British comedian Stephen K. Amos is sorry that he’s unleashed such a torrent of bad press for Prince Harry. Amos has taken to the media in an attempt to calm people down, even though it was Amos himself who revealed Harry’s comment “You don’t sound like a black chap” to the public.
Yesterday it was announced that Prince Harry has been ordered by his military command to attend sensitivity training. Add to this the public outrage, and we can only hope that perhaps Harry has learned his lesson about ever referring to someone’s race or ethnicity, even if it’s a compliment.
In some ways Amos is just reiterating his previous statements that Harry really didn’t mean his comment in a vicious or nasty way. Then Amos goes one further by joking that if the public storm continues, Amos will lose his chance at ever receiving an OBE (Order of the British Empire). The Daily Mirror has more:
The comic in the latest Prince Harry race row begged for calm yesterday.
There was public outrage when Stephen K Amos revealed Prince Harry told him he didn’t “sound like a black chap”.
But Amos joked: “I’d like to appeal for calm as the future is ruining my chances of an [Order of the British Empire].”
He said Harry’s comments at Prince Charles’ 60th birthday concert were “taken out of context”, saying: “I do not believe Prince Harry was racist to me.”
But Naomi Byron, of Youth Against Racism, said: “Many young people will be disgusted.”
Harry is going on an Army equality course after calling a colleague “our little Paki friend”.
From The Daily Mirror
The British Celebitches can correct me, but I believe the OBE is the lowest civilian honor in Great Britain. It’s not like being knighted, it’s just a little medal. No disrespect to the recipients of the OBE, but it’s not a huge deal, right? Amos should hold out for a knighthood!
Off-topic, I know, but in the 1960s, the Queen gave every member of The Beatles an OBE. John Lennon later sent his back, and I saw on a documentary series about The Royals that the palace still keeps Lennon’s OBE in a vault with a little tag that says “returned”, which is kind of extraordinary. I wonder how much a rich fan would pay for it.
Stephen Amos is shown on 12/6/08. Credit: WENN Prince Harry is shown on 6/25/08. Credit: PRPhotos
Amos is just having a little joke.
The MBE is slightly lower in order than the OBE – very little difference between MBE and OBE recipients in the non-military world. Just posting this cos it’s funny:
The OBE is a ‘blinged up’ version of the MBE in gold… plate. In the military world the OBE carries considerably more kudos than its lesser counterpart and you really have to do some serious fellatio to be considered for one. The awards within the Civil Division of the order are generally viewed as worthless, being conferred with gay abandon twice a year on anyone who’s either kicked a ball, done a bit of running & jumping or banged enough arse in the arts and music ‘industry’. Who gets what is determined on how many lollipops have been held aloft, balls kicked, distance ran and semen dispensed.
Thanks, G. So the same kinds of people receive the Member of the Brit. Empire and the OBE? Artists, sportsmen, etc? Do you get the MBE before the OBE?
Tut tut Kaiser – are you SURE you don’t write for one of those red-top tabloids like The Sun or News of the World (although you’d have had to have used the words “cad” “blasted” and “bu$ty” at least 5 times per paragraph)… a more accurate title would be Stephen Amos jokes Prince Harry etc. Silly headline grabbing sausage! (yeah, I said it!)
And yes, getting an honour can be a very big deal for some. I know some people who will use the CBE or especially the OBE in their title. It looks silly when they come to Ireland, (not looking at anyone in particular… Bob Geldof) but it’s on their letterhead and it had better be after their name in programmes.
Has Amos ever been in the running for an MBE/OBE? I know some Queens can be bitchy but I don’t think this would hurt his chances if he had one previously. Besides it’s not the first time Prince Harry’s put his foot in it and it won’t be the last. Still as a kiwi I use (or used) Paki as short for Pakistani, just like Aussie is short for Australian, before Harry I hadn’t heard it was considered derogatory and certainly don’t mean it as such.
K – this is the order:
Knight Grand Cross (GBE) or Dame Grand Cross (GBE)
Knight Commander (KBE) or Dame Commander (DBE)
Commander (CBE)
Officer (OBE)
Member (MBE)
My links always get eaten so here’s a quick guide to who is likely to get what:
OBE awarded for:
* a distinguished regional or country-wide role in any field;
* through achievement or service to the community;
* including notable practitioners known nationally.
MBE awarded for:
* achievement or service in and to the community of a responsible kind which is outstanding in its field; or
* very local ‘hands-on’ service which stands out as an example to others.
Huh. So if Amos got a MBE instead of a OBE, he might be insulted because he thought he would have been up for a “bigger” prize, the OBE? You Brits are so weird. *tsk, tsk*
I agree, Amos is joking. But a good joke comes from a place of truth, and he might be a *little* worried that he won’t be a fave of the royals after he’s Harry admission. God knows.
*his* Harry admission. ZOMG UNDILTED.
Au contraire, Amos is quite a well known and respected gay activist and has done a number of significant things on homophobia within black communities. He’s also performed benefits for the Princes Trust, Charles’ most treasured baby, so it’s not entirely unlikely that he might be up for one at some point in the future. Charles might be so mortified (and undilted) over this that he’ll rush out and recommend him for one!
BTW Geronimo and Kaiser – Stephen K Amos is also a regular and LOVED visitor to Australia. I remember this one story he told about meeting Prince Philip backstage – simply hilarious. I love that this story is gathering momentum. GO STEPHEN!
Oh, and not to be a pedant, but the third line – “Amos joked: “I’d like to appeal for calm as the future is ruining my chances of an [Order of the British Empire]” – should read “furore” not “future”.
The simple fact that Amos and The Undilted Charles are so tight might be the reason the Queen would balk, right?
I had no idea who Amos was before this “furore” – he sounds like a cool guy!
@Feebee: The term “paki” is offensive because it is generally applied to all south asians, regardless of whether they are Pakistani or not. Of course, the ignorant types use it with contempt.
Mairead – the reason Bob Geldof uses KBE in Irish situations is because he cannot actually use the ‘Sir’, not being a British/Commonwealth citizen. I don’t see the issue with him using it – he earned it, and if he didn’t want it, he could have refused it.
After all, when royalty visit other countries, they still use their titles – why not Bob Geldof KBE ?
Is anyone aware that GEORGE W. BUSH used the term “Paki,” at some conference when talking about Pakistanis, not realizing it was considered an insulting term? (yes, he is just that stupid)….I’m surprised with all this hullabahoo about a racist prince (and does it really matter anyway? I think most people from the UK realize the royals just are rich inbreds with no real power or purpose), no one has mentioned that a REAL leader used the same term. I’m not sure where/when, though. Viva USA!
ps-what is “undilted”??
Not being English, I have no appreciation for the “royal” family. I don’t think these people represent anything except a class system that is falling into irrelavence, and a lifestyle that is out of touch with the general population.
The sense of entitlement that makes them–especially young Harry–oblivious to his own ignorance and stupidity is sort of nauseating.
Being royal is more than just being rich and a celebrity. It involves a great deal of privilege in terms of how they live and are treated.
With privilege comes responsibility, particularly to the country they represent at all times.
Harry strikes me as an arrogant, selfish, self-absorbed little snot. People have admired him going off to war, but that’s what HE wanted, wasn’t it? (causing all kinds of security problems that cost the taxpayer all kinds of money). Time after time, the stupid, thoughtless, selfish behaviour of this young man makes headlines.
Sensitivity training–bah!
Maybe they should cut off his allowance and he might smarten up a little.