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Wednesday 22 May 2013

Racism storyline to rock Coronation Street

There's a Coronation Street spoiler in today's Daily Star that says a racism storyline will feature when fireman Paul is accused of being a racist by cabbie Lloyd Mullaney.

The paper asys that in scenes to be screened this summer, Paul is talking to Steve McDonald and uses the phrase “playing the white man”.

Lloyd’s daughter Jenna hears Paul’s comment and tells her dad, sparking a row between the two men.

It will cause a bitter divide as some residents side with Paul and believe it wasn’t meant as a racist slur and others side with Lloyd. Paul tries to play matters down but is forced to defend himself. Instead of apologising he digs his heels in and makes matters even worse.

Corrie producer Stuart Blackburn told the Daily Star: “There’s a point when Paul, in a moment of stupidity and stress, makes one wrong remark. It’s a remark he dismisses as nothing but what it takes us into is something of pride, loyalty and principle. It’s a story that’s going to ripple through Weatherfield and jeopardise Eileen’s relationship not just with Paul but with Steve and Lloyd as well."

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19 comments:

Frosty the Snowman said...

This is a phrase used much in the 80s - it means play fair, do the honest thing. I cannot believe laid back Lloyd would take such exeption to this but to me just means more angst filled Paul and Eileen story when really he should have just left for Yorkshire and be done with it.

Anonymous said...

A story that is not "explosive" and doesn't involve sex or crime! It's been a long time since I read a spoiler and thought:"That sounds interesting".

Humpty Dumpty said...

I can understand Lloyd getting upset. Behind the easy-going manner, he's very principled. I forget what the issue was but he was outraged when someone was rude to/about Kelly, saying: 'He's insulted my woman.' That's what I like about Lloyd. He's not petty and takes a stand when it's needed.

Joseph said...

Yes I too am also going 'That sounds interesting.' It's just so different. I feel as if we'd need an explanation though as to why Lloyd would be so touchy. Was he a victim of racist bullying in the past? Does that bring back bad memories? He seems too laid back to be that touchy for the sake of it.

Anonymous said...

So Lloyd shouldn't be annoyed because its not "the 60's"?

The fact that it's not the 60's is the very reason he should be annoyed - perhaps people should think before they use "off hand" comments these days?

This is hopefully the very argument that Corrie is trying to put across!!

Anonymous said...

I could be nuts (and I'm sure someone will tell me!) :-) Isn't Jason's Dad black? Or did I make that up?

If I'm right ... wouldn't that make things difficult between Paul and Eileen because of that comment?

~JB in Canada

Anonymous said...

Whoa! I don't think that people who find that racism is still alive and well in the job and housing market, as well as the education field, would find it "a lot of fuss over nothing". I can only hope that the young generation is truly colour blind and won't get the implied insults in some of these "off-hand" comments.

Glenda Young said...

I think we had a troll and the racist comments have been deleted. Any more left will also be deleted.

Anonymous said...

I think this is an excellent storyline. Though I have never heard that particular line, we here in Canada have a few that were widely used years ago and became a part of the vernacular. Today, we would never use those, but older people sometimes say them since they were just a part of life back in their day without thinking about what it really means or how racist it really is.

Jan in Canada

Anonymous said...

I would think that if Mr. Blackburn is attempting to bring back the "gritty realism" of life in a northern working class neighbourhood that originally made Corrie such a success, then a subject such as racism is topical and legitimate, as is discussion and commentary in a blog format like this one. Surely that's what he's hoping to generate. Unless the comments are vulgar, malicious, or racist themselves, censoring them defeats the very purpose of raising the subject. Surely this topic is important enough to allow for more than the usual frivolousness to be found here, "Flaming Nora"?! If Coronation Street wins awards for "realism" then we must accept what that means and not shy away when the subject warrants it.

Glenda Young said...

The topic is important but there is not, and never will be, space given on this website for racist, sexist or homophobic comments.

Anonymous said...

The tricky part of this subject is that sometimes people don't realize they're being racist, sexist, or homophobic, or they may be misunderstood, because of their unwise choice of language, which (without having yet seen the show in question!) seems to be the point of the upcoming episode. This allows an opportunity for a conversation, which can lead to an educational experience (a "teachable moment")! If people are genuinely open-minded and inclusive, then they'll want to learn, and eliminate their prejudice, borne of ignorance. In order for that to happen they have to be allowed to express their opinion, so that the included insult can be identified, exposed and eradicated. If people are truly entrenched and indoctrinated in their racist and narrow-minded beliefs, then allowing them to display their bigotry, so that it can be questioned, challenged, and exposed, is the best way to overcome it. I once asked a teacher what the best way was to change someone's mind. Her answer was "Ask a lot of questions. When they can't answer, or when they hear themselves saying something ridiculous, they'll change more quickly than if you try to make them."

Deb said...

Sounds like an interesting story line and I hope Corrie handles it well. I agree with the stance that Lloyd takes because it is unacceptable for anyone to be making this type of remark, no matter how innocent they think it is. Also if someone does say something like this then it leads me to believe that somewhere in their mind they do believe it. You can be tolerant to a degree with the older generation but Paul is a man in his forties and should know better and works as a fireman and must come across every race of peoples. So I say go with it Lloyd, stand up for what you believe like you always have done.I think he is one of the most principled character on the show. Also because it isn't the 60's is exactly why he should stand up. Like I said I just hope the writers handle it well.

David Parnships said...

Surely Paul would have had diversity training at work and even if this silly phrase did "slip" I cannot believe it would cause such a rucus as to split them up after everything they came through.

Anonymous said...

I agree...it sounds like a trumped up overblown incident. These people know each other. Paul, engaged to Eileeen who had a child with a black man and produced the ever so handsome Jason.If he was a racist he would not be with Eileen period. It's not like Paul is wearing a white sheet. A slip of phrase is not realistic to send Lloyd, who is the level headed person on the show into a racial frenzy...especially hearing it second hand from Jenna. I am not buying it at all. More cooked up drama that is out of character.

Anonymous said...

~JB in Canada @ 22 May 2013 13:00 -- you're absolutely correct! Jason is the son of Eileen Grimshaw and Tony Stewart, played by Alan Igbon (who, incidently, also had a small role in Corrie as Steve Baker back in 1974/75). I agree with you in wondering how on earth Eileen could not be angered or insulted by Paul's racism. At least take to to task. I sure hope it isn't a plot for further dummying down of Eileen...

Anonymous said...

Thanks Anon 23 May 2013 02:00!!!

Good to know I'm not nuts! :-)

~JB in Canada

Anonymous said...

Hi there. What exactly does it mean to "play the white man"? I have never heard that expression before.

janice said...

I think the real issue is that of late and in advance of this storyline somoewhere there is a person who has made a descision to darken Lloyds skin colour. Someone somewhere had decided that lloyd needed to be darker skinned to be offended by a racist comment. Is that not a bit erm racist?

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