Not as much as you though

BTW your post has been reported for racist intent.

Sorry, Bystander, I respect your posts as a rule, but I think this one was out of order.

PS Hunnybabe, I was a bit shocked when I read Bystander's post, but I wouldn't report him for it. I am probably more familiar with Bystander's contributions to this forum than you are, and, honestly, he has never given me cause to think he is a racist. Perhaps we should give him a chance to explain himself.
Last edited by lulu g : 27-04-2003 at 22:48

Blimey! Talk about no sense of humour.

Paradoxically, this is probably precisely the reason that blacks/asians are allegedly under-represented. Fear, on the part of the TV companies, that the moment a black/asian personality is portrayed in an embarassing or comical situation the likes of hunnybabe will be on the 'phone to the Thought Police crying foul!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have a great sense of humour which is why I can tell you that there is absolutely nothing funny about that post!

Perhaps there is nothing "funny" in the post for you Hunnybabe but you have no right to "tell" the rest of us what may or may not bring a smile to our faces

I have the right to report it though

Hmmmmmm....yes. I suppose the same could be said of the accusers at the Salem Witch Trials

If Lenny Henry had said it on stage you wouldn't have given it a second thought and was the kind of remark that any black stand up comedian could have made and got a laugh, so get off your moralistic high horse.

I am not racist but if I was from any ethnic minority I would have found your post very offensive. I am of the opinion that in an ideal world people should earn their positions based on merit and nothing else. You're lobbying for "token" ethnic minorities on game shows.

BTW, I would be interested to know what you thought my racist intent was.
Last edited by bystander : 28-04-2003 at 01:31

You have failed to explain or even justify your post why is that? Please enlighten me by telling me how black and Asian women would an advantage over other races, by being in 'the jungle'.

This post made me feel a bit uncomfortable. Yes..I know its supposed to be a joke, but its veers a bit too near the comments I used to hear aimed at black people in the sixties and seventies. A black girl I worked with used to get comments like that all the time, and she used to get so sick of them. If she complained she'd be told she 'didnt have a sense of humour'.

I understood the post to be tongue in cheek. Hence the smiley!

You seem determined to make it a race issue by ignoring any cultural or ethnic differences which actually exist in the Real World.

I'm proud of my cultural and ethnic background and guesss what Hunnybabe.............................so are most people.

Stop patronising black and asian women with your posts!

This rapidly degenerating thread certainly lives up to its promise of "Lack of a comedian".

Meanwhile, back at the point, the actual show starts later on today. Can we please let the indignation either peter out or go to private mail?

Bob

I think such an offensive post should be apologised for by Bystander and if not then Bystander should be banned from further posting here, then we can move on. I have given Bystander every opportunity for an explanation of that post, incase there was a misunderstanding but Bystander has no explanation because it is clear that such a post is racist and was intended to be racist whichever way you look at it, hence me reporting it.

Looking back from page 1 of this thread

It should be about lack of comedians in the jungle. I think personally hunny should of started another thread

however ..... the contestants have been decided and its game on.

I think that Toyah can be amusing, but amusing enough to entice the GBPublic over to her side of the camp?

Does anybody know anything about any of the sexy ladies - do they have hidden comedy talents?

I don't think having a known comedy star/show person works - quite simply because for most of them, their comedy is an act, its generally not something that comes naturally to everyone ... which is possibly why it didn't work for Les Dennis on CBB2 ...

I think we will find a hidden comedy artiste in there somewhere and be pleasantly surprised .... I hope so anyway

Phil Tufnell is naturally funny,so they don't need a comedian.

you can also laugh at Catalina's thickness

It's nice to hear a voice of reason, however it seems that the majority of FM's, including some from the BB forum, found my post either unnecessary, uncomfortable or generally out of order and for that I have to hold my hands up and apologise to any black members who found my post lacking in sensitivity or the appropriate sense of humour but I would like to repeat that in no way was my post meant to be demeaning or derogatory in any way to black people.

The joke revolves around the perceived fact that black people can cope better with the hot climate of the jungle because of their historical origin in sub-Saharan Africa.

I still fail to see how that can be interpreted to be of racist intent.

I think Wayne Sleep will be hilarious...I am so excited that we are about to set off...can't believe that my evening classes start tonight so will have to tape the show and watch it when I get in and then I'll miss the live stuff arrggghhhh!!!

The fact that you are even now oblivious to just how racist your post was absolutely baffles me. I will just put it down to ignorance. However in future I will not bother to respond to your sort of posts. I will simply report it to the moderators and leave it at that. I may not be black or Asian but I have loads of friends who are. I am glad that you have finally apologised for your post. I accept your apology.

Just out of interest I mentioned this debate to my nephew and niece (who are of mixed race by the way) and their reaction was they think it is you Hunnybabe who has the problem and lack of tolerance here, had this type of joke been made to them they would not have thought it any worse than the standard stereo-type jokes relating to Irish (being stupid), Scottish(being mean) etc., not particularly funny but in no way being merely colour related which seemed to be your grievance not 'racism' as such. Maybe you should stop and think that 'positive' discrimination such as you have mentioned in your other post suggesting more black/asian female presenters is just as 'racist' as any negative discrimination post could be.

And when all is said and done, Bystander was thoughtful enough to apologise when he felt he may have inadvertently upset some members of the forum, a good example some other FMs seem to blatently ignore even when they have had this repeatedly pointed out to them as a good thing to do for the sake of harmony on the forum.

Sorry to burst your bubble sunshine but I wasn't apologising to you, I was apologising to any black members that might have mistaken my sense of humour for racism.

................and I think I'll call that a wrap...................it's been real hunny.

I was hoping that was an end to the matter but since you insist on continuing to attack my valid point here goes: I was correct to report it as everyone would agree it was a stupid and very racist thing to say. I gave Bystander the opportunity to prove me wrong by asking her to explain why she thought that black and Asian women would be at an advantage by being included in the jungle. I am still waiting for her answer. For example black and Asian men have been on the show so I wanted to know why she thought black /Asian women but not men had an advantage then? I think the intent behind it was to basically stir up anger by implying that black and Asian women were monkeys and that is supposed to be why they would have an advantage in the jungle. This is the reason why some other posts above have also agreed that it was out of order and this is no doubt why Bystander apologised. She knows what she said was racist and unacceptable. It is pure and simple really. There is really no reason to keep debating the point to death. I have accepted her apology and it is over.

I forgot to add that you cannot imply that black/Asian women (or men either) are monkeys these days and expect to brush it off as just a stereotypical joke! There is nothing funny about a remark like that. Ask any ethnic minority. I assure you also that no black/Asian person would make that kind of joke either hence the fact that it was said by someone who does not fall into that group and was meant to deliberately provoke and upset certain sections of society. It was a mindless remark.

HB, I supported you when I thought you were right, and I'm going to be straight with you now. Bystander did not feel he had done anything wrong - he did not intend any offence, but he has apologized for any offence he might have caused. He did the right thing, even though it might have gone a little against the grain in the circumstances. Now you should also do the right thing - accept his apology with good grace.

PS It should be easier to apologize when you have accepted that you are in the wrong. You have admitted elsewhere to having been mistaken, but have stopped short of apologizing. Is it such a big step to say sorry? You would gain a lot more respect among FMs if you did.

Agreed. He was wrong but has apologised. Let's bring this sorry saga to an end now hopefully.