I may be about to repeat what some other commenters have perhaps said, but here’s my 5 cents anyway since this thread is about Britain:

1. “Gora” is not an expletive and is not equivalent to “Paki”. It’s a direct, albeit slang, translation of the description “white people”, and is not a swear word in itself. It’s frequently used in a neutral sense, in the same way that “Kale” (or “Kale log”) is a direct translation of “Black people”. Of course, both can be used in a derisive, insulting manner, and they often are. But not all or even most of the time.

However…..

1. In Britain, “Paki” IS the equivalent to “nigger”, in both its offensiveness and its intent. Especially when you bear in mind the colonial history that the UK has with both ethnic groups, along with the associate racism stretching back centuries.

I am constantly amazed by some of the contributions on this blog, the blind witlessness, the clueless disconnect with real lived experience, the smug assumptions and extrapolations, it wavers between hilarious and unbelievable.

I agree completely with Red Snapper’s observation and have made similar remarks a number of times recently — speaking generally, not necessarily specifically in relation to this thread. But there is a marked, noticeable pattern of behaviour in some quarters of this blog’s commenting population. The most pronounced examples are some of the reactions to the Shilpa Shetty affair, although it’s happened on several other topics too.

Although a “Paki” may leave the Land, they are still of the Land, therefore still a “Paki.”

I just get startled when people elevate their purity as a virtue, especially a nationalism based on purity, that’s all. I worry about the impure.

The pure/impure dichotomy, on the one hand and at the very base level, is extended to personal hygiene, whereby, the “Land of the Pure” is also the “Land of the Lota-User.” On the other hand, this dichotomy quite seriously addresses matters of salvation, whereby, the “Land of the Pure” is also the “Land of Believers.”

In the end, these are the attributes that make a “Paki” who they are, not simply being a “Pakistani.”

Did this ever actually work? Usually the bully is just intent on stomping someone either way…

Abhi, does this get todays award?

NotConfused…WORDS are the cornerstone of society..its the tool by which human beings communicate their feelings, thoughts, emotions…When WORDS are used to communicate hate. It is as powerful as a slap to the face. If we consider ourselves civilized and humane we would not traffic in hate through actions or WORDS. Or do you think a little hate now and then is a good thing? Keeps us tough and less ‘pussified’?

People are too damn sensitive. If you were sure of yourself you wouldn’t find random words offensive (like macaca which, even though no one knew what it was they were still offended). It you ask me, any intelligent human would NOT be offended by words. It really is the pussification of society when we have to use euphemisms for EVERYTHING.

I just get startled when people elevate their purity as a virtue, especially a nationalism based on purity, that’s all. I worry about the impure.