POMS?
Is it just me or does everyone feel just the slightest bit of sympathy for the British People Against Racial Discrimination.
They have are the kooks who have launched an action against a Toohey’s beer commercial with the Advertising Standards Board on the basis that the word ‘Pom’ is racist.
These guys are described in news stories as thin skinned, and they probably are, but maybe we have to be a little bit careful too.
If you spend any time in England at all, the derogatory comments about the colonies can get pretty boring. There is a view in England that all Australians are racist, sexist, and dumb and maybe we don’t do a whole lot to stop that view…but it can get boring. And maybe we do that to the poms too, stereotype them unfairly. Truth be known most pommy's I know have browner skin than me and I have never seen one in a pair of socks and sandals.
Having said that, I just can’t cop that the word pom is a racist taunt. The British People against Racist Discrimation have likened the word pom to the word 'nigger' or 'coon'. I say NO WAY! The term ‘nigger’ comes from slavery and in Australia the word 'coon' is purely about oppression and as far as I know, the poms haven’t suffered too much of either of those things at the hands of the Australians (if you don’t count getting pounded in the cricket…obviously..)!
Anyway...I hope English people aren't really offended. I think Australia has a great affinity with England and the the word Pom is a term of endearment.
They have are the kooks who have launched an action against a Toohey’s beer commercial with the Advertising Standards Board on the basis that the word ‘Pom’ is racist.
These guys are described in news stories as thin skinned, and they probably are, but maybe we have to be a little bit careful too.
If you spend any time in England at all, the derogatory comments about the colonies can get pretty boring. There is a view in England that all Australians are racist, sexist, and dumb and maybe we don’t do a whole lot to stop that view…but it can get boring. And maybe we do that to the poms too, stereotype them unfairly. Truth be known most pommy's I know have browner skin than me and I have never seen one in a pair of socks and sandals.
Having said that, I just can’t cop that the word pom is a racist taunt. The British People against Racist Discrimation have likened the word pom to the word 'nigger' or 'coon'. I say NO WAY! The term ‘nigger’ comes from slavery and in Australia the word 'coon' is purely about oppression and as far as I know, the poms haven’t suffered too much of either of those things at the hands of the Australians (if you don’t count getting pounded in the cricket…obviously..)!
Anyway...I hope English people aren't really offended. I think Australia has a great affinity with England and the the word Pom is a term of endearment.
1 Comments:
FFS - get a life, I'm a Pom living in Aus and proud of it. I and all the Poms I know here do not find it offensive, insulting, demaning or whatever. These people should get a life and be proud to be a Pom. If you don't like it then may I suggest you tootle off back to Blighty.
Proud to be called a Pom - Adelaide
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