Australia clamps down on racism, but says 'pom bashing' is OK

[The Large One]

Cricketing authorities in Australia have announced a new zero-tolerance policy towards racism in the stands. They have threatened offenders with lifetime bans from their grounds. But Cricket Australia has said that the term "pom" can still be used against the English, who arrive in Australia to defend the Ashes in November.

Like cricket itself, "pom bashing" is something of a national sport - performed with particularly vehement enthusiasm when the Ashes are at stake. In formulating its new zero-tolerance policy towards racism, Cricket Australia consulted no less a body than the country's Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission. But after careful consideration, the commission ruled that the word "pom" - a term thought by many to have originated from the phrase "prisoner of his majesty" - was still permissible.

The body did, however, make a fine linguistic distinction, noting that pom was not hurtful when used in isolation, but possibly racist and humiliating when uttered in conjunction with other coarse language. Asked whether fans would be evicted for using such insulting combinations, Cricket Australia offered a stout forward defensive, suggesting the question was merely hypothetical.

 

[Brovion]

Are we still allowed to call them LOMHOCs? (LOud-Mouthed, HOmophobic Convicts)

Just editing to say Tedebear is obviously excused from this. As is Nicole Kidman.

 

[Kylies Stunt Arse]

[sweeping generalisation] I don't think it would matter what we called them, they wouldn't understand anyway what with them all being thick as pig shit. [/sweeping generalisation]

 

[Seagull Stew]

I was at a party once full of antipodeans when a rather drunk Australian fella came up to me and asked "So, do you poms get offended when we call you poms?"

To which I replied, "You're Australian. How could I possibly be offended by you?"

 

[Brovion]

Again Tedebear don't read this .....

I think we could paraphrase that American edition of the Office when he's doing that racial awareness class with the Mexican:

"Is there anything you prefer to be called other than Australian? Something less offensive?"

 

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

If POM stands for Prisoner Of his Majesty, then why are WE called pom's and not the AUSTRALIANS?!

 

[Albion Dan]

If POM stands for Prisoner Of his Majesty, then why are WE called pom's and not the AUSTRALIANS?!

Because they are retarded?

 

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

Because they are retarded?

Ah, that would explain it. Thanks.

 

[Kylies Stunt Arse]

As I explained to many Australians in the past POM actually stands for Perfection Of Man.

 

[tedebear]

If POM stands for Prisoner Of his Majesty, then why are WE called pom's and not the AUSTRALIANS?!

POM Stands for Prisoner of Mother england!

and I have politely ignored all sweeping incorrect generalisations in this thread

 

[Stumpy Tim]

I read that Sean Tait was shouting his mouth off in the Sydney Morning Herald saying he was going to put English blood on the wicket during the Ashes. Made me laugh - the same Tait that the english lads slapped all round the ground last time he played. With Tait playing England will be laughing!

 

[A Melbourne Albion Supporter]

I've lived in OZ since I was 7. Nothing sticks with me longer than the years and years of shit and abuse I got from my fellow "white" countryman because I was a Pom and spoke differently.

You can't abuse, Jews, Asians, Aborigines, etc, but it is and always will be OK to abuse a POM in this country.

 

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

POM Stands for Prisoner of Mother england!

and I have politely ignored all sweeping incorrect generalisations in this thread

But now I'm more confused What does prisoner of mother England mean?

 

[watsongooal]

They just said on the Radio it was Prisoner of her majesty

 

[thedonkeycentrehalf]

Five Live phone in this morning had a link up with a radio station from Perth (Australia, not Scotland!). One of the funniest bits of radio I've listened too in a long time - Aussies talking about bastards, wogs, swogs (whatever they are)and various other racist names that would never normally get aired on the BBC. Totally politically incorrect but very entertaining to listen to if a little cringeworthy.

Their reasoning was that it is all in the tone which it is said with rather than the words themselves. An interesting take on racism which I'm not sure would be accepted in most places.