#blackbritishhero

Posted by: JamieWednesday on 20 November 2016

Came across this while on BBC site:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programme...shhero_contentcard13

Now, while we can all clearly see, or at least guess at, what they're doing here, and why, it occurs to me to wonder what would happen if someone launched #whitebritishhero?

Surely the aims of stamping out rascism are better served through illustrating inclusiveness, rather than some kind of 'What did the Romans ever do us?' type campaign. As an ardent supporter of an 'everyone together' type philosophy in life, even I find this a bit awkward.

Posted on: 20 November 2016 by wenger2015

The BBC once again win the ' we don't know what we are doing....double standards awards'.... Classic 

Posted on: 20 November 2016 by Jonn

IIRC the BBC did a British  heros poll a while ago and there were no black nominations in the top 100 (although Enoch Powell came at no 57 or something) so perhaps there is a need to recognise black British contributions.

Posted on: 20 November 2016 by Timmo1341

Like, I suspect, many I feel torn when reading of this form of political intervention. I detest racism, indeed discrimination of any type. This includes what used to be referred to as 'positive discrimination'. We appear to be obsessed with righting perceived wrongs on behalf of all minorities. If I don't include a black person in my list of 100 heroes, does that mean I'm a racist, or, with millions to choose from, just that there are no black men or women sufficiently meritorious to warrant inclusion in my personal list?

All that said, I find it highly improbable that a poll taken today would not include Mo Farrah, Jessica Ennis-Hill, Lewis Hamilton, Sadiq Khan, Chukka Umuna, Lenny Henry...........the list is long.

My personal belief is that the BBC once again display a remarkable lack of judgement. What they have done is, in my opinion, both patronising and unnecessary.

Posted on: 20 November 2016 by hafler3o
Timmo1341 posted:

 

...My personal belief is that the BBC once again display a remarkable lack of judgement. What they have done is, in my opinion, both patronising and unnecessary.

Spot on. Labels are for jam jars, rank is for the Armed Forces, pedestals ...

Posted on: 20 November 2016 by Alrog

This programme is part of the BBC's 'Black and British' series.  Jay Davidson, Assistant Commissioner at the BBC, describes the purpose of the series in this way:

'Some may ask why the need for a Black and British season on the BBC at all, and my response would be, at a time when what it means to be British is more contested than ever: because it matters.

This landmark season will speak to those of every race, face and place with programming that is set to educate and excite, inform and infuriate in equal measure. Is the BBC dividing programming on race lines? In a word – no. Black and British is in many ways the story of not just the black community but an integral part of the history of the UK as a whole.'

Maybe if you want to pour scorn on this idea you don't find this rationale holds up? Personally, I think it makes a lot of sense - especially now. I welcome this series....which is only  small part of BBC's output. It sounds a bit like people are complaining about feeling excluded....which is a bit ironic!