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

@MeridaTheBold MN is a different beast all together, in honesty I suppose women aren't often given huge platforms to talk about issues that affect them, which is a bigger issue I guess. You are right though, apologies. Although things re: race always bring out an extreme.

'But surely they danced about the issues that affected them. As black people who aren't from Reading, or Glasgow or Birmingham.'

The theme seemed to be 2020. It started with Covid. If they just wanted to do a dance on BLM fine but it appeared to be the 2 main events of 2020 were Covid and BLM. I believe they could have squeezed in an air grab about other major issues.

Imagine if an all white dance group did a performance on covid and the Glasgow, Birmingham and Reading stabbings with no mention of BLM?! There'd be 'protests' as we speak. Ah but it was only about issues that affected them y'see.

@HOkieCOkie

I don’t watch tv to be preached at. I watch it for entertainment and an relaxing escape from life.

It wasn't

It wasn't "preaching".

I saw it as being about their 2020, which was covid and BLM. But I could be wrong. Only they know what the motives were.

As an ex dancer we often danced about things that affected us, its harder to convey emotion through dance if its an issue that doesn't actually affect you. I mean sure, good dancers can still do it, but then there's a risk you'll be accused of appropriation.
I'm starting to get a bit rambly so I'll stop before I confuse myself

It was beautiful, moving, skilled and very relevant. I loved it.

It was the right platform, people of all ages need to hear this message and a family show is an appropriate place to spread this message.

Seriously though, how would Diversity dance in tribute to Jacob Billington when they performed before he died?
Like the families of Emily Jones and Lee Rigby I can see Jacobs family also feeling pushed to make a statement to request his name not be used to push hate.
That’s how ridiculous your whataboutery actually is.

I thought it was fantastic. Seriously concerned about the kind of people that complained and those attacking Ashley Banjo over it on social media etc.

I thought it was very moving and thought provoking and have also been at a loss as to why people have complained.

@GetOffYourHighHorse I honestly don't think anyone would dance about individuals being stabbed, and if a white dance troupe omitted BLM then I doubt anyone would comment, they aren't held to as high a standard, or expected to encompass everyone in their performances.

I thought it was amazing. It made me cry. I don’t believe it’s a political issue, it’s a humanitarian one. Like PPs have said, for some people black entertainers/sportsmen are only acceptable if they just stick to entertaining and playing sport 🙄

SpecialWGM you think young minds needed a warning to see that?!

Have you also complained about the many sexualised/stripper performances? And the ones involving throwing knives at scantily clad women? The dangerous ones that you mustn't "try at home". Don't they need a warning?

Also BGT is on at 8-10pm on a Saturday night. If I recall correctly wasn't the Diversity routine shown towards the end?

@Polkasquare

SpecialWGM you think young minds needed a warning to see that?!

Have you also complained about the many sexualised/stripper performances? And the ones involving throwing knives at scantily clad women? The dangerous ones that you mustn't "try at home". Don't they need a warning?

I didn't complain about anything but yeah in principle.

@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.

How do you feel about the children who sang a political song about saving the environment?

Amazing and moving. Well done Diversity.

People can still watch dancing dogs and Bob from Leeds balance a chair on his chin. There's more than enough screen time dedicated to that bollocks.

I'm sick of BLM being hijacked by whataboutery.

There’s no such thing as bad press

@FrenchOrGreek

You're just not getting it. You really need to check your privilege.

Lol.

Says someone who's objecting to a dance that objects racism

Diversity’s performance was brilliant powerful, thought provoking because it was danced by a group of people who know what racism feels like!!

The performance also occurred after the watershed so therefore the “Think of the children” argument is completely irrelevant!!

Every single person who complained is just proving AB’s point .

@GetOffYourHighHorse

'Others can dance for them if they like, there's never an expectation that anyone else covers absolutely everything, except in regards to race where there's a tonne of whataboutery.'

Of course they can. It is ironic however to be called Diversity and not to be diverse. A bit of inclusively would have been lovely. The recent stabbings aren't 'whataboutery' they are incredibly relevant. Can you name the victims from the Reading attack?? The performance was about 2020. Not just BLM.

Please explain why Diversity is not diverse. Here's a photo of them btw in case you've never actually looked at them

@FightMilkTM

White children are young enough to learn about racism if black children are young enough to experience it.

This, with bells on.

My DD is 8, since she was young i have educated her on racism and she caught the news in lockdown so knew about the riots, I explained about George Flloyd, and kept it age appropriate.

Worse case scenario she understands that black children experience discrimination in a way she doesn't. I can live with that personally.

I thought it was really good. It's hard to do politics through dance but this got it right IMO

Yes there will be people who have to have some conversations with their children about race and current affairs. But that should happen anyway.

As a PP said, if children of that age are old enough to experience racism then their peers are old enough to talk about it

Of course they can. It is ironic however to be called Diversity and not to be diverse. A bit of inclusively would have been lovely.

What would you have liked to see included?

It's up to me to give direction to my children

Are you with them constantly 24/7?

Because everything they see every day gives them direction, new thought processes, new beliefs

And you're not there directing what they think every day, are you?

You sound incredibly controlling