montreal mike

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23597233

it seems some take offence

how about you?

Zoe Bell

before I read the article I was fully expecting this to be a quote from Prince Philip!

scot47

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...9#post10839249

BristolUK

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

Almost Canadian

Would it be preferable to have used "Third World", wherever that is?

Lemonfish

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.

montreal mike

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?

montreal mike

I remember on 'yes minister/yes prime minister' that hacker made light of TPLAC and no one made a fuss about it

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...n_Yes_Minister


political correctness is now in overdrive it seems

Lemonfish

Its unspecific re. country. But I think most people would assume somewhere where people have darker skins and are poorer than here.

Lemonfish

So you'll fight for the right to say 'Bongo bongo land'? Its just unnecessary.

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

montreal mike

no i won't fight for it

I just think it is a fuss about nothing

montreal mike

so how about bunga bunga land?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/pict...-pictures.html

would that have been appropriate?

Lemonfish

Its probably more fun to visit

luvmeboys

+1 just childish

Zen10

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.