BBC Radio 5 presenter Nihal Arthanayake moans, that ‘overwhelmingly white' around him

[arista]

Nihal Arthanayake told a journalism
diversity conference in Salford:
‘It’s really affecting me that I walk in
and all I see is white people’ ]


has said an “overwhelmingly white” working
environment is affecting his mental health.
The presenter told a journalism diversity conference
on Wednesday: “It’s really affecting me that
I walk in and all I see is white people.”]

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/nihal-arthanayake-bbc-white-journalism-b2455646.html


Pathetic Anal Presenter

[Swan]

Unfortunately, England is made up of about 80% white people, so he'll have to live with his racism towards whites, or maybe move to a majority black or brown country so he can improve on his mental health. Wish him all the luck in the world.

[arista]

Unfortunately, England is made up of about 80% white people, so he'll have to live with his racism towards whites, or maybe move to a majority black or brown country so he can improve on his mental health. Wish him all the luck in the world.



He needs Proper Therapy

[arista]

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/29/16/wire-78380819-1701275364-654_634x951.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GAGVRC_XsAAP88F?format=jpg&name=900x900

[arista]

[Nihal Arthanayake says working at the
overwhelmingly white BBC is bad
for his mental health

BBC Radio 5 Live presenter made comments
at journalism diversity conference
Claimed lots of people leave because they
couldn't deal with the culture
BBC producer said the organisation is
committed to tackling lack of diversity]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12804889/BBC-presenter-says-overwhelmingly-white-workplace-affects-mental-health.html

[Alf]

I can diagnose his mental health problems for him. The correct medical term is called "Racism" He's a racist.

[Mystic Mock]

He is very very very racist.:laugh:

Tbf though it is a free country and he can say what he likes, of course people don't have to like it necessarily.

[Oliver_W]

If he's that much of a racist, that being around The Wrong People affects his mental health, he needs some serious help.

Though he can say what he likes, just like the listeners can listen to what they like. I hope this person I'd never heard of, on a station I'll never listen to, doesn't get punished for his stupid comments.

[bots]

Maybe he would be happier if everyone blacked up for him

[Oliver_W]

Maybe he would be happier if everyone blacked up for him

Hugh Laurie's on the case.

https://images2.fanpop.com/image/photos/14300000/JW-jeeves-and-wooster-14361071-1024-654.jpg

[Cherie]

It affects my mental health when I walk into a room and I am the only Irish person :bawling: there is no one the same as me, I am unable interact with anyone who is not Irish ....what a twat he is

[arista]

I can diagnose his mental health problems for him. The correct medical term is called "Racism" He's a racist.


Yes Alf
I get that

[Zizu]

Does he still work for the BeeB ?

This comment warrants a sacking surely ?!?


There must have been thousands of complaints.. ??


I found this from him as well. He sounds a tad paranoid ..

:::

“ He went on: “The hardest thing is to walk into a room, look around and nobody looks like you.”

The presenter made the comments in an on-stage interview with Jo Adetunji, editor of The Conversation, at the JDF’s annual equality, diversity and inclusion conference organised by the NCTJ, which trains new journalists.””

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Livia]

If a white man said that working mainly with Asians upsets him and affects his mental health, can you imagine the reaction? He'd certainly be sacked.

Racists come in all colours, and this idiot is one of them.

[Ammi]

….Nihal Arthanayake was obviously specifically asked to speak at the Journalism Diversity Fund Conference because the fund was set up to be inclusive for those who are felt to be underrepresented in the journalism world…he’s obviously not seeing or feeling the diversity being represented in the way in which he hoped it would and that’s specifically what the bursary is given for …it obviously covers different underrepresented in that particular workplace environment of disabilities and gender equality etc also…he’s also commenting on his own experiences in Essex and then further North, which were completely different in terms of being called a specific derogatory term…

…anyway, however he said it, I do think it’s something to look at and accept (and for those who are part of the Diversity Fund to look at….)…that the diversity may still be quite lacking in that journalism industry…5 years on from when it was set up and what its hopes and goals were…

[bots]

It affects my mental health when I walk into a room and I am the only Irish person :bawling: there is no one the same as me, I am unable interact with anyone who is not Irish ....what a twat he is

i've had the same as a scot my entire working life :laugh:

[rusticgal]

Unfortunately, England is made up of about 80% white people, so he'll have to live with his racism towards whites, or maybe move to a majority black or brown country so he can improve on his mental health. Wish him all the luck in the world.


:clap2:

[The Slim Reaper]

Real racism is saying anything that honkeys disagree with.

[Mystic Mock]

Real racism is saying anything that honkeys disagree with.

Racism is saying something racist imo.

Like if I went to a workplace and said that I have poor mental health because there's not enough white people working there, that would be racist.

This guy is essentially saying racist things about white people, it can't be contested as it came from his own mouth.

The only thing that I will defend him on, is that I don't think that anybody should lose their job for saying something racist and stupid (which it is both of those things) so I do also support his right to keep his job despite these comments, however I do support people pulling anyone up on saying stupid **** that helps cause division in society.

[Livia]

Racism is saying something racist imo.

Like if I went to a workplace and said that I have poor mental health because there's not enough white people working there, that would be racist.

This guy is essentially saying racist things about white people, it can't be contested as it came from his own mouth.

The only thing that I will defend him on, is that I don't think that anybody should lose their job for saying something racist and stupid (which it is both of those things) so I do also support his right to keep his job despite these comments, however I do support people pulling anyone up on saying stupid **** that helps cause division in society.

Totally agree with this post. And yes, people should be allowed to say what they feel so we all know exactly who they are.

[Zizu]

Racism is saying something racist imo.

Like if I went to a workplace and said that I have poor mental health because there's not enough white people working there, that would be racist.

This guy is essentially saying racist things about white people, it can't be contested as it came from his own mouth.

The only thing that I will defend him on, is that I don't think that anybody should lose their job for saying something racist and stupid (which it is both of those things) so I do also support his right to keep his job despite these comments, however I do support people pulling anyone up on saying stupid **** that helps cause division in society.


Mmmm but if someone is racist it can / will effect their judgments on so many aspects


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Cherie]

It is one thing to say that diversity is lacking and needs addressing, it is a completely different thing to say that walking into a room of white people in Britain affects your mental health, it is just a bizarre thing to say especially from someone who is British born

[user104658]

He didn't just blurt it out, it was at a conference about diversity in journalism ffs :joker:. Now, perhaps you could criticise the conference itself but how people are managing to criticise someone for speaking openly about lack of diversity at a conference set up to discuss diversity is beyond me. Engage your brain boxes people. Some things are acceptable to discuss in certain situations under certain parameters that you wouldn't just casually come out with on a random Tuesday. There's literally no issue with him talking about diversity at a diversity conference. What was he supposed to talk about? The most robust lawn grass species? Bees?

[Zizu]

He didn't just blurt it out, it was at a conference about diversity in journalism ffs :joker:. Now, perhaps you could criticise the conference itself but how people are managing to criticise someone for speaking openly about lack of diversity at a conference set up to discuss diversity is beyond me. Engage your brain boxes people. Some things are acceptable to discuss in certain situations under certain parameters that you wouldn't just casually come out with on a random Tuesday. There's literally no issue with him talking about diversity at a diversity conference. What was he supposed to talk about? The most robust lawn grass species? Bees?


What’s the real difference between blurting it out and actually saying the words though ??

::::


The presenter told a journalism diversity conference on Wednesday

: “It’s really affecting me that
I walk in and all I see is white people.”

“ He went on: “The hardest thing is to walk into a room, look around and nobody looks like you.”


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Oliver_W]

He didn't just blurt it out, it was at a conference about diversity in journalism ffs :joker:. Now, perhaps you could criticise the conference itself but how people are managing to criticise someone for speaking openly about lack of diversity at a conference set up to discuss diversity is beyond me. Engage your brain boxes people. Some things are acceptable to discuss in certain situations under certain parameters that you wouldn't just casually come out with on a random Tuesday. There's literally no issue with him talking about diversity at a diversity conference. What was he supposed to talk about? The most robust lawn grass species? Bees?

It's more the way it was phrased than the content. If he expressed a desire to see more diversity in his workplace, it would be a bog standard Thought in 2023. Saying that the amount of white people affects his mental health makes him sound like a racist.

As it was a written speech and not an outburst makes it a bit "worse" - it means the statement was written down, and (presumably) survived several drafts, without he or anyone else thinking it could do with a tweak.

[Gusto Brunt]

Imagine if he was white and he said there are too many black people working with him.

He'd be sacked immediately and probably arrested by the police. And charged.

[Cherie]

We all understood where he was when he said it SB, you are not the only one with a brain you know!

Saying it was affecting his mental health? My kids went to a secondary school that was 90% Asian, did they ever once comment it was affecting their mental health...nope, it was just normal for the area we lived in

[user104658]

We all understood where he was when he said it SB, you are not the only one with a brain you know!

Saying it was affecting his mental health? My kids went to a secondary school that was 90% Asian, did they ever once comment it was affecting their mental health...nope, it was just normal for the area we lived in

As I said take issue with the existence of the conference if you think that there's an issue, but to say that the conference happening is fine, but anyone who has criticisms of a lack of diversity in the workplace is racist? :think: that's a puzzler. Perhaps the conference was for everyone to go along to and say "It's fine, everything is fine, diversity is optional, there's no real issue, let's all just go home!" but that seems like a bit of a waste of time and money.

Someone saying "A lack of diversity in the workplace has the potential to negatively affect the mental health of a minority-of-one" is a perfectly legitimate comment to make at a conference that's entire purpose is to discuss the reasons that diversity in the workplace is important. Unfortunately it seems like he triggered some poor sensitive white folks by having a problem and speaking his mind? Weird. Same people who have an issue usually champion such things. Wonder what's different in this case.

[user104658]

Saying that the amount of white people affects his mental health makes him sound like a racist.


Bit bold to make that an absolute statement - it's entirely subjective. It makes him sound like a racist to some people.

[Cherie]

As I said take issue with the existence of the conference if you think that there's an issue, but to say that the conference happening is fine, but anyone who has criticisms of a lack of diversity in the workplace is racist? :think: that's a puzzler. Perhaps the conference was for everyone to go along to and say "It's fine, everything is fine, diversity is optional, there's no real issue, let's all just go home!" but that seems like a bit of a waste of time and money.

Someone saying "A lack of diversity in the workplace has the potential to negatively affect the mental health of a minority-of-one" is a perfectly legitimate comment to make at a conference that's entire purpose is to discuss the reasons that diversity in the workplace is important. Unfortunately it seems like he triggered some poor sensitive white folks by having a problem and speaking his mind? Weird. Same people who have an issue usually champion such things. Wonder what's different in this case.

I took issue with him saying working with white colleagues was afffecting his mental health, such a strange thing to say if you really believe in diversity and inclusion? does that mean he would cliique with people with his colour skin, is he saying he can't mix with white colleagues... very strange comment


He works in the BBC one of the most diverse employers out there

[Liam-]

Being in a situation where you feel like you don’t fit in because you’re different to everybody else can most definitely affect your mental health, that’s just a proven fact

[Cherie]

I think we have all been in situations where we feel uncomfortable, I have been out with groups of predominantly white workmates and felt awkward as we didnt have alot in common, on the other hand I have a group of Asian female friends who I used to work with, both Muslim and Hindu and we get on like a house on fire, skin colour is not a barrier to friendship

[arista]

Imagine if he was white and he said there are too many black people working with him.

He'd be sacked immediately and probably arrested by the police. And charged.



Of Course


But he is Asian Brit.,
Radio 5 afternoon show

[Ammi]

…I think what he said might have been a bit clumsy in delivery but it was said in the correct context of being asked to speak at the conference about the progress of diversity…it’s very similar to me of what Spike Lee said in speaking about diversity in Hollywood/movies etc…that there wasn’t enough diversity involved in those decision making rooms and if that didn’t happen…?…then so much flows out from those rooms so it’ll have a ripple impact in the industry in general etc…Nihal said that he also wasn’t seeing those roles in the senior editorial processes conveying multi culture…I understand that how something is said and conveyed is important also to open those discussions and maybe his wasn’t the best…but defensiveness is also not a great response either because it all just creates a ‘hostile situation’…that isn’t conducive to having these conversations, which is a shame as no one should ideally feel a ‘sense of isolation’ in their work place for any reason…and all cultures should feel that there are the same opportunities for all etc….

[user104658]

I took issue with him saying working with white colleagues was afffecting his mental health, such a strange thing to say if you really believe in diversity and inclusion? does that mean he would cliique with people with his colour skin, is he saying he can't mix with white colleagues... very strange comment


He works in the BBC one of the most diverse employers out there

But that's not what he said though is it, he said it affected his mental health to work with exclusively or near-exclusively white colleages, i.e., a lack of diversity. He didn't say it was "working with white people" or that he wouldn't want to work with any at all? The way you've put it is a complete misrepresentation of what was actually said so, if you believe your version to be correct, I can see why you (mistakenly) think it's racist.

[bots]

To me it's quite odd. If you are in a workplace environment, you would think that there would be 100 or 1000 interpersonal issues that would raise their head and be much more impactful on mental health than skin colour

[Oliver_W]

Being in a situation where you feel like you don’t fit in because you’re different to everybody else can most definitely affect your mental health, that’s just a proven fact

When people look beyond the surface level, they might find they havr plenty in common.

[user104658]

To me it's quite odd. If you are in a workplace environment, you would think that there would be 100 or 1000 interpersonal issues that would raise their head and be much more impactful on mental health than skin colour

That would be down the the individual and also, as white folks living in Britain, not really something we can claim to have any understanding of at all.

[user104658]

When people look beyond the surface level, they might find they havr plenty in common.

Still not the point - I don't believe he said he doesn't get on with or doesn't like his coworkers?

[Oliver_W]

Still not the point - I don't believe he said he doesn't get on with or doesn't like his coworkers?

I was responding more directly to Liam's post than what Nihal said.

[Ammi]

To me it's quite odd. If you are in a workplace environment, you would think that there would be 100 or 1000 interpersonal issues that would raise their head and be much more impactful on mental health than skin colour

….but it is about context, though…it is a conference which talks about the progress of the funding in terms of those that have been helped to train in journalism…and how funds can be spent in the future following on from that…/…improvements etc that can be made…Nihal was an invited speaker for one aspect of society that is felt to be under-represented in journalism …but I assume that there would be other speakers representing other parts of society…such as disabilities and female under representation in comparison to male…it’s not really odd at all to discuss these things in conference form….I would think it’s more an essential/expected and good practise where burseries and funding are involved…it all has to be monitored etc…there may be other also impactful things in the workplace but this is about one specific aspect of their aim of an inclusive workplace which Journalism wasn’t always felt to be and forever improving, I would think…

[Cherie]

That would be down the the individual and also, as white folks living in Britain, not really something we can claim to have any understanding of at all.

That may be the case for you living in Scotland but I can categorically tell you that is not the case if you live in parts of London or ever worked in London, I never saw it as an issue :shrug: I never felt unsafe ether, so apart from the lack of diversity I dont see his issue with working with white colleagues, he can of course draw attention to it but to say its affecting his health is a stretch unless he is being bullied of course in my humble opinion.

[user104658]

That may be the case for you living in Scotland but I can categorically tell you that is not the case if you live in parts of London or ever worked in London, I never saw it as an issue :shrug: I never felt unsafe ether, so apart from the lack of diversity I dont see his issue with working with white colleagues, he can of course draw attention to it but to say its affecting his health is a stretch unless he is being bullied of course in my humble opinion.

Of course it's the case, pockets of racial diversity don't change the fact that the UK is nearly 87% white and that that has clear and distinct implications for the non-white population that don't exist for white people. There are also no "rights and wrongs" for things that affect people's mental health.

He also - to point this out for now I think the third or fourth time - did not say that he has any "issue working with white colleagues" - it's a total misrepresentation of what was actually said.

I also feel the need (for some reason) to mention again that this was specifically a DEI-focussed event, for discussing DEI issues, where people are SUPPOSED to bring up these issues no matter how small, and are in fact being asked to do so. It's not like he randomly went to the press complaining about majority-white workplaces or put in a formal complaint to his employer... it was mentioned as a talking point at a diversity event.

I'm finding this whole thing bizarre... the idea that an event would be held to discuss potential diversity/inclusion issues, and then when someone mentions a diversity/inclusion issue, people are like "Uh how dare you -- you racist!" :joker:. What is happening here.

[Cherie]

Of course it's the case, pockets of racial diversity don't change the fact that the UK is nearly 87% white and that that has clear and distinct implications for the non-white population that don't exist for white people. There are also no "rights and wrongs" for things that affect people's mental health.

He also - to point this out for now I think the third or fourth time - did not say that he has any "issue working with white colleagues" - it's a total misrepresentation of what was actually said.

I also feel the need (for some reason) to mention again that this was specifically a DEI-focussed event, for discussing DEI issues, where people are SUPPOSED to bring up these issues no matter how small, and are in fact being asked to do so. It's not like he randomly went to the press complaining about majority-white workplaces or put in a formal complaint to his employer... it was mentioned as a talking point at a diversity event.

I'm finding this whole thing bizarre... the idea that an event would be held to discuss potential diversity/inclusion issues, and then when someone mentions a diversity/inclusion issue, people are like "Uh how dare you -- you racist!" :joker:. What is happening here.


It’s really affecting me that
I walk in and all I see is black people.”

“ He went on: “The hardest thing is to walk into a room, look around and nobody looks like you.”


is this a racist statement or no?

[jet]

There is a guy in a wheelchair where I work, and everyone else can walk.
He is in tip - top mental health.

[Oliver_W]

There is a guy in a wheelchair where I work, and everyone else can walk.
He is in tip - top mental health.

Does everyone look exactly like him though?!

[jet]

Does everyone look exactly like him though?!

No, they have legs, he doesn't.

[user104658]

It’s really affecting me that
I walk in and all I see is black people.”

“ He went on: “The hardest thing is to walk into a room, look around and nobody looks like you.”


is this a racist statement or no?

Context is important; there's nowhere that your statement is a particularly realistic work environment for someone who didn't actively choose it in a non white majority country.

However you could apply it to a white person in Japan and, no, it would not be racist for a Caucasian person in Japan to comment that the lack of diversity in the workplace affects their mental health, when discussing diversity in the workplace at an event specifically designed for doing so.

Again I have to ask: what do you think these events are for? What would be acceptable to say and not racist, other than "Everything is totally fine whup tee doo". And that being the case - why bother with the event at all? Minorities being asked, at a diversity event, do we need more diversity, can either say "no its fine that it's all white folk" or be branded racist. You couldnt make it up :joker:

[Beso]

**** off to radio 6 then.