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Uppity Eamon Holmes

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By *ssex_tom OP   Man
over a year ago

Chelmsford

Apparently Eamon called Megan Markle uppity after the Wimbledon thing. Somebody complained. Apparently this word had racist connotations from the 1700s in America so the broadcaster has told it's staff not to use the word. I wonder if he had called Harry uppity then that would of been ok?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Shout it through the palace gates, see what happens.

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By *rwhowhatwherewhyMan
over a year ago

Aylesbury


"Apparently Eamon called Megan Markle uppity after the Wimbledon thing. Somebody complained. Apparently this word had racist connotations from the 1700s in America so the broadcaster has told it's staff not to use the word. I wonder if he had called Harry uppity then that would of been ok?"

I'm not so sure that's true. I thought it was more yo do with social class.

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By *icknHMan
over a year ago

Ilfracombe

I believe it’s an old term applied to educated or precocious slaves in America’s south in ‘days gone thankfully by’.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

The phrase "uppity n***er" gets used a lot in Roots and The Color Purple, so perhaps it's best consigned to the bin. Whether Holmes used it deliberately or not, I don't know. He doesn't seem particularly bright, so probably not.

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By *rwhowhatwherewhyMan
over a year ago

Aylesbury


"The phrase "uppity n***er" gets used a lot in Roots and The Color Purple, so perhaps it's best consigned to the bin. Whether Holmes used it deliberately or not, I don't know. He doesn't seem particularly bright, so probably not."

The more you know

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Oh, I've referred to white people as uppity. I've learned something interesting today.

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By *allySlinkyWoman
over a year ago

Leeds

There is a children's book by Roger Hargreaves called Mr Uppity in the Mr Men series.

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By *hoenixAdAstraWoman
over a year ago

Hiding in the shadows


"The phrase "uppity n***er" gets used a lot in Roots and The Color Purple, so perhaps it's best consigned to the bin. Whether Holmes used it deliberately or not, I don't know. He doesn't seem particularly bright, so probably not."

Everyday's a school day!

Its a phrase my Nana used alot (she definitely wasn't racist) I picked it up from her, still use it myself (I'm also definitely not racist)

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

All I can say is I’m usually up to date on all equal oops stuff due to my job. However I have never heard of ‘uppity’ being considered racist!

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By *modDMan
over a year ago

Lichfield

It's not a word I've ever used to racially abuse somebody.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"All I can say is I’m usually up to date on all equal oops stuff due to my job. However I have never heard of ‘uppity’ being considered racist!"

On its own it's certainly not, but the phrase was quite prevalent in the US in the 70's after the Roots mini-series aired. I don't think it ever came to the UK which is why I don't think EH used it deliberately. I'm not in favour of banning words - too much like book burning for my liking, but the phrase seems to be "out there" now. Sadly, bigots will always try to find ways to normalise racism or hide it in speech.

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By *hechapMan
over a year ago

Derry

Is upitty not a posh way of calling someone an arsehole.

He should have said upstart instead....

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By *a Fee VerteWoman
over a year ago

Limbo


"The phrase "uppity n***er" gets used a lot in Roots and The Color Purple, so perhaps it's best consigned to the bin. Whether Holmes used it deliberately or not, I don't know. He doesn't seem particularly bright, so probably not."

This is what I always think of when I see/hear the word. Prior to the Eamon Holmes incident, there have been a number of previous controversies where both Barack and Michelle Obama were also described as 'uppity'. The implication is clear - that they don't know their 'place'.

Now quite possibly there's less awareness of the connotations in the UK.... maybe if you're unaware of the historical and derogatory US usage (particularly in southern states) where it's often followed by the N word. I guess we'll never know if Holmes intended to suggest Meghan was simply being grandiose (by refusing to cooperate with photographers) or whether he meant to imply that *because* of her ethnicity she should be more forthcoming, as in, she should consider herself lucky to be where she is due to the colour of her skin!!! However, to me, it's the second meaning that immediately came to mind and yes, that'd be racist.

He gives me the creeps anyway. Ironically, I've read over the years that he's a bit of a 'don't you know who I am' type (obviously I have no first hand proof of that) and if true, I guess then that it's 'okay' for him to act in an affected superior manner but when a woman of colour behaves in a similar way the 'uppity' description with its negative history was all he could think of Really that's more than a bit poor, he's getting paid enough to comment upon news stories without using questionable terms even if he felt criticism was warranted.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

It's a bit silly really, we have the word in English, as well as the Americans having it in American, they are similar languages but not the same.

Going out to smoke a fag is a moderately harmless phrase in Pennsylvania just outside Bath, but a Capitol offence in Pennsylvania USA!

Having said that I dont much care for Television presenters, so if you wish it to be declared treason and have him shot, that's OK.

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By *aitonelMan
over a year ago

Travelling

Considering the dictionary definition of the word is "self important" and "arrogant" there is nothing wrong with the word at all. It has been dragged down due to some connections it has had in the past when used with actual racial slurs.

This one gets an eye roll from

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By *rinceCorwinMan
over a year ago

Manchester


"It's a bit silly really, we have the word in English, as well as the Americans having it in American, they are similar languages but not the same.

Going out to smoke a fag is a moderately harmless phrase in Pennsylvania just outside Bath, but a Capitol offence in Pennsylvania USA!

Having said that I dont much care for Television presenters, so if you wish it to be declared treason and have him shot, that's OK."

The English language originated in England and is spoken by all English speaking people world wide. There isn't a language called "American", it's English but they put different interpretations on some words eg we say lift and they say elevator.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Considering the dictionary definition of the word is "self important" and "arrogant" there is nothing wrong with the word at all. It has been dragged down due to some connections it has had in the past when used with actual racial slurs.

This one gets an eye roll from "

I really think they're dredging for offence.

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By *ssex_tom OP   Man
over a year ago

Chelmsford

Eamon got pounced on in my opinion..

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