Originally posted by desi344
This was clearly not racism, as they were never making fun of them! They were just joking about how the conversation would go between Elli/Sofia and BB. If people find this racist, than its up to them. It was told as a joke, nothing more and nothing less. I did not find it inappropriate as these things have been said in LF by everyone to Elli on face as well, and she has taken it as a joke as well. She admits herself that she is not fluent and it takes time for her to understand. When we see comedians/entertainers trying to mimic or joke about different celebrities or any group of people or even situations with them, we don't take it as discrimination or any hidden hate behind their words, we take it as a joke. I can't discuss Shilpa Shetty and Big Brother as I am not familiar with the issue and I have not watched the show.
Gauhar was called cook with a derogatory meaning behind it as it was a personal attack, and she was right to defend herself against it! Once again, Gauhar, Tanisha or any person in that room was not targetting Sofia or Elli, as it was just a joke about how BB and Sofia/Elli would interact...
The reason I bought Salmaan into the conversation is that, he has also been saying this things as a joke and Elli did not seem to mind it as she had taken it all in good fun. Also, mostly everyone has joked with her about her fluency in hindi in LF and TV, whether it be Gauhar, Tanisha, Armaan, Andy or anyone and she had taken it in good fun. She doesn't seem to mind Salmaan or any other housemate making jokes, so why are other poeple minding it and only talking about Gauhar and Tanisha saying it and not Salmaan. If THEY mind Gauhar and Tanisha making jokes, than Salmaan should be reprimanded in the same thing. A joke can be made whether that person is their or not!
I have said my self that I DOUBT IT WAS MEANT TO BE RACIST AND I THINK IT WAS MEANT IN HUMOR. So I think with this your point and my point are quite equal.
Was it appropriate or not? i think that is subjective at the end of the day. I am raised in a country where ppl are very careful with these kind of things and find such "jokes" inappropriate, probably that is y i feel the same. I dont have an issue with a person (e.g. a comedian) making a joke on someones face, whilst they can see their reaction and explain themselves if misunderstood, but i find it inappropriate to joke on someones back about something, which is a weakness.
I havent seen those many LF's to comment on that.
Gauhar and the term "cook" - that is a difficult one. I seriously dont want to get into whether that was right or wrong, as i personally felt it was not nice of Gauhar AND Tanisha to "abuse" each other with terms like "cook" and "dishwasher" ... as I feel those are not abusive "words", but actual professions. I find that unfair towards all the servants who earn their bread and butter with those professions. BUT again i say, i was simply reminding you that she DID complaint about this and about the fact that ppl say she can talk for hours to put forward her point, which u claimed she didnt.
And as ur clearing again that it was a Joke, i am saying I feel it was meant as a Joke too. An inappropriate one, given the fact that those who were made fun of were not present and this joke was referring to their weaknesses, but yes it was a joke.
And Salman, well you are saying it yourself, he does joke about Ellie to her face. and as u have seen more LF's then I have, even there ppl make these jokes to Elli on her face (according to what ur saying) ... and she does not mind. And ok u say Ellie never did mind, i accept. Whats with Sophie? couldn't she be offended, as no one before made a joke about her language in front of her, but now they r doing it on her back?
You are saying that a joke can be made whether the person is present or not; well i say that given the history with Tanisha and Gauhar about this, they should not.
When Tanisha said she was "joking" about Gauhar being interested in Armaan.
GAUHAR SAID: "If someone means to make a innocent JOKE, they will do it on ur face and not on your back. If they do it on your back, that means they had other intentions."
See my point is not to argue about this, its very simple Tanisha and Gauhar were making fun of Ellie's and Sophia's weakness behind their back, it was a joke but it was not nice and given the fact that both of those ladies (TnG) are very sensitive when it comes to them, they should not make fun on others expenses.
