Tokenism

[sp1814]

When the gorgeous Lorraine Pascal's cookery programme was first broadcast on BBC2 a couple of years back, a few right wing commentators accused the BBC of tokenism...because she was black.

Watched a few of her shows and to be honest, I didn't think the accusations had any validity.

She seemed capable in a Nigella Lawson kind of way (sultry hooded eyed glances to camera), and I made her sticky ribs and they were blinking great.

Now - there's a black finalist (Kimberley Wilson) in this year's Great British Bake Off, and I think she has a very strong chance of winning.

She knows her stuff (she talks with confidence about gluten strands etc) and she hasn't really put a foot wrong.

Thing I'm concerned about is that if she wins, are the 'usual bunch' going to scream 'tokenism' again?

On a related matter - exactly what do black people have to achieve for racists to stop using the 'T' word?

[FredPuli43]

Be elected President of the United States? Play for England at football (the racist shouts at Chelsea declined when Chelsea's own star players were black ) ? Win two gold medals in the London Olympics?

[THECORBYLOON]

Have I missed ANOTHEOLDGIT's annual MOBO Awards question by the way?

[Sqad]

Never heard of the T-word before sp, Lorraine Pacal OR Kimberley Wilson.
What does it mean.

P.S I took a black girl out ...once.

[FredPuli43]

Can't think that was tokenism, Sqad. But I can't think of quite the right word. You were an 'equal opportunity man' , I suppose.

[sandyRoe]

Equal opportunity or any opportunity?

[Sqad]

Fred.....LOL

[rockyracoon]

Sp, you really just have to ignore the ignorance of some people and hopefully their attitudes will die with them. For the record I have a couple of LP's books and I love her TV shows, Kimberley has been the most capable (if a little bit overly confident) contestant in this series, I think she would be the worthiest winner.

[anotheoldgit]

sp1814

/// On a related matter - exactly what do black people have to achieve for racists to stop using the 'T' word? ///

Blimey according to some, yet another word we cannot use for fear of being classed a racist.

Yes apparently this is the dreaded "T" word, to the less knowledgeable on such matters it is the word "Tokenism" (there I've actually typed it even if I haven't said it, so does that still make me a racist?

But do you know what? In the true Clark Gable, Gone with the Wind, fashion, "my dear, I don't give a damn,”

Any one notice, it is also another "ism" word, that's a double whammy.

[naomi24]

It's years since I've heard anyone cry 'tokenism'. It's old hat these days. Why look for racism where there is none?

[joeluke]

Stopped reading OP on 1st line when I read 'gorgeous Lorraine Pascal'

Er, no........

[anotheoldgit]

rockyracoon

/// Sp, you really just have to ignore the ignorance of some people and hopefully their attitudes will die with them. ///

Are you wishing for some people to die?

That is the type of thing that instils ill feeling towards some, but that not going as far as wanting them to die, but to just shut up.

[sp1814]

Sqad

'Tokenism' ishe idea that if a non-white person is put into a position of authority, gets her own show (as is the case of Lorraine) or is selected (in the case of Kimberley) in the Great British Back Off, it's because the liberals who run tv, the courts, the police, health service etc, are simply filling boxes, and that the particular talent the person has, is irrelevant.

It's a pretty irritating mindset.

[anotheoldgit]

sp1814

By the way,

You still haven't explained to me how you manager to fit your the hours you spend on AnswerBank, around your very busy work schedule?

Simply asking because I do not want me to come between you and your work.

[douglas9401]

"Thing I'm concerned about is that if she wins, are the 'usual bunch' going to scream 'tokenism' again?"

You could wait and see rather than fret over something that may not happen.

[Sqad]

sp...thanks for the definition..........didn't have it in my day.

[anotheoldgit]

sp1814

/// it's because the liberals who run tv, the courts, the police, health service etc, are simply filling boxes, ///

Then blame them not others.

The same can be said for those who are always telling us what others might be offended with.

[joeluke]

Yet another case of people finding racism issues where they don't exist

Like those who whinge that there aren't enough black managers in English football

There aren't enough black managers in English football because there aren't that many good enough

[sp1814]

rockyracoon

Kimberley seems the most gifted of the three finalists. Ruby has been named the best baker on three occasions (or was it four), but she's been close to being chucked out a couple of times. I think you need to be consistently good to win (like the gay fella who won the first series).

And the Lorraine Pascale thing just completely foxes me. It's almost like (ahem) 'socially conservative' commentators refuse to believe that black people can make it through hard work and talent. It's the whole David Harewood, Idris Alba, Adrian Lester, Chiwetel Ejiofor (a man who's name can only be spelled after accessin Wikipedia...)

[anotheoldgit]

douglas9401

/// You could wait and see rather than fret over something that may not happen. ///

If she loses, then some can always use the race card.

[sp1814]

AOG

As I explained on your other thread....I work from 6am through to about 11pm.

All of my work comes through email, so as long as I have my BlackBerry on me - I'm working.