Page 1 of 5

His dad washes elephants...

PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 10:12 am
by ant london
and his mother's a whore.

Both parts are undoubtedly thoroughly offensive (....and intended as such) but it seems that, according to Spurs and potentially also UEFA, the first part is supposedly not racist.

It was clear from his post-match comments that Emmanuel Adebayor disagreed with that analysis and now today Kick It Out have urged him not to be "defeatist" and to actively join them in combating such attitudes.

Personally I find it pretty hypocritical that Tottenham Hotspur, a club who has been (rightly) indignant about anti-semitic abuse directed towards it and its fans have explicitly come out and tried to argue that the chant "isn't racist because the CPS said so", what utter bollocks. Their own fans have form for this kind of unpleasantness too....what's the one about Sol Campbell...."we don't care if you're hanging from a tree, you judas cunt with HIV". Lovely.

I love football humour and it is very funny when it gets near to touching a nerve but, for me, this kind of thing is worthy of censure as it goes well over the line and is, in my eyes, patently racist.

Views?


Former Arsenal striker Adebayor was the victim of offensive chants during Tuesday night's Champions League quarter-final first leg at the Bernabeu, leading to allegations of racism against Spurs fans.

Tottenham have vehemently denied the abuse was racist and are unlikely to face any action from Uefa, who confirmed yesterday there was "nothing in the delegate's report" that would trigger an investigation from European football's governing body.

But Kick It Out have been in touch both with Uefa and the Football Against Racism Europe (FARE) network and have also given their support to Adebayor.

Lord Herman Ouseley, chairman of Kick It Out, said: "We have pursued this matter with our partners at the FARE network, and Uefa.
"Racist abuse is not as prevalent as it has been in the past, but there are unhealthy trends, such as immigrant hysteria, creeping back during these austere times.

"Kick It Out, with its partners, the governing bodies, the fans and players, has made a difference and will continue to progress towards achieving fairness in football.

"We would urge Emmanuel not to be defeatist and join us to take action, to beat this scourge and to make the playing and watching environment, and atmosphere, better for everyone."

A club whose supporters are deemed guilty of racist chanting can be fined a minimum of £20,000 but Spurs will not be charged unless Uefa receive official notification of an offence from stadium security or the police.

The club accept the abuse directed at on-loan Manchester City forward Adebayor - who scored twice in Real's 4-0 crushing win on Tuesday - was offensive.

But they are adamant the chant which contains the words, "Your dad washes elephants, your mother's a whore", is not racist in nature.

A spokesman said: "The chant referred to has been previously discussed with the Crown Prosecution Service, who do not consider it racist.

"We shall continue to remind our fans that we do not tolerate any form of obscene or abusive chanting."

Adebayor was singled out by the travelling fans following his three-and-a-half-year spell with Arsenal.

The 27 year-old said the fight against racism was ongoing but conceded "we can't do anything to stop it".

He said: "Big players better than me have tried to stop that, but it's not easy at all.

"Racist? We have done everything we can to show the red card to racism. But people are still into it, that's part of life.

"Coming from Africa, I'm just very happy, playing football is like a dream that comes true.

"And I just want to send a big support to all Africa, with what is happening in Libya and what is happening in the Ivory Coast. I've got a lot of family, a lot of friends.

"Racists are always there and we can't do anything to stop it. Samuel Eto'o and big players have spoken about it better than I do, but it's not stopped them."

Re: His dad washes elephants...

PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 10:17 am
by Dameerto
If he'd been from the Ivory Coast it would have been genious. Pretty blatant to everyone except Spurs apparently.

Re: His dad washes elephants...

PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 10:19 am
by Wooders
I don't think people would accuse my late father of washing elephants somehow

Crazy to say its not racist, and as you say, hypocritical from spurs

Re: His dad washes elephants...

PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 10:25 am
by Slim
What's wrong with washing elephants? Good honest work that.

Re: His dad washes elephants...

PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 10:31 am
by Dameerto
Slim wrote:What's wrong with washing elephants? Good honest work that.


Pays peanuts though

Re: His dad washes elephants...

PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 10:41 am
by Ted Hughes
It's one of those strange grey areas. Technically it's not racist because anyones dad could wash elephants & their mother be a whore (Rooney for example) but we all know that in reality it IS racist when directed at Ade & that the Spurs fans who sing it are a nasty, hypocritical bunch of shites.

Re: His dad washes elephants...

PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 10:54 am
by BlueinBosnia
Ted Hughes wrote:It's one of those strange grey areas. Technically it's not racist because anyones dad could wash elephants & their mother be a whore (Rooney for example) but we all know that in reality it IS racist when directed at Ade & that the Spurs fans who sing it are a nasty, hypocritical bunch of shites.


But on the other hand, if 'elephants' was exchanged for, say, 'cars', could it also not be argued to be racist, because it implies a menial labour job? Also, if a similar song was directed at a British person in Africa, with 'squirrels' being used instead of 'elephants', I think they would take more offence at the second line than the first.

Re: His dad washes elephants...

PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 11:03 am
by Sister of fu
Best thing for Ade was to score against the fuckers and that is what he did....twice. I'm sure that goes some way to making him feel better about the situation. No better revenge than hitting the onion bag and waving them off as he progresses into the semi final of the Champs League.

Re: His dad washes elephants...

PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 11:08 am
by Rag_hater
BlueinBosnia wrote:
Ted Hughes wrote:It's one of those strange grey areas. Technically it's not racist because anyones dad could wash elephants & their mother be a whore (Rooney for example) but we all know that in reality it IS racist when directed at Ade & that the Spurs fans who sing it are a nasty, hypocritical bunch of shites.


But on the other hand, if 'elephants' was exchanged for, say, 'cars', could it also not be argued to be racist, because it implies a menial labour job? Also, if a similar song was directed at a British person in Africa, with 'squirrels' being used instead of 'elephants', I think they would take more offence at the second line than the first.



That seems to be burying your head in the sand.
I'd say you have to be pretty niave to not realise the inferrancce made by the fans.
Ade made a complaint about it so the feeling must have been conveyed to him,just because the authourites want to brush it under the carpet doesn't detract from the fact it happened.
It's always happened so maybe that's the part that we will have to accept.
It's always gonna happen no matter how many people there are with good intentions.

Re: His dad washes elephants...

PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 11:22 am
by ronk
If it's not racist and offensive, then why are they singing it?

Re: His dad washes elephants...

PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 12:04 pm
by BlueinBosnia
Rag_hater wrote:
BlueinBosnia wrote:
Ted Hughes wrote:It's one of those strange grey areas. Technically it's not racist because anyones dad could wash elephants & their mother be a whore (Rooney for example) but we all know that in reality it IS racist when directed at Ade & that the Spurs fans who sing it are a nasty, hypocritical bunch of shites.


But on the other hand, if 'elephants' was exchanged for, say, 'cars', could it also not be argued to be racist, because it implies a menial labour job? Also, if a similar song was directed at a British person in Africa, with 'squirrels' being used instead of 'elephants', I think they would take more offence at the second line than the first.



That seems to be burying your head in the sand.
I'd say you have to be pretty niave to not realise the inferrancce made by the fans.
Ade made a complaint about it so the feeling must have been conveyed to him,just because the authourites want to brush it under the carpet doesn't detract from the fact it happened.
It's always happened so maybe that's the part that we will have to accept.
It's always gonna happen no matter how many people there are with good intentions.


Undoubtedly it is meant to cause offence, like pretty much any song about an opposing player. But it cannot be proven to be racist, no matter how much some people think it is. Which line do you honestly think Ade has more of an issue with; the first 'racist' one, or the one where his mother is called a whore?

Re: His dad washes elephants...

PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 12:06 pm
by BlueinBosnia
ronk wrote:If it's not racist and offensive, then why are they singing it?


So all songs aimed at opposition players are racist?

Re: His dad washes elephants...

PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 12:07 pm
by Slim
BlueinBosnia wrote:
Ted Hughes wrote:It's one of those strange grey areas. Technically it's not racist because anyones dad could wash elephants & their mother be a whore (Rooney for example) but we all know that in reality it IS racist when directed at Ade & that the Spurs fans who sing it are a nasty, hypocritical bunch of shites.


But on the other hand, if 'elephants' was exchanged for, say, 'cars', could it also not be argued to be racist, because it implies a menial labour job? Also, if a similar song was directed at a British person in Africa, with 'squirrels' being used instead of 'elephants', I think they would take more offence at the second line than the first.


Who washes squirrels? Now you're being daft.

Unless you use the squirrels to wash the elephants, it's nature in harmony at it's finest.

Re: His dad washes elephants...

PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 12:12 pm
by BlueinBosnia
Slim wrote:Who washes squirrels? Now you're being daft.


In Britain, it's a fine and noble tradition, you racist.

Re: His dad washes elephants...

PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 12:14 pm
by Im_Spartacus
BlueinBosnia wrote:
Ted Hughes wrote:It's one of those strange grey areas. Technically it's not racist because anyones dad could wash elephants & their mother be a whore (Rooney for example) but we all know that in reality it IS racist when directed at Ade & that the Spurs fans who sing it are a nasty, hypocritical bunch of shites.


But on the other hand, if 'elephants' was exchanged for, say, 'cars', could it also not be argued to be racist, because it implies a menial labour job? Also, if a similar song was directed at a British person in Africa, with 'squirrels' being used instead of 'elephants', I think they would take more offence at the second line than the first.


What the fuck have menial jobs got to do with racism.

"Elephant washer" is a very well known old colonial phrase to describe the natives in various parts of the empire - and therefore very much has direct racist connotations.

Re: His dad washes elephants...

PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 12:19 pm
by pepsi_dave
"His Dad Washes Elephants"

Am I one of the only people who does NOT see this as racist..... can someone please point out to me which part of those 4 words is derogatory towards ANY race/creed/nationality etc?

Re: His dad washes elephants...

PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 12:34 pm
by Bingo Lewis
BIIIIIIIIINGOOOOOOOOOOOO
BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
HIS DAD WORK AT HALFORDS BULDING BIIIIIIIIKES
AND HIS MUM IS A HOUSEWIFE

Re: His dad washes elephants...

PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 12:35 pm
by Im_Spartacus
pepsi_dave wrote:"His Dad Washes Elephants"

Am I one of the only people who does NOT see this as racist..... can someone please point out to me which part of those 4 words is derogatory towards ANY race/creed/nationality etc?


Take it you didnt read my post above. The colonial era spawned most of the words and phrases which form the bedrock of the racist dictionary, it evolved from the belief that natives were inferior to the British colonials which is as clear a case of racism as you will ever see.

Elephant Washer is just as derogatory as any of the more often used racist terms

Re: His dad washes elephants...

PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 12:37 pm
by BlueinBosnia
Bingo Lewis wrote:BIIIIIIIIINGOOOOOOOOOOOO
BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
HIS DAD WORK AT HALFORDS BULDING BIIIIIIIIKES
AND HIS MUM IS A HOUSEWIFE


Bingo Lewis
Bingo Lewis
His dad works at Halfords
His mum reeks of piss


No offence, but my version's far catchier.

Re: His dad washes elephants...

PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 12:37 pm
by Bingo Lewis
I reckon washing elephants would be a fulfilling job.
And being a whore wouldn't be too bad either. Get LAHAD as my pimp, bang a few cougars, earn some dough.