To ask if there's something I'm missing about the allegedly "controversial" Diversity performance

[GlummyMcGlummerson]

Diversity performed on Britain's Got Talent, a performance which incorporated a message about BLM. Their performance, as usual, was incredible and sent out some great messages. The video is below.

It's had 10,000 complaints. Why?! am I missing something? Did someone's nipple pop out or something? What is the basis of people's complaints? The only reason I can think is that some people (probably because they're part of the problem) don't like it when others point out that there's racism in the world? Boo hoo to them

I thought it was incredible. And the fact 10000 people objected shows the message is very much needed.

Bernice King (MLK's daughter) said

"There is no acceptable protest to racism to a racist"

I'll just leave that there.

@Straven123

I don't think most people have their fingers in their ears, most people aren't (or try not to be racist), so what annoys people is constantly being told they are racist -hence 10,000 people complain. The posts on this thread are a good example of racist accusations.

White people more upset about being called racist rather than BEING racist. There's a shocker.

@FrenchOrGreek

It's up to me to give direction to my children, not Ashley Banjo. If I want my kids to be informed about issues, I will arrange that. If I want my kids to be entertained then I will arrange that as well. It's my decision to inform my children about race or political issues at my time at a pace of my choosing, not Ashley Banjo's. That's why it's inappropriate. Not the message itself.

Are you policing every single bit of videos/songs/books that your dcs are in contact with? The very mainstream songs based on misogyny. The ones with videos incl hardly dressed women, full of sexual undertones. Or the children books that never show a girl/woman/female (animal etc...) as a main character? The ones that also never show characters that aren’t white/privileged.

Because of most of the entertainment ‘aimed at children’ (let alone adults) is full of that. And unless you are basically banning your dcs to watch 90% of mainstream cartoons/songs, that’s also what you are teaching them. Lack of inclusivity, misogyny etc....

But of course, you are also free to chose to do that.
(Or you could chose to teach them about the issue of race/women’s right even when this is making YOU uncomfortable - not them)

Not RTFT but to address the common themes:

Political statement shouldn’t be addressed on BGT
m.youtube.com/watch?v=7vXTui9tvMw

BGT is lighthearted entertainment and should be escapism
BGT always include something that is not light hearted. Sometimes it’s the contestants and their sob story, sometimes it’s the acts themselves. It’s a variety show. So when they’ve included something that has had a sad story they’ll then show the silly act that goes all the way to the end, despite being shit because Walliams will vote it through as he thinks it’s funny. There is a formula for BGT - they follow it every episode, year after year.

If you disagree, are these light hearted?
m.youtube.com/watch?v=LcLnw5JxS6w Kseniya Simonova depicts when she almost died through painting in sand or
m.youtube.com/watch?v=zBOG21r8LBo
when she depicts the decline in health, hospitalisation, admittance to hospice and eventual death of a loved one through sand painting.

Or how about the missing persons choir?
m.youtube.com/watch?v=86WTNx4vqkI

I certainly didn’t find that piece light hearted. It was very emotional to realise how many people were missing and had never been seen again. That’s a pretty scary concept to adults, never mind children, that those we love can just disappear.

It depicts a murder
No, it doesn’t. It shows a man being arrested. Ashley Banjo doesn’t even struggle on the ground and that moment is seconds not minutes. The police officer kneels briefly on his back, not his neck. Yes, it’s a clear reference to George Floyd’s murder but it doesn’t actually depict it. Adverts for soaps have had more violence in them.

@Straven123, I think most if not all people are racist. But it’s hurting them to think that way because they themselves as better than that. And ring told, they’re not is uncomfortable. It’s easier to reject the idea because they can (thanks to be in that very privileged position btw. But they don’t see that of course).

I include myself in that. On a lot of levels, I know I’m not racist. But I also know some of my reactions/behaviours ARE racist. They are unconscious reactions. But they are still racist.
One easy example is: how many people will chose to sit next to white person rather than a black person in a bus (when there is the choice)? Since I’ve seen that question raised, I’ve been more careful about my own reaction. And yes I probably would chose a white person because it feels more ‘confortable’.
It’s a very small example. One of the myriad of ‘micro aggressions’ that shows that deep down we are still not seeing black people as equal or safe.

@GlummyMcGlummerson
I’m as perplexed as you are.

I’m wondering how people can seriously say it’s not ok for a group to express how THEY have lived things what THEIR experience is. Why is it ok to negate all that? (Bevause that’s what all those complains as well as a lot of comments from posters amount to. I don’t want to hear that so you are not allow to say it!! Privilege all along)

@vonny63

Because black people are only acceptable when providing light hearted entertainment. How dare they use there artistic self expression to amplify the abhorrent treatment of other black people!

Absolutely.

Agree with you OP. I watched it to see what was controversial and honestly I thought it was exactly the kind of thing you'd expect - a dance on the BLM/racism theme, and very well executed as they are very good. It was if anything a bit cheesy in parts but that's what that kind of performance tends to be like (and I'm not knocking cheesy - I love Greatest Dancer! - but what I mean is it seemed like the opposite of controversial to me, quite mainstream.) It's in the news, it's massively relevant to them as an act, it's exactly what you'd expect them to do.

And I agree with QuestionMarkNow, there is racism in all or most people. Even if you are not actively racist, even if you try very hard not to be racist. And even if you are genuinely not racist at all, if you're white you do benefit from a privilege, and it's not terrible to be asked to think about it and to hear how it feels to suffer racism.

Personally I'd have been phoning up to complain if they hadn't of done it!

I’m white, middle class and a mother of small children, but the mindset of MN posters amazes me at times. Those of you saying it’s not the forum - it’s art. Art has always been intended to challenge status quo, express emotional experience and address the issues in society. That’s it’s point - to be challenging, provocative and to make people think. For those posters saying it’s inappropriate letting children watch - I suspect the problems associated with raising kids with a secluded and completely ignorant to their privilege POV is far more dangerous. I’ve seen prime time advertising that’s more violent/ contentious. I highly suggest anyone claiming that racism in the UK isn’t a thing do their research - it’s completely embedded in society. People with the mindset and unwillingness to change that I’ve seen here lately are disappointing - it’s time to stop being wilfully ignorant. Read about these issues. Critically address your privileged POV. Talk to people of colour and realise just how much disparity there is in their experience of society and ours. Come on. Do better.

I'm guessing people complained because of the depiction of George Floyds murder and possibly an anti police message?
I don't see it myself, I didn't find inappropriate or too graphic. I also don't think that children would see in it all that adults can.
I do find the number of complaints astonishing, but suspect it has had more to do with the media whipping it up than anything else.

I can't even imagine on what grounds people have complained.

Do we know?

It's not "the wrong platform", quite the opposite in my opinion. I think it's the ideal platform, the ideal performers, a well pitched message and a superb piece as always from Diversity. I get annoyed sometimes with people conflating US and UK issues, but I just didn't see that this way.

Something of this nature is quite at odds with the typical material on BGT, but that surely is the point. It jars, and it's supposed to. If anybody deserves to have that platform for their message it's Diversity, the very embodiment of BGT.

Really? Come on. You’re better than that.

Everyone saying it's light hearted entertainment, are you forgetting the number of times a performer moves the panel to tears because of their backstory? "I'm doing this for me nan". The kid with a disability or the Susan Boyles of the world? Why is it ok for white people to use their story as a triumph over adversity piece on this lighthearted entertainment show but if a group does a BLM routine that's not ok?

I know it's a lightweight show but performance is meant to be an art has always been a platform for political statement.

I mostly liked the performance. I thought it could have been much more profound and powerful but I thought it was appropriately pitched at its target audience.

It's ridiculous to conflate American police behaviour (or even continental police behaviour where there is more racism and police are armed) with the U.K.

Black lives can be badly impacted by racist policing in the UK too. It isn't just about being killed or injured. Being singled out, targeted, repeatedly arrested despite having done nothing wrong, can ruin a life.

I think it's the perfect platform for the message. We live in a society where many institutions are racist, even the ones who try not to be. They are also often sexist and agist too. People have a tenancy to recruit themselves. We see Boards that are 'snowy white peaks', and often male too.

Callin that out needs to be as easily seen as all the small and large acts of racism that Black people experience every day if we are going to see change.

The whole point, Surrey, is that this was exactly the platform. If we’re going to become actively anti-racist, we need to see it in mainstream, prime time media. ITV did exactly what is necessary - highlighting an issue that is uncomfortable but real. The problem is that it took white people out of the narrative when we’re so used to being the centre of it.

Diversity have never shied away from issues; it might not always be so overt in their performances but as usual this was powerful, beautiful and spine-tingling.

Art is at its most important when we use it to make sense of the world.

I really, really don’t expect Ofcom to find any wrongdoing and I hope they write a suitable
anti-racist statement as well.

*surely not Surrey!

Absolutely the right forum - Diversity were on BGT and went on to better and bigger things. Can't remember whether they won or were runners up, but they are a class act.

Thought they were brilliant.

I just watched it, thanks for the link op. I thought it was fantastic, it brought a tear to my eye. My part of the UK is very rascist (a loyalist part of N.I). We're not all rascist of course, but plenty are, I've heard some really sickening things over the years, from family members and former friends, not just people I know in general. Usually the same type that think all catholics/republicans should be wiped out.

Black Lives Matter is now a political movement. It has no place on pre-watershed family TV.