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.

David Lammy's views on foreign aid have already been linked to on this thread - here you are

So you can see, he is on record as defended the UK's foreign aid spending commitment but has always been concerned about arbitrary charity fundraising.

The Ghanaian President seems to be referring to aid at governmental level not charitable funding for projects at ground level. And he's entirely right that the cycle of governmental aid, debt and trade should be re-adjusted. Read The Economic Hitman for an inside view of that cycle from an American pov.
But I've worked in Africa. There are lots of small local projects (funded by charitable donations through organisations like Comic Relief) that provide vital infrastructure and aren't supported by their national government.
Where aid agencies are failing is in telling success stories. Charities are working alongside local organisations to support them in becoming self-sufficient and self-funded. The need isn't the same as it was thirty years ago.

I asked DS what they talked about in current affairs today.

He said "That ginger woman holding the black baby. I thought the MP was dead right" ... and then a slightly more eloquent discourse on colonialism and paternalism. (Paraphrased into teen-speak).

I like the slogan on that "No White Saviors" Instagram account someone linked above:

"NO WHITE SAVIORS"
"We never said “no white people”. We just know you shouldn’t be the hero of the story"

I think that sums it up, especially for those having difficulty seeing any middle ground between either posing with' babies or alternatively never giving any development aid.

I don’t think anyone could call David Lamny working class. He did grow up in a single parent family in Holloway, but the single parent concerned was a doctor.....

Agree with David Lammy. It's time to put the this ourdated fundraising model to rest

And also have a think a out the WAY the aid is handed out. Aid isn’t just a big cheque it usually comes with privisos and many clanky issues that may not be appropriate.

Regardless of what my feelings are towards SD and DL (who incident,y wouldn’t give a sh*t), I think CR really needs to relook at what and how they do it.

David Lammy's view is that he would prefer the cycle to be governmental aid, trade, debt. That isn't the same as the Ghanaian President's position.
And the parameters our government put on aid spending are problematic both in country (ie the conditions we place on recipients) and in the UK with the Tories pushing for military and peacekeeping spending to come from the aid budget.
There is an important conversation to be had around these issues. I just don't see David Lammy ever trying to have that nuanced debate. Ironically he prefers to opt for a controversial remark that makes him the story. He's rather similar to Stacey in that regard.

Let’s hope these emerging African middle classes start sharing their wealth then. I’m assuming David can tell them they won’t be siphoning off aid funds coming in.

People hold children because we all hate seeing them, and it’s natural to want to cuddle a child, this isn’t about bloody colour, it’s about the inequality of wealth which is worldwide. Hopefully David will be moving to a more modest house and donating direct.

What I hate is celebs who are loaded telling me I need to donate. Cliff fucking Richard with his however many houses. Anyone who lives in wealth isn’t giving that big a deal because it’s easy if you’ve got the money.

I give my time to a voluntary initiative, I don’t have spare money.

No Kinghenry I didn't ask them . . . It's just what I had been thinking myself, when I held my baby for the first time!

I see

I think David Lammy was wrong to call out Stacey Dooley particularly but we do need to over come this notion that Africa needs saving. There are pockets of intense poverty and refugee crises that do need our support. I am sure Comic Relief does give funds to in country charities supporting local initiatives

This is a weird one as both sides are correct, however David Lammy, probably inadvertently, chose the wrong person to focus on when making his very valid point.

Comic Relief are behind the times, along with many more similar entities, and it's a fact - there is a huge issue with the "White Knights" riding in and saving the day.

Stacey Dooley, however, is not a 'British Celebrity' in the sense that David was referring to. Stacey has, for a long time, been a respected, bona fide, hard working investigative journalist and documentaty maker. This is her job. It's totally different to Ed Sheeran being sent out to make these films.

And from what I've seen/read, David Lammy did seem to be using Stacey Dooley as an example - I think most people would have assumed he was directing his comments given her image is on the tweet he made and he talked about her specifically.

I think it’s just the western world making mountains out of mole hills. It’s about helping people who need it, whatever your colour. Comic relief is a good thing, I think it was probably one of the first charity’s introduced to me as a child. My own kids like it and understand the importance of helping others whatever their colour, culture whatever! I think David Lammy is petty and should look at the bigger picture.

Actually, yes, I am implying precisely that

Well that's very cynical. Of course you may be right but there is equal if not greater possibility that she just wanted to hold the baby and wasn't ascribing particular value to his colour. I love babies and children myself, I can definately see myself picking up any baby for a cuddle given a chance

I do agree that it is distasteful for celebs to do charity with the aim of boosting their profile. Absolutely. But I do not believe that that is what SD was intending to do, and it was quite unfair for DL to single her out as the focus for criticism out of all the people who have done similar.

“Stacey has, for a long time, been a respected, bona fide, hard working investigative journalist and documentaty maker.”
Which makes it even more incomprehensible that she posted such a crass picture!

“I love babies and children myself, I can definately see myself picking up any baby for a cuddle given a chance”
Do you get your picture taken with them and put it on Instagram?

Agree with Lammy 100%.
She's hateful.

It all smacks of lady di in the minefields looking all immaculate and doe eyed with the captions about her pristine Armani shirt and chinos rather than the actual matter in hand. See 'posh' spice for the updated version. Utter disgrace the lot of them.

I agree with Lammy on this one.

Brillliant. If you can grab a few Africans who fell the same way then we can talk. Or maybe we can talk about MKO Abiola. Maybe?

I don’t need to talk. I have my opinion and you won’t change it.

If you want to keep sending money that’s your perogative, crack on. Me? I’ve had enough of it after so many years. Their government is corrupt and is the reason most of these people live in poverty in the first place. I use my hard earned cash these days to help people who are homeless in the UK get a warm meal and warm clothing. And that’s my perogative to do so.

It all smacks of lady di in the minefields looking all immaculate and doe eyed with the captions about her pristine Armani shirt and chinos rather than the actual matter in hand. It's nothing like this situation.
Diana did cuddle babies in African countries but she actually did love babies.

Well done to all the people complaining, i think we can probably safely say that a lot less people will be putting their hands in their pockets for this year's Comic Relief! And we can probably already safely say that many 'white' celebrities will now think twice about getting involved. Has this helped poverty in Africa? I'm guessing not. I think it was quite racist if im honest when asked if it would be ok if it had been Lenny Henry in the same photo and David Lammy said 'yes it would' !!!!! Why? Because he's black? He's still a wealthy celebrity who lives in the UK. Why would the photo be ok with Lenny Henry but not with Stacy Dooley? This year Stacey Dooley, last year Ed Sheeran. No one is going to dare touch charity with a barge pole for fear of being judged/critised/ taken out and flogged. My husband works with someone who is quite high up in a well known charity and he said they love it if they can get ANY celeb involved, he said it always ups the profile which in turn always brings in more money for the charity. Ultimately that's the goal isn't it? Bringing in as much money as possible to give as much help as possible to the people who really need it.

Lammy has made a racist remark and should be investigated by the police.

How was it racist, @Vicky1990?

I like Stacey Dooley but she has missed the point David Lammy was making.

She has also not helped herself by posting a pic of her grinning whilst holding a not so happy child on instagram with “OBSESSSSSSED” next to it. It’s making light of a serious situation which sits uncomfortably with a lot of people.