The Stage

Racism a reality?

Published Tuesday 21 October 2008 at 10:10

I just wanted to get the chance to bring up an issue that has repeatedly come to my attention over the last year observing reality TV shows such as Strictly Come Dancing, I’d Do Anything, Last Choir Standing and The X-Factor and which I’m sad to say has very much been the case since these programmes began.

In these shows contestants of ethnic minorities are repeatedly voted off by the British public in situations where they are held in better esteem by their fellow contestants/judges/leaderboards than their white rivals indicating the ‘support your own ethnic/class group’ mentality of the British public, which surely makes any of these competitions unfair and must be very dispiriting for an ethnic minority performer in Britain.

This issue seems to be have been kept hushed up, overshadowed by the performances of a few select mega-talents such as Leona Lewis - where an exceptional talent is able to win through by outclassing their opponents and does so entirely on merit, breaking through the barriers of prejudice on their way. However the predictability of these shows as to who wins through in situations where an average white performer is up against an average black/Asian performer has become a pretty sad state of affairs.

What saddens me even more is that the judges on these show refuse to address the issue, despite it obviously being something that causes them a lot of frustration. I remember Andrew Lloyd Webber stormed off I’d Do Anything in frustration at the viewers’ choice of putting singer Keisha Amponsa-Banson in the sing off slot despite her singing very well and being a far better contender than her white rivals. I only wish that he’d addressed this issue directly with the British public rather than shy away from the issue and allow himself to be parodied. He was portrayed as going off in a huff, rather than upset his fan base by addressing an issue he could have brought to the fore. These situations come up repeatedly in these shows and I really think it’s about time that some of these judges/executives addressed them, especially as it would seem to be something that has caused them a great deal of frustration over the years.

I appeal to these well paid judges - don’t be afraid to rock the boat with your viewing audience. Speak out and do something about what is clearly a case of social injustice. After all, you’ve got enough money. What have you got to lose? Try and make the headlines for the right reasons for once Cowell, Lloyd Webber and co. You’ve heard of Football Against Racism - how about Reality TV Against Racism? After ten years or so of the same thing happening, isn’t it about time?

Martyn Dempsey

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