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 love Diversity

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

They gratuitously recreated the scene that lead to a man's death on a lightweight entertainment show.

They are entitled to of course use their platform < gained from winning BGT and being massively succesful> to express their anger and raise the profile of events in 2020. Maybe they'll do Brexit this week?

@Smorgasbored0000

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

It wasn't pre- watershed was it? BGT was on 8-10pm and Diversity were right near the end. I've seen worse on Corrie at 7.30.

I thought it was amazing. They are so talented and the performance was very powerful

I thought it was an amazing performance, and BGT is the perfect platform. It's mainstream and we shouldn't shy away from the ugly truth.
I can only imagine that people complained because being made to face up to the fact that racism is a huge issue makes them feel uncomfortable.

If you complained, I'd be interested to know why.

@Smorgasbored0000

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

Eh? TV has always incorporated political issues, even the soaps. First gay kiss on TV etc.

Anyone who complained about this is probably scared of black people having true equality. They need to face up to their prejudice.

Yes. And it’s hard to make that fight wo making political tbh....
But making that fight mainstream (which is what having those songs at that sort of time does) goes a long way to normalise attitude towards black people

People saying the UK isn't racist because, "We are not like America.", have an incredibly low bar.
Like saying a man who emotionally abused a woman isn't abusive because he doesn't hit his partner.
The UK is very racist and it is a growing issue. I say that as a white woman, who other white people feel far too comfortable expressing their racism to me in many ways.
I love Diversity. They are from my area and know far too well how racism is inherent in this area. They are amazing Ambassadors for young people of all races and amazing role models.
I am disgusted that the far right have used their incredible performative art as a reason to get on a disgusting band wagon that should make us all ashamed.

So many excuses for racism here.

I’m certain that if Tristan and his dance group, The Oxford Players had done an interpretive dance of the DD landings possibly featuring a couple of the dancers pretending to be blown up, I’m sure those 10k people would be tripping over themselves to say how great it was.

Nobody would be saying their 9 year old had been triggered.

It’s a dance about a current event. They are not going to come through the TV like the Ring and harm your precious kids whilst they eat their dinner. You should be happy most of your kids will never end up like George Floyd. There are tons of kids who never get to just switch off the tv and go back to their Swallows and Amazons life because the fear of violence and racism is their lived reality.

It’s good to see the world how it is and art is good way to do this.

Nevertheless, I’m absolutely sick to death of the current culture wars. Everything is so fucking polarised. The dumb right wingers have to make out that anything with a social message like this is the worst thing ever and destroying the world and the dumb left wingers have to make out that everything done which pisses off right wingers is the best thing ever even if they don’t really believe it like that infantile WAP video which is supposed to be empowering although you’ll never see anybody with any real power jiggling their arses and singing about their genitals.

Anybody engaging in this foolishness should be embarrassed.

please don't let your children EVER watch Dancing On Ice - OMG do you know that Torvill and Dean make people re-enact a double suicide via The Bolero - absolutely disgusting - toddlers might be watching FFS - who do I complain to?

I do think the current attitude to very important issues such as racism, trans rights, environmentalism etc. Is alienating a large base of supporters because it allows no nuance and if you don’t agree wholeheartedly with every aspect then you “need to be educated”. This basically suggests that people are uneducated or that their opinion is invalid. If you are that person being told that then you are unlikely to actively support a cause even if you agree with many aspects of it. There are examples on this thread of that. This could have really terrible consequences for the achievement of equality as it actively encourages people to be in the “I won’t be racist but I will not get involved camp”. I wonder if people have really thought of the dangers of disengaging people?

I hadnt seen or heard anything about this until I clicked on this thread and then watched the routine.

Personally, I thought it was powerful and it made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck.

Their routines are always amazing and so precise and this was no different.

Why shouldn't they base routines around what's important to them?

Dance is an art form and it is a way of expressing yourself, which they did very well.

I'm not black and so have never experienced racism, & everyone's life experiences are different; but imho it's essential that we see what other people go through, because if we don't, how can we change it when it's needed?

If we ignore the bad, how can we strive to be, and do, better?

How can we learn from past mistakes if they're hidden away?

I'm astounded that there were any complaints and can't begin to understand why people felt the need to do so.

So what, if they knew the dance would be controversial and was partly motivated to get people talking about Diversity and AB. Whatever the motives it was a hugely powerful piece and I think it was a great platform for it.

I don't watch Reality TV; it's vapid and self obsessive.

I might change my mind if there were more performances like that, that actually have real meaning and purpose.

I thought it was a strong message, delivered in a creative sensitive way. No issue with my youngish kids seeing it.

chances are most the ones complaining didn't even see the show they just read the newspaper and complained about it whipped up into a frothing hypocrisy by a red top

I don’t watch BGT so was unaware of Diversity or this dance but just watched the link.
What a stunning performance. So powerful and eloquent but also hopeful. I think they did an amazing job and hope that despite the complaints it has made some people stop and think.

their routines are great but I dislike bgt its vapid television to me so not something I would have beenaware off until I saw the threads on here

I totally agree with Hurtsndupset in that I’d be more likely to watch contests like BGT if they showcased genuine art like this.

@Hurtandupset2

I hadnt seen or heard anything about this until I clicked on this thread and then watched the routine.

Personally, I thought it was powerful and it made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck.

Their routines are always amazing and so precise and this was no different.

Why shouldn't they base routines around what's important to them?

Dance is an art form and it is a way of expressing yourself, which they did very well.

I'm not black and so have never experienced racism, & everyone's life experiences are different; but imho it's essential that we see what other people go through, because if we don't, how can we change it when it's needed?

If we ignore the bad, how can we strive to be, and do, better?

How can we learn from past mistakes if they're hidden away?

I'm astounded that there were any complaints and can't begin to understand why people felt the need to do so.

So what, if they knew the dance would be controversial and was partly motivated to get people talking about Diversity and AB. Whatever the motives it was a hugely powerful piece and I think it was a great platform for it.

I don't watch Reality TV; it's vapid and self obsessive.

I might change my mind if there were more performances like that, that actually have real meaning and purpose.

Perfectly said and my thoughts exactly!

I didn't see it, I always fast forward through dance acts as I find them incredibly boring.

But people are entitled to complain if they are upset or bothered by something. It doesn't mean they should be listened to, apologised to or have any effect on future showings, but they are still entitled to complain.

People have always complained about what's shown on tv. Mary whitehouse started her 'clean up tv' campaign in 1964. With all the will and resources in the world you will never have 100% agreement on anything and you can't eradicate stupid.

I thought it was brilliant - love Diversity. It promoted a great discussion with my teens.

I thought it was great, I like a bit of controversy in art.

@Tellmetruth4

I totally agree with Hurtsndupset in that I’d be more likely to watch contests like BGT if they showcased genuine art like this.

Diversity started their career on BGT so how are they not "showcasing acts like this" ?

@CatsFantastic

I wonder how many of you would approve if they performed a routine which involved depicting some gay men being stabbed in a park ?

Or a woman being beaten and then strangled by her husband ?

Both also hate crimes. Both could start a discussion about homophobia or misogyny.

Firstly, the murder of a woman is not a hate crime because sex is the only protected characteristic that can't have a hate crime. I suspect because then every rape would have to be treated as a hate crime.

Secondly the NT production of Frankenstein showed an equally stylised (rape and) murder and that was freely available on Youtube during lockdown. Bet there were no complaints about that.

People don’t like those black issues spoiling their nice cosy teatime family viewing. Too political innit. And definitely not because they’re racist.

This.

I think most people just prefer to bury their heads in the sand about difficult stuff because it doesn't affect them and it's easier not to think about it. Let's be honest, it's really uncomfortable as a white person to confront the truth about racism.

Consequently, when these uncomfortable truths unexpectedly invade our living rooms on a Saturday night, people react against it. They don't want to have to think about it. Yes, of course, black people have the right to campaign against racism, but it's not the right platform, or it's not the right time or place.

Trouble is, it will never be the right time or place or platform for these people.They will never want to have those uncomfortable conversations because fundamentally, they are ok with the status quo. If it offends people to see this stuff on Saturday night tv, so be it. We need to press on and have the conversations anyway.