Hindus decry racist jibes at British Roma singer Cher Lloyd
By ANIThursday, February 17, 2011
NEVADA - Hindus have come to the aid of “The X-Factor” finalist songstress Cher Lloyd in view of her racism filled bullying because of her Traveler (Gypsy) roots.
Notable Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that it was unfair or rather immoral to abuse an upcoming young star on race stereotypes. British society should be ashamed of itself for tolerating such racist incidents and not doing anything about it.
What did Lloyd, 17, do to deserve this barrage of unkind, harsh, inappropriate comments; prejudice; insults; jibes; derogatory names; etc.? Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, asked.indus and Cher Lloyd herself were proud of Cher’s Roma roots and so should be the British society. This kind of racism was dark side of the social media/networking, Rajan Zed added.
Zed urged Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan Douglas Williams to openly decry this racism against Roma/Gypsy/Traveler communities because religion told us to help the helpless.
Rajan Zed further said that apartheid condition of Roma/Gypsy people was a social blight for Europe and the rest of the world as they reportedly regularly faced social exclusion, racism, substandard education, hostility, joblessness, rampant illness, inadequate housing, lower life expectancy, unrest, living on desperate margins, language barriers, stereotypes, mistrust, rights violations, discrimination, marginalization, appalling living conditions, prejudice, human rights abuse, racist slogans on Internet, etc.
Lloyd’s abuse was apparently partly fueled by British ITV Channel 4 documentary “My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding” about four Gypsy/Traveler brides as they planned their wedding day, the hit show which reportedly pulled in about 8.1 million viewers.
Lloyd has also been reportedly bullied at school because of her Traveler/Gypsy roots and was called a pikey. Famous singer Cheryl Cole commented about her: “You are everything a pop star should be!” Lloyd has reportedly signed some record deals with well known labels.
BAFTA Award winner “The X-Factor” is UK’s largest talent search show created by Simon Cowell.(ANI)
