Problems in class

Oh Brother! Jade Goody becomes a household name in India

Is classism the new racism in Britain?

Over the past few weeks the British tabloid press (and the quality press!) has worked itself into a frenzy regarding a series of spats in TV's Celebrity Big Brother house between various British D-list celebrity housemates (notably one Jade Goody) and Indian housemate Shilpa Shetty, a Bollywood film star. Actually, a spat is probably the wrong word, as it normally involves attacks from both sides, not principally victimization of one party alone. The incident was made a little more painful for both victim and viewer when racist insults peppered the row. It was suggested that Shetty "couldn't speak English properly", should "go back home" and "visit the slums". Stronger language was also used, as documented by "family newspaper" the News of the World in one of their post-eviction Jade-baiting interviews.

Goody's mother (a self confessed petty crook and sometime drug abuser) - the curiously spelt Jackiey - also refused to pronounce Shetty's name correctly and insisted on calling her "the Indian" and "Princess".


Slanging matches between contestants in "reality shows" (and between Big Brother contestants in particular) is, of course, nothing new, and some cynics think that they are practically encouraged by TV producers in a bid for better ratings. Anyone who watched the last series of Gran Hermano in Spain will also have noticed a racist, sexist bigot among the contestants, but bar presenter Mercedes Milá and a few regulars on the daytime chat shows, most of Spain was not bothered, and the foul mouth of one Dani Rubio was not debated in parliament. Maybe Zapatero and Rajoy didn't want their own slanging match to be overshadowed.

Some commentators have pointed out that more than (or in addition to) racism, the "Jade vs Shilpa" incident smacked of classism. Whereas Shilpa Shetty was seen to be a polite, discreet, well-brought up young lady (and a good actress in all senses of the word) Jade Goody came across as an ignorant, rude, moody "mouthy bird".

Classy versus brassy.

Smart versus tart.

Whether Shilpa and Jade epitomise India or Britain is debatable, but an amusing reversal of the old colonialist (and racist) cliché was there for all to see - the well-spoken, intelligent and literate Indian triumphing over the primitive ignorance of the English.

Many also felt that Jade and her fellow "tormentors" were typical of 21st century British youth: an embarrassment.

It was also interesting that the three winners - fading Bollywood star Shetty, ex A-Team actor Dirk "Face" Benedict and has-been pop star (and brother of Michael) Jermaine Jackson - were all foreigners. The three contestants who were the least offensive were not British, but were the British audiences' favourites.

While Jade Goody is now Britain's number one social pariah.

Here's what the papers said about the racism/classism debate that was a fallout from the CBB episode:

• BBC News on Britain's class divide


• The Observer on Britain's class divide


• The Daily Telegraph on Jade Goody and "class hatred"


• The Sun attempts to address racism and classism post-BigBrother


• Anorak on the Sun's attempt to address racism and classism post-Big Brother


• The Los Angeles Times on Celebrity BB and its race/class repercussions