Let Us Now Give Thanks
for freedom of speech, while we still have it.
A British TV presenter, Eamonn Holmes, has been criticised for using the word ‘uppity’ in connection with the Duchess of Sussex. Apparently the television company received a complaint (singular) and that’s all it takes these days to get you pilloried. Just one Outraged of Budleigh Salterton, or wherever. According to the complainant, ‘uppity’ has a racial connotation. Well not in the UK, it doesn’t. In the UK it is synonymous with ‘uppish’, a word that has been around longer than the United States of America, and we should feel free to use either. Unless you’re an ITV presenter, in which case ‘uppity’ is now forbidden.
Watch out. The language police are about. A word here, a word there. They are nibbling away at our freedom, and don’t depend on broadcasters and publishers to hold the line. They are a craven bunch.
Thursday is Thanksgiving or, as it’s now known, ‘the run up to Black Friday.’ I applaud the sentiment behind the feast: the world can use more gratitude. My sisters-in-law will be cooking up a storm but I’m kind of relieved not to have to eat another Thanksgiving dinner. I wish I could remember which sage and wit it was who said, ‘let’s face it, the best pumpkin pie you ever ate was only marginally better than the worst.’
A shameful piece. I’m white, about your age and apart from university and a few years in London after, I’ve lived all my life in rural Yorkshire. I read, and keep up with politics, peeking through my fingers.
Even I have been aware for decades that the word ” uppity” is naturally followed by the n word. That you apparently aren’t..well.
Another case of white people pontificating on things they know nothing about. That applies to me and you, I suppose. I’d ask a person of African descent, but there aren’t any for miles.
Well Stephen, I did ask my step-daughter (of African descent) and her reply was, ‘Hunh?’
Hey! You can’t say ‘Black Friday’ anymore. Don’t you mean ‘Friday of Colour’?
(I’m joking – obviously – you get my drift) . . .