Guardian’s defense of John Galliano seems “slightly” less credible after video surfaces of the fashion guru praising Hitler

H/T Harry’s Place

On Friday, The Guardian posted this piece in response to John Galliano’s arrest on Thursday for assaulting and hurling anti-Semitic abuse at a couple at a bar in Paris.

I have to admit that I’m not as sophisticated as the Guardian’s Jess Cartner-Morley, and had to look up the French term “Bon Viveur” – which I now know refers to Galliano’s apparent zest for life and good living – but I am bright enough to understand the words “racist” attached to “non” mean something to the effect of: “no racism here, nothing to see, please move along.”

However, it seems that the crusading anti-racist daily may have had second thoughts, and saw fit to note the following on Feb. 27.

This article was amended on 27 February 2011. The original headline, ‘Bon viveur? Yes. Racist? Non‘, was felt to have been misleading, by giving the impression the writer had concluded John Galliano was not a racist before any allegation had been fully investigated. It has now been changed.

Misleading? You think?

This video, released today, showing the fashion guru (on a previous occasion) praising Hitler and hurling anti-Semitic abuse to customers to the effect of “People like you would be dead. Your mothers, your forefathers, would all be fucking gassed” would certainly seem to erode the credibility of the Guardian’s apologia.

Of note, Morley’s defense of Galliano – the text of which hasn’t been revised – dutifully quoted a fashion editor, and apparent acquaintance of the colorful Galliano, to vouch for his anti-racist credentials, noting:

“he embraces different cultures in his work – when he is researching a collection, he will travel and immerse himself in the place and the fabric and the people”

So, I guess, of course, in the Guardian’s defense, one could reasonably interpret Galliano’s rant against Jews as merely an attempt to immerse himself in anti-Semitic culture in advance of, oh, I don’t know, a new Gestapo line of footwear or, perhaps, Taliban-style robes he’s promoting.

(Update: John Galliano was fired by Christian Dior after the above video went viral.  No word yet from the Guardian’s Jess Cartner-Morley)

Et Tu, Jess?