Ed Wight's Column

Watch out. President Obama is coming to Poland. Prepare for Wojewodzki to translate (in his appalling English) that Michelle didn't come with him because he's eaten her or because, what with Obama being a Muslim and everything, Michelle is at home covering her face so we can't see her in Poland. Wojewodzki is an idiot - but that's what he gets paid for. What is surprising is that there is clearly no appetite amongst the bosses at TVN to address this. Very saddening.

Sean Davis - Sopot
22nd March, 2011 - 9:56 am

Allowing racists to get away with this kind of appalling behaviour paints a poor picture of Poland and Polish society as not worthy of sitting alongside cultured civilised countries.

Perhaps Sikorski and Kaczynski have forgotten what another supremacist ideology did to Poland just over 70 years ago. Being a half wit, I wouldn't expect Wojewodzki to know anything, other than a smattering of barely intelligible English.

Sikorski and Kaczynski are unworthy of public office. Wojewodzki is a talent less knuckle dragger. TVN's lack of standards they should be truly ashamed of but clearly are not.

Well done to NPE for showing the ugly side of Polish "culture".

Leszek K - Lodz
22nd March, 2011 - 10:25 am

Thank ou for writing this editorial. it certainly merited the attention you have given it as TVN's and the public's general silence about the issue is testimony to what is deemed as acceptable racism amongst many Poles. I used your piece in many of my English classes this week, and though 95% of my students laughed at his comments, with a little discussion it was clearly apparent they see KW as a joke himself. They are all wel aware he frequently stoops to the lowest denominator to draw attention to himself. Here is the comment I left on Wojewodzki's Facebook wall. Needless to say it was immediately deleted, despite my constant attempts to keep it up there.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4221334&id=705877242&subject=121986454504912&ref=mf#!/photo.php?fbid=10150127232992243&set=a.497733872242.274908.705877242&theater

Damien Moran - Ireland
25th March, 2011 - 10:24 pm

Excellent efforts by NPE to address the racism that is highlighted in this article. I would suggest writing to those firms advertising on the TVN channel informing them that you will be boycotting their products whilst TVN continues to give free rein to racists on its programming. Its the only language these poeople respond to. That which hits them in their pockets. Once more keep up the great work NPE and lets have these racists made accountable.

Marek Wisniewski - Glogow
28th March, 2011 - 11:13 am

Dear Ed,

I have only just read the editorial from a couple of weeks ago.

Had to check out for myself the 'X Factor' clip mentioned just to believe it. The linked clip has been removed, but a quick search can uncover it. I was aghast at what I saw, despite knowing what was coming up. Hard to believe Wojewodzki's moronic, bigotted comments in such a public forum. A few weeks back you will remember two British SKY football reporters losing their jobs over sexist comments about a lineswoman (one sacked, one did the decent thing). They did not know what they were saying was being transmitted live. Wojewodzki made his comments presumably in the full knowledge they were going to be heard by millions. The lack of apology from Wojewodzki and sanctioning of him by his TVN bosses is depressing.

I'd recommend also carrying on watching the clip to the point where they are about to vote. The female member of the jury, with no trace of irony, says: 'I want to say one thing. It's fantastic that a person with a different colour skin comes out (onto the stage) and the public goes crazy. It really pleases me that Poland is changing." Sadly not, if you have to mention skin colour - and doubly so if a 'leading' tv personality can come out with such insulting 'witticisms' about cannibalism. Well done to the 2 people who commented on YouTube about Wojewodzki's comments being unacceptable.

Wojewodzki appeared a while back (may have been on 'Mam Talent'?) sporting a t-shirt emblazoned clearly with the 'F' word throughout the show. Very edgy, I'm sure, and a great example to (my) young children who actually quite like watching these shows (early signs of masochism!). Nearly as tasteful and stylish as Doda being lowered onto the stage on New Year's Eve belting out some song in English in which the ever-so-festive and fun 'F' word was again very much in evidence. Maybe I am being sensitive about the English language, but I do rather resent it being hijacked in this way. I wonder how long I would last strolling down Krakowskie Przedmiejscie at the weekend sporting a t-shirt with a few choice Polish phrases?

All in all, sad that good taste is sacrificed by some who wish, I presume, to appear 'cool'. Not that it is my job, apologies to Mr Egwu and all other victims of insensitivity and intolerance. However, at the end of the day this says far more about the perpetrators. Perhaps Wojewodzki has a knack for the smart Alec comments - I'm just wondering how comfortable he would feel being made to feel stupid, and racially insulted, in front of millions of people in a language he doesn't understand?

Jeremy, Warsaw

Jeremy - warsaw
30th March, 2011 - 9:51 am