Alistair Stewart quits ITV over 'ape' social media quote

[OnlyBlueWillDo]

I'm sick to death of this race card being pulled out at any opportunity.

No way on earth is Alistair Stewart racist, and he has used that quote on twitter before, replying to white people.

Was there an intent to be racist, absolutely not, Shakespeare wasn't being racist when he wrote it if you look at the context, there is a message in the words, and it's not about racism.

 

[Deleted member 38674]

I'm sick to death of this race card being pulled out at any opportunity.

No way on earth is Alistair Stewart racist, and he has used that quote on twitter before, replying to white people.

Was there an intent to be racist, absolutely not, Shakespeare wasn't being racist when he wrote it if you look at the context, there is a message in the words, and it's not about racism.

It's a much bigger conversation but, for me anyway, there's a marked difference between 'being a racist' and 'having used what could be determined as racist language / expressions'. In modern society, swathes of people are absolutely desperate to be offended. They seek offense around every corner, even where none truly exists.

A racist, in my book anyway, is someone who genuinely believes in a superiority of the races and actively discriminates against other races, that ideology is to be loathed and stamped out. I don't know Alistair Stewart personally, obviously, but I don't think a throw-away comment of this nature is likely to mean he is a racist, nor do I believe he needs to lose his job.

The guy's in his late 60's now anyway and probably thinks 'y'know what, I don't really need the hassle, i'll go quietly!'

 

[Moomin]

Was this incident racist, not in my view as he has used that quote on numerous occassions.

People will get offended by this incident and say the race card is over played but racism is on the rise in this country.

Just have a read on twitter to see with your own eyes.

 

[Lord Buckethead]

And yet Piers Morgan still lives and has a job.. :-(

 

[OnlyBlueWillDo]

It's a much bigger conversation but, for me anyway, there's a marked difference between 'being a racist' and 'having used what could be determined as racist language / expressions'. In modern society, swathes of people are absolutely desperate to be offended. They seek offense around every corner, even where none truly exists.

A racist, in my book anyway, is someone who genuinely believes in a superiority of the races and actively discriminates against other races, that ideology is to be loathed and stamped out. I don't know Alistair Stewart personally, obviously, but I don't think a throw-away comment of this nature is likely to mean he is a racist, nor do I believe he needs to lose his job.

The guy's in his late 60's now anyway and probably thinks 'y'know what, I don't really need the hassle, i'll go quietly!'

He's lost his job over it, he probably can retire a wealthy man, but he's been forced to quit over it and that is ludicrous.

One of the most respected news broadcasters of the last 40 years, plenty of black people have been on TV this morning calling it ridiculous.

 

[alvinh]

I can't say I liked him but I don't think he deserved to lose his job. The people who sacked him probably don't believe he was racist either. Everything is done for perception. People hunt for ways to interpret everything in the worst possible way, which devalues the fight against genuine bigotry and meanwhile the really genuine bigots thrive more than ever.

 

[-Rob-]

The people who sacked him probably don't believe he was racist either.

I haven't read anything that suggests he's been sacked. He has left ITV but it seems to have been his choice. He's been there 40 years and is at retirement age. A man leaving his job after 40 years shouldn't really be big news. I'm sure he's done much worse in his 40 years than upsetting someone with a Shakespear quote.

Personally I wish him all the best in his retirement.

 

[alvinh]

I haven't read anything that suggests he's been sacked. He has left ITV but it seems to have been his choice. He's been there 40 years and is at retirement age. A man leaving his job after 40 years shouldn't really be big news. I'm sure he's done much worse in his 40 years than upsetting someone with a Shakespear quote.

Personally I wish him all the best in his retirement.

You're correct, it wasn't a formal sacking.

 

[Gerard_Francis]

Agree he shouldn't be forced out of his job over this. For me he'll always be the smug presenter from that police accident show who nearly copped a custodial sentence for being 3 x over the limit.