Afraid to speak out.

The family brought into the street to show a black family with a gay man are all terrible actors

This is very true, and is the biggest disservice to the story line. As has been talked about before, none of them can act, which is a shame as they have all become caricatures and left the viewer with the distinct feeling of unreality.

A good well acted soap has you believing in the characters, no matter how far fetched the storyline. Think back to the killing of Sarah’s awful boyfriend Callum. Brilliant acting by David, Kylie and Sarah, all youngish actors, had you thinking it really could happen.

Then we have the Baileys…..

"Whatever you say - it's not the way the majority of the population behave (though many do) and although I'm content for people to follow their natural inclinations in this department - why do TV programmers force feed it to us?"

You mean, like the TV programs that have been imposed to non heterosexuals for decades?
It is very easy to turn the tables to see the other side

It is extremely offensive to compare this subject to Hitler and Germany.

It’s all out of hand, it’s being forced down our throats, the agenda has the opposite effect on me. The family bought into the street, to show a black family with a gay man are all terrible actors. Who is casting these people? Everyone on the street has been married or involved with everyone else’s partner! As for the murders, how many can a street have. Tyrones affair with that squeaky voiced temptress is ridiculous, Gail has become a caricature, the best of the lot is little Sam and his mom. That’s the only reason I watch it now.
Emmerdale, the same, different format. Kim , Caine and Eric are good and that’s about it.

And when I previously said "we" can't say what we like anymore, it's obvious I meant people in general. I know a lot of people with certain views who would not voice them, myself included.

But in general people on this thread are mostly saying that you can say what you like, which you have done, with no consequences. Also your friends with 'certain views' must have voiced them to you, or you wouldn't know that they hold them. How did that happen if they weren't able to express their point of view?

There are plenty of ethnic minorities depicted in children’s reading books these days. Janet and John etc have all long gone.

Maybe part the reason why these cereal boxes and soaps look forced in their depiction of disabled people, ethnic minorities and same-sex couples, is down to the world depicted in our primary school readers - Janet and John, Peter and Jane? The proportion of ethnic minorities has risen since the 60's but not of those disabled or gay. I don't remember any representatives in my school reading books. I'm glad this has changed.

at what stage does an 'ethnic minority' individual stop being one once British? Forever .... how many generations?

What about ethnic minorities who just don't 'look it'?

Why is the OP afraid to speak out? what will happen if she says there are too many gays/ non white people/ women / whatever/ on TV? Well she’s obviously spoken out - so isn’t afraid, The police aren’t going to come round- but a lot of people will disagree with her- is that what’s she’s afraid of? I think she’ll find the world has changed since the 1950s.

I thought there was about 15% of ethnic minorities in the UK, but perhaps I’m wrong. I remember there being about 10-12% nationally when I was teaching, and my school was bang on with about 10-12%. Obviously individual year groups varied slightly between the two figures. Anyway if it is 13% nationally now, that surprises me because of my experience in the school I taught in. I have no idea how many possible gay or trans children there might have been as the children ranged in age from 2 to 7 years.

grannyrebel7

Yes agree too many in one soap. However I love it when Sean spins round on his heel, head held and does a huge flounce! Always makes me laugh.

Although don’t watch Corrie now, got bored with it, loved Shaun and his flouncing. One of the more appealing cast members.

Wait, what?

There are too many ethnic minorities and there are too few?

If you don't agree with the 13% take it up with the Office of National Statistics, you might still be quick enough to influence the 2021 census. There's probably still time for you to do a survey of adverts, just to make sure.

p.s. - China and Japan are both in Asia. HTH.

I notice that the majority of adverts include Asian or African people. So if we are being diverse where are the Chinese and Japanese ?

If there is say 13% of the population from ethnic backgrounds why do they not feature that same percentage in adverts, tv etc?

I’m all for fairness and being friendly with all my neighbours of any nationality, sexuality, but the tv/film coverage has swung away from the majority of the population.

A number of you have said we can say what we think without fear, so that is what I have done.

If you said something you're not "supposed" to say Skydancer, what do you think will happen?

People will disagree with you?

The Stasi will come and cart you off?

Coronation Street was created by a gay man so I guess it’s always had a gay following.
Maybe they’re just writing storylines for a large part of their audience?

Gwyneth is absolutely right. And when I previously said "we" can't say what we like anymore, it's obvious I meant people in general. I know a lot of people with certain views who would not voice them, myself included.

There was me thinking how great it is that adverts are featuring mixed families - whether race or sex. I thought it showed what a tolerant nation we'd become.

I think if someone from another planet was watching our TV programmes they would get the impression that the majority of people in the UK were from ethnic minorities, gay/lesbian or trans! I think advertising, soap operas, any panel shows including sports panels are afraid of being labelled racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic that they have to find representatives to cover all bases. What’s wrong with having a panel of all black or all white people or women if the occasion demands especially if they have a vast amount of experience to contribute.

Oh dear Alegrias1 Here you go.... ha ha

Here we go.....

In the 2011 census, 13% of the population of the UK were from an ethnic minority.

Exd Yes I agree with you. However, it is not just soaps now. Ethnic minorities make up just under 4% of the population in the UK. Ethnic minorities are therefore greatly over represented in many settings now.

Good point Alegrias1, that is more what I meant really. I am entitled to my opinions about, for example this 'sexually incontinent' Tory administration, it does not cause division or sow hatred. Apart from on GN of course

cross post Galaxy

as long as they do not offend

I think people should be allowed to say things that offend other people; none of us have the right not to be offended. I don't know what you might get offended by and vice versa. We all get to argue our corner.

But people shouldn't be allowed to say things that cause division and sow hatred.

Lots of things offend me, there is no 'right' not to be offended.