[Robodog]

Originally Posted by Mullens123

You literally just have to go onto the Deborah is third or Hannah has been evicted posts on facebook to see people using racial slurs or using skin colour is a derogatory manner.

Guess its overshadowed by this constant positivity that has seen women of colour place no higher than 3rd in 17 years.

Just because a transgender individual wins Big Brother doesn't mean transphobia isn't an existing force among the general public, same as a gay person winning doesn't denounce homophobia and a woman winning doesn't imply sexism has ended. Saying these things isn't claiming that the ENTIRE public feels this way, but even if 5-10% of a viewing audience hold prejudice or bigoted views it makes a difference and creates a climate where people will struggle to win simply because of gender, race, sexuality etc.

Well you can either focus on the ever-increasing positives (of which there is PLENTY of solid evidence for in the BB world) take heart, and build upon that.

Or you can focus on the negatives (for which there is no solid evidence, just questions and implications in the minds of the accusers), feel downhearted about those questions and keep going round in circles, ignoring all that positive progress that IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING.

I'm sure there are individuals making stupid remarks on social media. I'm sure they always will be. I don't think it's realistic to expect to be able to silence every voice that you don't agree with. Attempting to do that runs the risk of becoming fascist yourself.

As Salman Rushdie said:

"One of the problems with defending free speech is you often have to defend people that you find to be outrageous and unpleasant and disgusting."

That's what a free, healthy society looks like. Fortunately most people are pretty awake on such issues and see the person, not the pigeon-hole. It's happening more and more. Especially on Big Brother.

But seriously, take heart, look at the overwhelming evidence to the positive regarding BB the good it does for society, embracing all manner of individuals from all backgrounds. This show celebrates it like no other. It leads the way for public awareness and acceptance for say, trans-individuals: Luke A, Lauren Harries, Kellie Malonie etc.

As for whether or why not a black female will ever win. Well it's up to those individuals isn't it? Pauline had every chance of winning but she blew it by being spiteful.

Deborah got very close to winning yesterday. She was lovely. But people also liked Raph and Isabelle. They were lovely too. Anyone who suggests the Raph/Isabelle voters were voting them out of some kind of 'unspoken racism' towards Deborah are seriously deluding themselves. Where does that get you?

The progress for anti-racism requires two things:

1. That people stop being racist
2. That people acknowledge when this is happening.

It cuts both ways.

Or we get nowhere.