To think Stacey Dooley was right in her response to David Lammy

[CoolCarrie]

“ Africa doesn’t need white saviours” says Lammy commenting on pictures of Stacey Dooley on a comic relief trip. Why pick on her? Loads of celebrities over the years have gone to Africa to show how money is helping the poorest of the poor, and the huge difference it has made over the years.
What Africa does need is governments that are not corrupt and better leaders.

When Harry and Meghan or Kate and William are photographed visiting charities in Britain the PR approach is very different - helping out in the kitchen or chatting with the people involved about their work. They aren't photographed roaming Council estates and hugging white working class babies.

If anyone wants to watch the documentary with the Yazidi women it is on BBC IPlayer here

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04f26sh

It's absolutely crass for her to have posted that photo - with the caption 'OBSESSSSSSED'

I had no idea that was the caption. And I agreed with David Lammy already.

Great post InspirationUnavailable

Agree completely

Also, to those saying David Lammy wouldn’t have made these criticisms about a male celeb - would David Lammy be getting as much stick if he was a white MP? He is not alone in making this argument against Comic Relief but no one else is as constantly criticised for it.

I think he was entirely wrong and racist. Ofc we need to improve governance in Africa. It would be good too to raise the profile of African comedians say or music as pp have suggested. However, comic relief is a charity that helps organisations in Africa (and the uk as I understand it). That’s needed too same as charitable organisations are needed in the uk and are a wholly good thing generally.

The idea that Stacey Dooley is somehow part of the reason for the relative poverty in Africa because she visits a neonatal clinic to raise money for it is f@cked up. David Lammy is totally wrong and is putting dogma before people.

Many celebrities promote charities in the uk too. Should a charity based in a predominantly white country not promote women’s health in Uganda because of the colour of the recipients skin? That sounds utterly racist to me.

@unitoast I disagree. Kate is often shown getting flowers etc from poor or sick children. The reason she is not hugging them is it’s not protocol to hug the royals.

www.radiaid.com/radi-aid-awards-2017

This is a brilliant website with examples of some aid campaigns done well, and some really not. The whole site has lots more info along the lines of what David was saying - well worth a look.

Ofc we need to improve governance in Africa

Egypt? South Africa? Madagascar? Tunisia?

Who is 'we'? The former colonists?

@inspiration I take your point but celebs are used to promote all sorts of things and ultimately do raise the profile more than if it was just a Ugandan presenter that no one in the uk would know. I think they do give a voice to the people in the projects on the ground in the videos and it is usual to have a uk presenter or journalist tell a story.

I thought David Lammy made some good points. Her response wasn’t the best

@autumn - unfortunately really almost all of the nations in Africa could do with improvements in governance. Some more than others of course. We as the world should try to eradicate corruption- there’s a lot we can do from the uk in not promoting and dealing with corrupt regimes.

Ofc we need to improve governance in Africa.
WTAF? We are struggling with the incompetent fuckwits who provide governance in the UK. We have no say whatever in the governance of all the countries across the continent of Africa.

Well, the public never forgave Stacey Dooley for beating Joe Sugg on Strictly so I expect they'll enjoy piling in.

Africa still has millions of children malnourished. Corruption is rife and money doesn't reach the poorest people.
So it's not an outdated narrative is it?

African children still need our help. Stacey is helping to raise awareness, to raise more money and help those children.

@diane I disagree we have no say in the governance of other countries- there is a lot we can do via trade, international pressure, aid, etc. I totally agree re our own f@clwits tho

dione have you ever tried to do business in Africa? The corruption is eye watering.

My business gives to charity, it is FAR easier dealing with British charities and the hoops they have to jump through (governed by the CC) compared to dealing with African charities. The amount if money wasted is tragic.

“ do not think that Stacey is a bad person. She is young, inexperienced and a celebrity. ”
She is a 32 year old investigative journalist.

@inspirtation - the meaning didn't escape me, I just don't agree with it. I dont think involving celebrities from the UK (regardless of colour) is an issue. I think the issue is the infantalising way African people are often represented. I also think the idea it should be told from an African perspective while seemingly worthy may be a little counter productive - wouldnt UK celebrities have more of a 'reach' in the UK rather than African journalists?

Africa still has millions of children malnourished. Corruption is rife and money doesn't reach the poorest people.
So it's not an outdated narrative is it?

African children still need our help. Stacey is helping to raise awareness, to raise more money and help those children.

I mean I wouldn’t phrase it like that, but again DAVID LAMMY ISN'T SUGGESTING THAT COMIC RELIEF SHOULD NOT EXIST. Just that they shouldn’t use white, British celebs in their promotional videos. There is NO reason why CR can’t change their approach to be less white savour (infantilising a whole continent) and give agency back to Africans to tell their own stories. The idea that without seeing Stacey Dooley crying over a poor, African child comic relief won’t make any money is absurd.

I think the issue is the infantalising way African people are often represented.

I agree, but personally feel that, while those featured in CR’s videos aren’t able to tell their own stories this issue can’t be overcome. How can portrayals of Africa not be infantilising if someone else is speaking for them?

They shouldn't use white people? Isn't that racist in itself? Stacey Dooley wants to help and make a difference why does the colour of her skin matter? When I saw that photo of her I didn't see white vs black... I saw a human with 2 arms, 2 legs, a head etc. Trying to help another human.

Stacey Dooley wants to help and make a difference why does the colour of her skin matter?
She can help and make a difference without perpetuating the Colonial Great White Hope trope.

So she shouldn't have picked up a black baby, is that it?

Why don't you read read read and read some more to really understand this instead of making ridiculous comments like the above.

please ook at nowhitesaviors on social media.
it is really informative.