I’ve been stewing over the reaction to this kerfuffle for a few days now but this article sums up my feelings entirely.
Honestly, I’ve been really disappointed that so many Top Gear fans have been actually defending them for it. Are you guys serious? Would you accept casual racism from anyone else or about any other minority group? Coogan points out that the the real comedy in highlighting cliches and sterotypes is found when you burst the bubble of privilege and pomposity, not to pick on the weak or those who are already at a disadvantage to begin with. Racism is, in essence, power plus privilege. Yeah, super funny how a bunch of rich white dudes driving around hundred thousand dollar cars are making jokes about those lazy Mexicans. Maybe they can crack some funnies about African Americans and fried chicken next, am I right?
Besides, it’s not as if Jeremy Clarkson in particular hasn’t had a long and unapologetic history of being a racist, sexist utter fucking douchebag. Believe me, it’s completely possible to be a fan of someone but recognise and criticise them when they’ve done something stupid. And to, y’know, not defend them for it.
(then again considering his history I fail to see how Clarkson still has female fans, but I digress.)
I feel like chucking my TV out the window and roaring “THIS IS WHY WE CAN’T HAVE NICE THINGS.”
Not to mention their show in S. America, where they drove through the capital of Bolivia with “I LOVE MY SEPTUM” and “JESUS IS MY HIGH” written on their cars in “an attempt to combat the dreadful drug trade that ruins so many lives.”
