Letter: 'Hun' is an offensive three-letter word

I am sure in the warped mind of the creator of this cartoon, it was intended as humorous. I find it extremely offensive, bigoted and also a possible breach of Scotland's anti-sectarian laws.

In October 2008 Celtic fan Michael Devlin was convicted of religiously aggravated breach of the peace for wearing a T-shirt which bore a derogatory expression containing the word "hun".

This is a term which is regarded by most as an offensive term for Protestant or Church of Scotland members. Anti-sectarian charity Nil by Mouth has clearly stated on a number of occasions that this term is regarded as sectarian and generally the polar opposite of the expression fenian.

I'm sure The Scotsman would never dream of printing a cartoon which contained the word "fenian".

This cartoon clearly perpetuates the belief that there is one rule for one group and another rule for everyone else. The fact that it made it past the editorial stage suggests that this wasn't an error of judgment on the behalf of one individual.

Andrew Sheppard

Glendevon Park

Winchburg, West Lothian

There is simply no excuse for allowing offensive sectarian terms to appear in your newspaper, even if the cartoon it appears in is as funny as a rat in your fridge.

The word "hun" is a term of sectarian abuse aimed at Protestants, judged to be sectarian by Sheriff Iain Peebles in October 2008 at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

Only an idiot is unaware Rangers fans find the term grossly offensive.

If sectarianism, prejudice and bigotry are to be tackled, surely it must involve all sections of the community, even those who the cartoonist has such an obvious contempt for?

Stephen Smith

Rangers Supporters' Trust

Alcester Road

Redditch, Worcester

I wish to complain in the strongest terms regarding the cartoon in Thursday's issue, referring to Rangers supporters as "huns".

I am a Rangers fan and object most strongly as this is a sectarian word, as has been proved in a court of law. You would not use the word "fenian" in the same manner. Please apologise.

John Millar

Talla Road

Glasgow

I have noticed in recent years your paper's less than subtle digs at the Protestant faith in Scotland. Thursday was the final straw. May I remind you that the term "hun" is sectarian and I am totally sick of being referred to in this manner.

My forefathers died in northern France fighting the "hun".I am disgusted by your offensive, pathetic attempt at humour.

John Geddes

Lochlea Road

Glasgow

I find this cartoon, and I use the word loosely, totally unacceptable in what is supposed to be a quality newspaper.

How can anyone in their right mind think that a cartoon about a major participant in the Catholic Church's child abuse scandal, depicting him in a Rangers FC scarf and using sectarian abuse towards Rangers fans is funny?

Only in the sad world of this bigotted cartoonist's mind could this even be misconstrued as comical.

Scot Beattie

Hoeylees Drive

Tweedbank, Galashiels

I WRITE in utter disgust and horror that a paper of such repute and tradition would sink to the gutter of modern day Scotland by using sectarian slurs against Rangers fans to appeal to its readership.

Your cartoon depicting a Pope "bringing Scotland's faiths together" quite clearly promotes sectarian and hate speak by using the term "hun" as a derogatory manner in which to describe Scottish Protestants.

May I ask, who, in their obviously extremely limited wisdom, deemed it acceptable to pollute your newspaper with such bile?

This is a matter which has aroused much angst and hurt over recent years and media vehicles such as yourselves should know better than most the power and effect of mere words.

John Wilson

Handsworth Road

Sheffield

EDITOR'S RESPONSE

Editor-in-chief John McLellan writes: "At risk of now alienating Celtic supporters, I was brought up in Glasgow supporting Rangers and, unlike the letter writers, I have never found the term 'Hun' offensive. I've lost count of the number of times I've been called it and I've never taken it as anything other than gentle ribbing. Celtic supporters I know find no offence in being called a 'Tim'.

"All that being said, we have obviously underestimated the sensitivity ofthis particular word to some and apologise for the offence caused. But perhaps it is a mark of the distance Scotland still has to travel when football nicknames whose origin is almost lost in the mists of time can still arouse such passions."