You'er Racist Shilpa (press report and discussion)

[Red Moon]

YOU'RE RACIST SHILPA
BIG Brother bullying victim Shilpa Shetty was last night accused of being a racist.

The BB winner was blasted for starring in a comedy sketch that echoes the style of the Black And White Minstrel Show, axed in Britain in the 1978 amid a storm of protest.

She is seen laughing and joking as a TV presenter cavorts around with a blacked-up face and an Afro wig.

It will stun millions of fans who backed her in the Celebrity Big Brother house as Shilpa, 31, suffered racist bullying from Jade Goody, 25.

Model Danielle Lloyd, 23, and former S Club 7 singer Jo O’Meara, 27, were slammed for joining in with Jade’s jibes.

Black social commentator Jaye Williamson fumed: “Maybe Shetty is the racist – mocking Africans on her TV show? The outrage should be that people dare to cry racism on Shilpa’s behalf when she had the audacity to take part in a show that mocked Africans.

“Why should we as black people sympathise with Shilpa Shetty’s plight, when she hails from a country where 160million people are regarded as Untouchables, or Dalits, due to no other factor than the darkness of their skin.”

The columnist for www.blackbritain.co.uk said it was disgraceful to see Shilpa and a TV presenter laughing at an Indian actor “blacked up” and wearing a fuzzy wig.

The Black And White Minstrel Show, which featured white singers and dancers “blacked up”, ran in Britain from 1958 to 1978.

Campaigners petitioned for it to be taken off the air, claiming it was deeply offensive.

Eroll Walters, director of the Black Londoner’s Forum, said: “It’s crude, and it’s crass. We are not against satire or humour but these ideas are completely out of date. It is offensive, and black people will be outraged. It is taking the mickey out of black people and it’s very insulting.”

The offensive clip is on an Indian TV show called Extra Shetty. Shilpa was appearing on the etc music channel alongside goofy hosts Abid and Suresh Menon.

Celebrity Big Brother fan David Harrison, 29, from Bristol, an IT consultant, said last night: “I backed her to the hilt because she seemed to represent everything that stood up to racism and outdated ideas.

“But to see her laughing in this tasteless sketch undermines all that. She should hang her head in shame.”

One industry insider said: “It’s fair to say she wouldn’t be such a household name if it was not for the race row in the BB House.

“So for her to be seen larking around on this show while a presenter is dressed up like this is in pretty poor taste.”

A spokesman for Asian network Zee TV, which runs etc music, was not available for comment last night.

Shilpa’s publicist Max Clifford, 63, scoffed at the outrage and said: “The Daily Star must be desperate to print this kind of rubbish.”

And it emerged yesterday Shilpa had her work visa for the UK renewed with help from Labour MP Keith Vaz.

It means she can cash in on TV and newspaper deals. Her visa expired just after the Channel 4 reality show ended two weeks ago.

Mr Vaz, 50, wrote a covering letter for the permit application. Shilpa’s agent Farhath Hussain claimed the intervention did not speed up the process.

Source: The Dairly Star (http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news_detail.html?sku=1203)

[abs]

i would have to see it first to judge for myself...

[zachary]

Sorry, but what is so racist about painting your skin 'black' and wearing a fuzzy wig?

It's only racist when you take the mick out of someone for their race and that's not really taking the piss is it?

I guess, I'll have to watch a clip the judge for myself.

[Red Moon]

Originally posted by abs
i would have to see it first to judge for myself...

I would have to agree, that without seeing it you can't really evaluate the evidence and work out if its racism or just a newspaper trying to sell a few papers.

Max Clifford is reported as saying “The Daily Star must be desperate to print this kind go rubbish.”

There is a commentary on the story people might be interested in reading:

http://www.anorak.co.uk/features.php?features_id=171275&feature=Blackening%20Shilpa's%20Name

You will have to cut and paste the link into the address bar - there seems to be a problem with his type of link and code that displays them

[zachary]

Omg, that report is ****

''We do not hear the joke, we have no idea of what is being said or done. We just see Shilpa smiling. And for the Star this is enough. ''

after reading the report, I can't see what the big fuss is.

I think someone just wants to tarnish Shilpa's name.

[ttw]

Originally posted by zacharybinx
Sorry, but what is so racist about painting your skin 'black' and wearing a fuzzy wig?

It's only racist when you take the mick out of someone for their race and that's not really taking the p**s is it?

I guess, I'll have to watch a clip the judge for myself.

Painting your skin black, and wearing a fuzzy wig is not taking the piss??

Neway...

I would not say Shilpa is racist until I could see the clip for myself also.

[zachary]

Painting your skin black, and wearing a fuzzy wig is not taking the p**s??



No, it's not... Dave Chapelle paints his skin white and wears a blonde wig and takes the piss out of white people ...yet no one says that it's racist. :conf:

I think the word racist is used too slackly these days.

[ttw]

Originally posted by zacharybinx


Painting your skin black, and wearing a fuzzy wig is not taking the p**s??



No, it's not... Dave Chapelle paints his skin white and wears a blonde wig and takes the p**s out of white people ...yet no one says that it's racist. :conf:

I think the word racist is used too slackly these days.

Exactly, it's still taking the piss.

You said it wasn't taking the piss.

[Mrluvaluva]

[S2]

I don't think Shilpa was laughing at the guy who "blacked" himself, rather more it was the antics that the guy was getting upto. His behaviour was being laughed at, not his skin colour

[Crystal-Rose]

what a load of rubbish!! :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes: im sure the papers could find something actually useful to write about rather than that! :yuk:

[Chrizzle]

Thats rubbish.

Even if she is, im bored of it now anyway.

[Mrluvaluva]

who's deleted my other post?

[expat]

Shamed Britain grasping desperately at straws once more. (sigh)

[andybigbro]

i dont think Shilpa would have been racist

[Mrluvaluva]

[S2]

The reason she was laughing was because of the act the guy was carrying out, not because of his colour. If he did the same act with his own natural colour, im sure she'd still be laughing

[easypeasy]

Dave Chappelle show also featured a japanese family who thought they were black and called each other "ni##er". I think Dave challenges racism rather than condones it.
it would be unfair to comment on something i have not seen.

[bonnie43uk]

was this on a british network channel??

I'm sure this is all being blown out of all proportion! ..there is NO WAY Shilpa would ever do anything racist after all that sh*t she just went through!!

I did'nt see any other paper run this story. .. remember, this is from The Daily Star.. so it can be taken with a pinch of salt in my book.

[expat]

this type of petty picking reflects the society at large.

[James]

I'm sure I read about this story weeks ago on the forums. Why are they bringing it up again now?

[expat]

Britain's administration at it's best

[Red Moon]

Originally posted by James
I'm sure I read about this story weeks ago on the forums. Why are they bringing it up again now?

I guess that is where they found it and they thought it would sell a few papers this morning.

The also seem to like stories about Danielle Lloyd maybe they are trying discredit Shilpa a bit so they can have more pictures Danielle in her underwear on the inside pages with out being accused supporting a bully.

[Sticks]

But this is part of the Great British Tradition of putting people on pedestals, so they are all the more handy for throwing rocks at.

BTW blacking up IS racist, that was why the Black and Whit Minstral show was axed. The idea of an actor blacking up is wrong, because it denies the part to actors of colour and mocks them by stero type.

Shilpa Shetty should be ashamed of her self for participating in this travesty.

[The_Hitman]

Originally posted by Sticks

Shilpa Shetty should be ashamed of her self for participating in this travesty.

Ah yes, the 'laughing at the controversial joke' thing. That and the holocaust really make me despair at the depths man can sink to.

....oh...no...wait......thats just the holocaust.

Get real Sticksy baby, Shilpas job when she appears on these cheesy light entertainment shows is to smile and laugh along at the jokes whether they are funny or not.

The lack of cynicism in her nature that we all KNOW OF, probably explains why the controversial connotations in the 'skit' flew right over her head.

Verdict: Atrocious journalism.

[Emilee]

Whatever, They shoukd just get over it and take the responsibility for their own actions and stop trying to pin everything on someone else.

[expat]

I was not aware that everyone was supposed to familiarize themselves with every single thing that is controversial in little England. I would think that celebrities are interested in concerning themselves with far more interesting issues elsewhere. THe world extends waaaaaaaaaaaaay beyond Britain in case you haven't noticed. For people to assume that Shilpa should have known about the minstrel issue is selfish and ignorance at it's height. Stop grasping at straws and behaving like three year olds.

[GiRTh]

Haaaaaahaha.

Obviously I need to see the footage but I'd P*ss myself if this story was true. Aren't the press great. They build up and then tear down.

It IS racist to black up or - white up as Dave Chapelle does. His case is different in that his style of humour is to push the boundaries. Do you like my Avvie of him? His style of humour is to highlight issues of race. HE's not a variety act, which is what the act sound like.

The honeymoon period is monster over for SHilpa. The alleged links to organised crime has been written about, and now this. I think I went off her when I heard she was meeting the Queen and Blair. What did she do to deserve such an accolade? Did she find a cure for cancer. No. Did she realise peace between Israel and Palestine. No. What then? She won Big friggin Brother. To some on this forum that would probably make her more worthy than say, the cure for cancer, but she should never have been given the attention that she's received.

The backlash has started.

[zachary]

^^

Highlight issues of race??? Have u seen the Wife Swap skit? I don't see how that highlights issue of race...most of his stuff pokes fun at races, although he does sometimes squeeze in some moral ****.

I love his Dave and his show but i'm just using him as an example.

Lol, I thought that meeting the Queen and Bliar...sorry Blair was a bit OTT for a CBB winner (although she encounted a lot in the house) but I see it as good on her, if you got the chance...take it.

And, yh I love ur avatar!! Charlie Murphy! What did the 5 fingers say to the face? SLAAAPPPPP!! loolll

[Sasha]

This TV show is shown in INDIA and not the UK, India is a country of one race and is not as multicultural as the UK or USA. Therefore the understanding of what is politically correct in India differs to what it is in the UK.

The ministals were viewed as offensive by the people of the UK, USA and Western Europe and thus it was withdrawn from the TV and Goolywogs removed from Jam jars in the 1980s

If it was outlawed in India and she laughed at it AND aired it on her show, i would understand the issue. But she is ignorant to the issues and was not intentionally racist.

Some Indians find Apu from Simpsons offensive for the same reasons people found the ministals offensive - its a stereotype of a race of people. However as the simspons is not outlawed in the UK - 6million viewers are not seen as politically racist.

[Lauren]

Originally posted by Sticks
But this is part of the Great British Tradition of putting people on pedestals, so they are all the more handy for throwing rocks at.

BTW blacking up IS racist, that was why the Black and Whit Minstral show was axed. The idea of an actor blacking up is wrong, because it denies the part to actors of colour and mocks them by stero type.

Shilpa Shetty should be ashamed of her self for participating in this travesty.

How does it deny the part to "actors of colour", as you put it?

There's been many instances where parts have been denied access to white people, for example in a film depicting the black movement in America - wouldn't really have white actors, would it? Yet thats denying them access to parts.

I disagree with you saying it mocks them by stereotype thus being racist. Are you offended by Little Britain? That depicts whites as a stereotype, but no-one is up in arms about that.

[J.C.]

Lmao...... No wonder The Daily Star is so highly respected.:yuk:
They should really call themselves The BNP Daily Bog Roll.
They became desperate ever since they were strongly critisized for paying Danielle £25,000 to pose on their front page straight after CBB ended.Its so pathetic its funny.

[Razmataz]

I saw this newstory the other day and went "well this doesn't surprise me" and at the end of the day...if people still want to hark on and on and on and on and oh I think you get the point...about this damn shambles. Shilpa quite honestly never tickled my tastebuds...and this lower form of underhand racism is a disgrace...I suggest people open their eyes...laughing at the antics...would she of laughed if he'd not of painted himself black..I don't think so.

[herman187]

Originally posted by Ryceratops!
would she of laughed if he'd not of painted himself black..I don't think so.

When celebrities are paid a sum of money to appear on a comedy show, it is their job to laugh. Whether the jokes are funny or not. Of course she would have laughed. She would even have laughed if he'd told a Jim Davidson joke, thats what they were paying her for.

[expat]

Ryceratops, i suggest that you paint yourself flourescent pink and put on a green wig then take a stroll down your street....... Get my drift?
Oh and by the way----- it's 'would she HAVE laughed' NOT would she OF laughed. Didn't you learn proper English at school?

[*Lorna*]

hmm now u see the whole thing - it's bull. first jade jo and danielle being acussed when they wern't and now shilpa! give it a rest and leave them all alone - its boring now

[herman187]

Originally posted by *Lorna*
hmm now u see the whole thing - it's bull. first jade jo and danielle being acussed when they wern't and now shilpa! give it a rest and leave them all alone - its boring now

Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa wait a minute here.

So you think that just because Shilpa isnt racist, that means Jade Jo and danielle arnt.

Heh. Youre just taking the mick out of people really.

[Sticks]

Originally posted by *Lorna*
hmm now u see the whole thing - it's bull. first jade jo and danielle being acussed when they wern't and now shilpa! give it a rest and leave them all alone - its boring now

I am inclined to agree here, this seems now like the tabloids trying to milk this for all it's worth, but all they are doing is flagellating a deceased equine - if you excuse the mixed metaphors.

Stuff happened - can we move on now as BB8 looms on the horizon please

[*Lorna*]

Originally posted by herman187
Originally posted by *Lorna*
hmm now u see the whole thing - it's bull. first jade jo and danielle being acussed when they wern't and now shilpa! give it a rest and leave them all alone - its boring now

Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa wait a minute here.

So you think that just because Shilpa isnt racist, that means Jade Jo and danielle arnt.

Heh. Youre just taking the mick out of people really.


well go on then, give me a quote from them you found as racist???

[CharlotteSometimes]

Originally posted by The_Hitman

The lack of cynicism in her nature that we all KNOW OF, probably explains why the controversial connotations in the 'skit' flew right over her head.

Verdict: Atrocious journalism.

If there's any of that wool going spare, let me know so I can knit a nice cardigan or something.

It's highly amusing that a nation has taken a complete stranger (and highly accomplished actress) to their hearts to such a degree that they're ready to leap to her defence no matter how damning the allegations may be. Yet right before their eyes, absolutely nothing happened - but they lit their torches anyway, because the media told them to.

[Kristen]

Originally posted by Chrizzle
Thats rubbish.

Even if she is, Im bored of it now anyway.

I'm bored of Shilpa. I'd rather see b****y Chantelle in the mags and that's saying something :laugh: