Gransnet forums

TV, radio, film, Arts

Ridley Road- surely the wrong time.

(114 Posts)
travelsafar Mon 04-Oct-21 09:49:56

We don't know what will happen further down the line. The guy in the hairdressers has already received racial abuse when trying to help the girl after she was trapped in the crowd. He is also seen spying on her so there maybe be more incidents relating to black or mixed race people.

JaneJudge Mon 04-Oct-21 09:44:45

They are actually advertising it as part of black history month?

I think it is fair enough to show the program in October but it's not about black history so shouldn't be advertised in that way. I like the styling of the program, The hair especially

Riverwalk Mon 04-Oct-21 09:41:13

It's based on a novel written about true events, so if the novel is about Jewish people then the drama has to reflect that.

maddyone Mon 04-Oct-21 09:11:50

Ridley Road is not about black people, not everything is about black people. It’s about Jewish people, and anti semitism. Why exactly is that apparently a problem?

Early Mon 04-Oct-21 09:00:53

for some reason …

2022 will be the 60th anniversary of the 62 Group Trafalgar Square riots which provides the backdrop for Ridley Road.

That it is Black History month doesn’t mean that programmes about other issues cannot be broadcast. Essentially this is about opposition to the National Front which promulgates hatred of Jews as well as black people.

We know that the autumn TV schedules deliver new and original drama that will remain in the catch up schedules for several months so the more exposure and publicity these historical events gets the better imo.

It isn't erasing black history. It's drawing attention to the heinous work of the National Front which I think black people will applaud.

Anniebach Mon 04-Oct-21 08:58:53

With the rise in anti semitism in recent years such programmes are needed.

Smileless2012 Mon 04-Oct-21 08:55:46

sorry, that should read even though the main characters in this are white.

Smileless2012 Mon 04-Oct-21 08:54:29

I agree Riverwalk and Anniebach. As this is about what actually happened to the Jewish community, obviously they are going to be the main focus.

Jewish communities all over the world are today facing a resurgence of anti-semitism and that includes the UK.

Are we really at the point where unless a drama based on historical events also has a large focus on the experiences of black people at that time, even though the main characters as in this case are not white, that there will be accusations of erasing black history?

Lovetopaint037 Mon 04-Oct-21 08:51:34

Surely a focus on Black History doesn’t preclude a drama about anti-semitism. In fact it is as much in the forefront of discussions as black history is these days.

trisher Mon 04-Oct-21 08:50:14

I didn't say it was a wrong time to speak of anti-semitism I questioned why the black history wasn't there.

trisher Mon 04-Oct-21 08:49:18

But surely the people who were responsible for the anti-semitism were racist and against immigration as well. I know that Jewish people were targeted. but weren't black people as well? Why should it have to be advertised as part of Black History month? Shouldn't all the stories told about those times include black history? I saw one or two black people in the crowds and one mixed race main character, but surely it wasn't only Jews the National Socialists were abusing?

Anniebach Mon 04-Oct-21 08:45:40

There is never a wrong time to speak of Anti semitism

Riverwalk Mon 04-Oct-21 08:10:39

Is the drama advertised as being part of Black History Month on the BBC?

It's based on true events that affected the Jewish community in the East End, so inevitably the focus will be on anti-semitism.

trisher Mon 04-Oct-21 07:48:01

October is Black History Month and the BBC present a drama set in 1962 about the rise of the far right. Do they then show the racist abuse faced by black people? No for some reason the focus is on anti-semitism. There are few black people in this drama. Now it seems to be an interesting and gripping story but I still feel it isn't right and black history is still being erased.