I was just thinking that accordingly might be a bit harsh.
I don't know though he hasn't been found officially guilty yet.
John Terry Page 2
Well if he did do it then it was a stupid and nasty thing to do, the punishment is not likely to be too bad anyway.
Quote: Godot Taxis @ July 12 2012, 11:29 PM BSTWhat do people think about the current court case?
Terry is accused of using racist language in calling another player a "f**king black c**t." Regardless of whether he did this or not why has no-one pointed out that describing someone as 'black' is not actually racist or offensive since it is not a bad thing to be black?
It's a negative inference by drawing attention to his skin colour in a purely negative way
e.g.
"you're black and a c**t" the implication makes him more of a c**t.
I have no interest in football. Not solely because I find it deathly dull.
But it is achingly depressing, that these child men. With sexual practices out of a fetid teenage masturbators imagination, their swearing, ignorance and petulance are seen as such role models.
Nobody in any work place, even the flipping BNP head offices calls someone a black c**t. That there has to be a court case over this is pathetic.
Eric Cantona where are you? Now we really need you.
Quote: sootyj @ July 13 2012, 8:24 AM BSTIt's a negative inference by drawing attention to his skin colour in a purely negative way
e.g.
"you're black and a c**t" the implication makes him more of a c**t.
This is so obvious it doesn't even need pointing out. But there it is anyway for anyone who honestly doesn't understand.
Quote: Matthew Stott @ July 13 2012, 8:59 AM BSTThis is so obvious it doesn't even need pointing out. But there it is anyway for anyone who honestly doesn't understand.
That doesn't make it racist per se. It is a traditional human thing when you insult someone you pick on the most prominent thing about them. Short, fat, hairy, bald, white, black, tall, thin, big nosed, squab nosed, elephant eared etc. I have lost count of times people have called me a good looking c**t. 
But if a black man calls a white man a f**king white c**t - is that racist? I think is the question GT posed.
Quote: Marc P @ July 13 2012, 9:05 AM BSTBut if a black man calls a white man a f**king white c**t - is that racist? I think is the question GT posed.
Yes, that would be racist too.
Not really.
Quote: Marc P @ July 13 2012, 9:25 AM BSTNot really.
No, of course not.
Yes that is just what I said. It all goes down to intent Matthew. As with murder there are degrees, maybe this was third degree racism? 
You have to establish contextuality outside of the words themselves to establish racism. Maybe they will do that. You Doctor Who loving scoundrel!
Quote: Marc P @ July 13 2012, 9:33 AM BSTYes that is just what I said.
I know, I'm in total agreement.
Quote: Marc P @ July 13 2012, 9:33 AM BSTAs with murder there are degrees, maybe this was third degree racism?
Yes, there are degrees, but if it was said as an insult, it is meant in a racist manner. You are using race as part of an insult, implying it's something bad. Actually, not implying it, stating it clearly. Now you might not even believe it yourself and only be saying is as you know it's the worst thing you can say to rile this person, but the intent was to insult the persons race.
Here's some racism from the prosecutor.
'He said Terry had used "straightforward racial abuse" rather than repeating anything, and that it was unlikely that Ferdinand would have had the "motivation or frankly the sophistication" in the heat of the moment to make up an allegation that Terry had used racial abuse.'
Do you see the phrase 'frankly the sophistication'
Quote: Marc P @ July 13 2012, 9:44 AM BSTHere's some racism from the prosecutor.
'He said Terry had used "straightforward racial abuse" rather than repeating anything, and that it was unlikely that Ferdinand would have had the "motivation or frankly the sophistication" in the heat of the moment to make up an allegation that Terry had used racial abuse.'
Do you see the phrase 'frankly the sophistication'
He's just calling him a thick c**t - which is ok....
Quote: Lazzard @ July 13 2012, 9:47 AM BSTHe's just calling him a thick c**t - which is ok....
He's a footballer, it's part of the job description.
I guess we will find out what the court has to say later but apparently even the prosecution have said that he is not a racist.
'George Carter-Stephenson QC, for Terry, told the court that the prosecution case was based on "speculation". He said: "This is not a case about racism. The prosecution in cross-examination conceded that he is not a racist. There is an abundance of evidence in this case to prove that fact.'
He may well be, I don't know. But you would have to prove the case that Terry thinks that the 'Black' race, is an inferior one to make the point that the insult is in and of itself racist and not just the single most pertinent feature he seized upon in the heat of the exchange.
Quote: Lazzard @ July 13 2012, 9:47 AM BSTHe's just calling him a thick c**t - which is ok....
But is he though????
Quote: Marc P @ July 13 2012, 9:50 AM BSTHe may well be, I don't know. But you would have to prove the case that Terry thinks that the 'Black' race, is an inferior one to make the point that the insult is in and of itself racist and not just the single most pertinent feature he seized upon in the heat of the exchange.
He might not be racist, if he said it he might have just said it because he knows that's the quickest way to rile him, to use a racist phrase. But I think the idea that he said it just because it's this persons most obvious physical feature is not at all likely. The other things you mention can be looked at as in some way 'physical defects'; being short, or having a huge nose; being black is not a physical defect.