Fantastic Hollyoaks episode about the bias black women face

[HmmmmmmInteresting]

I've been catching up on Hollyoaks today- it's a guilty pleasure of mine. I've just watched one of the best episodes I've ever seen. The whole episode focuses on two women going through the same thing: one is black the other white. They both have found breast lumps and they have a doctor's appointment to get it checked out. Also that day they're both being interviewed for a Business woman of the year award. Both their mornings start off hectically. They both run out of foundation so the white woman uses the free sample that came with a magazine she bought. The black woman can't use the free sample cos obviously it's for white women.

The black woman's partner tells her she doesn't need support because she's a strong independent black queen. He thinks the white woman needs supporting because 'you know, she's a bit of a princess and needs looking after'.

When they both go to the doctor's appointment they find the appointment has been double booked so only one can have the appointment. The white woman bursts into tears so they give the appointment to her. The black woman is told to have some sympathy and stop being so aggressive when she speaks up that it's unfair.

In the Businesswoman of the year Interview they both turn up late. The interviewer makes snide comments like 'are you always late?' to the black woman while brushing off the lateness with the white woman.

This is just a really quick summary, but it was an excellent episode and I'd recommend people get it on E4 catch-up and have a watch.

Here's a short clip Hollyoaks shared on their twitter account: twitter.com/Hollyoaks/status/1382399862327668738?s=19

Hollyoaks really are not afraid to tackle important issues and they should get more recognition for this.

I did see it and thought it was v well done. All those things add up to a massive problem.

I'm white but this episode made me cry

It was so well done, the message came across loud and clear that black women and often perceived as aggressive

So so well done by holly oaks

Crikey I’ve not watched hollyoaks since before the dc were born but I’ll def try and catch this episode on more4. From your synopsis it sounds like it’s a kind of “sliding doors” kind of thing.

Thanks for posting @HmmmmmmInteresting I wouldn’t normally watch this so good to know.

Wow, it sounds really interesting.

Hollyoaks have always done storylines with Black people involved really well. I used to watch it years ago when it started (so going back a good 20 years), and also when the young lady who moved on to do well in Hollywood (Game of Thrones?) was part of a family on there.

I think they must have some senior Black writers to be able to capture these types of things so accurately. I'll definitely watch this episode when I get a chance, thanks for the recommendation.

I think they had some problems last year. The girl who played Lisa quit and put a statement out citing the microagressions she had experienced during her time on the show. They've probably taken this on board and made some changes.

I just listened to the podcast Hollyoaks did discussing the episode with the writer and two of the actors. Apparently they used a mixed race writer and a black director. Explains why it felt so authentic.

An interesting point was the actor who said the 'strong independent black queen' line (Richard Blackwood) said he had learned some things from the episode himself. As a black man he has used this stereotype as a term of endearment over the years but he realises now it helps to take away the right of the woman to be vulnerable and ask for help.

The writer spoke about moving to America from England as a child and the racism was extremely overt there and almost a badge of honour. When she came back to England she was like 'Oh, there's no racism here! Oh, wait a minute.....there is, it's just hidden'. Richard Blackwood said the episode taught him the hidden ways racism is done these days because he's used to it being overt. And in his experience racism seems to change every ten years or so.

Very interesting. Apparently more is addressed over the next few episodes. I look forward to watching them

Oh, here's the podcast podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/unconscious-bias/id1477628891?i=1000516857348

I'll have a look, thanks!

I was just thinking that I don't think I've ever been denied good healthcare but looking back, when I was pregnant I had terrible pain in my pelvis to the extent I could barely walk. I remember begging them for crutches or SOMETHING. I was told there was nothing they could do. I've since known pregnant women given crutches for SPD. I don't know if that's what I had, because I wasn't given a diagnosis, but looking back I have no idea why I wasn't given crutches. The today me would have just hopped on Amazon and bought some, but it didn't occur to me then as the internet wasn't what it is now. Sad for the pregnant me, left to suffer 😥

I know I sound like a Hollyoaks fanatic but I don't care at this point

I've just watched the episode again because it touched me so much.

What I love about Hollyoaks is the plot devices they use, unlike EastEnders and Coronation Street etc. It really draws you in.

The music is fantastic. They played BLK girl soldier by Jamila Woods. Some of the words to that song are : "We go missing by the hundreds
Ain't nobody checkin' for us". and "black girl magic"

The split scenes where they show Grace and Martine both running out of foundation and reaching for the magazine sample are excellent.

I love the voiceovers, monologues and flashbacks.

When they rapidly switch between scenes when both women are being interviewed for Businesswoman of the year, it really drives home the different way they are treated.

The text messages on the screen are excellent.

I really think this should be nominated for an award. When soap awards time comes we should make some noise!

I actually made one of my son's sit down to watch this. He told me he had already watched it, but he obviously hadn't taken in the message. I wonder how many people WILL take in the message. On twitter someone said they lost respect for Peri when she gave the appointment to Grace, but they're missing the point. It's UNCONSCIOUS bias and she didn't realise she was doing it. She sees herself as actively anti-racist. I'm black and can admit I have unconscious bias, even to my fellow black people. The whole point of the episode, as Misbah says in the next, is that we are all products of our environment: everything we read, watch and experience influences how we react to people.

@Starseeking I'm interested to know if you are of colour or not- just because it's interesting that you wondered if they had senior writers that were black. In my head white people wouldn't have such thoughts, because they don't need to, iyswim

I agree, it was such a good, well written, thought out episode. I wrote an e-mail to channel 4 to say how well the storyline was done. I think it is important to do so when we see these things.

Fab episode @HmmmmmmInteresting and thanks for the pm. I’ve listened to the podcast too.

Interestingly there is a story line on Eastenders about the moment about one of the characters taking part in a medical trial. His family are unsure as a black man whether he should. It’s a character that was related ( by marriage) to the character Richard Blackwood played when he was in eastenders.

@C130

I agree, it was such a good, well written, thought out episode. I wrote an e-mail to channel 4 to say how well the storyline was done. I think it is important to do so when we see these things.

Good for you @C130 I always think it’s good to praise things when they go right/ are well done.

Great idea, @C130 You've inspired me to do the same. I used this form:
www.channel4.com/4viewers/contact-us

@Orchidflower1

Fab episode *@HmmmmmmInteresting* and thanks for the pm. I’ve listened to the podcast too.

Interestingly there is a story line on Eastenders about the moment about one of the characters taking part in a medical trial. His family are unsure as a black man whether he should. It’s a character that was related ( by marriage) to the character Richard Blackwood played when he was in eastenders.

I'm glad you did! That's interesting about Eastenders- I wouldn't have expected that!

HmmmmmmInteresting, and Orchidflower1.

My next door neighbours are Muslims. It is Ramadan and every day they have knocked on my door and given me amazing food. I love them so much 😭 I don't know if they're doing it because because I'm on my own but the last time I spoke to them I disclosed my partner had left. I said I loved Indian food and indeed it was my favourite. They replied that they had offered to send food loads of times and my partner had said I hated food from other people!

I'm just sharing with everyone that I've got amazing neighbours and am very glad that I am single!

Sounds like a good deal!

@HmmmmmmInteresting oooo I'm excited for you! That's very kind of your neighbors, you are loved . My Muslim colleague cooks and shares the most amazing lamb and rice to celebrate Eid with us. We'll miss out this year thanks to Covid waaaah

Oh no @JayDot500. Maybe your colleague will cook double next year!

I got a reply from Channel 4 today thanking me for my message and saying they will pass it all to all involved in the production!

@HmmmmmmInteresting how nice that they took the time to reply to you.