"Should the MOBO Awards be renamed?"
No.
"We are all human; we all live on this planet. Yes, I am fully aware of the history of racism. I am fully aware that the slavery of black people happened. I am fully aware that racism is wrong, yet it is still happening today, all around the world. But should we not all be trying to look to the future, trying to create a land of integration, not segregation?
This is why I have never been really able to comprehend that every year, Britain hosts the MOBO awards- the Music Of Black Origin awards, to be exact. Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to abolish the awards- not at all."
"I am simply putting forward the argument that the MOBO awards might be a bit of an inappropriate name; that is if everybody agrees that races shouldn't be segregated."
People are not being segregated. Black music genres are being recognised by an awards ceremony. Much as Pop and Rock and mostly white artists are recognised by The Brit Awards.
"The idea and system of the awards itself is by no means racist. It is simply a night where lots of producers, artists, fans and writers get together to celebrate genres of music, whether that be R&B, hip-hop, jazz or rock 'n' roll. To be perfectly honest, many of these genres were influenced by black people, but there were also significant Jewish influences in the latter two genres."
If anything, the idea behind the awards is to recognise music that is often side-lined by mainstream awards ceremonies so, you're darned right it isn't racist: if anything it is more of a response to it. As for the second sentence - an odd observation. There have always been Jewish people in the entertainment industry; not just in Jazz and Rock 'n' Roll and no, those genres were not merely INFLUENCED by black people, we're generally talking about genres here which were ORIGINATED by African Americans. That is a big deal and not something that should be played down or white-washed out of history.
"But in a world where race issues, religious issues and gender issues are still prevalent, do we really need a name like MOBO, which to many people, may be seen to be promoting segregation- especially to those who aren't really educated on this issue?
"Every year when the ceremony takes place, you can bet that the majority of tweets and 'jokes' on Twitter will surround this name. Most tweets read along the same lines as 'What if there was a MOWO awards? Black people would hate that and say it was racist.' To be perfectly honest, I feel if there was a MOWO awards, it would not go down well, but why would it? Why would anyone try to segregate something so subjective and free like music? They shouldn't."
Lack of education brings ignorance. Why should something change to facilitate the ignorant? Music often fits into genres, whose origins can be traced. It is what it is and not what someone decides they want it to be. A show which celebrates black music genres and gives awards to people of ALL races working within those genres is no problem to anyone sensible in a world of award shows where the most celebrated are usually white people.
"In America, there is a cable channel named BET (Black Entertainment Television). Why do we need this? Why can't races of both colours watch the same channels and shows?"
Why can't they just watch what THEY want? Why can't people from minorities choose to watch programming specifically aimed at them. Maybe you don't need it - maybe MTV is adequate for YOU but people who watch BET Jazz might want some real music and not all of those viewers will be non-white either. Let's not remove choice.
"It is 2016 and the entertainment field is as diverse as ever. Yes, statistically there are more white actors in highly paid jobs in the industry, but labelling the channel BET is ludicrous."
No it is not ludicrous. It features black-created entertainment content, which makes the name wholly appropriate. Has anyone told anyone them can't watch it?
"If we are wanting a world where there is no racism or segregation, end any mention of black and white, stop labelling people based solely on the colour of their skin and make music and pictures where race doesn't matter. People aren't stereotypes, everyone is different."
Racism runs a whole lot deeper that the entertainment industry. People on the receiving end understand that specialised entertainment channels and awards shows have nothing to do with its causes.