Jeremy Clarkson insults Mexicans

[HighestOfHigh]

Another month, another nationality insulted by the Top Gear presenters. James May, Richard Hammond and Jeremy Clarkson have hopped into hot water with the Mexican government over comments that the trio made on a recent show. While discussing Mexico's Mastretta MXT sports car, Hammond said:

"Mexican cars are just going to be lazy, feckless, flatulent, overweight, leaning against a fence asleep looking at a cactus with a blanket with a hole in the middle on as a coat."

To make matters worse, Clarkson joked that the BBC wouldn't receive any complaints from the Mexican ambassador because he would likely be asleep. He was not.

The ambassador reportedly sent a letter to the BBC saying that the presenters had used vulgar and bigoted language to describe the people of his country and that the remarks were both xenophobic and humiliating. So far, the BBC hasn't commented on the situation.

- Video: Top Gear riles Mexico with comments, elicits response

 

[ateekt]

That is not the first time that juggler is being racist & I sure hate him for that particular reason! No, he is not being funny with such things!

 

[HighestOfHigh]

The fact this his face is as big as a Large bag of chips should stop him from talking about people.

But like I said all the time, he is an ignorant cocky jerk that needs to be put in his place. Anything he says about cars is completely void to me.

 

[Centurion]

*Yawn* Tell me something new. Clarksson has insulted Royalty, Prime ministers, religions, your neighbours cat and what else? Top Gear and controversy goes hand in hand.

 

[Kowalski]

One complaint from one Mexican. That's impressive.

I guess not all Mexicans are likely to be asleep.

 

[LaArtist]

Meh.. Its just jokes.. Who cares..

 

[bum-man]

The ambassador had every right to complain, but personally I don't even feel this is newsworthy. I feel Clarkson may have gone a little too far with the joke. But definitely I think the world has become far too sensitive and P.C. on these subjects, it's almost nauseating to me. Ultimately it was a joke, meaning it shouldn't be taken seriously. Perhaps Clarkson should have posted it here and put a smiley face at the end so it's obvious.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

The ambassador had every right to complain, but personally I don't even feel this is newsworthy. I feel Clarkson may have gone a little too far with the joke. But definitely I think the world has become far too sensitive and P.C. on these subjects, it's almost nauseating to me. Ultimately it was a joke, meaning it shouldn't be taken seriously. Perhaps Clarkson should have posted it here and put a smiley face at the end so it's obvious.

You know everything is sensitive now. If someone even mentions speeding in this forum there is a certain person here who gets highly upset and begins to curse and insult the person.

Still Jeremy needs to do what his is paid to do and talk about cars. Joking about a person is one thing, but insulting a race is unexceptable.

 

[Mr Robert]

Why are there never any formal complaints every time someone makes fun of swedes or Sweden?

 

[dalab]

James May in a chapter said, the French people do not make good cars because they are all communist peasants, and made me laugh a lot,
Is a program or comedy show, with the characteristic english humor, it should be open-minded to understand and enjoy,
It is true that sometimes they are extreme, but that is precisely what makes it great, million people see it and it is because of the irreverence, is not an issue of racism or anything, just a bit of black or hard humor.
I'm not English or American, I'm from South America speak Spanish, and not just think that does not offend, but very funny.

dalab uy.

 

[MikeJ]

Why are there never any formal complaints every time someone makes fun of swedes or Sweden?

I thought making fun of Swedes was our job.

 

[Mr Robert]

I thought making fun of Swedes was our job.

Haha, figures ;-)

 

[modena_360stradale]

The fact this his face is as big as a Large bag of chips should stop him from talking about people.

But like I said all the time, he is an ignorant cocky jerk that needs to be put in his place. Anything he says about cars is completely void to me.

He can be over the top and offensive, but he's never exclusive in his insults. Why is it that when he makes fun of religions, the French or overweight "redneck" Americans people respond with laughs, but any mention of an "ethnic" country is met with immediate backlash?

I haven't seen the episode but I'm willing to bet, based on Clarkson's past remarks, that he was making fun of Mexicans insofar as they're "Mexican": that is, as residents of a country, not as a race. Just as he does to Americans, Germans, etc.

Simply because the majority of Mexicans happen to also be a separate ethnic group doesn't mean an insult to one (Mexican) is directed at the other (race).

But I may be wrong.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

He can be over the top and offensive, but he's never exclusive in his insults. Why is it that when he makes fun of religions, the French or overweight "redneck" Americans people respond with laughs, but any mention of an "ethnic" country is met with immediate backlash?

I haven't seen the episode but I'm willing to bet, based on Clarkson's past remarks, that he was making fun of Mexicans insofar as they're "Mexican": that is, as residents of a country, not as a race. Just as he does to Americans, Germans, etc.

Simply because the majority of Mexicans happen to also be a separate ethnic group doesn't mean an insult at one (Mexican) is directed at the other (race).

But I may be wrong.

A better question would be, why is is exceptable for Jeremy to be disrespectful?

Just because he has a show about cars, he should be allowed to be disrespectful?

 

[coolraoul]

This is a comedy show, and nothing they say is to be taken seriously. Be it their comments about cars, society, races, religion or what else.

I am not shocked by his comments about French, despite me being French. I watch the show precisely for these excessive, colourful, funny statements of them.

 

[Beemer B773ER]

A better question would be, why is is exceptable for Jeremy to be disrespectful?

Just because he has a show about cars, he should be allowed to be disrespectful?

I guess an even better question would be: What is the difference between a joke and a statement?

Joke: Not meant to be taken seriously, even if it is making fun of someone/something.

Statement: An opinion or fact communicated in an honest manner, and therefore meant to be taken seriously. If it is criticizing someone/something then it can be deemed as disrespectful.

That's all there is to it... it's a joke. Laugh at it.. or look past it. Don't live on it.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Lol...Amazing!

You all make sure you keep that sense of humor with everything else.

 

[Gullwing]

Why doesn't Mexico do well in the Olympics?
Because all the ones that can swim, jump and run are in the US.
When 10% of the people employed in your state are here ilegally then that seems true.

Should I get pissed when Jeremy talks about how all Americans are fat? I am 6 foot and 140 pounds.
I don't care what the hell is said on Top Gear, is it said to be mean or funny?
98% or so it is funny.

 

[Sunny]

You know everything is sensitive now. If someone even mentions speeding in this forum there is a certain person here who gets highly upset and begins to curse and insult the person.

Still Jeremy needs to do what his is paid to do and talk about cars. Joking about a person is one thing, but insulting a race is unexceptable.

Speeding kills, jokes don't.

And as for Jeremy, he is doing what he is paid to - get viewership. If it means talking about his mom's clitoris, he will probably do that too.

 

[Padi]

Why are there never any formal complaints every time someone makes fun of swedes or Sweden?

Damn we Finns would get many, or not me but the rest..