So... Rochelle Humes?

[Cocoabutterkim]

So about time we had some prime time coverage of black women’s experience in pregnancy and childbirth. Hopefully the shocking stats can open up the debate further into the overall experience of black women with healthcare in the UK.
But will you still watch it, now that it’ll be presented by Rochelle Humes instead of Candice Brathwaite?

@Misbeehived

I think its really poor to assert you had something taken away from you when you were never in the running. 2 different production companies 2 different presenters. Divisive and manipulative.

100%

@DeeCeeCherry

Misbeehived I think its really poor to assert you had something taken away from you when you were never in the running

She didn't "assert".

This is how misinformation gets spread around

I think unfortunately CB's insta post could be read as the role was taken from her.

Why was Candice offered to co host along side RH? Runner up possibly? Read her Instagram.

@Roastednotsalt

Why was Candice offered to co host along side RH? Runner up possibly? Read her Instagram.

She wasn't offered the chance to co-host, her agent asked and the production company said no.

@DeeCeeCherry @Zet1 Ive seen the Instagram post and that is what I took from it as clearly have others as it’s reflected in the coverage.

No misinformation.

It didn’t sound like it was the agent that said no. I read it as Candice turned down the opportunity and said no herself.

I think unfortunately CB's insta post could be read as the role was taken from her

I didn't read it like that at all. Candice has done a lot to raise awareness of the disparity in outcomes for black women in maternity care, and has shared her own experience which was very negative and painful, and so takes a lot to share. Although no one has ownership of the topic of course, and the more awareness the better, I can see why it's disheartening that a different station has commissioned a similar programme at the same time, when there has been radio silence on mainstream tv for years. To them have it in the media that her role had been taken over by Rochelle, when this wasn't the case is frustrating I imagine; and to be approached by that channel to clarify to make them look better is a bit off imo.

When I was at uni our lectures only covered Caucasian skin, when I asked how certain conditions during pregnancy present on skin like mine, it was just dismissed. This is just the tip of the iceberg, it's such an important topic, I would rather watch someone who is passionate about improving things and has put a lot of time and emotion into it the last few years, than someone who just landed a presenting gig.

@Roastednotsalt

It didn’t sound like it was the agent that said no. I read it as Candice turned down the opportunity and said no herself.

She said her agent had asked if there was an opportunity to co host and was told no.

@Cloudybeanie

I think unfortunately CB's insta post could be read as the role was taken from her

I didn't read it like that at all. Candice has done a lot to raise awareness of the disparity in outcomes for black women in maternity care, and has shared her own experience which was very negative and painful, and so takes a lot to share. Although no one has ownership of the topic of course, and the more awareness the better, I can see why it's disheartening that a different station has commissioned a similar programme at the same time, when there has been radio silence on mainstream tv for years. To them have it in the media that her role had been taken over by Rochelle, when this wasn't the case is frustrating I imagine; and to be approached by that channel to clarify to make them look better is a bit off imo.

When I was at uni our lectures only covered Caucasian skin, when I asked how certain conditions during pregnancy present on skin like mine, it was just dismissed. This is just the tip of the iceberg, it's such an important topic, I would rather watch someone who is passionate about improving things and has put a lot of time and emotion into it the last few years, than someone who just landed a presenting gig.

"I would rather watch someone who is passionate about improving things and has put a lot of time and emotion into it the last few years, than someone who just landed a presenting gig."

Totally agree

"I would rather watch someone who is passionate about improving things and has put a lot of time and emotion into it the last few years, than someone who just landed a presenting gig."

Totally agree

We all know the issue of mixed race/bi-racial women being presented as the face of mono-racial Black Women. Whether we admit or deny. It doesn't need to be a back and forth does it? It is what it is.

Even if C had complained about being dropped, why shouldn't she?

It buys into that old trope that Black Women should be seen and not heard, particularly when it comes to issues pertaining to us, and we are wrong for speaking up... our 'behaviour' is quickly put on trial in order to cover up real injustices.

If C gets to make the programme independently somehow, I will watch.

Everything @DeeCeeCherry said

“They had asked me to contribute my expertise but I declined as I didn’t want my trauma to be mined for a show where I have no control over the narrative” @Zet1 she didn’t want to co host in the first place. It’s a bit of an insult.

Clearly there is some issue because it has caused a stir across social media.

@Roastednotsalt

“They had asked me to contribute my expertise but I declined as I didn’t want my trauma to be mined for a show where I have no control over the narrative” *@Zet1* she didn’t want to co host in the first place. It’s a bit of an insult.

Clearly there is some issue because it has caused a stir across social media.

Yes CB was told she would never be the front runner, but they asked her to contribute her expertise and she declined. But she clearly states that her agent asked the question a few weeks ago.

No doubt something happened and continues to happen to Black women passed up for roles in and out of the media.

I watched the show Leigh-Anne from Little Mix presented a while ago on racism, where Rochelle was a contributor.

On that programme, Rochelle said she'd grown up with only the white side of her family, and either never known the Black side or only met them when she was a grown up (I can't remember which now). I think she identifies as mixed race (which she is perfectly entitled to do), rather than Black (as some mixed race people do).

To say that Rochelle is the best person to present a programme on an issue disproportionately affects Black women, over Candice, on an issue which Candice has been highlighting for years, seems too coincidental to not be due to colourism. Candice'S statement clearly says she didn't want to be mined for her personal trauma, so asked if she could co-present alongside Rochelle, and was told no.

I would have preferred Rochelle to have passed on presenting this programme in favour of an unambiguously Black woman, similar to the way Zendaya does when it comes to certain film roles, however I'll still watch because of the subject matter.

I am dissapointed that I misunderstood, and that Candice does not have a programme at all, really dissapointed (at least I think that's the case, I will admit I have got a bit confused with the mixture of social media and the media itself saying stuff).

Yes CB was told she would never be the front runner,

Precisely Candice must have been in the running at some point. Not first but this obviously means she was suppose to be at some point.

She has to be careful of her wording been in the public eye. Sometimes when someone doesn’t speak on a matter that is a message within its self.

I hate CB so not sad about her not being on my TV

I would have preferred Rochelle to have passed on presenting this programme in favour of an unambiguously Black woman, similar to the way Zendaya does when it comes to certain film roles, however I'll still watch because of the subject matter.

Even Amandla Stebbing declined to continue casting for Zuri for Black Panther. I think given the dearth of roles for black women, they are times when you have to take a step back and ask if you really are the best person to tell a story and sometimes decline stating why an unambiguously black women is best placed to have a certain role, particularly as RH herself identifies as mixed race and not black.

You highlighting Zendaya's awareness and grace (who identifies as a black women btw) leaves an even more sour taste in my mouth. This was not it. Reminds me of Zoe Saldana putting on blackface to play Nina Simon-yes completely different situation and not analogous to this one - but same result and leaving the same bad taste in my mouth.

This was not it.

Completely agree with everything @DeeCeeCherry has said.
I consider myself mixed race- mum is half black/white, dad black.
It is painfully obvious that colourism is prevalent, in this situation and elsewhere.
I see it every time I watch Love Island (I know 🙈)- the mixed race girls stay ages and do reasonably well, getting picked by white, mixed and black men alike; the dark skinned girls never get picked, or only get picked by dark skinned black men, and leave quite early. They also get presented as 'bitches', mean, sulky, aggressive, etc.
Rochelle was welcomed to This Morning with open arms; Alison was vilified.

I will watch it.

Although I would prefer Candice to have presented primarily because she has invested so much in highlighting the issue but also to push back on colour privilege in the media I agree with her when she says the message remains the same.

I had a negative experience in childbirth which I expect contributes to the statistics of poor care afforded black women.

RH is a bad choice, I mean even Afua Hirsch would be better- I just don’t see her as someone serious/scientific enough to present such a program! There are even black women with a background in Science.

If they're going down the experienced presenter route then someone like Afua Hirsch, as suggested by pp, would be a good choice because she's done serious issue documentaries. I really like Rochelle for light entertainment but I don't see her having much gravitas. That said, she does have broad appeal so may ensure it gets a bigger audience.

I've found some of the discussion on this on Twitter etc quite challenging to read. There are some of us who are mixed but darker skinner or have 2 mixed parents, so didn't get the privilege of having one white parent growing up, or we grew up in places where there was nobody else that looked like us. Racists don't really do nuance in my experience. But putting my personal experience aside....

I really hope that the show can handle the issue respectfully and thoroughly. The Women's Hour show on black maternal mortality had some brilliant commentators - including Candice - such as some of the academics who have been studying and drawing attention to this and other racial disparities for decades

RH is a bad choice, I mean even Afua Hirsch would be better- I just don’t see her as someone serious/scientific enough to present such a program! There are even black women with a background in Science

Yes.

Afua Hirsch is mixed race but I wouldn't bat an eyelid if she were presenting this serious subject. She 'gets it' in terms of mono-racial Black Women, and our experiences. She's walked the walk. & She is an intelligent and eloquent woman.

But it is ever the case that they don't want to hear the voices of Black Women. They want to talk about us. They want to talk at us. But they don't want to listen to us.

They don't mind us sharing our pain though (as long as we don't lead on it) as, it's good ratings. & cool for "do-gooders" to get their 'diversity' kudos.

They've enough time before programme to practice their handwringing, I guess.

This is interesting:

www.independent.co.uk/voices/colourism-candice-brathwaite-rochelle-humes-b1800382.html