AIBU to think this Christmas play is a bit racist?

[CrikeyOReilly]

This is the play my kids are in at school this year...

www.musiclinedirect.com/_data/samples/pdf/aba/script%20sample%20ali%20baba.pdf

Harmless 'Carry On' fun or worrying?

I think there is something in the idea that American consciousness of racism doesn't seem to extend to Indian stereotypes in the way that it does to African-American ones. This doesn't mean that there isn't still an enormous amount of racism against African-American peoples (there clearly is) just that it is more readily identifiable by the general population thanks to consciousness-raising efforts. (Big Bang Theory is also bad on Indian stereotyping).

I love the idea of an innuendo competition Composhat. How does it work??

I should add that clearly I don't think either are 'racist' and using the word so freely takes focus away from it.

I suppose M1nnie that despite thinking the Great British Book of Smiles was a bit 'off', as a white person I don't feel my life chances have been significantly inhibited by White British stereotypes. I doubt there are many black or brown-skinned people who could say the same.

I actually think the play at the centre of this topic reads more like a pantomime such as Aladdin - one that I enjoyed last Christmas. But I can see where the op is coming from and am musing out loud about what actually makes the difference between racism and national stereotypes, if indeed there is one.

Look as hard as you can for racism amongst people who really are not racist. The more you find the more "points" you get. The more people you denounce to the "Authorities", the better your rewards.
The trouble is the more I say it is not racist, the more you can say I AM in fact a racist - or a racism excuser. It's a no win situation.

Better to enjoy life and just make absolutely sure that you yourself treat everyone with respect and fairness. If we all make sure we are not racist rather than spend our time looking for others to accuse things would be better for everyone

Excellent post - especially the last paragraph.
Sick of people picking things apart, bit by bit, trying their hardest to find things that aren't there and if they do find something, they are offended on behalf of other people.
Some people are determined to suck the joy out of everything.

OP, I hope you and your child have a great time both being in the play and watching it.

M1nniedriver
What is the difference between Apu and Willie? So it's okay to 'take the piss' out of white scots but as soon as you do the same with with a black/brown character its racist and uncomfortable

Yep, you've got it. Power (white people are privileged so are always in power) + prejudice = racism. Therefore only white people can be racist, and any perceived "discrimination" against white people is not racism.

I don't think any of it is racist

I have asked loads of people now. I would say that the vast majority thought it was racist - some more so than others. Thought I should probably feed that back, so that those who don't believe it's racist can reflect.

And thanks to josephwrightofderby for articulating America's Indian/racism issue. I definitely didn't mean that there is no racism against African Americans, rather that the USA seem to be in the 1970s with their representations of Indian people.

I assume that this means Aladdin is racist and should never be performed.

Slightly more concerned that the principle girls have to wear 'harem' pants and cropped tops for a school production.

I've reflected... have decided I shall remain an anachronism meh

I would be very very uncomfortable watching this. Yes maybe it is not overtly racist but is it FULL of stereotyping and subtle mocking and 'othering' of Arabic names/words. And it is this subtle and insidious mockery that feeds and perpetuates racist attitudes.
Plus the implication that the middle east is just full of people shuffling about in dusty sandals playing the bongos and selling chicken. God forbid that we should acknowledge any other aspect. I am only surprised that there isn't a character called Bang-Bang the Terrorist.
Stereotypes are at best lazy and unfunny; at worst incitement to mistrust and hatred of minorities.
I would imagine there would be uproar if this was put on in an area with a diverse population.

Oh for goodness sake.

Kids take the piss out of each other's names. I have a v. British name and hear the same punning joke every week of my childhood.

Bad puns are a mainstay of comedy, whether based on names or foodstuffs. And really, do you think there would be any less punning in a panto set in Merry Old England rather than Merry Old Arabia?

There's only three pages of the script, we can't say whether it is racist or not but I'd be very surprised if Ali Baba Bongo did not refer to Ali Baba being a drummer.

heard not hear obv.

I don't think 'Mustafa Widdle' is racist. It's set in Arabia.

If it was set in Ireland there would be names like Paddy O'Furniture or May O'Nays.

I was going to say Pat McGroin or Miles O'Toole but it's a childrens play. :o

I would be very very uncomfortable watching this.

How does it differ from Aladdin?

Slightly more concerned that the principle girls have to wear 'harem' pants and cropped tops for a school production.

You have no idea what the cast will have to wear. That is just the published script.

Sheik yerbouti= shake your booty really?

What's wrong with shake your booty?

But if you're taking the piss out of British names then you're laughing at yourselves. There's a big difference.

I assume that this means Aladdin is racist and should never be performed.
For me, no. It could be problematic, if you went around making 'hilarious' jokes about Arab/Chinese (not sure of this in Aladdin to be honest!) names. It depends on the script, and whether anyone 'blacks up' etc. I went to an Aladdin panto a couple of years ago and it was fine - just a stupid story but no stereotypes and no piss taking of people other than themselves.

(Wonders of now is an appropriate time to ask OP if their username counts as nasty racial stereotyping, pisstaking)

Very possibly!

Of course, you could have your pantos checked over by the Politically Correct committee - but then the only one to attend would be Jeremy Corbin!

This is possibly the most random zombie thread I have ever seen bumped.

Christmas plays? Really

CrikeyOReilly The majority of MN users are white. I suspect the answers you receive would be different if your question was aimed at Middle easterners/Muslims.

There have been threads where the use of obvious racist language has been defended as has blackface and gollywog dolls.

I really do think you're expecting too much with asking people on this site to recognise racism.

It's all hilarious and you can't take a joke when it's not happening to you and you're not the minority.