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.

This identify politics really just divides people even more. I believe racism exists but I really starting to think that people of colour believe that every white person goes around with perpetual racist thoughts in their head which they enact every day.

It seems that we can't do right for doing wrong. Anything said or done is racist really starting just say why bother?

Yes our ancestors (well not mine really, mine were also enslaved)did some awful terrible things which are unforgivable but I really believe that majority of people today really do genuinely want to help people who are less fortunate than them for whatever reason. It's not cause we're white, it's cause we are human. Can you not just take in the spirit that it's intended?

If not, perhaps countries of Africa should just stop accepting money (both charity and aid) from majority white west.

I believe racism exists but I really starting to think that people of colour believe that every white person goes around with perpetual racist thoughts in their head which they enact every day

I mean...

I still think using ajectives, black white, colour perpetuates the problem.

I bet you 'don't see colour, only a person'.

As a person of colour I am telling you Bicyclethief that I do not believe that every white person goes round with racist thoughts in their heads.

You are talking about the damage of identity politics then positioning yourself in the group of the white person who can't do right for doing right for doing wrong

Can you see an issue there?

Swifty you believer every white person is racist and goes around with racists thoughts in their head?

OrangeCinnamon.....There was no attempt at an apology on my part. I have nothing to apologise for. Maybe you should look at how you responded to me. Your the one throwing the insults not me. By the way 'your suffering' is Not my fault. Like I said there will always be dickheads around, but please don't lump me into your experiences.
I agree with Bicyclethief, sometimes you can't do right for doing wrong.

Switsy......Well there you go. Jeez just tell us 'how you would like us to respond, perhaps then we will do the 'right' thing ' and you'll have nothing left to argue about.ffs

Ta pensionista glad we cleared that up.

As I said before I wish every one that is outraged on Stacey's behalf put as much effort into fighting real race issues on both sides not just why pick on her because she us white.

OrangeCinammon only positioned myself there cause the discussion here is about white and black. I hardly ever think about colour until it comes up like this and when it does it just feels that you can't do right for doing wrong.

I hope that we stop all aid and charity money to Africa because I believe this does nothing for those countries. What we need is our politicians (hello Mr Lammy) to push for fair trade instead of having a cheap shot at some minor celeb (no clue who she is).

Cf has its days counted.

There was an excellent TED talked linked earlier (page 2 if you set to 100 posts per page) - highly recommended, please do take a few minutes to watch it. I'm a massive fan of her writing too.
There are many excellent, highly effective, locally run projects that are making a real difference and a lot of them are run by women. If CR showed those people it would be great much better than the trite, condescending "look at me with the poor children" clips.

I think certainly Lammy was trying to raise the issue how charities operate with some very valid points if you read all his tweets but the outrage on Staceys behalf is really out of proportion.

Although to be fair to CR we don't know what the actual feature is with SD. But she did post the shot on her Instagram and before DL raised the issue many others did about the 'western saviour' positioning and how it could be done differently

It's out of proportion cause he chose to use race and direct it at her. Again, if it had been Lenny Henry would he have made the point?

Either way, this approach is certainly dated or perhaps it just appeals to a certain demographics which might help if you're trying to raise huge amounts of money.

Spurred on by this thread, I’ve looked at different ways to “help”. Has anyone used lendwithcare.org

Sounds a bit like gofundme but instead of handouts it’s small loans that are given to entrepreneurs in developing countries and your money is eventually paid back to you.

“I hardly ever think about colour until it comes up like this and when it does it just feels that you can't do right for doing wrong“
Really? I tend to find not being racist quite easy!
I don’t think Dooley was being racist, by the way. I think she was being crass and insensitive. And a person in her position should have known better.

BertandRussell me too. I find not being racist very easy.

I agree, the whole look at me I'm helping is crass but it looks like that's what it takes to get money out of peoples pockets. It seems to have got worse with this excessive celeb culture.

Thanks @INoahguy looks interesting !

I posted earlier that I understood David Lammy’s viewpoint and agreed with him.

At the same time I do have sympathy for Stacey Dooley. Comic Relief, in its format, almost creates a 'white saviour' shaped hole into which it’s easy to fall. I think that she could have been alerted to the importance of avoiding the ‘gap year misery tourism’ style in her report or social media posts by the organisers of Comic Relief, given that this was an issue that had been flagged up already in response to Ed Sheeran’s stint. Maybe she should have known without being explicitly told but I think it would have been wise to make sure she was aware of the wider issues and complexities.

I’m also rather uneasy about the public shaming of Stacey Dooley. Mr Lammy could have contacted her privately and asked her to remove the image, giving his reasons, or he could have taken his concerns to the organisers of Comic Relief. The Twitter format encourages public shaming just as much as it encourages public self-aggrandisement and I’m not much of a fan of either.

Somebody mentioned the Barbie Savior account upthread and I wanted to include a 2016 post from there. Life really does imitate art. All CR celebs/workers should be shown it so they can avoid turning into Barbie S when sent overseas.

The one good thing that has come out of this has been the wider debate that has ensued.

@TwoRoundabouts oh come of it! Just because I don't enjoy African music doesn't mean I have narrow tastes (although I am sure yours are far superior). We are talking about trying to extract charity from British people the vast majority of whom would not watch a Bollywood movie or spend 6 hours in front of the TV watching African themed entertainment. I have tastes that wouldn't appeal to the masses - I could quite happily sit through 6 hours of opera - but I don't think that would motivate the majority of people to tune in do you?

@happierever if you like opera I bet you would enjoy some African music. Remember Africa is a continent with 54 recognised countries with loads of ethnic groups. You just haven't been introduced to stuff you like. Likewise with loads of the masses who only like pop. (DD is kicking me in excitement while I play some Malian guitar music.)

Maybe but your missing my point which is that most people won't watch it

It doesn't matter whether British people prefer African music or Ed Sheeran. As David Lammy said, this is an outdated and insulting way to address problems on the continent of Africa.

And £1bn over 30 years is pathetic.

What's your suggestion then that will raise millions?

Reading in today's paper that Lammy had been invited by comic relief to go to Africa, but he refused.
For this man to make racist remarks about Stacey, who did go, is the height of hipocracy, he should hang his head in shame.
It makes me wonder what he really thinks about the white population of this country who send millions of pounds each year in aid to Africa.
Perhaps he should set up his own charity sending only money donated by black people to Africa, I will certainly not be making any more donations.
I think he should adhere to the old adage, engage brain before activating mouth.

“Reading in today's paper that Lammy had been invited by comic relief to go to Africa, but he refused.”
Did you read his explanation?