Are you racist, homophobic or anti-semitic when you’re drunk?

Since the video of his anti-semitic slurs went viral (we posted it here where you can see the video), the second most influential man in the entire fashion industry (after only Karl Lagerfeld) has been sacked by his bosses at fashion house Christian Dior.

The reaction from his fashion colleagues and from others has been…..interesting. If by ‘interesting’, you mean pretty pathetic.

Apart from Oscar winner Natalie Portman, the face of Dior perfume, who released this statement:

“I am deeply shocked and disgusted by the video of John Galliano’s comments that surfaced today. In light of this video, and as an individual who is proud to be Jewish, I will not be associated with Mr. Galliano in any way. I hope at the very least, these terrible comments remind us to reflect and act upon combating these still-existing prejudices that are the opposite of all that is beautiful.”

International publishing executive and Cosmo editor Vanessa Raphaely has this coverage on her blog Hurricane Vanessa:

“As the news of John Galliano’s firing for anti-Semitic comments hit whatever passes for wires, these days, his colleagues in the industry commented.

As you would expect.

I’m not sure I expected these kind of comments though:

Stefano Gabbana (via twitter) “I’m so sorry for John Galliano!!!”

Roberto Cavalli: “I don’t believe [it]. Because I know John since many years, he’s such a wonderful person. I can’t believe that he makes some racist [comments] toward somebody, because he’s so international . . . I think that somebody wants to try to be bad with him. I think la Maison Dior should make [for] him [a] big red carpet because he helped Maison Dior to be what it is today. I don’t want to judge anybody, but I love John and John, I am with you.”

Sex and The City’s Patricia Field: “”People in fashion all they do is go and see John Galliano theater every season. That’s what he gives them. To me, this was the same except it wasn’t in a theater or in a movie. John lives in theater. It’s theater. It’s farce. But people in fashion don’t recognize the farce in it. All of a sudden they don’t know him. But it’s OK when it’s Mel Brooks The Producers singing “Springtime for Hitler”…Fashion people who know him have not come forward. They know his theater. Believe me — my name is Field — my stepfather was Jewish.”

Yes.Telling people that they should have been gassed is hilarious. Better than a Mel Brooks movie! And while racism and anti-antisemitism is shocking, it’s equally shocking that someone should use their video recorder on their camera to tape a famous person! And because I’ve known this guy for many years I can’t believe he made a racist comment (even though he was taped doing so!)

In the light of this, I think I love Dior, the company, just a little more.

Vanessa is Jewish. So am I. And I think it’s safe to say that neither of us own any Dior. But I would be feeling the same way if his slurs had been racist or homophobic. I wonder how the fashion community – many of whom, including Galliano, are gay – would have felt if it had been, say Miuccia Prada who had launched into a drunk tirade about gay people, calling them f**gots and claiming they should all have died from AIDS?

Would they have rushed to defend her like they’re excusing them?

So it’s been a surprise to hear the argument from so many people that what you say when you’re drunk “shouldn’t count” or be held against you.

This shocks me. I have been drunk many times. I have said some dumb things. Never have I said anything anti-semitic, racist or homophobic. Never have I used my pissed-ness to abuse someone based on their religion, race or sexuality.

So why, when celebrities like Mel Gibson and John Galliano let loose with anti-semitic or racist slurs, are there so many people willing to stick up for them on the basis that they’re drunk? Or on drunks? Or tired and emotional? Or didn’t know they were being filmed?

Do you know the expression: In Vino Veritas

It means, “in wine, there is the truth”. Alcohol and drugs are disinhibitors. That’s all. They don’t make you say things you don’t believe. Do they? Am I being incredibly naive her? Could you ‘accidentally’ let loose and call someone a horrible, vilifying name based on their race, religion or sexuality when you’ve had one too many?

Does Galliano deserve to lose his job?