As a South African in a bi cultural marriage living in the multi cultural community of la Herradura/ Almuñecar I found Martins article about the German paraglider offensive. (Almuñecar echoes December 2013)
Why am I constantly disappointed by the English communities cultural insensitivity? To refer to to the German paraglider as a German paraglider would have been totally adequate, but to call him a ” downed blighter” is unnecessary.
If that wasn’t bad enough, Martins feeble attempt at humour…. I quote “….interrogated and then sent to prisoner of war camp for captured airmen. Argh, what idiot mentioned ze var?”
Language like this is inappropriate, insensitive and racist.
In Martins quick attempt at humour, he forgets that the majority of the German community here speak very good English, and are quite capable of reading the Seaside Gazette in English, and do. I wonder how many of the English community can read a German publication?
I think that an apology to the Almuñecar German community in the next Seaside Gazette would be appropriate.
Disappointed reader.
Patrick Wight
Maybe a little insensitive Martin but your article made me smile! Hope the paraglider (won’t mention his nationality) is recovering from his accident. ‘someone’ seems to be lacking a sense of humour & it’s not you!
Always a delight to be lectured on cultural sensitivity by a South African – especially one who chooses not to live there.