New Big Brother Racism Row
There was me all set to blog about the first eviction on Friday night, and a bit of a review of the first week of Big Brother UK 8. And then Emily uttered one offensive word, and that plan came apart.
The first week had been boring at best, with the odd argument and moment of fun thrown in, but at approximately 8.30pm last night a conversation in the garden between Emily, Charley, and Nicky proved to be one with far reaching consequences. I’ve chosen to print the full transcript of the conversation [courtesy of Channel 4 and Digital Spy], so please be aware that it contains racist, sexual, and potentially offensive words.
Emily: (referring to Charley dancing/pushing her hips forward) You pushing it out you nigger.
Nicky: (shocked laughter) Em, I can’t believe you said that.
Charley: You are in trouble.
Emily: Don’t make a big thing out of it then. I was joking.
Charley: I know you were… but that’s some serious shit, sorry.
Emily: Why?
Charley: Oh my god. I’m not even saying it.
Nicky: Just don’t talk about it anymore.
Emily: I was joking
Charley: Do you know how many viewers would watch that?
Nicky: Okay, don’t make a big deal out of it.
Charley: Fancy you saying that. I can’t believe you said that.
Emily: Somebody has already used that word in this house.
Charley: No way. (Pause) Yeah, me. I’m a nigger.
Nicky laughs.
Charley: I am one. Fancy you saying it. I know maybe you see it in a rap song. Maybe you and your friends sit there saying it.
Emily: I’m friendly with plenty of black people.
Nicky: And you call them niggers?
Emily: Yeah and they call me niggers. They call me wiggers as well.
Nicky: I’m quite shocked.
Charley: I’m fucking in shock.
Emily: It’s not a big deal though is it?
Charley: Not for us it ain’t. Fuck me.
It wasn’t nice to watch, and the N word is one which has such a serious history, Big Brother couldn’t let it go without punishment, and so Emily was removed from the house at 3.30am. Whether this would have happened if the Celebrity Big Brother race row had never happened I’m not sure.
I will now try and defend Emily, because I must admit to feeling slightly sorry for her. Yes, using that word is unacceptable, and on television in front of millions of viewers is even more likely to lead to a bad place, but let’s look at the conversation in context. Emily has spent every waking hour for 5 days with this same set of people, and regards Charley and the others as friends now. She blurted out a word which she thought was fine to use at that precise moment, but I don’t for a minute think she is a racist.
She’s 19 and has used the word not in a derogratory way, but rather as street slang, to a friend. Does that make it any less ignorant, and more acceptable? Maybe not, but I certainly don’t think she should be hounded for the rest of her life for a slip of the tongue. She has made a mistake, and held her hands up to that fact when Big Brother called her in to the diary room, but I don’t think she should be labelled a racist for this.
Channel 4 had to chuck her out, and by doing so, have avoided the kind of criticism they received for allowing the targeting of Shipa Shetty to carry on. I just hope Emily doesn’t end up paying dearly for a slip of the tongue, which I would put down to immaturity and ignorance, rather than racism and bullying.
Let me know what you think. Did channel 4 do the right thing, or should the girl have been left in the house to spark a debate around the world? Is the N word any more offensive than some of the anti-gay language which is rife not only on BB, but right across the media?
Big Brother, Big Brother 8, Big Brother UK, Big Brother Emily, Big Brother Charley, UK, England, Britain, Channel 4, Digital Spy, Shilpa Shetty, Big Brother Race Row, Racism
June 8th, 2007 at 2:41 pm
[...] race-related scandal on Big Brother UK, but if you haven’t Dave at Pop Buzz UK has the actual transcript of the conversation that led to Emily being removed from the [...]
June 8th, 2007 at 10:32 pm
Hey Dave,
I don’t think C4 had any choice after this year’s CBB. Even if she had used a word that is regarded as less offensive yet still racist I think they would have chucked her out.
I imagine she’ll rocket to stardom as the (inadvertent) racist that British men would most like to have sex with. It’s a niche market but I think she’s got it covered.
June 9th, 2007 at 3:24 pm
You’re right of course, C4 had to act as they did, or face another barrage of complaints. As it’s turned out, they still got well over 1000 complaints saying Emily shouldn’t have been kicked out… life’s a bitch huh lol.
She has got a fine arse, I’ll give her that… and a few other things.
June 10th, 2007 at 7:54 pm
You know, I can’t help feeling that Britain would have been better off without the addition of Big Brother. Gak.
I’d rather watch AbFab or Are You Being Served.
June 11th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
[...] Last Week In The UK, Icky Thump Edition… June 11th, 2007 by DaveP Debating: Big Brother’s Emily’s racist outburst [...]
June 12th, 2007 at 8:09 pm
I love the fact that there is someone in this world who would admit to wanting to watch Are You Being Served?
It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Jolly well done to you Catslyn.
June 13th, 2007 at 4:34 pm
Are you being served is classic cheesy goodness! I prefer the old Carry On films though, especially Barbara Windsors norks.