ElasticMan Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 So Ricky Gervais has got himself into a bit of tangle over his use of the word 'mong' - a word which most people recognise as an offensive word for a disabled person, specifically those with Downs Syndrome. He's been criticised almost across the board, by other comedians, the press, and charities who support the disabled who have pointed out that this is an offensive and hurtful word. Even more so when he pulls 'mong' faces and posts them on twitter. His response has been pathetic. He claims that its not an offensive word any more (despite almost every definition saying it is), and that anyone who criticises him is just jealous or a humourless PC idiot. He's a clever and funny man, but rather than deny he's done anything wrong, he'd be better off apologising, and saying he didn't realise it still caused offence. Playing the 'PC' card is something we expect of rightwingers like Littlejohn and Melanie Phillips, who use it to shut down debate whenever they are criticised and have no response - its a shame to see Gervais resorting to it. Links Telegraph Guardian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Erikson Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 It could be short for Mongolian, like Brit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suebeedoo Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 I used to use 'mong' in the context of relaxing and relative inactivity. I hadn't heard it in its true context until a few years ago and was horrified that I may have been causing offence for so long (I no longer use it). I find it shocking that he accompanied it with facial expressions, he obviously knew the connotations but carried on regardless. I think his use of it and his defence of it is in particularly bad taste and not funny at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_Sleeps Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 His new sitcom is on soon ... ... and he's in the newspapers ... ... with a theme about disabled people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Star Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 It could be a generational thing, as this was a popular term of abuse when I was a kid, and he is a few years older than me... Over the years it was also used in ref to 'monging' as in 'monging in front of the tv' - but this was still abusive, as it referred to people doing something that required no interlect, as it was assumed 'mongs' or mentally disabled people, were not intelligent people... I have always known it was offensive - it was offensive in the 70's and it remains offensive today - It's just that kids don't care when they offend people, so terms such as this are bandied around the playground every school day... Comedians often do not care who they offend either - It's the fact they sail close to wind, occasionally getting told off, that makes them funny for their fan base... It's up to us all who we find funny, and we have to accept them warts and all - If you don't find him funny, it's all good, as you don't have to watch him! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medusa Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 If his aim is to get people talking about him then it's working, isn't it? If, however, he wants people to watch his shows or buy his books then he's going to be sadly disappointed if all of the people who are genuinely offended that he would mock people for conditions that they cannot change follow through what their conscience says and turn off their TV any time he appears and refuse to put their hands in their pockets to buy anything with which is is associated. I'm afraid that this is reminiscent of the<removed> form of sexism and sexual harassment in the workplace, which is now seen (rightly) as inappropriate, and I'm offended on the behalf of the people he sees fit to insult as a form of entertainment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handypandy Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 It may well be a generational thing but I have always thought that he was about as funny as headache. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_Sleeps Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 that he would mock people for conditions that they cannot change I seriously doubt that he is. He's close to the bone, and he uses language to provoke people, but he really isn't a bigot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Erikson Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 If his aim is to get people talking about him then it's working, isn't it? If, however, he wants people to watch his shows or buy his books then he's going to be sadly disappointed if all of the people who are genuinely offended that he would mock people for conditions that they cannot change follow through what their conscience says and turn off their TV any time he appears and refuse to put their hands in their pockets to buy anything with which is is associated. I'm afraid that this is reminiscent of the <removed> form of sexism and sexual harassment in the workplace, which is now seen (rightly) as inappropriate, and I'm offended on the behalf of the people he sees fit to insult as a form of entertainment. Masked swearing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daven Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 Ricky Gervais is neither funny nor talented - with any luck he will crawl back under the stone he emerged from and stay there for a very long time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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