css-14iz86j-BoldText {font-weight: bold;} Comic Relief will stop sending celebrities to Africa after criticism that stars like Stacey Dooley were going to Africa as « white saviors »
The charity will also stop using images of starving people or seriously ill children to portray the continent, he said
“I think it’s about time,” he said. “And that doesn’t mean that the movies that have been made in the past weren’t amazing and didn’t have a huge effect
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« But it’s time for young black and brown filmmakers to take matters into their own hands and say, ‘I want to tell you my story’
He added: « There are other ways to build sympathy – and maybe we’ve been pressing the same button for too long »
As part of the new approach, Comic Relief will preview three videos by filmmakers from across the African continent on Wednesday
The move follows a backlash against the charity’s tactics of sending British stars to poor African villages and filming their reactions
Last year Labor MP David Lammy slammed a call in which documentary filmmaker Stacey Dooley traveled to Uganda to visit a neonatal clinic supported by Comic Relief
He said the photos of the Strictly Come Dancing winner holding a young Ugandan boy perpetuated « tired and unnecessary stereotypes »
« The world doesn’t need white saviors anymore, » he added, saying the photo conjured up « the colonial image of a beautiful white heroine holding a black child, with no agency, no parents in view «
In 2017, a video made by Ed Sheeran in Liberia for Comic Relief received the « Rusty Radiator » award, awarded to « the most offensive and stereotypical fundraising video of the year »
Speaking to MPs last year, Comic Relief co-founder Richard Curtis said the charity was moving away from celebrity-run fundraising films
He said it would be « very prudent to give voice to people » who live in Africa
On Wednesday, Comic Relief announced the finalization of new « storytelling guidelines, » which would include a stronger focus on « grassroots » workers in appeal films
The charity also said it will work with media organizations across Africa to raise awareness « for larger narratives across the continent » and pledged to render « every aspect » of its output « more diverse and inclusive »
« I am proud that Comic Relief is making these changes and look forward to seeing the films next year, » said Sir Lenny
« Investing in local talent across Africa to tell the stories of their communities is great and a vital step forward, but as always there is more to be done The energy and passion for change and new perspectives are there «
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Comic Relief, White Savior, Stacey Dooley, Lenny Henry, Africa
News from around the world – UK – Comic Relief to stop sending celebrities to Africa
