http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sa2JYCNF2_g
ALAN HANSEN HAS swiftly apologised after coming under fire for using the word “coloured” in reference to black footballers last night.
The Match of the Day pundit’s ill-chosen words sparked outrage on Twitter, drawing an angry response from former Tottenham Hotspur and Shamrock Rovers star Rohan Ricketts among others.
“I think there’s a lot of coloured players in all the major teams and there are lots of coloured players who are probably the best in the Premier League,” Hansen said during a discussion on racism in football with Lee Dixon and Gary Lineker.
“If you look at 25 or 30 years ago it was probably in a bad way – not as bad as some of the other nations on the Continent – but certainly there is always, always room for improvement.”
Ricketts immediately took to Twitter to call Hansen out on the gaffe, accusing the Liverpool legend of being part of the problem.
“Is this Alan Hansen guy taking the f****** piss??” Ricketts tweeted. “I’m not coloured??? He is part of the problem when using that word. We are BLACK Alan! Wtf.”
Hansen offered his apologies for the mistake in a one-line statement this morning. ”I unreservedly apologise for any offence caused – this was never my intention and I deeply regret the use of the word.”
This “racism” craic is getting out of hand…..
He used the word “coloured” in a totally non racist statement. The total opposite in fact. It has been taken wholly out if context. I would say Ricketts is more “part of the problem” than Hansen.
Right On!
surely hansen was including asians and mixed race players, not just blacks. growing up in eighties ireland we were always told not to use the word black but to use the word coloured.
Hyper sensitive fools – cloroured is discriptive and comes from a person of colour as appossed to not boring old white…… it is not like he used the N-word
Rubbish, it’s differentiating everyone who is not white! Why can’t people get it through their skulls that “coloured” is an unacceptable term, ifs bloody obvious if you’d use your brain, ask any black person!
I agree with you. You can tell he was genuinely didn’t mean to cause any trouble. I mean, for crying out loud, we should be told which term to use, if this might happen again!! He didn’t go all rapper style and say the worst word…the n-word.
@ Gordon – “differentiating everyone who is not white!” – it was a discussion on race and that is what hew was trying do.
Also he was saying positive things about the #insert correct here# people!
Did you ever hear of a dictionary or spell check ?
Obviously this was an issue before the Hansen debate. So let’s just call travelers knackers to differentiate them from everyone else, because if we say travelers, it’s not certain that we’re talking about tourists or members of the traveling community! Using the incorrect, ignorant, and insulting terms because they seem convenient is not acceptable.
When I was growing up the PC term was coloured. Why are people so sensitive. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the context of what he said. Cop on rickets.
Aye, and in the ’40s my grandfather had a black cat called N****r and (allegedly) no-one thought anything of it. Doesn’t make it right for me to do the same.
Frankly, I was a bit surprised by all this – on the spur of the moment I’d probably have used the term ‘coloured’ too, because like you I remember having it drummed into me as a kid as the correct, non-offensive, term for people with a more recent African ancestry than me (unless they were from South Africa, where it meant something different again). If that’s currently considered an offensive or patronising term in the UK, and my ignorance here is genuine but it certainly seems to be, then Hansen’s right to apologise. It wasn’t racist, he was misinformed (anyone who thinks that’s what racism is has had a very fortunate and sheltered life), but wht needlessly annoy people when it’s easily fixed?.That should be the end of the matter, and all of the pale-orangey-blotchy folk take note.
You CAN’T say ‘Black’ in America!!! It’s “person of Colour” !!! Rubbish! They ARE Black – and Proud!
Don’t know where ye heard that! Black and African American are perfectly fine in America! Anyway, we are ALL PEOPLE OF COLOUR, piggy pink is a colour!
i used the term black in the states and was told in no uncertain terms the correct term was “african american”
I wasn’t. Also heard it used regularly.
Dont know what is happening…yes is hard been black..im one and i kno it…but when do u draw a line on color…yes u cant say the N word….but to discribe sum1 by sayin black or white shouldnt b insultin….no one goes around with a name tag in them
Waffler, perhaps you can explain something to me as I’ve never been to the States. Why do some people call themselves African-American as opposed to anything else when their ancestors arrived 400 years or so ago? My Great Grandfather’s folks came to Ireland in the mid 1800′s but I’m not Anglo-Irish. Likewise “white” (if I’m allowed to call them that) Americans never introduce themselves as “European-Americans” or object to being called white.It seems that Americans have some sort of identity disorder that Europeans don’t have. This is an area that has always confused the hell out of me as I regard someone who is born in a country to be a native of that country even though they might have a background or heritage that is non-Irish. Certainly after 3-400 years I would have thought that enough generations would have passed to stick to being a native of 1 continent and not 2.
@brian africans didnt emigrate to the states they were forced to go there so you can understand it from that point of view. most of the original european settlers were escaping persecution and so dont wish to identify with europe. later white emigrants like irish and italians left their countries reluctantly for economic reasons and still have pride in their ancestry. therefore you dont hear the phrase “anglo-american” or “franco-american” but you do hear “irish-american” or “african-american”.
Thanks for that Waffler, I see what you mean and when you put it that way it does make some sort of sense.
“Black – Perfectly fine in America” ??
“Dallas County officials spar over ‘black hole’ comment”
“A special meeting about Dallas County traffic tickets turned tense and bizarre this afternoon.
County commissioners were discussing problems with the central collections office that is used to process traffic ticket payments and handle other paperwork normally done by the JP Courts.
Commissioner Kenneth Mayfield, who is white, said it seemed that central collections “has become a black hole” because paperwork reportedly has become lost in the office.
Commissioner John Wiley Price, who is black, interrupted him with a loud “Excuse me!” He then corrected his colleague, saying the office has become a “white hole.”
That prompted Judge Thomas Jones, who is black, to demand an apology from Mayfield for his RACIALLY INSENSITIVE analogy.”
http://cityhallblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/07/dallas-county-meeting-turns-ra.html
If that guy can say “piggy pink”, what happens if someone says “monkey mahogany”?
Anyway, shouldn’t this all be about intent? Did he intend to be derogatory? No? Then find something else to get offended about. If he did, then he would deserve any criticism that comes at him.
It’s Alan Hansen, FFS, he’s not even controversial about soccer!
Racism isn’t some guy on tv saying ‘coloured’ instead of ‘black’. Racism is that knob jockey beside you in the pub shouting “black b*****d” at the tv screen.
How many of those online moral exemplars complaining about Hansen would give a real life thumbs down to actual racists? Few I’d imagine.
Waffler hit the nail on the head there..titles differ from nation to nation..that shamrock rovers player needs to relax what hanson said wasnt racist..he just needs to be more tactfull when choosing his words..i have heard worse things from people on tv..and why some people use the term n###er to there fellow man this is just as bad if not worse.so if ricketts wants to start giving out..he should tweet about some of the rappers..
Can you say “brown”? Cause no one on earth is back.
This shit just makes me very angry….
Hansen had nothing to apologise for IMO…
Apart from been part of the worst pundit crew to ever grace TV
What Hanson do that was wrong…
What was he supposed to say? Can someone post the correct answer to the question.
People should just grow up and get over it. In the past being racially abused meant being denied jobs, denied access to shops, being segregated in schools, buses and churches and perhaps being physically assaulted. People would do well to remember that…
Spot on. No Europa League this week so Mr Ricketts may be missing the limelight.
WHERE IN THE WORLD? ……..PC WORLD
by making a big issue out of all of this they are making it seem like blacks are different from us, do you think shane long was ever called a stupid paddy by any premiership centre backs?
It’s getting daft,the pr folk are running riot,what’s the safest?non Caucasians perhaps.if you wanna see racism try farming in Zimbabwe or drive a taxi in Lagos.
Oooh no, Rodger. Can’t say non-caucasian. Implies that caucasians are somehow more “normal” than other races…
It’s a load of rubbish really, isn’t it?
“you’ll never win anything with kids” ….. A famous Hanson quote about the Mancs back in the day … Was he discriminating against young people ?
Hanson ment no offence to anyone so it’s not racist in anyway. The pc brigade are the problem, unless its someone intends to offend any use of the incorrect terms are either an accident or innocent use of language.
If someone bumps into me on the street and says sorry then I think no more of it but if they don’t, it’s rude and it pisses me off.
Ricketts needs to grow up.
Paddys yanks pomms ozzies frogs doesn’t seem to be a problem. Why is saying coloured or black an invitation to light the touch paper.
This is PC populist bandwagon bullshit. The Journal.ie would do well to entertain its users with some more worthwhile topics as this is played out.
Pc bullshit gone mad! Hansen had nothing to apologise for.
It’s A bit like when my girlfriend told me to get in shape. I told her round is a shape.
The word coloured is not offensive, people need to cop on and know the difference between what’s said to offend and what’s used innocently.
The whole issue is a PC minefield. Hansen didnt mean to cause offence. Whats acceptable to some is offensive to others and is making the real issue of racism and discrimination difficult to discuss. I was told when I was young that coloured and itinerant were polite words for black and traveller, which sounds crazy. I wouldnt use them now. Others used N***** and Kn***** Irish abroad are called Paddys, Micks, Spuds which doesnt bother me It depends on the context and whether the user intends to cause offence or not.
Is it not African American is the States?
Although African European doesn’t sound right. How about just “people” or “persons”. “He or she” with less enphasis on the melanine content of people’s skin…
But the discussion was about race…….. what is he supposed to say ‘THOSE’ people…. that is not liked either…. it is lose lose…. like he was saying positive things and still it is this racism sh1t. People and Peoples have unique trates and what is wrong with highlighting the trate to discribe them….. assuming you are in a ford garage is it wrong to say the black car or do we need to say 99 focus!
Here we go — *****IT IS ONLY RACISM IF IT IS USED TO DISCRIMINATE********
Yhea also never heard African Irish it’s sounds crap.
I have heard idiots refer to Nelson Mandela as “African American”. I’m sure the man himself would raise an eyebrow at that one.
I give up, I submit to the pc brigade and just can’t fight the nonsense anymore. “colour” is not a foul word or swear word and is probably a better description for a lot of skin colours than the current “black” or “white”. The world is becoming more sterile as every day passes, truly sad!
Found this in response to the Suarez saga. I think it’s pretty good.
Paul McGrath is shooting his mouth off about the T Shirts. One reader wrote this in:
Hernan Morales
In referrence to the last line of this article, this man certainly DOES NOT understand the cultural differences. Being from Uruguay myself, my loving mixed-race parents refer to me as “negro” or “negrito”… and I’m not even black.
I call my wife “Negra” my daughters “Negrita”… my pals are commonly referred to as “Negro” and “Negrito” and so-on and so-forth. EVEN in a heated discussion I will use the term “Tranquilo negro” (“calm down lad”) or “Todo bien negro” (“sure mate”) and the person could be Chinese for that matter, it is synonymous to “mate”, “dude” and does not reference in any way, shape or form the colour of the person’s skin or racial physical features.
The simple fact that the term was used in SPANISH by a latin american person and “not” in English points straight to that CULTURAL difference that the F.A. overlook and therefore p*ss all over the CULTURE thing. If he used it in English (which he is shocklingly bad at), fair enough, some point of controversy could be understood, but that was not the case and it is an ugly witch hunt.
Had this guy been an Argentine or Mexican I would have been equally as vocal about such a thing. I could not give a hoot about LFC, but i do give a hoot when issues that I know a lot about are interpreted backwards and someone is being judged to this extent through the ignorance of the so-called authorities.
Evra has the right not to know about Latin american spanish particularities, but the F.A. certainly does NOT have that right. On the contrary, they have the obligation to learn about it and understand it to put it into context.
Ok, I’ve blown off some steam, hope this helps at least a few people to understand the issue from a CULTURAL point of view, straight from a fully bilingual Uruguayan.
Kevin McGarry .. Very good comment.,. Perhaps you should make this point to the powers to be in the English F A and it might get them to stop making Idiots of themselves !!!
muchos gracias amigo..some long overdue balance to this witch hunt
From what I’ve read you explain that the phrase should be understood in the context of his homeland where it is term of endearment and that it should be understood only in the context. Problem is he used to in an exchange of words with a player that he knew would not know its original context and would be at least momentarily paying more attention to this slur than to the game.
The only context the FA need to understand this in is that of a football pitch in the uk and not in the homes and pubs of Uruguay.
I’m a Liverpool fan but the initial gesture was underhand and now the club’s response is contrived.
Lee Dixon’s face is priceless….”Uh oh, someone’s gonna get fired for that…”
from wikipedia:
Person of color (plural: people of color; persons of color) is a term used, primarily in the United States, to describe all people who are not white. The term is meant to be inclusive among non-white groups, emphasizing common experiences of racism. People of color was introduced as a preferable replacement to both non-white and minority, which are also inclusive, because it frames the subject positively; non-white defines people in terms of what they are not (white), and minority frequently carries a subordinate connotation.
so non-white is more offensive? had hansen said “black” other racial groups like asians, orientals, mixed-race etc would have been excluded. it would seem he made the right choice
“Wikipedia” so that must be fact as the Internet doesn’t lie!
well if the article was racist i doubt wikipedia would allow it, besides you can see the same definition on countless sources, the wikipedia one was simply the most succint.
People get offended WAY 2 easily. I’ve always wondered if a black person called a White person a ‘White B*stard*, would there be as much outrage ??? Nah don’t think so.
This is a no win situation for some one put in a position of describing some one of a different colour as from country to country the terms differ. Alan Hansen meant absolutely no harm in what he said and ricketts knows this but ricketts by the tone of his comment was going to jump on some one. If you had to describe to some one who paul Paul Mc Grath is how in today’s pc gone mad would could you do it with out offending some one.
I’m a cracker and I’m proud!
Hang on. I’m not really white, more like a creamy colour tending to a light brown after a day at the beach and dark brown after 2 weeks in Spain.
Scientific description may be Caucasian but I think I’m – I really believe I am – I have just discovered I am – coloured!
Like everyone else on this globe, I have colour.
Excepting albinos.
Ebony And Ivory live together in perfect harmony
Side by side on my piano keyboard oh lord why dont we
He is a biased Liverpool prick anyway
He’s actually Scottish
Good man Jonathan! You’ll be doing full paragraphs soon at this rate!
If you look at the V.T. You’ll notice Dixon quickly looks at the presenter then puffs his lips knowing it was the wrong choice of words. I think if people use the term “mixed Race” people may understand who your talking about.
mixed race only refers to one group though
I never knew the word “coloured” was offensive when describing someone…..I think black is a much more negative word….the skin colour is actually brown & not black. To me coloured is more inclusive…..why not ask the black/coloured community what they prefer & go with that…..I think we are all over cautious what we say now incase we offend & are accused of been racist… Racism is much more than that, it’s about discrimination and intentionally offending someone which is not what happened here in my opinion….
Sweet Jesus…
Should that not be Sweet Baby Jesus given the time of year?
I regularly heard persons of colour / African Americans calling each other the N word while travelling on the Subway for two years in New York. “Yo Nxxxx …Whats up Nxxxxx ” was a very common if not standard greeting . Your never going to keep all the people happy all of the time. What was once considered politically correct i.e. coloured person now seems to be politically incorrect. Can everyone stop being so sensitive and interpret whether the term has been used in a derogatory fashion which in Alan Hansens case it was not.
It’s been derogatory for like 15 years! Why would you single out black people as coloured???? Two people in a room, 1 black, 1 white, someone shouts in, can the coloured person come outside please, why should it be the black fellow?? They’re both coloured. Can’t understand how people don’t get this.
nonsense! i’m not going to tip toe like i’m walking around on egg shells. Unless they release a book on called “the code of conduct to act around the touchy mixed races of modern society” i’m not giving in. Gordon your adding to the problem and segregating people by pointing out there is a problem in the first place. If he was being offensive then I would understand! But in his own mind he was trying to think of the most polite way to say black people. Irony is a kick in the balls sometime.
If this continues .. We Will have to change the balls used on a snooker game !!!!! People should cop themselves on grow up (RR) !!!!!
Hansen didn’t mean to offend. Surely someone like Paul McGrath is as much white as black. I thought the term coloured was used to describe people of mixed race.
If people find the term offensive I’ll not use it but cannot help feel it’s something like the removal of the term Christmas (Happy holidays etc on cards) so as not to upset Muslims Jews etc. Vast majority of non Christians not in the slightest offended by celebration of Christmas holiday. White intellectual types tend to decide who’s offended by various things rather than the people themselves.
rather be called black than ricketts
Saying coloured is not racist. You can’t say a word about blacks or travellers and there’re up in arms. If you said white people no one would bat an eye lid.
How about honkey?
I was called a honkey fucker by an african guy in work the other day when asking him for money owed.
Didnt do an evra though. (Got paid so all good!!)
YNWA Alan negrito.
Some as brown rather than black, but they are the same race of humans so saying coloured is more inclusive and reduces any risk if exclusion.
On the end of the clip you hear a VoiceOver that call Mr Hansen a ‘dickhead’ for using the term coloured in reference to black players, I’d think this to be slightly more offensive and direct than any unintended offence taken from the original remark. This whole racism thing is getting slightly out of hand when one can’t even comment on the issue without being labeled as ‘racist’. It is difficult to make an argument without offending hyper sensitive people on this issue, but unfounded and false accusation are as bad as actual racist comments because they destroy reputations and make people withdraw into themselves apologetically as opposed to making their point for fear of causing more offence and having the label stick.
Black people should get over themselves, he wasn’t talking about “coloured” as in blacks. He was talking about “coloured” as in players that aren’t white. This is black chaps making themselves out to be the targets. In hindsight however, he probably should have said “non-whites”. That probably would have went down as segregation though.
That Liverpool player was banned for calling “the other guy” his black friend in another language! Maybe Hanson was afraid he’d get into trouble if he used the word black! I do understand why anyone would find it offensive to be called coloured if they have black skin, I have seen the movie roots! I think it’s time for society to move on! Love your neighbour equally regardless of race or colour and disregard the small minded!
I’m taking Stevie Wonder’s lead which might be ironic in some way. Take from it what you will…
Her brother’s smart he’s got more sense than many
His patience’s long but soon he won’t have any
To find a job is like a haystack needle
Cause where he lives they don’t use *colored* people
Living just enough, just enough for the city…
Living just enough…
For the city…ooh,ooh
1973
Yeah 1973
This is very similar to the recent debate on twitter about Ricky Gervais’ use of language and whether a particular phrase can be deemed to be derogatory or not. Hanson (like myself and many others here) obviously wasn’t aware that the term “coloured” could cause offence but he was right to apologise unreservedly in the way he did.
Back in March when Ireland were beating England in cricket, Geoff Boycott referred to the Irish team as “Leprechauns”. While this might seem harmless enough, it does tend to reinforce British stereotypes of the Irish people. I decided to lodge a complaint through the BBC’s formal complaint procedures and I got the usual apology “if offence was caused” which isn’t really an apology at all.
Also, in the wake of the comments about Mexican’s on Top Gear the BBC again apologised “if the comments had offended some people”, but added “jokes based on national stereotyping were part of British national humour” – so that’s alright then!
If the BBC (and the FA) want to stamp out racism they need to tackle this casual xenophobia which is passed off as humour as it is really a manifestation of the same attitude.
Sorry, but referring to the Irish as Leprechauns or calling mexicans lazy are two completely different things from calling a guy coloured. We ARE NOT Leprechauns, it’s a physical fact, Mexicans being lazy is a matter of opinion but is derogatory because of the fact that it is a matter of opinion. However calling someone who’s skin COLOUR is brown / black coloured is a physical FACT. They have a colour, therefore they are Coloured!
@Diarmuid yet the BBC treat this as the more serious incident! In reality, the meaning of the word is irrelevant – the question is whether the word has the effect of causing offence to a significant number of people. For example, there are many words that were traditionally used to describe travellers which, although descriptive at the time of their activities, are now deemed offensive. It is the intent behind the use of the word that is important. Obviously Hanson didn’t intend to cause offence but, as offence was caused, he is right to apologise. It is notable (and commendable) that he apologised *for” any offence caused, and not *if* any offence was caused.
No diarmuid, people don’t call white folk coloured, just generally black ones. We’re white, they’re black, it’s very simple really, no need to roll out the coloured word when referring to black people.
When you are hot you turn red, sick you turn grey, cold you turn pale and you have the nerve to call me coloured!! Ya I see what you mean.
One can make a strong argument that this is all nonsense. Words are just a combination of letters. Certain people take offense at the f**k word even though it’s just a jumble of letters that have a multi-purpose and is similar to dam (my father used to object to that for some reason), crikey, shit, blast etc. Look at the way words, which were once not offensive, have over time become so. Originally it was Nigger, then Negro, then in the 50’s & 60’s Coloured was deemed PC, then Black and now African American. I suppose someday African American will be deemed offensive as Coloured apparently now is. My mother still refers to “African Irish” people as Coloured because she grew up in the 50’s and 60’s. As I said it’s nonsense. The problem isn’t with the words, it’s with the people…as usual.