It’s not often that we plebs at hecklerspray get confused about things. We’re generally right about stuff 100% of the time (have you read our horoscopes? Always spot on), and if you disagree then you’re very, very wrong.
That’s how it works.
But Ricky Gervais the nauseatingly fat one from The Office, Extras, Stardust, and Cemetery Junction, has got us all in a flutter about the word ‘mong.’
Just so you know, ‘mong’ was totes a word used in the 50s to describe people with Downs Syndrome. Like Pat Butcher’s long lost sister. But Ricky Gervais doesn’t care about her. He’s repurposing the word to mean something else. The heartless monster.
Now, we don’t know whether this is a good thing or not. Obviously calling someone with Downs Syndrome is wrong, just like it would be calling an homosexual a ‘queer-haired nancy rent boy’. But does it make a difference if the meaning of the word changes? We’re all for calling people names, and the chance to call Dappy a woman beating mong is far too perfect to pass up on.
Unfortunately, Ricky Gervais has been going on like a right mong about it, making spazz faces and prompting people who should probably know better to get their fanny in a twist about trivial matters like this.
Caitlin Moran, someone who we would like to think is a friend of hecklerspray, tweeted this before going back to talking about Downton Abbey:
“Good to see the effort Ricky Gervais is putting into this “Bring back mong” project. Meanwhile, Eddie Izzard prepares to run for mayor.”
And even Richard Herring said this on his blog
“If the words are upsetting some people and perpetuating a stereotype, isn’t it a more noble and thoughtful to just admit you might have made a mistake and stop?”
But it seems like no-one is actually offended by his use of the word ‘mong.’ Even people who work for Downs Syndrome charities aren’t offended by the use of the word, and say that, as long as the words isn’t directed at them, it’ll be fine. So should we be bothered if no one gets upset by a word that meant something different decades ago?
To be honest, we don’t know how we should feel anymore because Richard Herring, one of Gervais’ detractors (yes, it’s a serious subject so we’re using serious words) advertised his tour with a Hitler ‘tache so we don’t know who is right or wrong.
WE JUST DON’T KNOW ANYMORE.
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Derooftrouser says
Herring’s Hitler Moustache tour was all about the nature of offence, racism and wondering how some facial hair can become ‘evil’. Not even remotely the same thing.
Gervais doesn’t hate the disabled, he just doesn’t give a shit if he perpetuates mockery of them.
People seem to have decided that the word isn’t an insult connected to Downs Syndrome any more. Well, why’s Gervais pulling ‘Downs Syndrome’ faces when he posts it then?
And I haven’t found any reference to Downs Syndrome charities not being offended. Do you have a link?
Mangosta says
There is a far worse word. A word that causes offence and consternation whenever it’s seen. That word is ‘totes’
Mangosta says