Morrissey Sparks Criticism Over Racial Chinese As Subspecies Comment
Written by Vegetarian Star on September 3rd, 2010 in Animal Issues, Male Singers.
Morrissey has sparked controversy again, this time being accused of making racially inappropriate statements describing Chinese treatment of animals in circuses and zoos.
During an interview with Simon Armitage, Morrissey said, “Did you see the thing on the news about their treatment of animals and animal welfare? Absolutely horrific. You can’t help but feel that the Chinese are a subspecies.”
A spokesperson for Love Music Hate Racism called Morrissey’s statements “just crude racism” and wants the singer to rescind his comments.
“When you start using language like ‘subspecies’, you are entering into dark and murky water,” Martin Smith from Love Music said.
Armitage insisted that the statements were just, well, Morrissey being himself.
“He’s provocative and theatrical, and it was one of dozens of dramatic pronouncements. I’m not an apologist for that kind of remark, and couldn’t ignore it. But clearly, when it comes to animal rights and animal welfare, he’s absolutely unshakable in his beliefs. In his view, if you treat an animal badly, you are less than human. I think that was his point.”
Morrissey has clarified his position a little.
“If anyone has seen the horrific and unwatchable footage of the Chinese cat and dog trade – animals skinned alive – then they could not possibly argue in favour of China as a caring nation. There are no animal protection laws in China and this results in the worst animal abuse and cruelty on the planet. It is indefensible.”
Perhaps, instead of name calling, a passion could be ignited to educate cultures with less than ideal animal welfare practices.
Photo: PR Photos
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September 3rd, 2010 at 4:19 pm
“Perhaps, instead of name calling, a passion could be ignited to educate cultures with less than ideal animal welfare practices.”
Cultures with less than ideal animal welfare practices? Like the U.S.?
It’s not just about name-calling. It’s also about cultural imperialism and realizing that Americans are not superior. Instead of “educating” China, why don’t we educate ourselves first?
September 4th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
Vegetarianism was once very strong in China and thereabouts.
There are lots of very nice Chinese people.
Not the ones who skin animals alive, though.
Good old Moz. 🙂
September 5th, 2010 at 11:20 am
What he is doing is quite subtle, “you can’t help but FEEL they are a sub-species”. He is admitting to having racist feelings, not something many are willing to do but most probably feel at some time or another, and when confronted with such cruelty as that which he described it is understandable that his emotional reaction may have been quite base. he chose to articulate that emotional response in order to highlight the seriousness of the issue.
Sometimes a shock is necessary to bring an issue to the fore.
I am not a Morrissey fanatic by the way, that’s just my response to the quote. I wonder why the interviewer didn’t ask for further clarification during the interview.