Thought for the Day BBC Radio 4 13/1/09

Author:  Dr Indarjit Singh

The row over Prince Harry’s use of the word ‘Paki’ reminds me of a wonderful cartoon I once saw of a jolly monk saying, ‘speak in words that are soft and sweet, for tomorrow you might have to eat them’. I’m sure that as a result of media coverage over his lack of sensitivity, the Prince must have experienced a little indigestion over the weekend. But he’s said sorry and should be allowed to move on.

This in no way justifies his use of inappropriate language; a prince of the realm should know better, but extensive media coverage suggesting that the army is the last bastion of racism, is taking things a little too far. The army is a part of wider society in which language is often used to belittle those that are not ‘us’. The word heathen, with its clearly negative connotations, was common currency until quite recent times. Its dictionary definition is ‘someone who is not a Christian, Moslem or Jew. So you can see where that leaves me! Today, some of those papers that scream loudest over the indiscretion of Prince Harry, have at times in the past, like the football world cup, referred to other nations in terms that would make most people squirm.

The word ‘Paki’ is simply an abbreviation of Pakistani. We consider it offensive because of the way in which it’s used to draw negative attention to difference, at a time when we are struggling to provide respect and cohesion in society. The multi-racial nature of modern society means that we need to be much more careful to avoid language that gives undue offence to others.

The real problem though, is not so much with the Prince or the army, but with a general decline in respect and consideration for others. Although overtly racist language is now much less common, a decline in respect for others is all too evident, particularly in relations between parent and child and teachers and pupils.

About a couple of years ago, I was asked to do an RE inspection of Guru Nanak School in Hayes. The pupils, from what would be described as a deprived background, were clearly top achievers, and one Ofsted inspector put this down to the Sikh ethos of respect for others prevalent throughout the school, which made teaching much easier.

The Sikh Gurus taught that we harm ourselves by rough and rude language, and Guru Nanak appropriately observes that if we lose by speaking, it’s often better to stay silent.