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The last page of last week's Time Out features Geri Halliwell talking about her "Favourite Londoner". She chose the Queen and she compares herself to the Queen quite a few times in the article! She comes across as a complete dimwit and admiringly states how the Queen has "..never spazzed out and lost her decorum."! THis is someone who has just written a book for children and is a UN Goodwill Ambassador. Clearly the UN just want to make use of her fame as I can't see what else she could offer, maybe a flash of tits and arse at dignitories who need cultivating. I don't get offended by this sort of thing and, indeed, I'm not offended as such. I just find it amazing that someone so aware of her public and the impression she makes should think this is not going to piss people off. I hope Colleen sees it and gives her a good whack as she has a sister with Retts and does wonderful work for the Hospice movement.
Her comment is not that unusual - there are not that many publicly acceptable insults that can be used anymore, e.g. it is no longer acceptable to insult somebody because of their race, religious beliefs, creed, ethnicity, sexuality, etc, etc. However, it is still 'acceptable' to use insults about certain disabilities, for example, 'are you mental?', 'you're a nutter', etc, etc. Just listen to mainstream TV and you'll hear it.
I have just sent such a pompous complaining mail to the UNHCR office in London about this Audrey Hepburn would never have said it... Why does the UN stoop to using such vacant specimens FGS
what a good idea about complaining to UN Marina. Bet Audrey Hepburn wouldn't have been seen dead in the leotards/union jack dresses either .
2shoes - I interpret Manny's post as meaning that sadly it's still seen as socially acceptable to make disablist references, not as her saying that it's OK to say this sort of stuff.
thanks I just didn't get it I think i tend to get very defensive with the expresion spaz as dd has cp and amd getting to the point where I just get so angry when ignorant people use this word.
She's been hanging around with Americans too much. I've thrashed this one out to death over on largely american forums and apparently, the word spaz just doesn't have the same connotations over there as here. Rather than being a derogatory abbreviation for spastic, it's used for someone or something that's a bit hyper.
It still makes me cringe a lot, specially considering she is British and should know different and I bet she'd be pretty uncomfortable if someone started making snide ginger comments or even innocent but ignorant ones.
I find that so incredibly offensive . I know it's part of lots of peoples vocabulary and they are not necessarily trying to be out of order but for gods sake!
Not, not saying it's OK at all! If it's a US term that is used without any negative connotations then she could be excused, but she is British.
Unfortunately, these types of comment only get halted when the affected group in question insist that they are stopped. Sadly, many people that make up the disabled group are unable to do this themselves. Also, it often takes being close to a member of any such group to realise how offensive such insults can be - perhaps Geri isn't close to any disabled people/kids (yet).
I think its rather funny that she's using such casual language in relation to The Queen!! Because she thinks they're on the same plane fgs. Regardless of what you think of The Queen and Royalty the article is written in a way that shows just how understanding she is of The Queen as she relates so well to her situation and the pressures etc etc, they have such a lot in common. Is she for REAL???? titter wanker! Time Out actually printed this particular comment as a mini-banner (iyswim)... I wonder if they thought the same and that she would get some flack?
How insulting and patronising on so many fronts! It's bad enough to have offended so many people with her description, but to use it in connection with the Queen!
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