agendas.

Imagine what you would be accused of if someone watched everything you ever said and did in your life.

On a linguistical basis, Paki isn't really an insult. It is merely abbreviating the word Pakistani. It shouldn't be any worse than saying "Brit". I haven't heard any feedback from friend who he directed this at, but all I've heard complaints from is a Media hungry father. I think this kind of thing only sends us backwards as a society, and more judgement and leniancy should be applied where needed. Prince Harry is indeed a tool, but he wasn't being racist in the slightest. I find it more disgusting than one of his "friends" sold the video to the News of the World in the first place.

Edit: I know "Paki" now has negative connotations due to racism in the 60,s 70's and 80's, but much of this mentallity is gone, and I especially think a sheltered Royal is not going to have any racial grudges

Prometherion:
Prince Harry apparently called one of his fellow cadets a 'paki' and made a 'raghead' remark. This incident was recorded 3 years ago whilst he was a cadet, but this is not the first time something like this happened (Nazi fancy dress anyone?). I personally think he isnt a racist, but he is an arrogant idiotic toff, who is so sheltered by a chushy life he lacks empathy. What do you think?

I do belive that you are right.

jebussaves88:
On a linguistical basis, Paki isn't really an insult. It is merely abbreviating the word Pakistani. It shouldn't be any worse than saying "Brit".

It is. Decades of slander and abuse from racist arseholes here in Blighty has made sure that 'Paki' is an offensive term. Seriously, if you're ignorant or stupid enough to go round spouting the same insults that the National Front used, then don't expect any sympathy from me when you get the crap beaten out of you by those you've insulted.

As for Prince Harry- he's a nob. He's been pampered and looked after all his life. Most of the Royal family are pompous, ignorant, inbred, upperclass nitwits. Stuff like this just reinforces my opinion that a monarchy just doesn't work in today's modern society.

As a canadian, i thin the british royalty can go fuck itself and get off our 20$ bills and our coins. The british royalty is there for show, they hold no real power.

Nivag:

Ok, I'm happy to be called out on that as I am pretty naaive at this sort of thing. Then my answer is "yes". If he said it and it's racist, then he said something racist. End of.

Does saying one racist thing, out of context, make someone racist?

I'm going with no, Harry's not a racist, he's in the military for Christ's sakes, that sort of language is in frequent use and is barely even noticed as offensive.
They're soldiers, if they cried when people said mean things, they'd be pretty fucking useless, so it's obvious that Harry didn't mean it as a racist remark (though it is often used as one) so by my reckoning, he's not a racist.

More importantly, it was 3 years ago, who really cares now?

Eagle Est1986:

Nivag:

Ok, I'm happy to be called out on that as I am pretty naaive at this sort of thing. Then my answer is "yes". If he said it and it's racist, then he said something racist. End of.

Does saying one racist thing, out of context, make someone racist?

I'm going with no, Harry's not a racist, he's in the military for Christ's sakes, that sort of language is in frequent use and is barely even noticed as offensive.
They're soldiers, if they cried when people said mean things, they'd be pretty fucking useless, so it's obvious that Harry didn't mean it as a racist remark (though it is often used as one) so by my reckoning, he's not a racist.

More importantly, it was 3 years ago, who really cares now?

Yeah, I chose my words carefully just incase this happend. I didn't call him a racist. I said what he said was racist. But yeah I totally agree with you. Especially on the whole "this happend a century ago, let's forget about it" part.

Nivag:

Yeah, I chose my words carefully just incase this happend. I didn't call him a racist. I said what he said was racist. But yeah I totally agree with you. Especially on the whole "this happend a century ago, let's forget about it" part.

Cool, just thought I'd check.

Anyone else find it sad that no one can say a damn thing without forming a focus group to see who was hurt by it?