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Makosi wades into Big Brother racism storm
By
Showbiz Reporter
ZIMBABWEAN Big Brother
star Makosi Musambasi waded into the Big Brother racism controversy
engulfing Britain Thursday, branding Channel 4's refusal to act on complaints
"revolting".
Makosi, who came third on Big Brother two years ago hit out as Channel 4 bosses refused to bow to international criticism over allegations of racist bullying and racism in Celebrity Big Brother.
Housemates Jade Goody, former S Club 7 singer Jo O'Meara and Danielle Lloyd, the girlfriend of footballer Teddy Sheringham, have been accused of making racist comments about Shilpa Shetty, a top-earning Indian actress.
The controvercy has sucked in Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Chancellor Gordon Brown who has apologised on a trip to India.
Millions of television viewers watched in shock Wednesday night as Jade, 25, and pal Danielle told Shilpa to “f*** off home” and have a “day in the slums” following a row over OXO CUBES.
Jade became utterly hysterical and launched a barrage of vile abuse at Shilpa, while housemates Jo and Danielle sat giggling.
Complaints about the Channel 4 reality show had reached 36,000 by 5pm on Thursday.
Makosi told BBC News 24: "If this is not racism, then I don't know what is. I heard someone shout 'I will deck her with my head' at Shilpa. That's the statement of a bully. Jo wouldn't eat chicken Shilpa made because she touched it with her hands...she even went on to say that's why they are all thin in India. It's sickening.
"I feel that this has been going on and on."
Makosi said while on Big Brother in 2005, there were occasions when she felt bullied and racially abused. One fellow housemate, Saskia, announced her disapproval of foreigners.
"They all want to kill us, bomb us," she said. "I don't want to generalise, but I do."
And a couple of weeks on, addressing Makosi, Saskia ranted: "You lot. You've always got a chip on your shoulder." Later, in reference to Makosi's afro hairstyle, she added: "And you wear a wig on your head."
Makosi said: "Although racism can make you shed a tear or two, it made me a stronger person and you get to know how nasty people can be. In some cases it's pure ignorance, people not knowing how to deal with someone who just has a different skin colour.
"It is revolting at the same time that the makers of the show refuse to see that there is a problem, which has made the situation worse. Reality TV ain't reality no more, its now more of a mind game and unfortunately society suffers."
Jade tore into Shilpa on Wednesday night, screaming “You’re a f***ing loser and a liar. Go back to the slums.”
Shilpa begged the former dental nurse to “shut up.”
But furious Jade retaliated with a salvo of insults screaming: “No you shut the f*** up. Who the f*** are you to tell me to shut up?"
“You’re not some princess in f***ing Neverland. I don’t give a shit. You’re not some princess here.
“You’re a normal housemate like everybody else. Everybody else. You need to come to terms with that.”
Shilpa said: “I’m not going to dignify this. Oh please learn some manners. You know what you need? You need elocution classes Jade.”
But Jade yelled: “I don’t want elocution. I don’t want elocution. You know what you need? Some real life in your life.
“Your head’s so far up your a**e you can smell your own s***.”
Fed up Shilpa snapped back: “You know what? Your claim to fame is this. So good for you.”
But Jade was determined to have the last word ranting: “No my claim to fame is meeting you you f***ing loser. She’s a liar.”
Shilpa walked out to the bedroom and said to another housemate, Cleo: “I’m representing my country. Is that what today’s UK is? It’s scary.”
Cleo said: “I don’t think there’s anything racist in it.”
But Shilpa replied: “It is, I’m telling you.” She later added: “I don’t deserve this.”
Jade returned to sniggering Danielle and Jo.
Danielle said: “That was f****** fantastic. I loved it. I think she should f*** off home.” Jo added: “That's made me feel better. I must say, it’s made my day.”
UK voters will decide who stays in the house on Friday as both Jade and Shilpa are up for eviction.
Sunday Mirror showbiz journalist Kevin O'Sullivan said the eviction showdown was a "referendum on Britain".
India’s trade minister Kamal Nath warned Gordon Brown that the spat was damaging relations.
The country formally protested to Britain and external affairs minister Anand Sharma said: “The government will take appropriate measures. Racism has no place in civilised society.”
Speaking in India’s third-largest city Bangalore, Brown condemned the remarks and said people were right to see them as racist.
He added: “I want Britain to be seen as a country of fairness and tolerance. Anything that detracts from this I condemn.”
Blair said he had not watched the show, but told the MPs: “We should oppose racism in all its forms."
London Mayor Ken Livingstone called for Channel 4 to be stripped of its licence.
And the show's sponsors, Carphone Warehouse, pulled the plug on their £3 million sponsorship on Thursday.
Digital
TV viewers can watch Makosi's interview with Sky News at 9PM UK Time
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