Friday, February 13, 2009
Whose idea of equality is that?
The funniest news this week is that Prince Harry, third in line to the British throne, is to be sent on an “equality course”.
Have they really thought this through? This is a young man who stands to inherit a position of political power over millions of us, just because of whose son he happens to be. Not to mention wealth beyond the dreams of a Russian oligarch. All for simply outliving his dad and older brother. And you thought bankers got money for nothing.
This latest gesture follows the revelation by well-spoken comedian Stephen K. Amos that the ginger Prince made an ill-advised attempt at humour and told him "You don't sound like a black chap". But it's the army who'll be teaching Harry about equality. "Remember, Lieutenant Wales, we respect people of all cultures and nationalities. It's okay to shoot them, but don't call them names."
Of course, it’s a sign of the royal family’s weakness that he's going on an equality course. If their ancestors had been so squeamish about the unfairness of life, the Restoration of Charles II would never have happened, and we’d still be living in a republic. Instead, we have a system where the head of state is chosen according to gender (girls only get the throne when there’s no boy to hand) religion (no Catholics) and family connections (er… they have to be royal. And British).
In theory, that’s all for the tourists and we live in a democracy. But we are still “subjects” and not “citizens”. And that’s one use of words that I do find quite offensive.
Have they really thought this through? This is a young man who stands to inherit a position of political power over millions of us, just because of whose son he happens to be. Not to mention wealth beyond the dreams of a Russian oligarch. All for simply outliving his dad and older brother. And you thought bankers got money for nothing.
This latest gesture follows the revelation by well-spoken comedian Stephen K. Amos that the ginger Prince made an ill-advised attempt at humour and told him "You don't sound like a black chap". But it's the army who'll be teaching Harry about equality. "Remember, Lieutenant Wales, we respect people of all cultures and nationalities. It's okay to shoot them, but don't call them names."
Of course, it’s a sign of the royal family’s weakness that he's going on an equality course. If their ancestors had been so squeamish about the unfairness of life, the Restoration of Charles II would never have happened, and we’d still be living in a republic. Instead, we have a system where the head of state is chosen according to gender (girls only get the throne when there’s no boy to hand) religion (no Catholics) and family connections (er… they have to be royal. And British).
In theory, that’s all for the tourists and we live in a democracy. But we are still “subjects” and not “citizens”. And that’s one use of words that I do find quite offensive.
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