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Original poster

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

807 replies

GlummyMcGlummerson · 10/09/2020 22:42

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

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Original poster
GlummyMcGlummerson · 11/09/2020 00:08

@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.
If you think a dance by people you don't know is accusing YOU of being racist that tells me a lot about you TBH
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RiseoftheSeahorse · 11/09/2020 00:08

Yeah, how dare entertainment be interrupted with important issues?

Don't those black people understand how essential the evening crap on telly is? They should take it away and only bring out their problems on acceptable occasions

Quite

SpecialWGM · 11/09/2020 00:08

@GlummyMcGlummerson

To those saying it's the "wrong platform" - what would be the right platform?

Because to me, educating people, including young children, about how systematic racism affects black Poole, the perfect platform would be a print IME slot that millions of people tune into.

Sorry if an important issue disturbs cushty comfort of dancing dogs and vapid judges.

I dont think an entertainment show with young kids watching that didn't have a warning is an appropriate platform TBH.

Yes educate but in a setting when young minds and I mean black and white have been prepared.

HardStare · 11/09/2020 00:09

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

I'd welcome it. I am sure there probably have been pieces like that.
This one for example is amazing in terms of depicting a relationship neither participant should be in.

Original poster
GlummyMcGlummerson · 11/09/2020 00:10

@Lockheart

I wonder which is worse. Being told that you have benefited from systemic racism in Western society and that we need to change our behaviour, or experiencing systemic racism in Western society and being told you need to shut up about it.

It's a puzzler all right.

Indeed.

I mean poor people on this thread being subjected to something distasteful. Those black people who are subjected to discrimination and violence have it lucky in comparison really

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Lockheart · 11/09/2020 00:10

@SpecialWGM "prepared" for what? A dance? Alert the church elders!

tabulahrasa · 11/09/2020 00:11

It’s a bit weird really that they did it as some future saying, this is what changed society.

And 10 000 people went, no, we don’t want to change - let us keep our racism...

cyclingmad · 11/09/2020 00:11

Anyone who says well its in the USA not the UK can piss right off.

Its not even about guns.

How can you sit there and say after its become starlings clear that decade after decade racism is still so prevalent.

We all pride ourselves on how far we have progressed in every industry etc. Yet we haven't not progressed in our ability treat each other with respect, fairness and as equals.

How fucking depressing thats why I felt, how depressing that after all these years we have moved nowhere...stuck like groundhog day.

How depressing that everyone talks about how racism is bad, we are all equal but ots all flipping talk.

Why, why is it still happening? Why since his murder there have been more incidences happening how da fuck is it still happening? Surely you tell the police you no longer put a knee to the neck...but oh no it still goes on.

Be thankful if your not a person of colour living in your privilege never knowing what its really like and God forbid its highlighted in a TV program how dare black people so that.

Original poster
GlummyMcGlummerson · 11/09/2020 00:12

I dont think an entertainment show with young kids watching that didn't have a warning is an appropriate platform TBH.

Yes educate but in a setting when young minds and I mean black and white have been prepared

I think you gravely underestimate how resilient and understanding children are. I work in education, I speak to young people about these issues,they are mostly very astute and open to hearing what issues affect the world. They aren't babies and don't want to be treated that way.

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Roowig2020 · 11/09/2020 00:13

I loved it and thought it was very appropriate, moving, current and of the times. As a person from a marginalised community I support those who have the courage to speak up. Anyone who is offended by this video needs to take a look at themselves.... why are people offended by other people standing up for basic human rights?

Original poster
GlummyMcGlummerson · 11/09/2020 00:14

Well said @cyclingmad

The time has come for people to take their heads out the sand. If that means their nice little programme gets interrupted with an important message, then tough - maybe take heed rather than moaning "oh but I only came here for the fun"

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SpecialWGM · 11/09/2020 00:17

[quote Lockheart]@SpecialWGM "prepared" for what? A dance? Alert the church elders![/quote]
Did you not even read my post? I was talking about educating the children who may have been watching and got scared watching a reenactment of a murder (again black and white kids) within an appropriate setting I.e. talking about it in school not just throwing it into a dance so they are completely taken aback by what they arw seeing?! Why make an already really upsetting issue worse for kids by shocking them while they are watching a dance group.

You know what I was saying you are simply being obtuse. As an adult I have 0 problem with what Diversity did but if I was watching with my kids I'd be annoyed and that's not racism.

CatsFantastic · 11/09/2020 00:17

I used to work in theatre and I can guarantee you that nothing is done without people’s careers in mind. Especially on a platform such as this.

That particular routine wasn’t designed to get people talking about racism, it was designed to get people talking about AB and Diversity, which is why it was so controversial, that was exactly what they knew would happen.

And so all the conversations that could have started “I’ve never really thought about racism” or “I’ve never really thought about what it’s like to be black” will never happen now.

Straven123 · 11/09/2020 00:17

If you think a dance by people you don't know is accusing YOU of being racist that tells me a lot about you TBH
Well I'm white, many posts on this thread are claiming racism for not agreeing with the performance and that we need educated. The performance indicated George floyds death and blm - this is ALL about white racism. Go figure.

SpecialWGM · 11/09/2020 00:20

@GlummyMcGlummerson

I dont think an entertainment show with young kids watching that didn't have a warning is an appropriate platform TBH.

Yes educate but in a setting when young minds and I mean black and white have been prepared

I think you gravely underestimate how resilient and understanding children are. I work in education, I speak to young people about these issues,they are mostly very astute and open to hearing what issues affect the world. They aren't babies and don't want to be treated that way.

what age are you talking? Again I'm not arguing I just think that it may have been a shock and that's not the best way to get issues across to kids. I'd say 99% of the people who complained probably were being racist but the 1% who did it because they felt their kids may have been shocked by it aren't.
Original poster
GlummyMcGlummerson · 11/09/2020 00:20

Well I'm white

Imagine my shock

many posts on this thread are claiming racism for not agreeing with the performance

What a way to extrapolate! No they're not.

The performance indicated George floyds death and blm - this is ALL about white racism. Go figure.

Well yes because there's a systematic problem with racism against black people. It isn't racist against white people to acknowledge this.

If you're upset about white people being depicted as racist, What are you doing to educate your white peers to do things better?

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roadsurvey · 11/09/2020 00:21

I think you gravely underestimate how resilient and understanding children are

Resilience is great in the right context. Young children watching the re-enactment of a murder? Not the kind of resilience they need to be forming. We don't do this in any other capacity.

Original poster
GlummyMcGlummerson · 11/09/2020 00:22

@SpecialWGM I work with 3-18 year olds. Very little fazes then. If there's an anxiety about them learning about racism/sexism/homophobia it's on the parents' behalf not the children's.

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Original poster
GlummyMcGlummerson · 11/09/2020 00:24

@roadsurvey

I think you gravely underestimate how resilient and understanding children are

Resilience is great in the right context. Young children watching the re-enactment of a murder? Not the kind of resilience they need to be forming. We don't do this in any other capacity.

Did you actually watch the routine? If so can you tell me which part was a "murder re enactment"? Ashley Banjo pitting his face in the stage for 3 seconds, and nothing else happening? Is that it?
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Original poster
GlummyMcGlummerson · 11/09/2020 00:26

I think this is good a thread as any to share this meme Grin

To ask if there's something I'm missing about the allegedly "controversial" Diversity performance
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SpecialWGM · 11/09/2020 00:27

[quote GlummyMcGlummerson]@SpecialWGM I work with 3-18 year olds. Very little fazes then. If there's an anxiety about them learning about racism/sexism/homophobia it's on the parents' behalf not the children's.[/quote]
So you talking of projection then? I'm not talking about that and while I understand that you are childcare professional, I don't believe that means you know how something such as a murder reenactment can or will affect every child. We have a watershed in the country..why? Because some things are deemed too sensitive for kids to see.

Again I support Diversity and their right to do what they did but I just think they could have picked a better platform.

chilling19 · 11/09/2020 00:27

I thought it was very moving.

roadsurvey · 11/09/2020 00:28

Did you actually watch the routine? If so can you tell me which part was a "murder re enactment"?

Well I thought the bit with the white cop kneeling on him at the time maybe contributed?

MiddlesexGirl · 11/09/2020 00:28

3 year olds Shock
I'm so glad my children are long past that age.

MeridaTheBold · 11/09/2020 00:29

Why pretend you didn't understand why people were complaining? You could just have owned that you disagreed with their view instead of pretending this is about dialogue. You don't need to pretend you're opening up dialogue with people you despise.

I think a lot of the complainants probably didn't even watch it and were riled up by the social media campaign to paint a dance routine as wildly transgressive and political. It was political. I don't have an issue with using dance to highlight politics.

Certain people's desire to conflate it with the BLM organisation has helped fuel the controversy. There's a million steps between a dance routine criticising police brutality and extrapolating that means the dancers support the BLM organisation and its agenda.
Regardless, it didn't deserve the flurry of complaints imo.

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