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Old October 2nd, 2014 #1
alex revision
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Default BBC apologises for 'racist' Florence Nightingale sketch in Horrible Histories

BBC apologises for 'racist' Florence Nightingale sketch in Horrible Histories

Historians claimed sketch was insulting to legendary nurse's memory

The BBC has apologised over a Horrible Histories sketch that depicted Florence Nightingale was 'racist'.

The hit CBBC show came under fire after it featured a sketch in which Miss Nightingale - famous for her work in the Crimean War - rejects four job applications from Jamaican-born Miss Seacole, saying the work was only 'for British girls'.

Historians said the scene was 'insulting' to the nurse's memory, and a formal complaint was made by the Nightingale Society, a collection of historians who seek to promote knowledge of her contribution to nursing.

In the sketch, the actress playing Miss Nightingale said, 'The nursing corps was for British girls. You're from Jamaica' to which Seacole responded, 'Me father was from Scotland'.

Now, the BBC's Editorial Standards Committee has ruled that the two-minute, 34-second clip's 'depiction of Florence Nightingale in relation to racial issues was materially inaccurate'.

The ESC said viewers of the clip 'would be likely to receive the overall impression that Florence Nightingale had acted towards Mary Seacole in a racially discriminatory manner'.

The Committee concluded: "Given the seriousness of any imputation of racism, the relative recency of Nightingale's life...the immensity of Nightingale's contribution to modern nursing and her significant stature in modern British history, the Committee felt it was incumbent on the programme makers to ensure that there was sound evidence upon which to base any suggestion that she had acted in a racially discriminatory manner in a Learning Zone clip.

"It appeared to the Committee that an allegation of such gravity against a person such as Nightingale required compelling proof.

"In the Committee's view, the programme makers had provided no such evidence."

A BBC spokesman said: "We note and accept the findings of the ESC. The intention of this Horrible Histories sketch was never to undermine the reputation of such an important historical figure like Florence Nightingale, but to open up a discussion of some of the attitudes of the time.

"The Learning Zone has withdrawn the sketch from their website and the episode of Horrible Histories will not be repeated in its present form."

BBC apologises for 'racist' Florence Nightingale sketch in Horrible Histories - Parentdish UK
 
Old October 2nd, 2014 #2
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7 surprisingly racist children's films

As the BBC is accused of racism, we look at films made for children where racist stereotypes are upheld



As the BBC comes under criticism for a children's television show which implied Florence Nightingale was racist, we look at other films which portray prejudice.

The corporation has admitted that its portrayal of Nightingale in a Horrible Histories series as discriminating on the basis of race was inaccurate, following complaints from viewers that it insulted her memory.

Disney films over the years have included racist undertones, including:

1. Aladdin



The 1992 film portrays Arabs as barbaric savages. Jafar - the film's token villain - is depicted with far more striking Arab features than Aladdin, the star and hero.

2. Dumbo



Jet black crows appear, one of whom is called 'Jim Crow'. There is also a scene featuring faceless black men who perform menial labour and sing about how they have never learned to read or write.

3. Peter Pan



Native Americans are portrayed in the characters of Tiger Lily and the Red Man, with only the male chief speaking in broken language. It is also not until they place a feather in their hair and start whooping that Wendy, along with Peter, John and Michael feel able to join in the dancing around the campfire.

4. Lady and the Tramp



The Siamese cats, Si and Am, are the film's villains. They are portrayed with typical Asian speech and slanted eyes, reminiscent of characters in The Aristocats where a Siamese cat plays the piano with chopsticks.

5. The Jungle Book



The monkeys speak with African American accents and sing about a desire to be human, "to walk like you, talk like you."

6. Despicable Me 2



Eduardo, the villain, is caricatured as a Mexican wrestler.

7. Happy Feet



Despite winning Oscars, the street dancing underclass of penguins speak in Spanish accents.

7 surprisingly racist children's films - Telegraph
 
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