Was Gmb Host Kate Garraway, Being A Little Over-Sensitive?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5985747/GMB-embroiled-race-row-host-Kate-Garraway-forces-guest-away-offensive-puppet.html

If not, then It would seem that it is okay to have grotesque white puppets, but not black ones.

[Deskdiary]

Crikey - joined 23rd July, suspended 24th July. That's going some.

[andy-hughes]

AOG - // If not, then It would seem that it is okay to have grotesque white puppets, but not black ones. //

Mr Punch is, and always has been, a grotesque, but most of the other characters are not - including Jim Crow - on which the interviewed Professor's character is based, not, as Tricia Goddard laughingly said, a Black And White Minstrel.

[dunnitall]

I think she was acting in the interest of political correctness.. To appease anyone who might be offended and save her own skin!! I think it's the norm now...can't offend because of your job, daren't say too much Because your income is on the line. This country is..well for those who already know.....I don't need to explain. For the young who accept anything but what is normal to our culture... Well... I can't help their stupidity or naivety. Different generations and ne'er the twain shall meet.....

[andy-hughes]

dunnitall - // I think she was acting in the interest of political correctness.. To appease anyone who might be offended and save her own skin!! I think it's the norm now...can't offend because of your job, daren't say too much Because your income is on the line. //

Sadly, I think you are right.


If Miss Garaway had the word in her earpiece that the switchboard was in meltdown with complaints, then she could have said "We are getting complaints about the doll, could you put it down … " but she appeared to be speaking of her own personal offence.

I think she should shelve her own views, especially if she is, as appears, in a serious minority, and not make the Professor hide one of the dolls he has come on to be interviewed about - at the TV company's invitation.

I think the Professor maintained dignity for himself and the tradition of his craft, and the presenters looked like self-obsessed fools.

[douglas9401]

Who knew la Goddard was still touting her wares on t'telly? Not me.

[Voltage]

So a black puppet offends people...I do wish a person who it upsets would care to explain to me why it offends them ?

[andy-hughes]

Voltage - // So a black puppet offends people...I do wish a person who it upsets would care to explain to me why it offends them ? //

It doesn't offend me, but I can tell you why some people may take offence -

As I mentioned, Jim Crow has been a peripheral character in Punch And Judy shows for generations - as the pre-PC name indicates.

What got Ms Garraway and Ms Goddard het up was the fact that this individual puppet had white lips, which they took to be a link with the 'Black Face' vaudeville routines in American theatres in the early part of the twentieth century, and revived in the BBC Black And White Minstrel Shows of the '70's and '80's.

The 'Black Face' tradition has died out, and is seen in modern eyes as demeaning and racist to black people.

The Professor pointed out that no-one had commented on his puppet until recently, and he was intending to re-paint its lips to tie in with current sensitivities.

[Voltage]

Good answer andy ...bur if people are offended by white lips I finally give up with this world!

[andy-hughes]

Voltage - It's less about 'white lips' per se, than the context, but I am sure you already know that.

[Arksided]

They should put both Punch and Judy in the bin, that'd be politically correct.

[Voltage]

I know what you mean andy...but these days people people get offended so easily ..its getting harder to make a comment on anything without upsetting someone

[andy-hughes]

Voltage - // I know what you mean andy...but these days people people get offended so easily ..its getting harder to make a comment on anything without upsetting someone //

Indeed it is.

When I was growing up, there was much talk about 'more leisure time' for people, but what we didn't realise was that they would spend that addition leisure time seeking out things to be offended about, and then making a lot of pointless self-aggrandising noise about it.