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.

“Their government”

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

What Africa and Comic Relief needs are the local representatives, located in the areas being highlighted to be in front of the camera. Wouldn't they be able to give a more indepth and a accurate account of what the money is doing in the area. How much does it cost for all the celebrities to travel and stay in those places. Money that could go to the charity.

If Stacey had been black nothing would have been said, he said it as she is white, racist.
What is hard to understand about that?.
I'm sure Lammy is happy for all the white taxpayers millions of pounds to be poured into Africa to prop up the corrupt rulers, but is unhappy as a white woman is holding a black child, hipocracy.

Stacey has, for a long time, been a respected, bona fide, hard working investigative journalist and documentaty maker.

She should not have let herself become the story then - very basic rule of journalism.

Vicky1990
If Stacey had been black nothing would have been said, he said it as she is white, racist.
What is hard to understand about that?.

Its not hard to understand but it does show that you are missing his point.

I don't see the hypocrisy actually Vicky? Could you elaborate please?

@Vicky1990

He’s married to a white woman. Why are you so sure he’s happy about “white taxpayer’s” money going to Africa? How does he benefit?

What Africa and Comic Relief needs are the local representatives, located in the areas being highlighted to be in front of the camera. Wouldn't they be able to give a more indepth and a accurate account of what the money is doing in the area. How much does it cost for all the celebrities to travel and stay in those places. Money that could go to the charity.

Agree with this. As I said the concept is old. The likes of Ed Sheeran so t inspire me in any way. (Doesn’t help that I can’t stand the bloke). It feels super cheesey and old.

If Comic Relief is to continue I think they need a more realistic format, than to send rich celebrities out to Africa. And you’re right, how much does it cost to fly these celebrities out there and put them up? Surely that’s money wasted?

Lammy has made a racist remark and should be investigated by the police.
If a black person had picked a child up and a white person had made those remarks they would now be at a police station answering questions.
Lammy was invited to go but couldn't be arsed, fucking gob shite. I would rather people like you never gave money. You are part of the problem and you don't even know it. This sort of ignorance boils my piss when it comes to racism. What is wrong people?

I haven't RTFT but have followed this story in the media. I think both sides have a valid point.

I was boiling when I first read the headline but if you read David Lammy's comments in full, it's actually quite a fair and reasoned response.

I agree that it needs to be more progressively framed in a way that's perhaps not quite so humiliating.

At the same time though, white celebrities do have a role to play. Famous faces and names get people to tune in - people like to watch things that their favourite singer etc is in. It's a hook to get more viewers, and ergo, more money. It's possible to be an ally even if you have white skin.

Also, I was watching TV today and the Oxfam ad came on, with the same old stereotypes. If David Lammy objects to Africa being depicted as poor, deprived etc and feels there should be more positive portrayal in Comic Relief, I'd say the same applies to Oxfam etc too.

@genius1308 they will touch it will lol the budge poll in the world. By next week everything will be back to normal. I hope it won't but I doubt it. This SD thing was in a long line of western attitudes onwards African black people for the last weeks. Maybe we we will! Get a break from it.

If Stacey had been black nothing would have been said, he said it as she is white, racist.
What is hard to understand about that?.
I'm sure Lammy is happy for all the white taxpayers millions of pounds to be poured into Africa to prop up the corrupt rulers, but is unhappy as a white woman is holding a black child, hipocracy. This is not true. Two weeks ago a black/instagrammer did something similar. People slated the fuck out her. If you only know of such things because this time is a bout a white celeb people are talking about, it actually says a lot about you and what sort of news you find worthy of comment.

He could have pushed for the changes he wants to see ie an African director; an African spokesperson. He didn't.

@KateAdiesEarrings, do you know he didn’t push for those changes when he met up with Comic Relief? Not being goady, genuinely interested in the answer. Thank you.

He’s an idiot. Plenty of people are now saying they won’t make donations. So very well done.

He’s an idiot. Plenty of people are now saying they won’t make donations. So very well done. Then It's the right people. Those who want to constantly emotionally blackmailed into donating rather than thinking that some people will need help in this world. That some people will, be less fortunate than them through no fault of their own. That some times, it's just nice to just give to the poor and it does not matter where.

What I have seen here is the same reason some girls in my school thought it was ok to bulky my friend because she was from South Sudan. They thought it was ok because every comic relief Friday their parents gave money to save her family. All you lot who support such nonsense can fuck right off with your money. I would rather you never gave a penny or help.

What do you think would bring him more funding to his project? Being highlighted on BBC news or a circulated clip of Little Mix visiting his project and crying over what they see?

If the latter is true, then that’s surely something we need, as a society, to address? In the long term, it does so much damage to keep enforcing this image that it’s only the white western people who can save the ‘poor africans’. Personally, I don’t need little mix’s tears to tell me what to empathise with, but if we feel the majority of our society do, then that’s an issue.

How can anyone say Stacey Dooley has done this right?

She is grinning at the camera with her nice hair and discreet make up and not even looking at that child who is just staring down. He's a prop and she hasn't even bothered to make him look like a good one.

The pose is her laughing as if she is having a lovely time. No empathy or tact or sensitivity towards the child or the context.

Quencher what on earths the matter with you. You want white people to stop contributing? Does that include foreign aid, as you know, the majority of the people in the UK are white.

Oh and SD is a documentary film maker. Do look up what that means.

Has DL come out condemning the blatant anti semetism and sexism in his own party. Has he come out about the corruption in Africa, the sexism in Africa including FGM and child brides. How about all the rich Africans who profit from bigotry and poverty in Africa. Nah shouting racism is easy. As I said an idiot.

Comic relief should end its clearly had it's time when they start to complain that people are doing it wrong and focusing on the colour of anyone's skin it is failing

Plus we have been helping them since I was in middle school I turn 44 next week nothing has changed in thirty odd years we have failed let someone else try

People keep going on about how Comic Relief has raised £1 billion over 30 years. Wow.

HSB2 which is not even built yet, and might never be, is on course to cost Britain £80bn to connect London to Manchester and Leeds

Personally, I don’t need little mix’s tears to tell me what to empathise with, but if we feel the majority of our society do, then that’s an issue.

The thing is there's that old argument of altruism. Does it exist? Essentially not. Unfortunately a lot of people need to be seen to give in order to feel good about themselves and other people like reasons besides straight up boring suffering to give. They just do. I don't. You don't. Others do. Quite a few others. Real poverty isn't sexy, its grinding, dirty and hard. So enter centre stage little mix et al to sex it up.

@Imissgmichael I know who SD is an I have watch most of her doc. My problem is even not with her. People's comments have pissed me right off. I would rather people who cared donated rather than those who do it because they have quilt and when they find an African better than them they think it's ok to bully that person.

And let's not divert this topic away into antisemitism.

“What I have seen here is the same reason some girls in my school thought it was ok to bulky my friend because she was from South Sudan”

Don’t be daft. Keep digging your rather deep hole.

Look I can remember the Biafran famine. My class had a chart on the wall and everytime a target was met a picture of a black child was put on the chart. I thought that was wrong but was to young to know why but I can remember my black friend being very upset but didn’t know why herself. I do now understand but we now seem to be in a position that when everything a white person does is vilified. I can’t agree with that.

Does anyone remember those 2 girls doing a gap year volunteering teaching girls and being physically attacked . Plenty of people saying it was their own fault for trying to help and sticking their hand jute noses in. Hardly falling over themselves to help though were they.

The pose is her laughing as if she is having a lovely time. No empathy or tact or sensitivity towards the child or the context.

This^^