Harry and the Chamber of Ragheads

Britain's lovable "Harry" is back with a new adventure! Not "Harry Potter," however, but Prince Harry who has followed up his previous tale "Harry and the Nazi Uniform" with his newest escapade: "Harry and the Chamber of Ragheads."

In this story, we find a young Harry serving in the military where he refers to a Pakistani solider as "our little paki friend" - "paki" being a derogatory term for people of Pakistani origin. Our hero then goes on to refer to an Army cadet wearing a headscarf as a "raghead."

After making these statements, our Harry now finds himself all alone in a scary place. Even Professor Dumbledore and Hermione have distanced themselves from his comments. Although in Harry's defense, he claimed that he did not mean any malice or disrespect by the use of the terms "paki" and "raghead," noting that some of his closest friends are "sand people."

Okay, I made up the "sand people" part.

As a person of Middle Eastern heritage, I am going to be candid with you - over the last few years, we have become increasingly sensitive to negative comments about us - some would even say hypersensitive. We are slowly becoming the Middle Eastern versions of Woody Allen. It's a matter of time until I hear myself say: "Did the waiter just say 'raghead'?!" Only to have my friends say: "No, he asked if you want more bread?!"

It's been a tough few years for our community and just when we thought the worst of it was behind us, just a few weeks ago we were reminded that it wasn't when a Muslim family was thrown off an Airtran flight for simply looking Muslim.

But for those who want to let Prince Harry off the hook quickly, don't forget that in January 2005 he donned a Nazi outfit complete with a swastika for a costume party. This raises a few questions: 1. What type of costume party is held in January? and 2. What type of party would wearing a Nazi costume be considered cool?! I imagine that it made the creepy party in the movie Eyes Wide Shut look like a kid's party at Chucky Cheese.

I know that many "white" people - and when I say "white people," I say that with as much affection as Prince Harry had for his "raghead" friend - would tell us to relax. As a former white person myself (I was white until 9/11), I understand that sentiment because there isn't a slur you can call a white person that offends them. Who would care if I referred to Harry as "Prince Cracker" or "His Royal Honkiness." White people wouldn't take to the streets to protest or even change their Facebook status to complain about it.

Truly the only complaint I have heard from "white people" with respect to these types of slurs is that political correctness has limited their freedom to make certain "honest" comments. On behalf of all non-white people I just want to say we are all sincerely sorry for your loss - you will just be stuck making your "honest" comments in small, private groups of other "white people."

By the way, when I say "white people" I do not mean just skin color - to me you are not white in America if you are part of a group that has endured a history of hateful slurs including but not limited to Asians, Hispanics, Mimes, Blacks, Jews, Gays, Muslims, Prop Comedians, Indians, Iranians, South Asians, Martha Stewart, Pakistanis, Arabs, and Eskimos.

In the big picture of things, the comments by Prince Harry - who I refer to affectionately as "Prince Fish and Chips" - are not the biggest deal. Plus when you think about the fact he said "Raghead" and "Paki" with an English accent, it probably almost sounded adorable. But when you throw in the Nazi outfit incident with these slurs, you get the sense he is in danger of becoming the Ann Coulter of princes.

Our young Harry needs to do more than just apologize - he should have the decency to claim he is an alcoholic and head to rehab for a few weeks. It has worked for American celebrities - why not him?

Comments

[singforpeace]

This post is why I became a fan of Dean on HuffPo. He is so funny and yet he makes the hard hitting points that must be made. In particular, the point of his being "white" until 9/11 is so meaningful. Thanks Dean!

[onagadori]

Amusing how in all discussion of the warren thing, many of the racial minorities were telling the gays to just get over it and sit down and shut up, so.......

[southwindow]

funny article!
to be honest, I would have figured this stuff was commonplace in the military. I mean killing someone seems a bit worse than calling a fellow member of your platoon a slur, in jest or otherwise.

and harry seems to have been sheltered a bit to well, an entire life in public should have helped develop more of a filter.

[Foreground]

Mimes and Prop Comediens deserve what they get. They know what they did.

[DownerCow]

I've been called a cracker, haole, gringo, and roundeye. That doesn't make it right for me to stoop to their level, but don't say I don't understand resentment.

[Dukedraven]

I think the Nazi uniform was much more offensive. I still cut him some slack because I saw how genuinely compassionate he seemed in his African charity work. I suppose you never know what goes on in the mind of people. One more racist episode and he'll justifiably earn the title of Prince Redneck.

[Diplomacy]

Off to Cultural Awareness with you!

In a country of many diverse cultures, Prince Harry should be more aware of cultural diversities. This is indeed an embarassment for the Royal Family. Coupled with the Nazi incident, it has gone too far.

Prince Harry needs to study up on the Commonwealth. There are many diverse nations of the Commonwealth, and it is part of the History of England. Very, very stupid of you, Harry!

[red sea rose]

"I was white until 9/11"

Me too! I'm a very unhelpful Arab-American though, because I continue to look Caucasian as opposed to whatever stereotype is passing for Arab these days. Many "whiteys" kindly tell me how lucky I am that I don't look Arab, and marvel at my ability to speak English. I think that might be a compliment of sorts?

Ultimately, my ethnic name gives me away and I'm no longer able to "pass", which then leads to jokes about my funny sounding name. All done with good intentions of course, and I'm meant to take it without offense because if I am offended then I should really lighten up before I fall into the I'm a minority and I'm a victim trap.

Of course Prince Harry calls people Pakis, at least he's honest about his racism. What he's done is far more preferable to the backhanded, snide, almost racial slurs that get tossed my way every day that I'm supposed to smile over and laugh about as well.

[chaos4700]

I'm sorry to hear what you go through. I don't think it's much consolation, but I can tell you -- being white myself -- that white people often say the worst sort of things when they're only talking to other white people... much much worse than anything they'll say out in front, even. I long ago ceased being proud of being white.

[red sea rose]

It's the willful ignorance that annoys me. I'm privy to a lot of racism as well because I look white. For instance, shortly after the election, an elderly white man in a Cadillac screamed at me for having an Obama bumper sticker. He called me the C word because I voted for an N word and that my father must be really proud of me. He kept yelling sarcastically at me about my father being so proud. He assumed I had the same Anglo heritage that he did, that I had betrayed my white race, and he took me to task for voting for a black man. All this while driving.

The privileges of skin color yes? As it is, I called the police even though he drove away leaving me a total wreck.

[southwindow]

same thing with straight people. this is why gay people react so quickly to instances like the warren thing.
most of us, having grown up in straight families, know all too well about what is said in private. What gets publicly expressed is usually the tip of the iceberg.

[Ed438]

Even though I'm not British, I still recall that when Harry's grandfather Prince Philip opened his mouth, he often placed his royal foot firmly in it. (Probably still does.)

So we know where Harry gets it from.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/derby/features/2003/11/queens_visit/prince_philip_gaffes.shtml

[SaucyB]

LOL, thanks for the laugh

[2wit]

Harry got his father's genes / William got his mother's - explains it all. It takes a while for fresh imput to the gene pool to take solid hold.

[2wit]

I sheepishly rescind the above comment with an apology - after hearing a true royalty watcher I learned William is more sober like the Windsors while Harry is more spontaneous like his mother.

This is probably not the first or last time I find my foot in mouth - but is what happens while not sucessfully fighting the "post comment" urge on impulse. I will stick to subjects more familiar to me!

[cvarner]

Harry's not in danger of becoming anything, now, or in the future. He'll continue to sell tabloids in the UK due to the circumstances of his birth.

In other words, he's following in his father's footsteps.

[hortonhearsawho2]

So, in line with the last line, is he going to become an American ?

[ericksonil1]

I support Prince Harry through this whole BS smear campaign. Why do we need our soldiers, marines to be PC? They pay enough for everyone in the free world, so they can say what ever they damn well please. Prince Harry is a patriot who volunteered to serve in the UK Army Infantry. It is one of the most dangerous, exhausting and lonely jobs in the military. So why again is it so wrong to make some jokes and bring humor into your platoon? It helps moral and shows his men that that he is one of them not just another royal push over like his brother. There are so many movies and comedy acts that have said "words" that would offend a race of people, so why do all of you give them a pass? Why is it when the Muslims get angry we all have to bow down, apologize and start trying to make them feel better? Shut up, i'm tired of this PC walking on eggshells Islamic brainwashing. Grow up people, open your eyes and see how weak we are we are becoming. In closing I support and have lots of respect for Prince Harry and I only hope that some day he can save his country and be a strong partner with the United States.

[joecash]

The guy is Prince - not an average solider. Dont you think he should try to act like a Prince? Doesnt his conduct undermine your beloved monarchy?
When people screw up - they should take responsibility and deal with the consequences. That shows strength. Blaming Muslims and Political correctness doesnt make you strong - it makes you look weak.
Be a real man and treat people of all backgrounds with respect.

[cashaww]

He is acting like a Prince. What is anyone going to do about it but bitch.

[Esot3ric]

This comment was obviously made by someone with zero understanding of what it feels like to have such comments made towards you or a group of people to whom you belong. Perhaps you are the one who needs to "grow up" and realize that making divisive ignorant comments is unacceptable and always has been. Your argument about using racism as a means of making yourself included in your team and to show that you're one of them is very weak. It would be much more uplifting to show others respect and dignity, especially when they have done nothing to deserve or provoke such comments. This has nothing to do with the sacifice that he is making as part of the military; it has everything to do with him being a human being who treats others with honour and respect.

[UberReaganite]

I'm diggin your whole "Harry is a PATRIOT so that ENTITLES him to be a racist in public" arguement. You sound very.....Republican. Harry would make a damn fine Republican too. He should run with Sarah Palin in 2012 for POTUS. He could springboard off George Bush's "I'm Unapologetically Incompetent" campaign with his own "I'm Unapologetically Racist" campaign.

[CatfishAndGrits]

He did not "CHOSE". It was his royal duty to serve just like his father, and grandfather. I guess he could have objected, but I'm sure that's a PR battle he didn't want.

[topkatnc]

I say much to do about NOTHING !!

[Demi-Crat]

I absolutely agree..much ta do about nothing..Toughen up and lighten up and it will all seem better!!!!

[Fez]

Speaking of colors, is there anything on earth uglier than a red-headed white man? And isn't Prince Harry's father The Red -Headed Stranger?

[dctackett]

plenty.

[roger3815]

Typical gingers!