We reported earlier on Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty’s venture into the Celebrity Big Brother house in the UK. We thought things were going smoothly for her when reader Jai informed us that Shilpa was part of a reshuffle in the house where
“8 housemates voluntarily transferred into an adjoining, and significantly dodgier, “servants’ quarters”, with the intention that the 3 remaining celebrities would be treated like royalty by them. It appears that they all selected the lucky 3 on the basis of them having the highest status in the real world — Shilpa was one of them, along with Jermaine Jackson and a famous director called Ken Russell. So that’s an interesting indication of how they view her.”
Jai signed on again, despite starting a new job (congrats jai!), to let us know how things were progressing for Shilpa and the gang. It seemed she had bonded with the other major stars on the show, especially Jermaine Jackson and Dirk Benedict (Face from the A-team) who was crushing hard core on the Bollywood star. At the same time it seems, Shilpa was also the victim of a lot of bullying and even some acts of racism from some of the housemates (especially the ladies). Over the past few days, fellow participants have called Shilpa “dog, “”The Indian,” and have even mocked her accent. One of the Bullyers according to the Daily Mirror is previous Big Brother winner Jade Goody. Goody, who supports Act Against Bullying, an anti-bullying charity, was swiftly given the boot by the the charity because of her actions. Act Againts Bullyying called Goody’s behaviour “unforgivable”.
Jade’s mother Jackey too got in on the anti-Shilpa act. According to Caroline Malone, who was recently evicted, “Jade’s mum Jackiey hated Shilpa and constantly referred to her as “The Indian” which I found horribly insulting. Jackiey made life purposely difficult for Shilpa – shouting at her for no reason, criticising her cooking, attacking her for being bossy.” (link)
Hey, you don’t like someone? Call them names, use their race, ethnic origin, or anything that makes them different and mock that as well. Have your mom call them names, and have your boyfriend call them names too. That solves everything. It turns out Jade’s boyfriend Jack Tweed— who is also currently in the house, and was alleged to have called Shetty a “paki” when Jade’s mother was evicted last week; Channel 4, the channel on which Big Brother airs, has confirmed that Tweed didn’t call Shetty a Paki, but instead the clearly more civilized, “cunt.” Last night Shetty was in tears and is quoted as saying: “I’m the only one they are mean to, I don’t know why. Nobody is mean to anyone else except me.” (link)
The Hindustan Times reports that many viewers think Shilpa is being targeted out of jealousy. I was quite surprised to hear that Shilpa was being paid more than everyone else $680,000, against the standard fee of $610,000. She has also been more popular in the media than other participants, mostly B- and C-list celebs (link). Even though I am a fan of the reality tv genre, I am constantly amazed at how foolish and idiotic adults can act on these shows. Things have gotten so bad in the house for Shilpa that the BBC has reported that British Media watchdog Ofcom and Channel 4 have received almost 10,000 complaints about the racist behavior and bullying thus far. Showing solidairty with his Asian sister and his many British Asian constituents, Leicester East MP Keith Vaz even tabled an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons against the alleged racist behaviour on Big Brother. The motion reads: “…This House views with concern comments made about… Shilpa Shetty by other housemates; believes that Big Brother has a role… in preventing racist behaviour…; regrets that these comments have been made, and calls on the programme to take… action to remind housemates that racist behaviour is unacceptable.” While Ofcom has indicated that it is looking into each complaint of racist behavior on the show, no matter how much investigation they do, it won’t change the resentment/negative feelings that seems to exist in some segments of British society. You can’t investigate that away.
I completely agree that the others need to be called out on their racism as well. It seems that everyone has forgotten that and started to focusing especially on Jade. But let’s not forget Jade’s great names for Shilpa.
Shilpa Poppodum and Shilpa Fuckawallah. And then her mind boggling insistance that there is nothing racial behind it.
Correction. started to focus not focusing.
Bleaching doesn’t change your skin tone, as far as I know. I’ve never done it but many of my friends, both white and brown, have and it only bleaches your hair. It may make your skin lighter since the previously dark hairs are now light. And the reason it’s not noticeable on TV is that she has makeup on to match her skin tone, and that makeup is on her now bleached hairs as well. Baby hairs do need to be bleached, or waxed, if you are trying to go for a hairless look and you happen to be dark haired. I don’t have a single hair on my body that is not dark brown or black. That part of the show actually seemed quite real to me. My friends walked around the womens bathroom and our dorm room in college with bleach on their face, and Shilpa similarly did it only in front of the girls. The reason I’ve never bleached is that the thought of putting a corrosive chemical on my face freaks me out.
Jade just got voted off.
So someone called this poor little rich girl a brown and indian and asked her to go home.
Oh! the horror Oh! the horror… the sky must surely be falling on our heads. The world is coming to an end.
No amount of lobbying will fix the “go home paki” attitude. We need to fix our country, the poverty and it’s dis respectable treatment of people of our lower castes and of course fix education.
Putting breaks on religion should also help. Enough building temples, build some damn schools and colleges.
When we’ve advanced to the fore front of development, we’ll have respect.
Shouting ourselves horse over how our bimbos get hosed on TV will not solve racism for us.
Let the money grabbin whore take it like one of us and quit complaining.
Don’t jump into the shark pool if you can’t swim.. frankly she’s an embarrassment.
Yes, those names Jade called Shilpa are clearly racist. I missed those.
I find it frightening that nearly one in five people who called in did not vote to boot her off, rather than Shilpa.
After watching just 2 few minute clips from that show I couldn’t bear more. Can’t believe there are people who actually sit down for an hour and take an active interest in the nothingness these people are portraying on so-called “reality” TV.
So a bunch of has-been wannabes get together and talk, talk, talk about nothing. What’s the point? Where’s the educational or even entertainment value?
Good point.
I’d be willing to be called names on TV too, for the amount she’s getting paid!
Really, I don’t think she’s all that upset, with what she’s taking away from the deal. Who would be?
Picking up where Deepa and desishiksa left off… I hadn’t seen the clips earlier and was clearly all for Shilpa Shetty and held the white women entirely responsible. But after watching the clips, I feel that there are genuine reasons behind their annoyance and that their racism lies solely in how they chose to attack her and any racism in that society lies solely in that they somehow feel that it’s alright to act like that.
I see the ‘lack of genuineness’ that Jane Goody is complaining about. I sympathise at different points with both Jane and Shilpa (having looked at the clip- otherwise I could’t give a shit about a show like this). I can see that Shilpa handles the conflict in a more adult-like manner than others, but her usual behavior before the conflict is less adult most ordinary women. It is not her fault. It just seems to be the kind of thing that’s natural in her Indian setting.
This seems something that is common in the uppermost parts of Indian society, usually in the cities (rapidly changing now). The ideal for the Indian upper class woman is to be “innocent” and “good” – a sort of child-woman. This is not the case with the lower classes. In fact, it seems that the lowest classes have the most empowered women (relative to the men in the same family). Domestic abuse and beating, notwithstanding, these women are important members of the family and community because they work outside the home and help support the family. Note that LC women do almost all the jobs that men do (construction work), selling vegetables, whereas the distinction between male jobs and female jobs is stronger in UC families. In comparison, working outside the home is very new to the higher classes.
Anyways, it is natural for the working lower class women to find the decorative, non-working upper class women irritating and their goodness fake (will they really get their hands dirty to help the lower class women with anything? No. All they can do is offer to share bleach etc). But they cannot express their irritation because the UC men have such power over the LC men and women. So they shut up and tolerate it.
But when the “innocent” desi woman is out irritating the whites in a British show with her overly helpful ways (she was probably expecting to be Miss Congeniality). 1) they are not inhibited by anything in criticizing her and 2) Within their little cultural context they feel that they are more powerful (because they are white). So they feel entitled to bully her.
Out of laziness, they pick the easiest way- imitating her accent, making racist remarks about cleanliness, calling her Poppadum etc., to get to her.
Anyway, a lot is changing. Upper class women too (at least in the cities) are going out and working, and the tendency for weird ladylike manners is going down. The vulnerable, innocent girl, whom a guy can/must “protect” is on her way out as the object of desire and being replaced by the strong, independent woman. Good, good.
Gosh! I wish everyone (especially my Indian brethren >.< ) commenting on the alleged racsist behaviour or bullying that is going on in the Big Brother household would wake up and realise that this is just a case of SHILPA SHETTY being an EXTREMELY DIFFICULT and ANNOYING PERSON TO LIVE WITH! She’s bossy, antsy, meddling, and obviously extremely pampered both at home and by people outside her home who she interacts with and cannot handle being treated as a normal person… or won’t let people treat her as normal… all I can say is that apart from the herds of sex craved fans in India that she has, I cannot imagine wanting to live with a person like that. I do agree that Jade and her Mum are very crass and Jade can be appalling at times but that is who they are and they have a right to be who they are… don’t they? Wouldn’t it be justice enough to just let them show the world how ignorant and crass they are instead of raising a racsist issue here where none exists. The same goes for the comments about ‘God knows where those hands have been’, that’s just Danielle voicing her dislike of someone meddling with her food! I know I hate for someone I’m barely acquainted with meddling with my food too, does that make me racsist if I comment on it? How in Gods name has this whole episode spiralled up to burning effigys of show directors and Members of Parliament having to intervene is beyond me. That more than anything speaks volumes of the insanity and comical stupidity of both the Indian media for painting these issues to the general public and also to the ignorant masses agreeing with them. Rascism is a serious issue and this whole episode is making a mockery of people who are making an effort to do something about it as well as efforts that have been made in the past. Any good that has been achieved in the past towards changing people’s attitudes to rascism is going to be undone by this sillyness, I don’t really know how else to describe it other than then senseless sillyness! And this in a country where endless jokes and what could be construed as rascist remarks are made about Sikhs, Marwadis, South Indians, Chinese people, Black people and the list goes on and on… to the point where teenagers in urban Indian schools use the word ‘Nigga’ prolifically without knowing the meaning of the word or the hurt and pain that has been caused to a race of people in anotehr country by the use of that word. How proud it would make me to feel Indian if the reaction to these going ons would have been ‘You (the media) are not going to make me as an Indian, be concerned about race or rascism over the adventures of a silly Bollywood actress on the Tele where all that’s really going on is that an Airhead is getting a dose of reality’.
Gosh! I wish everyone especially my Indian brethren, commenting on the alleged racsist behaviour or bullying that is going on in the Big Brother household would wake up and realise that this is just a case of SHILPA SHETTY being an EXTREMELY DIFFICULT and ANNOYING PERSON TO LIVE WITH! She’s bossy, antsy, meddling, and obviously extremely pampered both at home and by people outside her home who she interacts with and cannot handle being treated as a normal person… or won’t let people treat her as normal… all I can say is that apart from the herds of sex craved fans in India that she has, I cannot imagine wanting to live with a person like that. I do agree that Jade and her Mum are very crass and Jade can be appalling at times but that is who they are and they have a right to be who they are… don’t they? Wouldn’t it be justice enough to just let them show the world how ignorant and crass they are instead of raising a racsist issue here where none exists. The same goes for the comments about ‘God knows where those hands have been’, that’s just Danielle voicing her dislike of someone meddling with her food! I know I hate for someone I’m barely acquainted with meddling with my food too, does that make me racsist if I comment on it? How in Gods name has this whole episode spiralled up to burning effigys of show directors and Members of Parliament having to intervene is beyond me. That more than anything speaks volumes of the insanity and comical stupidity of both the Indian media for painting these issues to the general public and also to the ignorant masses agreeing with them. Rascism is a serious issue and this whole episode is making a mockery of people who are making an effort to do something about it as well as efforts that have been made in the past. Any good that has been achieved in the past towards changing people’s attitudes to rascism is going to be undone by this sillyness, I don’t really know how else to describe it other than then senseless sillyness! And this in a country where endless jokes and what could be construed as rascist remarks are made about Sikhs, Marwadis, South Indians, Chinese people, Black people and the list goes on and on… to the point where teenagers in urban Indian schools use the word ‘Nigga’ prolifically without knowing the meaning of the word or the hurt and pain that has been caused to a race of people in anotehr country by the use of that word. How proud it would make me to feel Indian if the reaction to these going ons would have been ‘You (the media) are not going to make me as an Indian, be concerned about race or rascism over the adventures of a silly Bollywood actress on the Tele where all that’s really going on is that an Airhead is getting a dose of reality’.
Hi Sahej, sorry, I meant, by what means other than direct experience with people from other economic and/or ethnic backgrounds, or than education (though here I think education without direct experience can have limited impact) can people come to understand that even their most taken-for-granted behaviors can be sincerely different in people from other backgrounds?
This direct experience need not involve travel – one could have experience with people from other backgrounds within one’s own neighborhood, or school, or work.
I don’t think that just because Jade comes from a poor community she does not have this experience Specifically, it’s because she comes from a community (of people, not location necessarily) which does not mix with other communities. (Which can happen if a community has an undesirable socioeconomic status, because others don’t want to move in)
I do agree with your statement above, in general, but don’t see how it precludes the statement I just made.
I do agree that we may not be disagreeing on much here. 🙂 We both agree that: 1. racist behavior has become involved 2. Jade comes from, as you put it, a culture which is not able to appreciate diversity of thought (although I would say that any homogenous culture which has no direct experience mixing with people from other cultures – which need not involve travel somewhere else – will produce a lot of people who are not able to appreciate diversity of thought. As you say, this phenomenon is irrespective of levels of literacy or poverty).
Yeah, Sahej, I was postulating the existence of communities which do not really have any significant visitors – they need not even be geographically isolated. It’s possible that the factor of a culture which “values” interactions with outsiders, although unused to outsiders, could exist, I suppose. I’m not sure – now comes into play the issue of how many outsiders at once, and their perceived impact on economic well-being, “our way of life,” etc. One outsider might be charming, a few and then you’re threatened, worrying about your job security, your gene pool, etc….
That was funny.
Even though I totally hate most all Bollywood movies and music , Shilpa Shetty deserves better. Shilpa is the epitomy of grace under pressure. Jermaine Jackson is just a beautiful man (as are Dirk and Ian). Shetty has taken the high road in response to the catty behavior of the 3 douchebags that torment her. Jade, Jo O’Meara, and the other whatever that other skanky ho is are 3 first class dumba$$es. Glad to see that biggest a$$wipe of all Jade Goody got kicked out. I think the Nine Inch Nails song “Star&*ckers” was written for idiots like the 3 white witches who are has beens. Jo has zero talent, looks ancient since she is a chain smoker and must be a transvestite. There is no denying that fact. Her old group “S Club” (or SH!t Club) blatantly ripped off tunes from the Spice Girls (who really weren’t artistically inclined to begin with).
Shilpa’s tolerance and grace is way bigger than Jo O’Meara’s dick, too.
Raoul >>
Huh? This event would have been a non event in India if the British media was not all over it like white on rice. The event slowly gained momentum in the Indian media only after it became a big deal here and the issue was raised in the british parliament with Tony Blair having to comment on it. It has been the front page news of every newspaper/tabloid and the main headline news in every channel ever since this started about a week ago. The british media regulator has received an unprecedented 30,000 complaints. Even now, the issue is one of the top stories with a tearful Jade Goody saying how sorry she is and reports of her donating the Big Brother fees to charity. 10 people burning one effigy in Patna and the same footage being shown over and over again do not make ignorant masses in a country of one billion. If anything it has been comically over the top here in the UK
Those 3 women insulting Shilpa are lucky they didn’t have Li’l Kim as a roommate. Kim would’ve snatched them bald-headed. As soon as Kim would’ve heard the c-word, Jade would’ve been Sinead [O’Connor] in 10 minutes.
Come off it Kurma and Raoul. Those three brainless twits hated Shilpa because she’s gorgeous, rich, cosmopolitan, successful AND popular with the men in the house. Classic female envy at work.
OK, they hate her because she’s gorgeous, rich, cosmopolitan, successful AND popular with the men in the house. I never thought of that!
Including their own race by the way. Indians too are regularly subjected to the N racial insult in white countries. Either in its pure form or hyphenated as in “sand-nigger” or “dot-nigger”.
Some positive results of this brouhaha could be that:
Indians may become less servile towards westerners and less prone to treating white visitors in India as superior beings just because of their skin color.
More indians may seriously examine their own asinine colorism and casteism and realise how cruel and self-defeating it is.
More desis abroad may overcome the shame and be encouraged to testify to the racial prejudices and insults they are subjected to, now that even a bollywood star has openly been subjected to the same.
More brits recognize the sheer ugliness of their ingrained contempt for foreigners.
Indians in India are generally hospitable towards any guest of any color. I’ve not seen whites getting any more of special treatment then any other guest.
Seems a little too much to hope for.
It is so sad – in a poor imitation of Big Brother called Big Boss, actor Dipak Tijori made certain comments against Ravi Kissen. This happened on December 11 at the 11:00 pm show on sony TV. He said “Aise Bombil faced Bihariyon ko modelling line mein kaun khada karega?” If I am not mistaken, bombil is the name given to the kolis (fisherfolk) of Mumbai. As is obvious, he was denigrating Biharis. Quite apart from the inaccuracy of the statement that Ravi Kissen is a Bihari – his connection with Bihar is that he is a bhojpuri actor – the comment was racist.
No middle class or any class Indian thought of protesting. No government action, unlike the Big Brother episode where senior GOI functionaries thought it fit to comment on and engage the British Government. Till date, there has been no apology, either from Dipak Tijori or from the TV channel.
Are we Indians inherently racists? Do we have the moral authority to criticise the British?
I am rather surprised at the amount of attention this issue has been given. One would almost think that there was nothing more important to discuss than the goings-on in a sleazy television show which itself was losing viewers. That the issue was blown-up by the British media is not surprising: their bankruptcy is known. Furthermore, wikipedia has got it wrong in my opinion. They have been known for their errors in the past: 350 million is absurd. Unless one counts even one or two words as being capable of speaking English well, not more than 80-100 million in our country can speak English with any degree of fluency. When was the last time you had a conversation with your maid or rickshaw driver in English? In Chennai, the only language the rickshaw drivers understand is Tamil. In any case, our insistence on English has harmed us immensely. We are the only country in the world which teaches its own languages as a second language. First most of the poor go to regional language schools (if they go to school) and graduate to find that not speaking English well disqualfies them for so many things. India’s future lies in a combination of both English and regional languages. Lastly, as Indian industry goes into small towns and villages, we shall we have to further the use of local languages.