Now that it’s all over, perhaps we can reflect on some of the more serious issues. The debate provoked by Celebrity Big Brother has highlighted issues of racism in the West, the ability of the rich and famous to evoke governmental support, and the sheer hypocrisy of our own society, which will do anything for the powerful and nothing for the powerless. The public have rightly realised that the TV programme has mirrored Britain’s social milieu, where racism is a reality. In a racist society, cognisance must be taken of citizens who come together to form a community and who must grant one another equal rights. Jurgen Habermas is right when he says that their ‘demand for respect is aimed not so much at equalising living conditions as it is in protecting the integrity of the traditions and forms of life in which members of groups that have been discriminated against can recognise themselves.’ Gender, race, and ethnicity cannot be disregarded, and cultural difference has to be respected, though it opposes the West’s anti-communitarian, self-centred individualism with its disproportionate focus on individual autonomy.Why indeed should we choke our rage when racial hatred is real? The white race knows it must end the political fury against racism. But not many within it are ready to speak out. Forward looking radicals should have the stamina to ‘talk race’, but this is not easy considering the resurgence of white supremacist organisations which disparage non-white intelligence and de-intellectualise their art and literature. Everywhere we see signs that dismiss pressing non-white issues and place non-Europeans at a racially inferior evolutionary level. To counter this ridiculously biased discourse, the media, theatre and literature must seriously involve themselves in altering the prevalent beliefs and racial stereotypes. Though it might hurt to talk about racial sentiments, it is vital to the cause of the politics of recognition that society does not delude itself into believing that racism has ended.Let us also not overlook the hypocrisy in our own country where all sorts of caste discriminations are practised without demur, even as a hue and cry is raised over a racist attack on a TV show. The Indian government has rightly received flak for its response: the ministry of external affairs is struck dumb at blatant instances of racism but reaches out to Tony Blair over a ‘reality’ show. Picking one’s way through the various views generated by the controversy, one has to understand two significant issues, one related to TV and the other to the colonial psyche. The public should know that in such TV programmes bullying is an inherent feature. Who would watch a programme in which everybody is behaving well? The other point is linked with the consciousness of the colonised that always hurts at the slightest provocation. Otherwise, to be asked if one lived in a shack could be more funny than provocative. Or Shilpa could perhaps have come back with a repartee rather than reacted with tears.Notwithstanding any of this, the show has resulted in a useful public debate on racism.
