- + Salmoli joined Debatewise
- + Arrevedot joined Debatewise
- + Kejmunoek joined Debatewise
- + Stephanie2ciis2 joined Debatewise
- + Irobbalovoido joined Debatewise
- + Paoneujem joined Debatewise
- + Shelly joined Global Youth Panel
- + Daniellwis joined Debatewise
- + Ryu joined Debatewise
- + Mcocaves joined Debatewise
- + Feelsinfofs joined Debatewise
- + Calum Crichton joined Debatewise
- + Chris Reinders joined Debatewise
- + Antuannyi joined Debatewise
- + Abdul Sucks Penis joined Debatewise
- + Virtual Pixels joined Debatewise
- + Nadar Morrison joined Debatewise
- + Selihanov R joined Debatewise
- + Tiffany joined Debatewise
- + Hine Unime joined Debatewise
- + Uzrh."Boljabuducnost" joined Debatewise
- + Robby Shapiro joined Debatewise
- + Acitnerie joined Debatewise
- + Objereegrourl joined Debatewise
- + Penf Paws joined Debatewise
- + Daniel430lee@Gmail.Com joined Debatewise
- + Robert Jh joined Debatewise
- + Mariofan24 joined Global Youth Panel
- + Disputatio20@Gmail.Com joined Debatewise
- + Zahra joined Debatewise
DOES 'BIG FAT GYPSY WEDDINGS' OFFEND THE ROMA AND TRAVELLER COMMUNITIES?
"Dear Channel 4, I am writing to you with the hope that you will stop ruining my life. While your obsession with my ethnicity is flattering, it has become somewhat apparent to me that you might have gotten the wrong end of the stick. This is sort of awkward for me, because I don’t want to be the one to break it to you, but your documentary, ’Big Fat Gypsy Weddings’, is unfortunately a work of fiction. There is no need to be embarrassed, it can happen to the best of us, and thus I hope my letter will help you establish the facts, after all I’m sure you are passionate about fighting discrimination against ethnic minorities. Don’t be modest now, we know you are…right? It surprised me to discover that 99% of Britain’s Gypsy and Traveller population are Irish. Correct me if I’m wrong, as I am sure you have done lots and lots of research on this topic, but just 10% of the Gypsy andTraveller population are actually Irish Travellers. The majority, like myself, are in fact Romany, yet your ‘documentary’ seems to ignore our existence ..." - Romany person in an Open Letter of protest to Channel 4.
Does 'Big Fat Gypsy Weddings' offend the Roma and Traveller communities?
Yes, because... just a platform for reality TV show-offs
Deanna Delamotta: Big Fat Gypsy Weddings – insight into traveller communities, or just a platform for reality TV show-offs?
Taste and decency never rank high on the priority list for reality TV makers. So our growing disquiet about pre-pubescent traveller girls dressing and dancing provocatively on Big Fat Gypsy Weddings is met with the stock response, from Firecracker, producers of the Channel 4 show. They are merely shining a light on a secretive world. But just how secretive is it? We all know by now that traveller brides favour ridiculous dresses, the more outlandish the better. That is the main revelation. So the continued assertion that the dual aim is insight as well as entertainment is wearing as thin as the sticky out legs of the little girl showing way to much flesh at her holy communion.
See history of changes to this point
Does 'Big Fat Gypsy Weddings' offend the Roma and Traveller communities?
Yes, because... 2. If this show is like other U.S. "Reality" shows, it shows the extreme minorities in society - not the mainstream.
In the U.S., so-called "reality" shows do not show what mainstream America is like, and they give America a bad name with the rest of the world by showing the worst in our society.
For example, watch any of the "housewives" so-called "reality" shows and people outside the country might tend to think that most Americans are wallowing in riches, vanity and complete self-absorption. The women portrayed in these shows have nothing better to do each day but focus on themselves, their looks, (numerous and expensive plastic surgeries) their (endless) shopping sprees, the petty arguments between themselves, and so on.
In fact, the huge majority of Americans go to work each day, not out of choice but necessity, and many go to work at jobs they don't like. There are many single-parent families struggling to make ends meet. Most Americans don't wear the fancy clothes portrayed on "housewives" shows, nor do they live in mansions. Many live in very modest homes and even trailer houses. They drive modest cars for the most part. Most couldn't begin to afford plastic surgery. And yet - these same Americans generously donate to causes here and abroad. They are not the self-absorbed women portrayed in "housewives".
These shows are not created to show the true "reality" of a particular country overall. So I understand where the person who posted this topic is coming from. It would be refreshing to see a REAL "reality" show. I think no one wants to do one because they think people would find it boring. It might be true, as most people in the world are simply occupied with trying to survive from day-to-day and are often involved in chores and situations that would seem mundane. But reality is often mundane for a great many of us in the world.
Vote on this debate: Does 'Big Fat Gypsy Weddings' offend the Roma and Traveller communities?
Modified:
13 Apr 2012
Point 1. just a platform for reality TV show-offs
Deanna Delamotta: Big Fat Gypsy Weddings – insight into traveller communities, or just a platform for reality TV show-offs?
Taste and decency never rank high on the priority list for reality TV makers. So our growing disquiet about pre-pubescent traveller girls dressing and dancing provocatively on Big Fat Gypsy Weddings is met with the stock response, from Firecracker, producers of the Channel 4 show. They are merely shining a light on a secretive world. But just how secretive is it? We all know by now that traveller brides favour ridiculous dresses, the more outlandish the better. That is the main revelation. So the continued assertion that the dual aim is insight as well as entertainment is wearing as thin as the sticky out legs of the little girl showing way to much flesh at her holy communion.
Read more at: http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/comment/blogs/s/1486789_deanna-delamotta-big-fat-gypsy-weddings--insight-into-traveller-communities-or-just-a-platform-for-reality-tv-show-offs28/02/2012 - Taste and decency never rank high on the priority list for reality TV makers. So our growing disquiet about pre-pubescent traveller girls dressing and dancing provocatively on Big Fat Gypsy Weddings is met with the stock response, from Firecracker, producers of the Channel 4 show. They are merely shining a light on a secretive world. But just how secretive is it? We all know by now that traveller brides favour ridiculous dresses, the more outlandish the better. That is the main revelation. So the continued assertion that the dual aim is insight as well as entertainment is wearing as thin as the sticky out legs of the little girl showing way to much flesh at her holy communion.
Read more on http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/comment/blogs/s/1486789_deanna-delamotta-big-fat-gypsy-weddings--insight-into-traveller-communities-or-just-a-platform-for-reality-tv-show-offs
Point 2. 2. If this show is like other U.S. "Reality" shows, it shows the extreme minorities in society - not the mainstream.
In the U.S., so-called "reality" shows do not show what mainstream America is like, and they give America a bad name with the rest of the world by showing the worst in our society.
For example, watch any of the "housewives" so-called "reality" shows and people outside the country might tend to think that most Americans are wallowing in riches, vanity and complete self-absorption. The women portrayed in these shows have nothing better to do each day but focus on themselves, their looks, (numerous and expensive plastic surgeries) their (endless) shopping sprees, the petty arguments between themselves, and so on.
In fact, the huge majority of Americans go to work each day, not out of choice but necessity, and many go to work at jobs they don't like. There are many single-parent families struggling to make ends meet. Most Americans don't wear the fancy clothes portrayed on "housewives" shows, nor do they live in mansions. Many live in very modest homes and even trailer houses. They drive modest cars for the most part. Most couldn't begin to afford plastic surgery. And yet - these same Americans generously donate to causes here and abroad. They are not the self-absorbed women portrayed in "housewives".
These shows are not created to show the true "reality" of a particular country overall. So I understand where the person who posted this topic is coming from. It would be refreshing to see a REAL "reality" show. I think no one wants to do one because they think people would find it boring. It might be true, as most people in the world are simply occupied with trying to survive from day-to-day and are often involved in chores and situations that would seem mundane. But reality is often mundane for a great many of us in the world.