Quote: Phuzzy "Mate, given my previous girlfriend was black, I think there's only one jackass here and that's the one throwing spurious accusations around.
I'll answer your post but please moderate your language. I put plenty thought into the words I use (I'm a musician and writer by trade) and if something is racist then I wouldn't use it. However something being racist is NOT the same as someone mistakenly thinking it is. The phrase in question is not, and never has been, a racist slur. The examples you use regarding tarring and feathering have nothing to do with the phrase. It is a nautical saying based on the practice of 'tarring the decks' of ships. I'm sorry if you wish to doctor every phrase to fit your agenda but I'm afraid, in this case, you're wrong. If you don't wish to use it because you mistakenly believe it to be racist then that is your prerogative. However there is no obligation for anyone else to make the same mistake. I understand that you believe everyone should speak and act as you do. This is not the case. It is called freedom of speech and is the cornerstone of democracy and civil rights.
Now on to your apparent indignation regarding causing offence. I recently spent some time browsing the Leeds board and there was one particular thread that caught my eye. In it there was constant reference to Shaun Wane as 'The Ape' and similar, even going as far as to post pictures of a gorilla in a suit alongside pictures of Shaun. I know you are a regular poster on that board and I believe you even posted on that thread. Could you please point me to your angry response to this blatantly offensive thread because I must have missed it. Indeed, let me ask you a question; had Shaun been black would you have been equally apathetic? Would you have found it equally acceptable to post a picture of a gorilla in a suit alongside the picture of a black player or coach? Do you not think Shaun, his friends, family and children deserve the same freedoms from offensive posts as everyone else? For the record, I find your kind of selective and hypocritical indignation offensive. I'll assume an apology is forthcoming...'"
The sort of response I wish I could have written. Full of common sense and bang on the money.