Top Gear to be investigated over Jeremy Clarkson's 'slope' comment

By +Frank B.
in Real World News

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Grand Master

compl3x

Posted
Posted

I think slope was a Vietnam-Era slur used by American soldiers. Given Clarkson's age, I would say he's aware of it. I am and I am 27.

 

 

As an Asian man was seen walking along the bridge, Clarkson said: "That is a proud moment, but there's a slope on it."

 

The fact he said "there is a slope on it" suggests he was talking about the guy walking on it. If he had said "it is on a slope" or "it's sloping" it would be harder to make any racist accusation.

 

Another point is was the thing actually on a slope? If it wasn't it would make the accusation of racism potentially stronger.

Grand Master

Shadrack

Posted
Posted

I watched that video over and over again and could not at all hear him say the N word.  Someone is making something of that that it isn't.  And now more investigations?  Go ahead BBC, sack the one guy that gets you ratings for your most watched show.

 

I don't think you read the whole article.  The n-word referred to another previous incident where he said it in one of the outtakes.  This is about his use of the word "slope" which I did not know was derogatory.

Grand Master

Mr. Gibs

Posted
Posted

Wow....I guess I can no longer use the word slope around an Asian person now :rolleyes:

I mean here is a lovely list of "ethic slurs": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ethnic_slurs#

You can find classics like:

Shine, Gin, Charlie, Brownie, Banana, Apple, Spade, Teapot and so on...

Gee I guess everyone in the world is racist then :rolleyes:

Grand Master

Noir Angel

Posted
Posted

A slope is a surface of which one end or side is at a higher level than another; a rising or falling surface. Used quite commonly in English, actually.

 

I am well aware of that, I meant being used as a racial epithet.

Grand Master

Lord Method Man

Posted
Posted

So, now we have to search every single damned word against words used across the ENTIRE PLANET, just to see if it might offend someone somewhere?

 

Ridiculous.

 

You can only rightly judge this against English usage of the word, and the English usage is not offensive.

 

Pretty much. The legitimate word "niggardly" has already effectively been banned along with countless other previously innocuous words.

Grand Master

astropheed Veteran

Posted
  • Veteran
Posted

What's the big deal? Black people sometimes call themself negroes so why make such a big deal out of it? We joke 'racist' things about white people too but no one is offended.

 

Don't talk about not being racist, that's racist. Didn't you know?

 

--

Put me on board of never hearing "slope". Here I was using it for describing inclines, I was being racist the whole time!

 

I remember before I knew the derogatory word for Italians, I said to a couple of Italians (my ex and her Dad) if they would like Whoppers while we were in a Burger King, he was legitimately offended. Which pisses me off. I don't want to tip toe around every one because something might offend them, that offends me.

Guest

Posted
Posted

Yay freedom of speech!

 

http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/barack-obama-asked-to-block-bbc-show-top-gear-that-allegedly-used-racist-term-1201171776/

 

These idiots are only hurting their cause with crap like this.

 

That is so ####ing racist. Oh wait, blacks cannot be racists. :rolleyes:

 

The firm was referring to footage from the show in which the nursery rhyme ?eeny, meeny, miny, mo? was recited,

 

Humanity, are you freaking retarded?

Proficient

DarkyDan

Posted
Posted

They should just move the show elsewhere, people are so anal about their own misinterpretations of things.

 

When broadcasting to such a large audience you have to think of the intention of a remark.. taking a single word in isolation and turning it into a personal insult is stupid.

  • The Evil Overlord
  • Like 1

Guest

Posted
Posted

Article said BBC rec'd a whopping 2 calls that were complaints.

 

2.

complaints.

 

 

Out of how many million watch the show every week ?

I have such a hard time trying to understand what makes people like that tick.

 

What's worse is these news agencies / whatever publishing crap like this. Everything for a few more hits on their websites / advertising coins. Pathetic.

Grand Master

+Random Stranger Subscriber¹

Posted
  • Subscriber¹
Posted

In a statement, Wilman responded: "When we used the word "slope" in the recent Top Gear Burma special it was a light-hearted wordplay joke referencing both the build quality of the bridge and the local Asian man who was crossing it.

 

 

 

Ha! So as i I though, they knew the meaning and jokes about it.    

 

However they are presenters of a motor show highly based on comedy. Such a reference was a joke!   I love the British humour. 

 

It will be very unfortunate for them to fire Jeremy. Without his it will turn into the Top Gear US - no particular entertaining value to me.

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