There have been a number complaints to OFCOM (the UK TV regulatory body) that Shilpa Shetty has been the target of racism because the other house mates have mimicked her accent, and refered to her as "the Indian".
I am from Newcastle and have a strong North East accent - which is regularly mimicked by work colleages, customers and random people I meet in the pub. I'm often referred to as "Geordie" despite my name being Mark. Exactly the same treatment Shilpa has been on the receiving end of.
I don't consider this racist - it's just banter, so back to my origional question - are the BB celebs being racist?
2007-01-15 20:51:23 · 31 answers · asked by mark 7 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Television
p.s. I would cook a 5lb chicken for two hours at 190c (370f), gas mark 7
2007-01-15 21:23:17 · update #1
I don't think they're deliberatly being racist... I think it's just the ignorance of those kind of people. Jade and Danielle don't seem to have a braincell between them, so I can understand where they get their closed-minded views. Jo O'Meara should certainly know better.
Perhaps the most disappointing thing for me is that sensible, intelligent people like Cleo and Ian are sitting on the fence. I know they don't want to get involved, but if I was in there, I'd just have to tell the three witches to back off.
I didn't particularly like Shilpa at the beginning - she struck me as something of a prima donna. But she's quickly become one of my favourites for the mature way she's dealing with these 'children'.
By the way - how long SHOULD you cook a chicken for?
2007-01-15 20:58:55 · answer #1 · answered by Keira H 3 · 6⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the intent. I have an Irish accent and I have been called 'Paddy' and 'Leprechaun' usually however, by people that I (hope) like me, and who feel they can use these names in context, because we feel comfortable together. I know if I had a friend from Ireland visiting me, these same people would not automatically assume it was appropriate to call my friends these names.
When Jackiey began referring to Shilap as 'India' it was not because she was making the point that Shilpa was from India, she was trying to humiliate her, she only used the term around the other women because she knew by then, that they didn't like her either and she knew she was in like minded company. She did not refer to Shilpa as 'Indian' when Jermaine or Dirk were present.
Likewise, mocking her accent, Jo and others do this when they are in their little huddles together, it is a private joke between them, covert behaviour amongst three bullies. it probably did not start out as racist bullying, they saw a beautiful, elegant articulate lady and felt threatened, so decided to target her, however, by using constant references to her culture, and her accent they have managed to turn it into a racist issue all by themselves.
I feel unconfortable not only that channel 4 is allowing this to go unchecked, but also that the others are sitting on the fence rather than uniting and stating that it is making them feel ill at ease. I can understand not wanting to be involved, but I cannot understand allowing another person in this environment to be subjected to this and then thinking making her a cup of tea or hugging her is helpful.
2007-01-15 21:16:43 · answer #2 · answered by Eden* 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Defining people as racist or not racist is too simplistic. We are all a mixture of good and bad.
Some of the actions in the house have definitely been racist e.g. the conversation between Jo and Danielle about Indians being so thin because they have the "sh*ts" all the time; questions about whether Shilpa lives in a shack - and other comments have been made too.
I think racism depends also on the intent behind the comments. Teasing someone you like for their accent etc is just being friendly. Cattily mimicking someone's accent and sniggering to each other is nasty and ultimately it is racist because it is random hatred for something simply because it is different, and is shared by the vast majority of Indians.
2007-01-15 21:02:09 · answer #3 · answered by Sunflower 1 · 8⤊ 2⤋
Shilpa has been called an Indian and a Paki by housemates and they in my opinion are racist . They should never have put pigface and her cronies in the house . This has to be the worst BB ever .. Get Jade and Jack the wnkr out of there !!
2007-01-15 21:04:16 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 0⤋
I was not aware that she was refered to as P**i however I never believed that word was rascist in the first place.
I do disagree with the way that the girls seem to gang up on Shilpa its like school bullying.
I wish people would stop classifying this behavour as rascist, its simply childish women being immature and feeling insecure.
2007-01-15 21:27:52 · answer #5 · answered by Mohammed A 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
calling Shilpa a dog or p*ki or 'the indian' (why she called her 'the indian' instead of her name. Is her memory too poor that she can't even remember a two syllable word/name like Shilpa) and especially the comments such as "Indians are skinny because they are unhygenic"(shits) don't you think these comments are racist.
2007-01-15 22:13:10 · answer #6 · answered by thyagarajan 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Come on Racism
If you gave Jade, Jack and Daniella a week to spell it they could'nt. For god sake Jack doesnt even comprehend what he was born from. Jade has proved time and time again that her brain is in a permanent state of coma and Daniella's only use is to make Teddy Sheringham dribble before he shoots.
Its about time the public realised that these are the sort of ignorant backward people we are making rich. This is the face of British people being broadcasted around the world. Three thick people and two who cant make a decision. Mind you I suppose it represents the line up of our government.
Wake up Bristish public if we make them rich and famous then we have to put up with the fallout of watching their ignorant, intolerant and incoherent rants. Because at the end of the day they were dragged up not brought up.
And if we want to get bitchy here, how about hipocracy, we made Jade alot of money with her weight loss video. WEIGHT LOSS VIDEO. FFS she is making poses in there Jabby The Hut would be proud off.
2007-01-15 21:13:43 · answer #7 · answered by grosco007 1 · 5⤊ 1⤋
i def think that some of their comments have been racist but i think they are to pig ignorant to realise this, BB should step in now and give them a b0ll0cking/chuck them out, the accent hing i can live with we all take the mick out of each other and its mostly good natured but the Jo and Danielle talking about indians being thin becasue the all have the sh!ts etc that was too much, as for jack calling her a p*ki well......
2007-01-15 21:59:24 · answer #8 · answered by murphy 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't think they are being racist on the show - whether they are in the privacy of their own homes remains to be seen. Jade is just a vile bully and Danielle and Jack are just playing follow my leader. Clearly neither of them has enough brain cells to have a thought or opinion of their own so they're just copying her. Jade also bullied Dirk (whisky gate) which was hideous to watch. Miserable horrible girl. They've taken her off the Act Against Bullying anti bullying campaign that she so fervently supported after supposedly being bullied herself as a child. Hmmm.
2007-01-15 21:34:40 · answer #9 · answered by ambersashakevin 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is obvious racism. Those that cannot see this are blind.
Jo, Jade and Danielle are all trying to outcast Shilpa..can you not all see that?
Danielle WANTS Shilpa to feel inferior....
Its about time the law got involved.
2007-01-15 20:59:12 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 0⤋