Tokenism

[sp1814]

When the gorgeous Lorraine Pascal's cookery programme was first broadcast on BBC2 a couple of years back, a few right wing commentators accused the BBC of tokenism...because she was black.

Watched a few of her shows and to be honest, I didn't think the accusations had any validity.

She seemed capable in a Nigella Lawson kind of way (sultry hooded eyed glances to camera), and I made her sticky ribs and they were blinking great.

Now - there's a black finalist (Kimberley Wilson) in this year's Great British Bake Off, and I think she has a very strong chance of winning.

She knows her stuff (she talks with confidence about gluten strands etc) and she hasn't really put a foot wrong.

Thing I'm concerned about is that if she wins, are the 'usual bunch' going to scream 'tokenism' again?

On a related matter - exactly what do black people have to achieve for racists to stop using the 'T' word?

[Brenden]

Make mine a double sp

[anotheoldgit]

sp1814

So glad you found my joke funny.

/// That's because there's a very strong tradition of these establishments employing from their families and local villages, because many of these places create menus based on family recipes or recipes local to a region of the homeland. ///

I can understand that happening regarding the kitchen cooking staff, but the need to employ only Asian waiters and kitchen cleaning staff, no.

[Zeuhl]

^
There are very few asian or afro-caribbean people in our area

When the best Bangladeshi restaurant opened in the Village several years ago they employed young white people as waiting staff.

I have to say it didn't look right or feel right

Now, several years on, more family members have joined the business, it's 100% Bangladeshi, and it seems much more appropriate and authentic

[joeluke]

So in that case should only Spaniards serve Tapas food, Italians serve pizza/pasta, Chinese serve Chinese, Indians serve Indian etc???

[Zeuhl]

^

Yes

I think it adds to the sense of authenticity

I would be very disappointed to find that Harry Ramsden was actually Chinese