I think it is time to turn off the television on Big Brother; I really should have turned it off a long time ago. I feel as if I have been an unwilling victim in someone’s public masturbation.
I have been drawn in and played, “my experience” was being played out on television, and there were thousands of viewers watching what was a regular experience in my life. This programme was showing you the normality and the complexity of racism, the way it was not just BNP members telling you to go home, but was more likely to come hidden in insignificant issues, imperceptible, invisible almost, snide remarks, isolating you and bullying.
However what I didn’t realise until I started listening in to some of the conversations about the show, is that the way that it was being interpreted was the issue, watching I saw my experience, but others were quick to see what would protect their position best. They scapegoated and blamed those that were the loudest, they called them common slags, how audiences revelled in saying well I am not like that. They delighted in how grotesque the program was and tuned in their thousands to berate it.
Viewers were relieved when the victim herself said that it wasn’t racism. Of course she would say so; she was talking to the troubled “nice” Cleo who said she didn’t think that anything happening was race related and could not cope with it. Shilpa had no choice but to make her feel comfortable because she is a nice well brought up girl.
What is the easiest way to live with racism? To deny deny deny, “it isn’t happening to me!” to call this painful happening an anomaly, co incidence, bad luck, for the victim and for the culprit to assume a purity, give racism a tag, a visual image, racists are skin heads with jackboots, “I therefore could never be racist”
Now Shilpa and Jade have hugged and the programme makers are redeemed, it is all ok. The ratings have rocketed, Channel 4 can claim to be right in setting up this arrangement of people and creating this situation and controversy; it was an issue to be aired they needed to talk, it is all good now because has been all worked out.
I sit feeling dirtied I have participated in this orgy, having had conversations with friends, I have given this program my space and valuable time, However I have not really been seen, my involvement though necessary was never going to impact on the status quo, as discussions of this type are about me and not really with me. Thanks Channel 4 it was a delightful experience.
I have been drawn in and played, “my experience” was being played out on television, and there were thousands of viewers watching what was a regular experience in my life. This programme was showing you the normality and the complexity of racism, the way it was not just BNP members telling you to go home, but was more likely to come hidden in insignificant issues, imperceptible, invisible almost, snide remarks, isolating you and bullying.
However what I didn’t realise until I started listening in to some of the conversations about the show, is that the way that it was being interpreted was the issue, watching I saw my experience, but others were quick to see what would protect their position best. They scapegoated and blamed those that were the loudest, they called them common slags, how audiences revelled in saying well I am not like that. They delighted in how grotesque the program was and tuned in their thousands to berate it.
Viewers were relieved when the victim herself said that it wasn’t racism. Of course she would say so; she was talking to the troubled “nice” Cleo who said she didn’t think that anything happening was race related and could not cope with it. Shilpa had no choice but to make her feel comfortable because she is a nice well brought up girl.
What is the easiest way to live with racism? To deny deny deny, “it isn’t happening to me!” to call this painful happening an anomaly, co incidence, bad luck, for the victim and for the culprit to assume a purity, give racism a tag, a visual image, racists are skin heads with jackboots, “I therefore could never be racist”
Now Shilpa and Jade have hugged and the programme makers are redeemed, it is all ok. The ratings have rocketed, Channel 4 can claim to be right in setting up this arrangement of people and creating this situation and controversy; it was an issue to be aired they needed to talk, it is all good now because has been all worked out.
I sit feeling dirtied I have participated in this orgy, having had conversations with friends, I have given this program my space and valuable time, However I have not really been seen, my involvement though necessary was never going to impact on the status quo, as discussions of this type are about me and not really with me. Thanks Channel 4 it was a delightful experience.
posted by Facety at 9:34 am
2 Comments:
so what are you going to do about it?
Isn't it important - that you are blogging about it - that everyone is having thee discussions - that it was first news item all day on Sky - that commentators from Dehli, Shilpa's mother, Shilpa's agent in the UK and in India have all voiced their opinions.
Isn't it interesting that Jade's mother suddenly proclaims her daughter is 'mixed-race'.
If you agree that BB is 'racism masquerading as entertainment' then why abdicate your own responsibility as a viewer?
jackie,
I have learned that there is a time for every thing and making choices about how and when to write is not the same as abdicating responisibility. Walk quietly but carry a big stick.
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