Topic: Tiger sacks caddie - Steve Williams

[LF]

Tell you what I am offended by. That is Mr Alex Ferguson calling Wayne Rooney the White Pele. That is racists and demeaning to the one and only Pele. The real Pele's skin colour should have nothing to do with it.

Was thinking about that yesterday, why not the British Pele, or the English Pele? The intention may not have been malicious but it's clearly a throwback to the previous generation's ignorance on the matter. And ignorance really isn't a valid excuse anymore.

 

The term "white pele" was world famous long before Rooney was even born. its a nickname for Zico, who was considered by many to be the greatest white player.  so its more of a tribute to Pele than any kind of racism.

[4pool]

The term "white pele" was world famous long before Rooney was even born. its a nickname for Zico, who was considered by many to be the greatest white player.  so its more of a tribute to Pele than any kind of racism.

Sorry, it's up to the British tabloids to tell us what is racist and what isn't. Ask Stevie Wiliams.

[crichton]

Does anyone remember a few years ago when Tiger was playing out of his skin, and the female anchor on the golf network said
 
'' the only way they will stop tiger is if they lynch him'' 

Now admittadly she wasnt the brighest girl, chosen for her scorching hotness rather than her golf knowledge, but the American and Canadian press went nuts and she hasnt been seen since. David Feherty and Nick Faldo were in the studio with her, and Fehertys jaw almost hit the desk, while Faldo almost stopped staring at her tits for a second. Poor girl kept on talking cos she didnt realise how the comment would be construed, but the penny dropped slowly and she turned an unhealthy puce colour.

I mention this cos Tiger didnt make a big deal of it, he knew she wasnt refering to calling out the klan to ''lynch'' him, only that he was so good that killing was the only way to stop him. 

I think that the reaction of the victim is always a good indicator to the seriousness of the crime. I reckon that if Tiger thought someone was having a proper go at him he would lodge a seven iron in their skull.  Similar with the current football based allegations. Ferdinand has make his feelings known while Evra has pointed the finger and vanished back down his rat hole.
Of course racism is to be rejected in all walks of life, but sometimes perspective is needed, to seperate the true haters from those who didnt realise what they were saying.
Anyways, Steve Williams should remember who made him the wealtiest sports related earner in New Zealand before he calls Tiger an asshole again, regardless of the colour he chooses to prefix the word with.

[ALPH1217]

Does anyone remember a few years ago when Tiger was playing out of his skin, and the female anchor on the golf network said
 
'' the only way they will stop tiger is if they lynch him'' 

Now admittadly she wasnt the brighest girl, chosen for her scorching hotness rather than her golf knowledge, but the American and Canadian press went nuts and she hasnt been seen since. David Feherty and Nick Faldo were in the studio with her, and Fehertys jaw almost hit the desk, while Faldo almost stopped staring at her tits for a second. Poor girl kept on talking cos she didnt realise how the comment would be construed, but the penny dropped slowly and she turned an unhealthy puce colour.

I mention this cos Tiger didnt make a big deal of it, he knew she wasnt refering to calling out the klan to ''lynch'' him, only that he was so good that killing was the only way to stop him. 

I think that the reaction of the victim is always a good indicator to the seriousness of the crime. I reckon that if Tiger thought someone was having a proper go at him he would lodge a seven iron in their skull.  Similar with the current football based allegations. Ferdinand has make his feelings known while Evra has pointed the finger and vanished back down his rat hole.
Of course racism is to be rejected in all walks of life, but sometimes perspective is needed, to seperate the true haters from those who didnt realise what they were saying.
Anyways, Steve Williams should remember who made him the wealtiest sports related earner in New Zealand before he calls Tiger an asshole again, regardless of the colour he chooses to prefix the word with.

The woman you're referring to is Kelly Tilghman and she certainly hasn't disappeared. She's a regular on the Golf Channel and continues covering a wide variety of tournaments. Tilghman has extensive golf knowledge and wouldn't have these gigs if she didn't.

[Jack Slater]

On a fishing trip Jack?

You mean am I saying things that I dont really think just to annoy you? 

Nope.

The phrase "black arsehole" IS a racial insult and cannot be construed in any other way (bar the very narrow exception I mentioned earlier.

Fuzzy got roasted for his Fried Chicken comment which also was a joke. Politically correctness and all that.

There's a difference between making a joke which uses racial stereotypes, and actually coming right out with a direct racial insult.

I dont think FZ's comments are funny or appropriate, and the bit where he says "whatever the hell they serve" puts the rest of the remark in a very different light compared to if he had just said the first bit.  BUT the sense of the joke could (at a stretch) be a joke about culture clash rather than as an insult to a different race.


This is all somewhat by the by.  Your earlier comment was "Let's also not forget Tiger has made some remarks which were controversial himself regarding Fuzzy Zoeller. But they patched things up".

The implication of that was that Woods has done something similar to Zoeller, compared to what Williams has now done to Woods.  And that Zoeller forgave Woods and the world moved on; so Woods should now not be a hypocrite, and should forgive Williams, and the world should move on.

However, actually the "controversial" comments that you're saying Woods made are Woods letting FZ off the hook?  So using the word "BUT", to imply FZ let Woods off the hook, is way off base.

In any event, what Woods said isnt at all similar to calling someone a "black arsehole". 

[Jack Slater]

The term "white pele" was world famous long before Rooney was even born. its a nickname for Zico, who was considered by many to be the greatest white player.  so its more of a tribute to Pele than any kind of racism.

There's nothing inherently racist about the words "black" or "white" used as adjectives.

Eg the phrase "the black Bradman" is sometimes used, as well as "the white Pele". 

But just because the words "black" or "white" can be used in perfectly normal everyday language, it doesnt mean that they can never be used in racist sentences.

The claim that the expression "black arsehole" isnt racist just because the n word wasnt used is a complete distortion of they way human beings use words to communicate ideas and feelings to each other.

[4pool]

Jack, enjoy your internet crusade. That's what's great about the internet is that some people will flog a horse to death to defend their position.

I did infer Tiger made some comments regarding Fuzzy. I err'd. I meant the controvery around Tiger because he wouldn't go into attack mode.

The funny ( or sad) thing is people are trying to tell others what they should think and how they should react with regard to this situation. You're go on and on about it and why what was said is racists with regard to both instances-- Fuzzy and Stevie.

Not to mention the British tabloids were first off the mark to inform us.

However, I take my lead from the people involved. In this case it's Tiger. He never took either set of comments as racist. Why? Because he knew them both and understood the context. It's the high and mighty who come along to educate us and tell us how we should feel and react.

I'm reasonably sure TIger would take offense if the coments were said in an offensive way. But they weren't. So I won't get worked up trying to tar and feather those who said them.

and btw..Even though you think you have Fuzzys' quote. You don't because he said fried chicken and collard greens. And those in the South know that's a dish served primarily at black restuarants. I'm sure you'll go find the correct quote now.

The next step is for all comedians to cease and desists using any word indicating race in their acts. As you'll be racist by default. Or do we have a rule that exempts comedians but the rest of society it is forbidden?

[♠Dirty Harry♠]

If someone called you an 'irish arshole' you might not be offended but there would be a shit load of irish people who would be.

Maybe so, but again that doesn't make it racist just because people get offended by it. If someone said "You're an arsehole because you're Irish" then it would be a different matter.

[LF]

There's nothing inherently racist about the words "black" or "white" used as adjectives.

Eg the phrase "the black Bradman" is sometimes used, as well as "the white Pele". 

But just because the words "black" or "white" can be used in perfectly normal everyday language, it doesnt mean that they can never be used in racist sentences.

The claim that the expression "black arsehole" isnt racist just because the n word wasnt used is a complete distortion of they way human beings use words to communicate ideas and feelings to each other.

did I ever say otherwise? 

[Jack Slater]

Jack, enjoy your internet crusade.

Crusade?

Have I suggested any punishment for Williams?

I have simply pointed out that "black arsehole" is a racial insult.

I did infer Tiger made some comments regarding Fuzzy. I err'd.

Ok, that's fine.  Then we agree that what Woods said about Zoeller shouldnt be compared to what Williams said about Woods.  They're totally different in all respects.

I agree with you that what Woods did say all those years ago might indicate that he is slower to take offence than some other people might be.  But FZ's rather flat-footed comments were of a different ilk to Williams's, for lots of reasons.

You're go on and on about it and why what was said is racists with regard to both instances-- Fuzzy and Stevie.

Dont get you.

You brought up Zoeller, not me. 

In this case it's Tiger. He never took either set of comments as racist. Why? Because he knew them both and understood the context.

Again, dont get you.  You've already quoted what Woods said all those years ago about the FZ thing.  But what's your evidence for saying that he doesnt think the comment "black arsehole" is a racist insult?

I've seen this:

Mark Steinberg, Woods' agent at Excel Sports Management, was with the golfer when he heard the news.  He said: 'It's a regrettable comment, and there's really nothing that Tiger can do or say. He's just going to move on.'

That's very different from saying "Tiger doesnt regard the comments as racist, because he knows Steve and understands the context."

and btw..Even though you think you have Fuzzys' quote. You don't because he said fried chicken and collard greens. And those in the South know that's a dish served primarily at black restuarants. I'm sure you'll go find the correct quote now.

So you think the joke was so hysterical that the only explanation for me not laughing is that I didnt understand it?

Trust me, I understand what he was getting at on every level.

But the situation was diffused by Tiger's reaction almost 15 years ago.  Zoeller's very old remarks have nothing to do with William's current insults.

[rowan_d]

Steve Williams is a prick, racist or not. Can we at least agree on that?

[JM10]

Stevie is a prick, he is seriously ruining his reputation in recent months and could almost count himself lucky to be employed by such a good player as Scott. Personally, that's not a racist insult for me. For a start, he could not have worked for Tiger for so long if he had such feelings. He is obviously extremely bitter about being sacked and is doing his best to drive any success against Tiger. These two were very close and it has to hurt being let go by someone that he must have considered a friend.

I've followed his career for years and am sure that it wasn't meant as a racist insult. He really has embarrassed himself in the last few months, the latest comment was again awful but it wasn't racist.

[Joff]

I don't see it as racist personally. Tiger is black, and he has an asshole. Just an unfortunate way of saying stick it up his ass.

[fletcher717]

I don't see it as racist personally. Tiger is black, and he has an asshole. Just an unfortunate way of saying stick it up his ass.

Neither do I, though unfortunately this is the way society now functions. What if he had called him a "short haired arsehole" or a "six foot arsehole" or even a "brown eyed arsehole"? ( ) Would that be considered discriminating against people with short hair, who are six foot or have brown eyes?

In Williams view, Woods is black (obviously) and has arsehole, so to Williams wants to shove it up his "black arsehole". Now obviously this is a ridiculous stupid thing to say and I feel that people who include a person skin colour in a insult are incredibly lazy.

Ironically, for me, I think that racism is only an issue because people draw attention to it. If the problem of racism was never brought up again I feel that the amount of people feeling discriminated would lower. NOW I am not saying that these campaigns to remove racism should be taken away because there are millions of more people that need to be educated, but the point I just made can only occur when the WHOLE WORLD realises colour has nothing to do with anything. I think that these campaigns just create a circular notion whereby instances of racism are highlighted because people are told to. For the example of Woods; the words "black arsehole" is deemed racist by some but that's on the premise that "black" is a demeaning word. Therefore, the word "black" insinuates that there is something wrong with Woods due to his skin colour and as such the notion of racism is created. If people weren't told or believed that describing someone's skin colour is an act of racism then people wouldn't be offended /offending with it and racism would begin to disappear. I am NOT saying that people just have to suck it up, that's not what I'm saying, just the fact that the current anti-racism programs just fuel the fire of Political Correctness and unintentionally heighten the percieved instances of racism.

To try and sum up what I mean, I'll use an example which will probably be shite.

A commentator during a sports ficture makes a claim that a certain player is the only white/black player in the team. This is merely a fact. Whether it's a smart thing to say or not doesn't matter, but the point is that saying something like that isn't racist. He/She is the only black/white player on the team.   People will then only find it racist because they believe that stating a person's skin colour is a taboo, creating a racial situation out of nothing. The only way to remove racism is by everyone understanding that skin colour is just the same as eye colour, hair colour, height etc. Hopefully the reaction from the crowd in that example one day would be something like, "Oh that's Tom Smith, didn't notice he was white/black before, because he's just Tom Smith to me".

- from an Australian Arsehole-   

[Cassiel]

This is a profoundly depressing episode. Compounded by coming on here and reading some of these posts. We can argue until we're blue in the face about whether Williams is a racist - that he's a prick is obvious - but there is no way that calling someone a 'black arsehole' is anything other than a racial insult. To argue otherwise is the worst kind of doublespeak and doublethink.

But even more disquieting is the reaction from the world of golf. Despite its reputation in the UK, which is not entirely undeserved, of being a game for the white reactionary middle class, I actually quite like it. It ruins a good walk, my grandfather said. But it turns out what it actually ruins is a good lynching. Until Woods came along the only black faces you saw were serving Mint Juleps or trimming the fucking azaleas at Augusta. He may be arrogant, he may be all kinds of things, but he's done more to shift the fuddy-duddy, exclusive image of the game than any other golfer who's ever existed. I would have expected a number of golfers to come forward to point out that what Williams said was reprensible and there should be some kind of sanction. But no - all we get is Freddie Couples saying that Williams wouldn't be anywhere near his bag if he'd spouted such bile. The others talk about it being a private event - the last refuge of the racist scoundrel - 'But I didn't realise anyone was listening!' As if hurling racial insults about in a room full of hundreds of people is private. But no, it's OK, because we don't like Tiger. He needs bringing down a peg or two, doesn't he? Nudge nudge. Then along comers that retard Greg Norman. The Great White Supremacist. No, it's not racist. No, and you're not a bottling blonde haired c*nt either.

What is interesting here is the reaction in the UK and the reaction in NZ and Oz . A Kiwi friend of mine has often expressed his distaste for the casual racism of some (I repeat, 'Some') of his countrymen. Nasty asides about the Maoris. References to 'wogs' when referring to immigrant relatives. The Aussies too. The sort of stuff which was prevalent here in the 1970s but people worked very hard to stamp out, so we reach a point when any kind of racial insult will have you in the shit in seconds, and rightly so. Yet down under, in certain quarters, there seems to be these namby-pamby, 'it's political correctness gone mad' handwringing about it only being language, and what's wrong with calling someone a bloody Abo anyway? If Williams had been on say Poulter's or Donald's bag, there's not a chance in hell he'd survive this, regardless of what Donald or Poulter actually thought about what he said. Press and public opinion wouldn't have it, and I'm actually pretty proud that's the case.

Anyway, here's hoping that Tiger shoves his four iron so far up this fuckwit's arse that the clubhead comes out of his nose.

[nicholasanthony]

References to 'wogs' when referring to immigrant relatives. The Aussies too. The sort of stuff which was prevalent here in the 1970s but people worked very hard to stamp out, so we reach a point when any kind of racial insult will have you in the shit in seconds, and rightly so. Yet down under, in certain quarters, there seems to be these namby-pamby, 'it's political correctness gone mad' handwringing about it only being language, and what's wrong with calling someone a bloody Abo anyway? If Williams had been on say Poulter's or Donald's bag, there's not a chance in hell he'd survive this, regardless of what Donald or Poulter actually thought about what he said. Press and public opinion wouldn't have it, and I'm actually pretty proud that's the case.

It's all dependent on who is saying it and the context its said in, specifically your relationship with that person. But people do make mistakes, not every case is the same and should not be reacted to in the same way (in terms of this languages everyday use).

[corkboy]

Does anyone remember a few years ago when Tiger was playing out of his skin, and the female anchor on the golf network said
 
'' the only way they will stop tiger is if they lynch him'' 

Now admittadly she wasnt the brighest girl, chosen for her scorching hotness rather than her golf knowledge,

I had a quick google. You, Sir, are wrong.

Apart from that, this thread is brilliant, if only to watch 4pool flail around trying to say that calling someone a black asshole isn't racist.

[Cassiel]

It's all dependent on who is saying it and the context its said in, specifically your relationship with that person. But people do make mistakes, not every case is the same and should not be reacted to in the same way (in terms of this languages everyday use).

So, in this context, coming from a man who despises Woods, who has an axe to grind, it is indisputably racist? No one can argue there was any jocular, fraternal aspect here. But even that doesn't have any place. See Sammy Davis jnr and the Rat Pack. They took the piss out of his skin colour and he laughed along. Hey, we're all buddies and this is just banter. But he hated it. Yet in the white dominated world of showbiz he had to suck it up or face career suicide. I'd argue Tiger's reaction to the appalling shite that Fuzzy Zoeller came out with above, which 4pool so helpfully quoted to prove how riddled with casual racism professional golf is, came from a similar attitude - I'm a sole black man in a white dominated sport, I don't want to give the impression I'm touchy or not clubbable. Less so now that Williams has been traducing him all over the globe for the past six months and he's less of an ingenue.

You have to wonder what signals this sends out to talented young black guys and gals thinking of making a career in the sport. Not very good ones. If i were Tiger I'd pull out of the tournament until Scott finally grows a set of knackers and kicks Williams into touch. The sponsors would go apeshit and Williams would be out on his arse before you can say 'fush and chups.'

[corkboy]

Williams would be out on his arse before you can say 'fush and chups.'

It's not his fault he can't speak properly, you racist bastard.

[Walshy®]

So let me get this straight people are saying it is NOT racists, even though he called Tiger a black arsehole?

[corkboy]

So let me get this straight people from Texas are saying it is NOT racists, even though he called Tiger a black arsehole?

[nicholasanthony]

So, in this context, coming from a man who despises Woods, who has an axe to grind, it is indisputably racist? No one can argue there was any jocular, fraternal aspect here. But even that doesn't have any place. See Sammy Davis jnr and the Rat Pack. They took the piss out of his skin colour and he laughed along. Hey, we're all buddies and this is just banter. But he hated it. Yet in the white dominated world of showbiz he had to suck it up or face career suicide. I'd argue Tiger's reaction to the appalling shite that Fuzzy Zoeller came out with above, which 4pool so helpfully quoted to prove how riddled with casual racism professional golf is, came from a similar attitude - I'm a sole black man in a white dominated sport, I don't want to give the impression I'm touchy or not clubbable. Less so now that Williams has been traducing him all over the globe for the past six months and he's less of an ingenue.

You have to wonder what signals this sends out to talented young black guys and gals thinking of making a career in the sport. Not very good ones. If i were Tiger I'd pull out of the tournament until Scott finally grows a set of knackers and kicks Williams into touch. The sponsors would go apeshit and Williams would be out on his arse before you can say 'fush and chups.'

Yep, I think racist.

But your example of Sammy Davis Jnr is of a person who does actually feels offended or at least doesn't like it. Which I'm saying makes the use wrong. But the other day a mate said I was "such a wog", because I was eating over the sink. And it was fine. I wasn't at all offended because of its context and our friendship. Where I live, it can also be a word used with pride. Its power comes from the context in which it is said.

I'm only saying that not all possibly racist terms are always racist and there use is not up to you to decide.

[Cassiel]

Yep, I think racist.

But your example of Sammy Davis Jnr is of a person who does actually feels offended or at least doesn't like it. Which I'm saying makes the use wrong. But the other day a mate said I was "such a wog", because I was eating over the sink. And it was fine. I wasn't at all offended because of its context and our friendship. Where I live, it can also be a word used with pride. Its power comes from the context in which it is said.

I'm only saying that not all possibly racist terms are always racist and there use is not up to you to decide.

I agree about context and who's doing the saying. You weren't offended, but from the use of wog that you quote is clear that it's a pejorative and can only be used among friends who get the joke. Like other words which can be used as racial insult, I can see how they can be co-opted and reclaimed by those who might be the subject of it. I trust you wouldn't want someone you'd never met, or someone you didn't like referring to you as a wog? Particularly, using the Williams, example, if it was said out of spite.

[Crosby Nick]

If it’s out of place or the wrong argument then forgive me and I’ll but out but in Australia ‘wog’ is used to describe Greek/Italian/Lebanese ‘immigrants’ isn’t it? It’s used pretty freely over there and I don’t think has anywhere near the level of connotation it does over here. I remember there being films and plays released called The Wog Boy and Wog Story.

[Cassiel]

If it’s out of place or the wrong argument then forgive me and I’ll but out but in Australia ‘wog’ is used to describe Greek/Italian/Lebanese ‘immigrants’ isn’t it? It’s used pretty freely over there and I don’t think has anywhere near the level of connotation it does over here. I remember there being films and plays released called The Wog Boy and Wog Story.

It doubt it has same connotations. My Aussie mates are always a bit shocked to learn it's so verboten over here. My wife's Indian and it's a word she despises utterly because of the way it was used in the 70s and early 80s. It has a greater power to hurt than 'nigger' in her book. However, used in anger, wherever you are in the world, it's still pretty unpleasant and has the power to cause offence. We've had our share of, um, interestingly titled books and films in the past too.

We're off topic though, even if I led us off there. What Williams said was racist. There's no 'it doesn't have the weight in New Zealand' or whatever argument here. He called him a black arsehole. End of story. Should be end of his career too.

[Pheeny]

I was under the impression he said "Stick it up his Black Arse" and not 'he's a Black Ass hole" ?

[Cassiel]

I was under the impression he said "Stick it up his Black Arse" and not 'he's a Black Ass hole" ?

There's a bit of ambiguity. 'It was my aim to shove it right up that black arsehole.' Can be taken both ways, so to speak. I'm no expert on the Kiwi vernacular but I read it, as have a few others, as that he's calling him a black arsehole. To shove it right up someone means to show them, rub their noses in it, rather than literally shove it. I'd have thought if he meant figuratively sticking it up his arse, he'd have said just that, 'his black arsehole.' But the use of the word that is the give away.

Eee, I'd never thought I'd be discussing references to Tiger's bumhole in such detail.

Either way including the word black makes it a racial insult, with all the connotations that come with it.

[Crosby Nick]

Eee, I'd never thought I'd be discussing references to Tiger's bumhole in such detail.

Surely it's brown like the rest of us?

[nicholasanthony]

Will you hold against Scott if he doesn't sack Williams, Cassiel?

[Pheeny]

Either way including the word black makes it a racial insult, with all the connotations that come with it.

Totally agree.Just wanted to know what he actually said.

[Cassiel]

Surely it's brown like the rest of us?

Racialist! I have a skinny white ass from which the sun shines eternally.

Will you hold against Scott if he doesn't sack Williams, Cassiel?

Yes. Or at the very least bin him off for a few months. I doubt he will though. He strikes me as a bit of a milquetoast. For an Aussie at least

[scoobs]

We're off topic though, even if I led us off there. What Williams said was racist. There's no 'it doesn't have the weight in New Zealand' or whatever argument here. He called him a black arsehole. End of story. Should be end of his career too.

I agree. And as a Kiwi I gotta say I'm surprised by the response from some NZers who seem happy to just want to pass this off as one of those things that 'just happens'. I can guarantee you this had been Clive Woodward or Brian O'Driscoll or somenone like that had of said the very same thing about Tana Umaga or one of our All Blacks then the reaction in NZ would have been whole lot different.

[Lusty]

So let me get this straight people are saying it is NOT racists, even though he called Tiger a black arsehole?

Mental.  If he just wanted to insult him without being racist, he would have said 'shove it up his arse'.  Why add the word 'black' to that sentence if you're not trying to make it racial?

[DangerScouse]

Williams should be sacked imo. Wonder if Terry will be sacked by Chelsea if found guilty?

[mobydick]

[quote author=Cassiel link=topic=278617.msg9456633#msg9456633 date=1320681902

We're off topic though, even if I led us off there. What Williams said was racist. There's no 'it doesn't have the weight in New Zealand' or whatever argument here. He called him a black arsehole. End of story. Should be end of his career too.


Wow, just fucking wow!

Why don't you just lynch him?

See what I did there?

[fletcher717]

I think how a person reacts to this comment is the way they interpret what Williams has said.

"Shove it right up that black asshole", I take what he said more literally, if that's possible, with Williams saying he he wants to shove it up Woods asshole, which happens to be black.

Obviously though, if people take what Williams said and feel that the use of the word asshole is to characterise Woods as a person, then it does become a racist comment.

[Immoral King Brian Blessed]

Maybe he meant the All Blacks arseholes.

[81a]

This tit just doesn't get it does he? Tiger gives him a get out of jail card free and he still fucks it up. Not a great idea to accuse a spokesperson of one of the tours biggest sponsors of making comments "way worse" than his racist bile.

Williams, meanwhile, said yesterday that his comments "were by no means the worst that were passed [at the awards ceremony]". Adam Scott's caddie said: "There was a lot of profanity and a lot of other kind of remarks but just because I made comments about my former employer, it gets blown way out of proportion.

"I wasn't the first person up on stage, having listened to some of the profanity that was used, and then to the HSBC spokesperson, who got up and made a speech. To listen to some of his comments which were very funny but way worse than mine."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/nov/08/tiger-woods-steve-williams-racist-remarks?newsfeed=true

[♠Dirty Harry♠]

I think how a person reacts to this comment is the way they interpret what Williams has said.

"Shove it right up that black asshole", I take what he said more literally, if that's possible, with Williams saying he he wants to shove it up Woods asshole, which happens to be black.

Obviously though, if people take what Williams said and feel that the use of the word asshole is to characterise Woods as a person, then it does become a racist comment.

I think that's the problem though, I can see now from others comments that the inherent ambiguity of the statement could mean either, but the press are always going to jump at the most controversial connotation of what he said.

It was a silly thing to say given he should know better how the world functions.

[Cassiel]

See what I did there?

Make a fool of yourself?

Anyway, looks like Woods has met with him, accepted an apology, said it was hurtful denied Williams was racist (but not whether what he said was racist) and said he'll move on, and so should we. After reading, with some disbelief, that Williams seems to think someone telling a few blue gags at a dinner is on a par with racial abuse, let's just agree that he's an utter twat of the highest order but is very good at carrying leather bags with sticks in.