Racism and Celebrity Big Brother

For those in the UK, you'll know that CBB is finally over for another year, and fuck, what a year its been!
But what really bothered me is this whole racism thing between Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty, Jade 'BB5' Goody, Jo O'Meara of S Club and footballer's wife Danielle Lloyd.
A basic outline of the saga is that Jade, Jo and Danielle, were bullying and making racist remarks about Shilpa- Jade calling her 'Shilpa Popadom' or 'Shilpa Fuck-awhala', Jo stating that 'Indian people are thin because they cant cook properly' and Danielle saying that she wished Shilpa would 'Fuck off home'. Not only that, but an argument over Oxo cubes showed us a different side to these 'celebrities'- the nasty, bitchy school girl mentality that seems to be some sort of trade off for being cool.

All three were questioned regarding their comments and reprimanded. Not only that but they have been vilified by the English press, had death threats and are now in hiding. Throw in all three having their careers put in jeporady, their relationships falling apart and them on the verge on nervous break-downs (Jade is in the Priory, Jo on suicide watch). Add to that a dash of Police investigation, burning effigies and international coverage. And why?

Racism.

Fact: Jade is mixed race - her father was black and Jo has a cousin who's married to a Indian man. Still, it doesnt meant that they are not racist.
Danielle on the other hand had the naivety of youth- she was led by Jade's populatrity and success- starstruck, if you will.

But here's my point. As a black, English woman, I was shocked at the remarks, and a little offended, but it wasnt anything that I wasnt used to or hadnt heard before.

These people are stupid. Stupid and ignorant. But not racist.

Think about it this way, have you ever made fun of someones accent? Questioned the way someone pronounced their name and made it into a joke? Made a throw away remark reagrding another culture's way of living? Yes, you have and so have I! It wasnt intentional, but to a degree it was racist.
Everyone does it. Thats my point.

They did, but because it was on t.v, they were made out to be members of the Klu Klux Klan or something. They have made their apologies to Shilpa, her family and to everyone in India. They even apologised to England on the premise that they were sorry for embarrassing our country. Shilpa accepted the apology and was courteous and forgiving, though she really didnt have to be.

At the end of the day, the cold hard truth is: Everyone is in-directly racist. And yes we'd all love to say that we live in a world where we all love eachother, but we dont. We can always find some amusement/ vindictive thoughts, at the cost of another.

There were 2 things Shilpa said that stuck out most, whilst all of this has been going on:
1. "You cannot argue with stupidity." Very true, its a losing battle. You can only educate those who are willing to learn.
And 2. "Those three girls represent the state of the UK today!" I have to agree. Gone are the days of classy, educated and demure women and theyve been replaced with swearing, farting and burping chav-ettes.
Great.

Shilpa won CBB. Im glad she did- she deserved it.
It showed that we're not a country of racist ignorami afterall.