I was amazed when this morning the paper review on BBC news revealed that Coronation Street, the longest running soap opera, is having its first black family after almost 60 years on air! However, I was not impressed to find out that this family will be used to tackle issues like homophobia and racism in football. Why are these two issues the first issues to be captured by the makers of this program. Are they the most significant issues that have affected black people over the last 60 years?
To me, what we are seeing here is black people as marginalised, victims, minorities, those fighting injustice. Why not have a family of black lawyers, teachers, shop owners? Why not something that portrays a positive stereotype!
Article in The Metro