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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that slebs living in a slum for a week bears no resemblence whatsoever to what is is like living there for a lifetime?

30 replies

AtYourCervix · 01/03/2011 20:03

BBC trailer for a comic relief thing. v badly worded.

i'm sure it was grim but in no way comparible to really living in a slum for a lifetime.

OP posts:
Saltatrix · 01/03/2011 20:04

No but it gives them an idea which is better than total ignorance.

corns12k · 01/03/2011 20:04

linky?

tazmintee · 01/03/2011 20:10

call me cynical, but to my eyes its all about getting their fizzogs on the telly

especially Lenny bloody Henry

ridiculous

Yukana · 02/03/2011 09:54

You do have a point, yes. The celebs will see at least some of the things they have to go through though, even if it's for a short period of time.

I personally get a little kick out of seeing the celebrities cry.

bupcakesandcunting · 02/03/2011 09:57

I watched a programme like this last year and Les Battersby of Coronation Street fame was involved and it really affected him. I think he is involved in trying to help the homeless now as a result.

twirlymum · 02/03/2011 10:00

Michael Portillo living as a single parent was quite eye opening for him I think

jetgirl · 02/03/2011 10:08

But if it raises awareness amongst people who would otherwise not be interested, surely that's a good thing? I agree that for the celebrities it can only be a snapshot. Isn't one of them Sheila Hancock, she's hardly in the same league as the fame hungry z listers on I'm a celebrity, is she?!

NestaFiesta · 02/03/2011 10:10

Would you like the slebs to live there for a lifetime before doing their piece to camera? Its to raise awarenes, so a week is better than a whistle stop.

zukiecat · 02/03/2011 10:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

oricella · 02/03/2011 10:15

Of course it's not the same - but from what I have seen I think it will actually be pretty close to what it's like down there. Far from what people here often think, most slums are very permanent and organised structures - but too many people in too little space and high rates of transition make it difficult to tackle even the basics such as water and sanitation.

Raising awareness about poverty is difficult - we can't go and see things for ourselves and we rely on others to give us a glimpse of other lives. And yes, Kibera is grim - but for the people there it is also normal.

I think it will be good - but personally I'm happy the programme won't come with smellovision Grin

oricella · 02/03/2011 10:16

[flippant remark, but voice of experience]

twirlymum · 02/03/2011 10:37

Yes zukiecat I thought he came across quite well too.

worraliberty · 02/03/2011 10:39

What do you suggest OP, that they live there forever?

coraltoes · 02/03/2011 10:44

Yes much better to let people live entire lives in the slums, with no awareness and therefore charity funds raised through the media...

Where for one moment is it suggested that 1 week there = a lifetime's experience of it?! Some people really read too much/demand too much from a tv programme. Hmm

I watched the Kevin McCloud programmes about India's slums last year. FASCINATING, truly an eye opener not into just the poverty there (knew that bit really) but the enterprising nature, the property values there, the sheer volume of people and how the west actually depends so heavily on goods produced for next to nothing in these slums. Without him spending a week there, i'd have never learned the role of these slums in India. Is that a bad thing?!

Numberfour · 02/03/2011 10:47

YANBU at all.

worraliberty · 02/03/2011 10:51

Mind you if we could just persuade Katie Price, Jeremy Kyle or Vannessa Feltz to stay there forever I'd pledge a fortune Wink

Mumwithadragontattoo · 02/03/2011 11:58

Yes I remember Michael Portillo trying to figure out how to make benefits stretch to feed a young family. You could almost see the penny drop as he realised just how hard it is to live in poverty in this country.

squeakytoy · 02/03/2011 12:08

I do think some of the "celebs" do these things more to raise their own profile and procure paid work in the future, rather than because they really believe in the cause.

Takeresponsibility · 02/03/2011 12:15

We could melt Katie Price down to make plastic shelters for the homeless, Vanessa Feltz could provide meat, leather(y) clothing and candles for a fortnight and Jeremy Kyle could spout enough hot air to keep them warm.

Result

kreecherlivesupstairs · 02/03/2011 12:16

I think that the naysayers are wrong. I don't think that Lenny needs his profile to be raised, he has been involved with CR since it started I think.

worraliberty · 02/03/2011 12:18

Haha Taker that's perfect! Wink

jazz412 · 02/03/2011 12:49

Does anyone know where I can see the Michael Portillo programme? It's not on iplayer anymore :(

Concordia · 02/03/2011 12:50

yanbu i thought exactly the same thing.

TheCoalitionNeedsYou · 02/03/2011 12:54

Of course it doesn't but that not's the point of it.

OrangeBernard · 02/03/2011 12:59

Yes i thought it was a b it wank and usually I don't mind comic relief (hate the charity children in need) not the actual children, obvs!)