More on Sordid Squirrel
Posted by Lee Kyle on Monday, January 10, 2011
I received an email from Chris Mitchell, I wouldn't normally have replicated a private email exchange on the blog but he has also posted it on a public forum, so here goes:
"I have just read your post about Craig I know everybody is entitled to freedom of speach and all that, but I feel that it is bang out of order bringing the comedy club into this its not just Craig's club its mine too, we are both working hard to try and bring a new open mic comedy club to sunderland we are both new at running a club and realise that we both have made mistakes about what comics can and can't say. But I feel that through all these blogs that people will think that the club is all about racist material and that is definitely not the case,
We have now in place rules regarding comics material where there is NO racist material allowed at all, If this happens in the future again the mic will be turned off and the comic will be asked to end their set, I personally feel that for comics to say such negative things about a venue that is only just starting is wrong, because this could jeopardise new comics turning down offers to try out our venue and also the publicity that this is a Racist comedy club when it truly is not. I feel this is unfair as you have directed your critism at Craig but in doing so you have also directed your critism at the comedy club also.
I can appreciate that some mistakes have been made, but there are rules now in place ensuring that this will never happen again and would apprecaiate an end to the negativity that is being directed at our club.
Regards
Chris Mitchell
This is my reply:
First off, for right or wrong, everybody in this country does NOT have the right to free speech, for example, there is a law in place to prevent enciting racial hatred. I personally do believe in free speech, therefore Craig can say what he likes, you can both promote it yet I can say what I like about it.
"I have just read your post about Craig I know everybody is entitled to freedom of speach and all that, but I feel that it is bang out of order bringing the comedy club into this its not just Craig's club its mine too, we are both working hard to try and bring a new open mic comedy club to sunderland we are both new at running a club and realise that we both have made mistakes about what comics can and can't say. But I feel that through all these blogs that people will think that the club is all about racist material and that is definitely not the case,
We have now in place rules regarding comics material where there is NO racist material allowed at all, If this happens in the future again the mic will be turned off and the comic will be asked to end their set, I personally feel that for comics to say such negative things about a venue that is only just starting is wrong, because this could jeopardise new comics turning down offers to try out our venue and also the publicity that this is a Racist comedy club when it truly is not. I feel this is unfair as you have directed your critism at Craig but in doing so you have also directed your critism at the comedy club also.
I can appreciate that some mistakes have been made, but there are rules now in place ensuring that this will never happen again and would apprecaiate an end to the negativity that is being directed at our club.
Regards
Chris Mitchell
This is my reply:
Hi Chris,
First off, for right or wrong, everybody in this country does NOT have the right to free speech, for example, there is a law in place to prevent enciting racial hatred. I personally do believe in free speech, therefore Craig can say what he likes, you can both promote it yet I can say what I like about it.
'It is not just Craig's club, it is mine too' - Sure, this is true and I have no problem with you, beyond your choice of freinds but, another way to look at it is, it isn't just your club, it is Craig's too. Craig is a racist, the fact that you have to even have a plan to switch the mic's off is proof of this. I barely even brought the club into it beyond saying I felt a little awkward (Which I did, don't tell me you felt comfortable during Craig's set) and later making a harmless joke. Nor have I made a number of blog posts, I have written ONE blog on the matter at the moment that people who agree with me have posted elsewhere.
It is not for me to limit the amount of damage that this may cause your club (if any), I don't have a vested interest in that to be honest. If people don't like what they heard then so be it, I have had a number of messages agreeing with me, including some from some people who have asked to remain anonymous, I'm afraid that people knew about Craig's material before I ever wrote about it. The negativity directed at your club is not just coming from me, there is no way I can stop it, that is for you to do.
It may be worth finding a new name and a new partner to be honest, it is telling that Craig has come out and supported his material, I would argue that his statements have done far more harm to your club than mine.
Lee