BBC’s Harry & Paul Comedy Show seen as Racist and Infuriates Filipinos
Tonyo Cruz posted an entry titled “British comedy ‘Harry and Paul’ show dishes out racist skit vs. Filipinos.” Is it racist? Risa Hontiveros a Representative of the Akbayan Party List says it is and wanted to press charges on the show producer and the BBC station as reported by Lira Dalangin-Fernandez of Inquirer:
A sober approach comes from Indolent Indio:
Ambo of Pinoy Ambisyoso is asking if Domestic Helpers need an apology, but he thinks it was more of feeling lahing api (exploited race) or victim mentality that is blown out of proportion. He further states that Filipinos seems to be naturally overly sensitive and emotional yet has no qualms taunting others in a heartbeat.
The question that comes to mind is if the incident was serious enough to warrant a petition demanding an apology or a complaint filed in court? I believe there are legitimate and serious problem that demands more attention than fight a silly comedy show that is basically a make believe as in not real unless one is deluding oneself that this is real.
There are very real issues of racism and exploitation that Filipinos are clearly victimized but to raise a howl over a comedy show is really being oversensitive. If people who believe they care where, if I may ask is the outpouring of indignation, investigation, effort to locate and save “Melissa” a Filipina Domestic helper in the Middle East who was reportedly exploited as a sex slave, video taped by her tormentors while being sexually violated? Where is the indignation on the exploitation and victimization of women in poverty stricken provinces lured and forced into prostitution dens with the help of corrupt Philippine authorities? How about Marichu Baoanan who was allegedly victimized by UN Ambassador to the UN Lauro Baja and his family whose case is going nowhere when Baja invoked his diplomatic immunity? There are more issues that are very real and yet once the media lose interest mostly without any resolution the vocal defenders of the "exploited downtrodden" Filipinos seems to disappear too like a person afflicted with attention deficit disorder.
I dare say that this is more of misdirected anger out of frustration of not being able to make a difference in the nations' continued slide at the bottom of economic standings amidst a more prosperous neighbors in the region. People would rather pour their frustrations on make-believe world rather than confront bitter realities of a failed leadership that looks after their own skin thus the exodus out of the country. Leaders who would rather launch a make-believe war of all things on what is shown on the idiot box simply because it makes for good sound bytes.........
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"It was revolting. It was a disgusting and insensitive and racist attempt to satirize a scene of exploitation," Hontiveros said.
She added that the show "trivializes an act of abuse commonly experienced by Filipina workers abroad."
"This has to be corrected, otherwise, it would become easy for other media outfits to use Filipina workers abroad as an object of sexual ridicule. …The media should be a partner against human trafficking and not an unwitting promoter of abuse because of insensitive and racist portrayals of women in trafficking," she said.
A sober approach comes from Indolent Indio:
British comedian Rowan Atkinson has opined that one should be able to make fun of anything: religion, gays, people with disabilites, because the opposite would be the loss of free speech. The Indolent Indio agrees on principle, but having a right does not guarantee that one will exercise it well.It was supposed to be ridiculous and that is what it seems the show was all about. Is it in poor taste? Probably and Bill Blahs’ post BBC: Harry & Paul's 'Mating a Northerner with a Filipina Maid' believes it is in poor taste further stating that people who thinks it is funny should have their head examined.
Ambo of Pinoy Ambisyoso is asking if Domestic Helpers need an apology, but he thinks it was more of feeling lahing api (exploited race) or victim mentality that is blown out of proportion. He further states that Filipinos seems to be naturally overly sensitive and emotional yet has no qualms taunting others in a heartbeat.
The question that comes to mind is if the incident was serious enough to warrant a petition demanding an apology or a complaint filed in court? I believe there are legitimate and serious problem that demands more attention than fight a silly comedy show that is basically a make believe as in not real unless one is deluding oneself that this is real.
There are very real issues of racism and exploitation that Filipinos are clearly victimized but to raise a howl over a comedy show is really being oversensitive. If people who believe they care where, if I may ask is the outpouring of indignation, investigation, effort to locate and save “Melissa” a Filipina Domestic helper in the Middle East who was reportedly exploited as a sex slave, video taped by her tormentors while being sexually violated? Where is the indignation on the exploitation and victimization of women in poverty stricken provinces lured and forced into prostitution dens with the help of corrupt Philippine authorities? How about Marichu Baoanan who was allegedly victimized by UN Ambassador to the UN Lauro Baja and his family whose case is going nowhere when Baja invoked his diplomatic immunity? There are more issues that are very real and yet once the media lose interest mostly without any resolution the vocal defenders of the "exploited downtrodden" Filipinos seems to disappear too like a person afflicted with attention deficit disorder.
I dare say that this is more of misdirected anger out of frustration of not being able to make a difference in the nations' continued slide at the bottom of economic standings amidst a more prosperous neighbors in the region. People would rather pour their frustrations on make-believe world rather than confront bitter realities of a failed leadership that looks after their own skin thus the exodus out of the country. Leaders who would rather launch a make-believe war of all things on what is shown on the idiot box simply because it makes for good sound bytes.........
Related articles:
- Harry & Paul BBC Comedy Show takes a Farcical Detour
- Marichu Baoanan & Lauro Baja’s Diplomatic Immunity
- Mail Order Bride in the House! 'Ching Ching Chang' says H&M Employee
- Marichu Baoanan vs. Lauro Baja Controversy, a case of Domestic Help Dispute?
- Former Philippine UN Ambassador Lauro Baja Sued for Human Trafficking
- The Filipina OFW being Kept as Sex Slave, an RX
- Bloggers Unite-Against Peddlers of Human Misery & .Corruption
- Raping Women and Girls for your Technological Convenience
- Filipina OFW Being Kept as Sex Slave
- Modern Day Heroes or Commodities in Human Trafficking of Slaves?
- Social Cost of Migration for Women OFW
- Men Raping Men
- The Dangers Men Face in Unlikely Situation
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3 Speak Out:
First things first: Twas a racist slur. Our OFWs themselves felt that way, and so did our patriotic organizations and even government officials. And so we must raise our voices in protest. We must protest because our women are being misportrayed as mere sexual objects and akin to pets (read the Migrante statement).
Secondly, it is unfair to say that our protest against this racist slur may be blunted by another anomaly similar to the nursing exam scandal. The latter did not in any way blunt the storm of indignation over the Desperate Housewives episode. I think that with or without such "anomalies", we as Filipinos do not deserve to be looked down and misportrayed. No one must be allowed to discriminate or prejudge or mock as based on our nationality or race.
If other Filipinos don't feel alluded to by the show's depiction, let them be. But that should not negate the legitimate grievances of others. If they don't wish to fight, let them not stop those who dare to do so.
Of course we all know that the Arroyo administration is ultimately among those accountable for the sad state of affairs of OFWs in particular and the nation in general. Samantalang gusto nating kondenahin yung mga kasalanan nito nang tuloy tuloy -- heto ang mga kababayan natin sa Britanya na inaalipusta't binababoy. Kailangang magprotesta para sa kanila. Kailangang itulak ang gobyernong Arroyo na protektahan sila. Kung di aaksyon ang gobyernong Arroyo, bahala na ang taumbayan at OFWs kung ano gagawin sa mga dyaskeng yan.
Tonyo,
It's a comedy show... meaning it is not real.
People are free to express themselves in the same manner that people who thinks otherwise are also free to express themselves. Its a comedy show that is devoid of reality some will be offended and some will find it silly to wage a protest action on fictional characters. What then differentiates those seething in anger with the Islamic Cleric who issued a Fatwa on Mickey Mouse?
Assuming Harry and Paul apologized, will they do it on a skit too?
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