Johnson Smith to make formal complaint about BBC Three skit
Published:Saturday | August 22, 2020 | 12:00 AM
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kamina Johnson Smith has described as "outrageous" a skit depicting Jamaican culture that was revealed by the BBC through its BBC Three station on Twitter, August 20.
The sketch is a promo for the black British comedy show Famalam that will be aired for its third season tomorrow.
In a response to Global Jamaica Diaspora representative for southern United Kingdom, Nathaniel Peat, Johnson said she will be making a formal complaint about the show.
The skit mimics a game show ridiculing Jamaican speech and highlights stereotypes of the country's culture and its black majority.
"This is outrageous and offensive to the incredible country which I am proud to represent along with every Jamaican at home and within our #Diaspora
@bbcthree @bbcworld," Johnson tweeted. "I will immediately be writing formally on this! #StopThisShow."
Peat, who tweeted to BBC Three: "@bbcthree the Jamaican community in the UK have expressed serious concerns at how offensive the content in this show is. This doesn’t reflect our culture well Nd many are upset. @Ofcom @kaminajsmith @mfaftja."
The video has triggered similar reactions of outrage on Twitter among Jamaicans locally and overseas, who have called the video appalling and racist.
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