bongo bongo land
#2
Re: bongo bongo land
before I read the article I was fully expecting this to be a quote from Prince Philip!
#4
Re: bongo bongo land
One has to wonder about a politician seemingly so unaware (or couldn't give a toss) of the row that use of the expression caused previously* to use it himself.
* Alan Clark, MP
* Alan Clark, MP
Last edited by BristolUK; Aug 7th 2013 at 2:23 pm.
#6
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Re: bongo bongo land
I don't take personal offence, but I think it was ill-advised.
To my mind, 'bongo bongo land' has connotations of jungles, 'savages', bongo drums, primitive, under-developed etc. Kind of a Carry-on Up the Congo type of vibe.
It comes over as disparaging and ignorant, regardless of the intent. Its not language I'd use personally.
I don't think its particularly racist, any more than my Nan calling dark-skinned people she sits next to on the bus 'coloured'. She's 92 and isn't going to change what she says at this point. This guy probably isn't going to change either.
To my mind, 'bongo bongo land' has connotations of jungles, 'savages', bongo drums, primitive, under-developed etc. Kind of a Carry-on Up the Congo type of vibe.
It comes over as disparaging and ignorant, regardless of the intent. Its not language I'd use personally.
I don't think its particularly racist, any more than my Nan calling dark-skinned people she sits next to on the bus 'coloured'. She's 92 and isn't going to change what she says at this point. This guy probably isn't going to change either.
#7
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Re: bongo bongo land
i still can not figure out what all the fuss is about?
after all it is a non existent place so which country is being referred to?
after all it is a non existent place so which country is being referred to?
#8
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Re: bongo bongo land
I don't take personal offence, but I think it was ill-advised.
To my mind, 'bongo bongo land' has connotations of jungles, 'savages', bongo drums, primitive, under-developed etc. Kind of a Carry-on Up the Congo type of vibe.
It comes over as disparaging and ignorant, regardless of the intent. Its not language I'd use personally.
I don't think its particularly racist, any more than my Nan calling dark-skinned people she sits next to on the bus 'coloured'. She's 92 and isn't going to change what she says at this point. This guy probably isn't going to change either.
To my mind, 'bongo bongo land' has connotations of jungles, 'savages', bongo drums, primitive, under-developed etc. Kind of a Carry-on Up the Congo type of vibe.
It comes over as disparaging and ignorant, regardless of the intent. Its not language I'd use personally.
I don't think its particularly racist, any more than my Nan calling dark-skinned people she sits next to on the bus 'coloured'. She's 92 and isn't going to change what she says at this point. This guy probably isn't going to change either.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...n_Yes_Minister
political correctness is now in overdrive it seems
Last edited by montreal mike; Aug 7th 2013 at 11:43 pm.
#9
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Re: bongo bongo land
Its unspecific re. country. But I think most people would assume somewhere where people have darker skins and are poorer than here.
#10
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Re: bongo bongo land
Some people find it offensive, there are plenty of other things he could have said to have made the same point without sounding disparaging and ignorant.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bongo_bongo_land
Last edited by Lemonfish; Aug 7th 2013 at 11:45 pm. Reason: link
#11
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Re: bongo bongo land
I just think it is a fuss about nothing
#12
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Re: bongo bongo land
so how about bunga bunga land?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/pict...-pictures.html
would that have been appropriate?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/pict...-pictures.html
would that have been appropriate?
#13
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Re: bongo bongo land
so how about bunga bunga land?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/pict...-pictures.html
would that have been appropriate?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/pict...-pictures.html
would that have been appropriate?
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#15
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Re: bongo bongo land
The offence is really more about people trying to impose and enforce a particular opinion on other people via speech codes. The phrase is childish and silly and out-dated, but not offensive, as there is nothing offensive or derogatory about the bongos, nor the implication that they might constitute an integral part of one's country's musical heritage. It's like when the French call us the Roast Beefs. There is nothing derogatory about roast beef, nor the implication than we might eat it too much.