Benedict Cumberbatch in race storm

[Crimson Dynamo]

I thought black was a colour? :shrug:


And who decided specifically (name please) that the term coloured was now not to be used?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Benedict Cumberbatch called black people 'coloured' on show Travis Smiley
He was hitting out at lack of opportunities for black British actors in UK
His use of 'outmoded' racial terminology sparked outrage among viewers
38-year-old Oscar nominee said: 'I'm devastated to have caused offense'


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2927166/I-m-idiot-m-devastated-caused-offense-British-actor-Benedict-Cumberbatch-issues-apology-calling-black-people-colored-television.html#ixzz3Q8TvWSWn

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/01/26/2518363100000578-2927166-image-m-72_1422301322844.jpg

[Niamh.]

Oh my daughter loves him, can't wait to get home and tell her he's a big racist now :hehe:

http://i.imgur.com/k7B6ggu.jpg

[JoshBB]

?? I've never thought "coloured" or "black" were racist at all, they are surely mere descriptors.. and he also meant no harm therefore why are people so offended? Surely even if he used a word thought to be racist it would be his intentions behind it and not the word (the 'sound') itself which we assign definitions to

[Nedusa]

Any excuse to be offended from the big chip on the shoulder brigade.....





.

[Nedusa]

Oh my daughter loves him, can't wait to get home and tell her he's a big racist now :hehe:

http://i.imgur.com/k7B6ggu.jpg

Love the picture from father Ted..... One of my favourite episodes.

[kirklancaster]

The world's gone stark staring bonkers.

[Niamh.]

Love the picture from father Ted..... One of my favourite episodes.

:laugh:

[Shaun]

I thought it was pretty common knowledge that 'coloured' is a dated word...

[Crimson Dynamo]

I thought it was pretty common knowledge that 'coloured' is a dated word...

I read that in Denmark Black is a nono and everyone uses coloured

[Niamh.]

I thought it was pretty common knowledge that 'coloured' is a dated word...

Yeah me too but tbf I think his intentions were good

[smudgie]

:shrug: it changes all the tine I suppose.
My nephew was of mixed race when he was born, now he is apparently dual heritage:shrug:

I think when someone is being interviewed and is obviously the opposite of a racist it should be easy enough to understand.

[arista]

He said sorry fast

[Nedusa]

Wtf do we say then.....

Black, Non white, Coloured, absence of Coloured, dark, very dark, ebony, coal coloured, outer space colour, onyx, charcoal, grey, taupe, slate, noir , phthalo


They all mean pretty much the same........ Black

So why take offence when none is intended.





.

[Locke.]

Should be pointed out that he was actually speaking up for black actors not getting enough opportunities in the UK when he used the term.

He said: "I think as far as coloured actors go, it gets really different in the UK, and a lot of my friends have had more opportunities here [in the US] than in the UK, and that's something that needs to change.

"Something's gone wrong, we're not representative enough in our culture of different races and that really does need to step up a pace."

Following the interview, Cumberbatch was praised for the sentiment of his argument, but also criticised for using the outdated phrase.

In a statement, the Oscar nominee said: "I'm devastated to have caused offence by using this outmoded terminology. I offer my sincere apologies.

"I make no excuse for my being an idiot and know the damage is done."

Read more: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/news/a624518/benedict-cumberbatch-apologises-after-calling-black-actors-coloured.html#~p2Gqj2w2yRF2lX#ixzz3Q8YlJ7YM
Follow us: @digitalspy on Twitter | digitalspyuk on Facebook

[Shaun]

Yeah me too but tbf I think his intentions were good

Oh yeah I know, I saw an article about David Oyelewo (I gather he's the topic of this 'row' after he was snubbed of an Oscar nomination) defending him as well.

[Niamh.]

Should be pointed out that he was actually speaking up for black actors not getting enough opportunities in the UK when he used the term.

Yeah people need to gain a little perspective, he didn't mean to cause offense and certainly didn't want to be seen as racist, he was being the complete opposite

[Crimson Dynamo]

why is coloured now no good?

Tiger woods called himself a "brown dude" the other day - which is more accurate than black

[arista]

why is coloured now no good?

Tiger woods called himself a "brown dude" the other day - which is more accurate than black


A load of Activist have Padlocked it.

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

his face offends me

[user104658]

Not sure why something being outdated suddenly makes it racist? It's not like it's "the N word" which was mostly used as a slur and so obviously is not acceptable... "Coloured" is just "old fashioned", I don't really understand why it's supposedly offensive. As far as I know, the word hasn't really been used in a derogatory context in the past?

If anything, looking at it logically, "black" should be offensive! Very few black people are even close to having a skin tone that is actually "black"... it sort of seems like a massive generalisation to me... to say that just because someone has a darker skin tone they are "black" sort of sounds a bit racist :shrug:

[Niamh.]

Not sure why something being outdated suddenly makes it racist? It's not like it's "the N word" which was mostly used as a slur and so obviously is not acceptable... "Coloured" is just "old fashioned", I don't really understand why it's supposedly offensive. As far as I know, the word hasn't really been used in a derogatory context in the past?

If anything, looking at it logically, "black" should be offensive! Very few black people are even close to having a skin tone that is actually "black"... it sort of seems like a massive generalisation to me... to say that just because someone has a darker skin tone they are "black" sort of sounds a bit racist :shrug:

yeah but white people aren't really white either or all the same skin colour

[letmein]

"Colored" has been a slur since the mid 20th century. 99.9% of people are aware of the fact.

[Mystic Mock]

Tbf he didn't seem to mean it offensively so people should let it go imo.

[Tom4784]

He was silly to use that word but it's stupid to get upset over it when he was criticizing the business for it's marginalization of black people. People truly look for reasons to be offended these days.

[user104658]

He was silly to use that word but it's stupid to get upset over it when he was criticizing the business for it's marginalization of black people. People truly look for reasons to be offended these days.

Well exactly... he went out of his way to make a statement that is the exact opposite of racism, and was blasted for not using the right word. It's a bit of a joke, really. People will simply stop speaking up at all for fear of accidentally getting it wrong - and then they'll be branded racist for "not saying anything".

[Kizzy]

https://33.media.tumblr.com/15fba5c03b17b559f7cd64c6f3ccba9a/tumblr_mh3j3zGXTF1s1tmado1_500.gif

See.. it's people of colour, not coloured people ben! god ben you're so stoopid.

[Livia]

So let me get this straight... He was highlighting the unfairness in the industry for black actors. And in doing that he used the word coloured... and that's the thing that's got the attention? If he didn't use it as an insult and he was highlighting an injustice for black actors, maybe they should cut him some slack.

[Northern Monkey]

So how we gonna know when 'black' becomes a racist term?When we get the police knocking at the door because we said a racist word?He did'nt say ****** fgs.I might just decide to be offended by being called white,I am clearly a mixture of pink and brown and maybe a touch of white.I now wish to called 'multicoloured'.

[Nedusa]

So how we gonna know when 'black' becomes a racist term?When we get the police knocking at the door because we said a racist word?He did'nt say ****** fgs.I might just decide to be offended by being called white,I am clearly a mixture of pink and brown and maybe a touch of white.I now wish to called 'multicoloured'.

Sorry...........can't use the word "Black" anymore either.

Blackboard............Chalkboard
Blacklist................Blocklist
Blackballed............Ballotballed
Blackmailed............Extorted

So the word Black is slowly being removed from our lexicon


Political correctness gone ...MAD !!!





.

[Brother Leon]

Coloured is very offensive, but he was coming from a good place tbf and just didn't know better.

[GiRTh]

why is coloured now no good?

Tiger woods called himself a "brown dude" the other day - which is more accurate than blackI cant even be bothered to answer this.

[GiRTh]

His apology was very genuine and everybody seems to have moved on. If you dont think the word colored in offensive then sorry but no one cares. It went out of date ages and if you missed it then too bad.

[GiRTh]

Any excuse to be offended from the big chip on the shoulder brigade.....





.I consider this a be an actual racist comment. The term 'chip on the shoulder' was used during the civil right movement to highlight blacks who were not acting in the way some wanted them to. Are the chip on shoulder brigade uppity too?

[Crimson Dynamo]

I consider this a be an actual racist comment. The term 'chip on the shoulder' was used during the civil right movement to highlight blacks who were not acting in the way some wanted them to. Are the chip on shoulder brigade uppity too?

:joker:


could not make it up

[Crimson Dynamo]

Coloured is very offensive, but he was coming from a good place tbf and just didn't know better.

why is it offensive and who decided this?

[GiRTh]

:joker:


could not make it up
I remember when I was a lad being told I had a chip on my shoulder. Its an old expression that was often used again if f you;ve not heard of it then you're not as clued up as you think.

[GiRTh]

why is it offensive and who decided this?

Not you thats for sure.

[Niamh.]

I remember when I was a lad being told I had a chip on my shoulder. Its an old expression that was often used again if f you;ve not heard of it then your not as clued up as you think.

I've obviously heard that expression before but never knew where it came from :think:

[GiRTh]

:joker:


could not make it up
I find it strange that you dont accept language has changed. Ten years ago words like meme were hardly used but now everyone knows what that is./ Languages change and if you;re not up with the changes then you need to try a little harder.

[Crimson Dynamo]

I remember when I was a lad being told I had a chip on my shoulder. Its an old expression that was often used again if f you;ve not heard of it then you're not as clued up as you think.

dont be bloody ridiculous its common parlance and has nothing to do with race

:rolleyes:

[Crimson Dynamo]

I find it strange that you dont accept language has changed. Ten years ago words like meme were hardly used but now everyone knows what that is./ Languages change and if you;re not up with the changes then you need to try a little harder.

I am aware language is fluid but I asked who decided it and why

[GiRTh]

dont be bloody ridiculous its common parlance and has nothing to do with race

:rolleyes:Really?? :joker:

Heres a test for you - tell a black person that he has a chip on his shoulder and see how he responds.. I'll pay your hospital bills for you :thumbs:

Just cus you aint heard of it dont mean sh*t to anyone.

[GiRTh]

I am aware language is fluid but I asked who decided it and why
40years rears ago word like electricity were hardly used. You seem to accept the new words but have a real problem letting go of the old offensive word.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Really?? :joker:

Heres a test for you - tell a black person that he has a chip on his shoulder and see how he responds.. I'll pay your hospital bills for you :thumbs:

Just cus you aint heard of it dont mean sh*t to anyone.

A chip on the shoulder" comes from the ancient right of shipwrights within the Royal Navy Dockyards to take home a daily allowance of offcuts of timber, even if good wood was cut up for this purpose. The privilege was instated as a prescriptive right from 1634.[1][2][3] By 1756, this privilege had been abused and was costing taxpayers too much in lost timber for warship repair and construction. The decision was then made by the Navy Board to limit the quantity a shipwright could carry home. A warrant was issued to the Royal Dockyards to reduce the quantity of chips by ordering shipwrights to carry their bundles under their arms instead of on their shoulders, as one could not carry as much timber in this fashion. The specific incident from which the expression derives is as follows:
“ Master Shipwright and his Assistant, Chatham Dockyard, to Navy Board, 17 June 1756.

On Tuesday a petition was brought to the Honourable Thomas Cooper, Esq., Commissioner of this yard, by John Bissenden and Robert Woodriff, shipwrights, in behalf of the whole body of shipwrights, relating to their carrying chips out of the yard on their shoulders. The next day the Commissioner sent for them in the presence of the Master Shipwright and the First Assistant and represented to them the ill consequence of such proceedings, and read to them your Honourable Board's warrant of the 4 May 1753 on which the said two men withdrew the petition and said they would talk to all the people and believe everybody would be satisfied with what had been said to them. And in the afternoon the Master Shipwright sent for all the foremen and quartermen and read the Order to them of the 4th May 1753, and give every quarterman a particular charge to tell all his men separately what the order was relating to their lowering their chips and carrying them under their arm out of the yard.

This day at twelve of the clock some few of the workmen about one hundred and fifty came up first to the gate without any chips, afterwards about twenty more came and lowered their chips agreeable to the Board's warrant. Then came John Miller, shipwright, about thirty feet before the main body of the people, on which the Master Shipwright ordered him to lower his chips. He answered he would not, with that the Master Shipwright took hold of him, and said he should. He, the said Miller replied, 'Are not the chips mine? I will not lower them.' Immediately the main body pushed on with their chips on their shoulders, crowded and forced the Master Shipwright and the First Assistant through the gateway, and when out of the yard give three huzzas.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chip_on_shoulder


Hopefully a black person that you speak of will be a bit better educated and not some aggressive oaf who attacks people for figures of speak like in your myopic world

:idc:

[Crimson Dynamo]

40years rears ago word like electricity were hardly used. You seem to accept the new words but have a real problem letting go of the old offensive word.

again no

i just asked why and who decided (3rd time)

and electricity 40 years ago?

i think you may mean 100 years:joker:

[GiRTh]

A chip on the shoulder" comes from the ancient right of shipwrights within the Royal Navy Dockyards to take home a daily allowance of offcuts of timber, even if good wood was cut up for this purpose. The privilege was instated as a prescriptive right from 1634.[1][2][3] By 1756, this privilege had been abused and was costing taxpayers too much in lost timber for warship repair and construction. The decision was then made by the Navy Board to limit the quantity a shipwright could carry home. A warrant was issued to the Royal Dockyards to reduce the quantity of chips by ordering shipwrights to carry their bundles under their arms instead of on their shoulders, as one could not carry as much timber in this fashion. The specific incident from which the expression derives is as follows:
“ Master Shipwright and his Assistant, Chatham Dockyard, to Navy Board, 17 June 1756.

On Tuesday a petition was brought to the Honourable Thomas Cooper, Esq., Commissioner of this yard, by John Bissenden and Robert Woodriff, shipwrights, in behalf of the whole body of shipwrights, relating to their carrying chips out of the yard on their shoulders. The next day the Commissioner sent for them in the presence of the Master Shipwright and the First Assistant and represented to them the ill consequence of such proceedings, and read to them your Honourable Board's warrant of the 4 May 1753 on which the said two men withdrew the petition and said they would talk to all the people and believe everybody would be satisfied with what had been said to them. And in the afternoon the Master Shipwright sent for all the foremen and quartermen and read the Order to them of the 4th May 1753, and give every quarterman a particular charge to tell all his men separately what the order was relating to their lowering their chips and carrying them under their arm out of the yard.

This day at twelve of the clock some few of the workmen about one hundred and fifty came up first to the gate without any chips, afterwards about twenty more came and lowered their chips agreeable to the Board's warrant. Then came John Miller, shipwright, about thirty feet before the main body of the people, on which the Master Shipwright ordered him to lower his chips. He answered he would not, with that the Master Shipwright took hold of him, and said he should. He, the said Miller replied, 'Are not the chips mine? I will not lower them.' Immediately the main body pushed on with their chips on their shoulders, crowded and forced the Master Shipwright and the First Assistant through the gateway, and when out of the yard give three huzzas.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chip_on_shoulder


Hopefully a black person that you speak of will be a bit better educated and not some aggressive oaf who attacks people for figures of speak like in your myopic world

:idc:Do the test. See what happens.

I know where the origin of the word comes too but back in the day it was an expression that was often used like uppity to describe a black person who was not behaving in the way that others wanted him to behave.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Do the test. See what happens.

I know where the origin of the word comes too but back in the day it was an expression that was often used like uppity to describe a black person who was not behaving in the way that others wanted him to behave.

Perhaps you need to look at your peer group and reassess?

[GiRTh]

again no

i just asked why and who decided (3rd time)

and electricity 40 years ago?
Maybe 50 but defintely not 100.

Who decided that we use the word troll or meme? You find out on your own but you dont want to know.

[GiRTh]

Perhaps you need to look at your peer group and reassess?No need to reassess I speaking from personal experience.

[Nedusa]

Wow.........looks like I stirred up a hornets nest by using the term "chip on the shoulder"

We are moving through the age of racism into the age of equality in race,religion,colour and sexuality but I agree we still have a way to go.

But racism is a two way thing, if non black people see a black person and actually see a person (with a slightly darker tone to their skin) then that's fine ,BUT the black person has to see a person (with slightly lighter blanched skin) also.

Not a closet colonial slave master intent on subjugating or oppressing that person. Black people especially young black people need to step up also and see that most people now don't give a fig about a person's skin colour.

The chip needs to come off the shoulder now, and all sides need to move on and not be offended when an innocent word is taken out of context and the user suddenly facing accusations of racism.

ridiculous really...........






.

[GiRTh]

Wow.........looks like I stirred up a hornets nest by using the term "chip on the shoulder"

We are moving through the age of racism into the age of equality in race,religion,colour and sexuality but I agree we still have a way to go.

But racism is a two way thing, if non black people see a black person and actually see a person (with a slightly darker tone to their skin) then that's fine ,BUT the black person has to see a person (with slightly lighter blanched skin) also.

Not a closet colonial slave master intent on subjugating or oppressing that person. Black people especially young black people need to step up also and see that most people now don't give a fig about a person's skin colour.

The chip needs to come off the shoulder now, and all sides need to move on and not be offended when an innocent word is taken out of context and the user suddenly facing accusations of racism.

ridiculous really...........






.So who exactly has the chip on the shoulder? The person who refuses to accept the evolution of language is equally guilty IMO.

[Nedusa]

So who exactly has the chip on the shoulder? The person who refuses to accept the evolution of language is equally guilty IMO.

I agree he should not have used this word, as it is now outdated and not used.

By using it now though, does it become offensive ?
Who decides when a word is deemed outdated and therefore potentially offensive ?

I think his over the top apologies may also have something to do with his Oscar aspirations also.



.

[GiRTh]

I agree he should not have used this word, as it is now outdated and not used.

By using it now though, does it become offensive ?
Who decides when a word is deemed outdated and therefore potentially offensive ?

I think his over the top apologies may also have something to do with his Oscar aspirations also.



.
HE used the word cuz he didnt know it was taken by some as offensive and his over the top apology show it was a genuine mistake but others in similar situations simply fight for the right to use a word they know is offensive. Who has the chip on the shoulder in that situation?

[InOne]

Out of touch middle class people seem to be the ones who use terms like "coloured". On that 'Make Bradford British' programme there was one guy who was terrible for it.

(Obviously not all do and the older folks are worst for it)

[Livia]

Coloured is very offensive, but he was coming from a good place tbf and just didn't know better.

Yeah, that's how I see it. It's not a word I would use, but to make such a mountain out of a molehill when he's clearly not a racist it just daft.

[GiRTh]

Yeah, that's how I see it. It's not a word I would use, but to make such a mountain out of a molehill when he's clearly not a racist it just daft.Indeed :thumbs:

I saw this story and felt for him TBH. His apology was excellent and hopefully everyone can move on.

[kirklancaster]

40years rears ago word like electricity were hardly used. You seem to accept the new words but have a real problem letting go of the old offensive word.

I didn't know the word 'coloured' was now offensive either Girth - and I'm 'coloured'. But I'm of the opinion that there is far more racist intent and offense in saying; "I don't like 'black' people because they're too loud and excitable", for example, than in saying; "I like coloured people because they're more laid back and cool to be with".

It's intent, intent, intent, every time.

I didn't know that the phrase; 'chip on your shoulder' had racist origins or current racial interpretation either, because I was under the impression that it originated from carpenters or 'chippies' rights to take odd lengths of spare timber home with them from dockyards when they were shipbuilding, because they used to carry such lengths home on their shoulder, and I always believed that the phrase was coined to describe some chippies resentment when the practice was stopped by the shipyard owners.

A quick 'google' after I read your post confirmed as much:

"A chip on the shoulder" comes from the ancient right of shipwrights within the Royal Navy Dockyards to take home a daily allowance of offcuts of timber, even if good wood was cut up for this purpose. The privilege was instated as a prescriptive right from 1634. By 1756, this privilege had been abused and was costing taxpayers too much in lost timber for warship repair and construction. The decision was then made by the Navy Board to limit the quantity a shipwright could carry home. A warrant was issued to the Royal Dockyards to reduce the quantity of chips by ordering shipwrights to carry their bundles under their arms instead of on their shoulders, as one could not carry as much timber in this fashion."

.
What I do know, is that all this 'political correctness, and oversensitive 'offended' reaction to words and phrases long used by ordinary people who have not got a racist bone in their bodies, is all ridiculous B.S. and has got out of hand.

It's absolute PC madness. :shrug:

[GiRTh]

I didn't know the word 'coloured' was now offensive either Girth - and I'm 'coloured'. But I'm of the opinion that there is far more racist intent and offense in saying; "I don't like 'black' people because they're too loud and excitable", for example, than in saying; "I like coloured people because they're more laid back and cool to be with".

It's intent, intent, intent, every time.

I didn't know that the phrase; 'chip on your shoulder' had racist origins or current racial interpretation either, because I was under the impression that it originated from carpenters or 'chippies' rights to take odd lengths of spare timber home with them from dockyards when they were shipbuilding, because they used to carry such lengths home on their shoulder, and I always believed that the phrase was coined to describe some chippies resentment when the practice was stopped by the shipyard owners.

A quick 'google' after I read your post confirmed as much:

"A chip on the shoulder" comes from the ancient right of shipwrights within the Royal Navy Dockyards to take home a daily allowance of offcuts of timber, even if good wood was cut up for this purpose. The privilege was instated as a prescriptive right from 1634. By 1756, this privilege had been abused and was costing taxpayers too much in lost timber for warship repair and construction. The decision was then made by the Navy Board to limit the quantity a shipwright could carry home. A warrant was issued to the Royal Dockyards to reduce the quantity of chips by ordering shipwrights to carry their bundles under their arms instead of on their shoulders, as one could not carry as much timber in this fashion."

.
What I do know, is that all this 'political correctness, and oversensitive 'offended' reaction to words and phrases long used by ordinary people who have not got a racist bone in their bodies, is all ridiculous B.S. and has got out of hand.

It's absolute PC madness. :shrug:

The term colored was used during Apartheid in South Africa and segregation in America as an expression to describe anyone who wasn't white. They didnt offer any further distinction than 'WHite or 'Coloured' but sometimes they used 'non white'.


http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag50/Geoff_Taylor/Rex_theatre_zps55119250.jpg (http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/Geoff_Taylor/media/Rex_theatre_zps55119250.jpg.html)

[Crimson Dynamo]

[QUOTE=GiRTh;7544558]The term colored was used during Apartheid in South Africa and segregation in America as an expression to describe anyone who wasn't white. They didnt offer any further distinction than 'WHite or 'Coloured' but sometimes they used 'non white'.




yes but this is the UK and the word has a proper historical nautical meaning. You seem to be living your life in south central LA :shrug:

[Crimson Dynamo]

I have a feeling coloured in associated with the 60s and 70s and as it was a more racially intolerant time it has just gone out of fashion and as such younger people confuse this with offence

he used a term my mom would have used so it must be bad as it was bad back then

[GiRTh]

yes but this is the UK and the word has a proper historical nautical meaning. You seem to be living your life in south central LA :shrug:
The term is is associated with civil rights struggles in America.

[Crimson Dynamo]

The term is is associated with civil rights struggles in America.

in what way?

simply because it was the term that was used at that time to describe a black person?

[GiRTh]

in what way?

simply because it was the term that was used at that time to describe a black person?
A non white person. Please be accurate so mixed race and any in between were not allowed in the white areas.

Which leads us onto why black people prefer to be called black.

[Crimson Dynamo]

A non white person. Please be accurate so mixed race and any in between were not allowed in the white areas.

Which leads us onto why black people prefer to be called black.

This did not happen in the UK though?

[GiRTh]

This did not happen in the UK though?
No but Benedict Cumberbatch said this in the USa. I feel for him cus it was always gonna cause a fuss.

[Crimson Dynamo]

No but Benedict Cumberbatch said this in the USa. I feel for him cus it was always gonna cause a fuss.

Yes I can understand why idiots in the USA would ignore what he was saying and take to twitter to be offended but not sure why coloured would be a wrong term to use here, a bit outdated yes but nothing else.

[GiRTh]

Yes I can understand why idiots in the USA would ignore what he was saying and take to twitter to be offended but not sure why coloured would be a wrong term to use here, a bit outdated yes but nothing else.
I wouldnt call them idiots

[Northern Monkey]

Sorry...........can't use the word "Black" anymore either.

Blackboard............Chalkboard
Blacklist................Blocklist
Blackballed............Ballotballed
Blackmailed............Extorted

So the word Black is slowly being removed from our lexicon


Political correctness gone ...MAD !!!





.
Lol.I read somewhere that 'blackboard' was banned but did'nt actually believe it,Thought it was one of those urban myths.

[Ninastar]

Yeah, that's how I see it. It's not a word I would use, but to make such a mountain out of a molehill when he's clearly not a racist it just daft.

pretty much how I feel about this

I wonder how Tumblr is feeling about his comment. He's like their idol and they don't like anything remotely racist. I wonder if any of them have burned all their posters of him, lol.

[Jessica.]

I don't think it's racism if he had good intentions, but it's really stupid of him to make such a mistake.

When I was a kid I was taught that "coloured" was a regular PC term, but obviously I realised it's not pretty early.