Comments for Voicing 'Everybody'

Comment by Cardinal Fang

Cardinal Fang — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:07:58 +0000

Cardinal Fang said:

I would like to add my objection to George Lamb's association with Amnesty's good work. I know you dont have to have a huge IQ to know what is wrong and what is right, but he has on more on one ocassion dissed minorities, his attitude to women can only be described as 'old school'. I think the apologies he has to dish out after the fact are wearing a little thin. He will become your very own Naomi Campbell...who started wearing fur after appearing on a PETA campaign.

I do think you should look at this issue. I applaud celebrities lending their name to serious issues, but on this ocassion - you should show them a lesson, that lending your name to serious causes should mean you actually believe in what you preach.

Comment by Ian Middleton

Ian Middleton — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 02:59:09 +0000

Ian Middleton said:

Fiona - Absolutley they do! Of course. I'm sure you didn't know what sort of views George held when you employed him for this job. Its not an attitude you would expect from someone in the 21st century, so how could you know.

Obviously its too late to remove him from the soundtrack of the video but I think it would be worth considering taking his name off the site. His contribution isn't exactly prominent so I'm sure it'll go unnoticed otherwise.

I for one don't want Amnesty's name dragged into any possible bad publicity his comments may attract in the future. Obviously its your decision though and I appreciate it may not be as simple as that. Just thought you should be aware.

Comment by fionamc

fionamc — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 18:15:58 +0000

fionamc said:

To clarify, Amnesty International condemns all forms of racism and discrimination whenever they take place and in whatever form.

Comment by Ian Middleton

Ian Middleton — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 13:51:55 +0000

Ian Middleton said:

This is a great website that I'm ashamed to say I've never looked at before, even though I've been a member of Amnesty for something like 20 years.

Sadly what prompted me to look at it on this occasion was the news that you are reported to have George Lamb as one of your supporters. As has already been pointed out in other comments I would be very surprised if Mr Lamb has any concept of what he is supposed to be supporting with this campaign.

If he had, his recent racist comments about the travelling community would never have been made. As we all know the Roma have been persecuted down the ages, and by effectively describing them as toxic waste to thousands of listeners on his recent radio show, George Lamb has just added fuel to the fire.

If this video is supposed to promote inclusivity and gain new supporters that is to some extent going to be undermined by including Mr Lamb’s name. If he’s to continue, I’m sure he’d gain from someone at Amnesty pointing out to him that he needs a fundamental rethink of his casual use of racial slurs as appropriate material for his radio show. Until then I think seeing his name here will leave a bitter taste in the mouth.

Comment by matt.whitby

matt.whitby — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 09:57:26 +0000

matt.whitby said:

Having someone George Lamb voice the campaign would seem an odd choice bearing in mind his horribly bigoted comments. Trying to incite hatred towards other human beings would seem counter to what you're trying to achieve.

Comment by domster

domster — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 21:41:58 +0000

domster said:

Are you aware of George Lamb's recent comments equating travellers with industrial waste? ("Travellers is like asbestos, basically."). He's not known for his progressive attitude towards women, either. A bad choice for voicing a film on human rights, I think.

Comment by Fist_of_onan

Fist_of_onan — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 21:41:36 +0000

Fist_of_onan said:

Are you aware that this week, on his 6music show, George Lamb said, whist referring to Travelling People:

"...you ain't moving travellers off basically. Travellers is like asbestos basically. The whole gaff is getting condemned"

He later qualified his racist comments by saying: "When I equated travellers to asbestos, what I was saying was that once it's there it's quite hard to get rid of. Not that they're contaminated in any way - cause any respiratory problems down the line"

Perhaps when you are seeking celebrity champions of your cause, you should select ones that do not believe ethnic groups are toxic waste that should be "got rid of".

Comment by chrischris

chrischris — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 01:27:42 +0000

chrischris said:

I've got a copy of tis book and its so lovely - if you have anyone you want buy for thats 8 or younger, I think it is a realy nice present. It inspires amuses and entertains. The illustrations are grat and it starts that convesation about human rights

Comment by damianrafferty

damianrafferty — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:07:54 +0100

damianrafferty said:

Everybody, which is part animated, part live action, is based on seven illustrations from the children’s picture book, We Are All Born Free, published this month by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books. Julian Rhind-Tutt, best known for his starring role as Dr ‘Mac’ MacCartney in television comedy television series, Green Wing, plays the lead character in Everybody. The voiceovers to accompany the animation are provided by Emilia Fox, Jeremy Irons, Lindsay Duncan, Navin Chowdry, Jason Flemyng and George and Larry Lamb who have generously given their time to support the project.