BBC’s Black History Month ‘fried chicken’ tweet sparks online backlash
The BBC has come under fire from social media users over its controversial tweets about “black people and fried chicken” marking the end of Black History Month in the UK.
A tweet – since deleted – from the BBC’s Newsbeat show read: “Black people and fried chicken – is there any truth in it?”
.@BBCNewsbeat
— Jazz Tehara (@jazz_tehara) October 31, 2016
This is ridiculous.
You should be absolutely ashamed of this. #BBCpic.twitter.com/CyELI65fUJ
After it was removed, the message was replaced with a rephrased tweet and a video asking people to share their thoughts on the stereotype.
We're talking about being black and British https://t.co/1JN1lKw0MA & the stereotypes you might face, like this one? https://t.co/ot6Dvda71a
— BBC Newsbeat (@BBCNewsbeat) October 31, 2016
The tweets sparked a massive backlash from Twitter users, who described the messages as “tasteless” and “disgusting.”
@BBCNewsbeat so many things you could delve into to show the black experience in Britain & you promote this deadbeat stereotype...
— MJJeremiah (@Nelsonrow80) October 31, 2016
@BBCNewsbeat So with all things going on, whether or not we like fried chicken is your go to topic?? Tasteless bullshit
— Massa Bruce (@KwesSRC) October 31, 2016
So to end Black History Month @BBCNewsbeat could've covered the vastly diverse cuisines but went for a piece on fried chicken instead 🤔
— marcus. 🇧🇧 (@marcusjdl) October 31, 2016
@BBCNewsbeat Thanks. Can you use your boundless knowledge to address this stereotype? https://t.co/LpbrQ9ZIjL
— Kurt Gessler (@kurtgessler) October 31, 2016
@BBCNewsbeat instead of asking white people if a stereotype exists you should ask minorities about how harmful stereotypes are to them 🤔
— Maisie (@maisielemmon) October 31, 2016
Some social media users drew attention to the first, deleted message and insisted that the BBC remove the second tweet and related video.
@BBCNewsbeat The problem wasnt the headline its the full trailer and the fact that u post it up again is disgusting
— Ha-Kiim (@Hakztroll) October 31, 2016
@BBCNewsbeat Are you going to apologize for your previous headlines? It’s not edgy or provocative; it’s wrong.
— Ellen (@tuplandia) October 31, 2016
@BBCNewsbeat you even posted it again. delete. this. now.
— Tania Nwachukwu 🇳🇬 (@gwehgweh1) October 31, 2016
@BBCNewsbeat The way you initially posted the video reveals your true intentions so don't try and backtrack how insulting pic.twitter.com/aAf2BU9IGz
— KWSB (@kwsbpodcast) October 31, 2016
@BBCNewsbeat delete this again
— 히보 (@retro_owl) October 31, 2016
@BBCNewsbeat why are you reposting the video with a different caption? Do you think we are stupid?
— KWSB (@kwsbpodcast) October 31, 2016
In a statement to RT, a BBC spokesperson said: "These short films show young people from various backgrounds discussing their experiences of dealing with different stereotypes, which accompanies a wider documentary looking at racism in the UK."
Black History Month was launched over 30 years ago and is held annually in October to celebrate social diversity and black history, arts and culture across Britain.
