As this is my current outlet for thoughts, a word on the Big Brother race row seems apt. I’m somewhat qualified to speak on this, having previously covered Big Brother for Digital Spy.
As I said on BBC Radio 5′s late night debate on this subject last night, it seems to me that a double standard is being portrayed here. Most everybody agrees that Emily’s remarks were not aimed at somebody, i.e. were not bullying, and indeed Channel 4 acknowledged as much yesterday.
On the 10pm broadcast, whilst questioning Emily in the Diary Room (in what seemed a rather prolonged process, given that the decision had presumably already been made), they empathized that she was being removed for causing offence to the viewing public.
If that is indeed the case, then we can assume that it was the mere use of the term “Nigger” that prompted her eviction. Why is it then, that both previously in the series, and in the subsequent discussion that followed, Charlie used the same word, without being removed from the house, and indeed without it being acknowledged in any way.
If it is indeed the word that is offensive, and not the person saying it, then a double standard exists. If Charlie is allowed to say it with regard to herself, why is Emily not allowed to say it in general conversation, where it was apparently obvious to everybody it wasn’t meant in an offensive way.
If the word is that bad, it’s bad whoever said it. Just another example that, apparently, only white people can be racist.
