The Wrong Kind of Diversity

As we know, the BBC are committed to diversity and reflecting the wonderful, happy and united society we live in with their output.

To demonstrate that commitment, it has been revealed that Syed Masood, a Muslim character in the soap opera Eastenders, will embark on a gay love affair with an openly gay character. Scenes sure to shock his on-screen mother, a Pakistani matriarch who provides light comic relief, include a kiss.

Marc Elliot, who plays Masood, told BBC Asian Network:

"I think EastEnders would be doing the programme a disservice if they didn't give a voice to various communities. I think that's really important because I think London is a very ethnically diverse multicultural place, and EastEnders has a job to reflect that in the storylines it gives people and the characters they have on board."

That's what we like to see, isn't it? After all, we're all open minded, tolerant, and accepting of the new status quo wrought by multiculturalism.

Aren't we? I mean, all communities deserve to be represented in the patchwork of the multi-coloured and textured quilt which is modern Britain.

Not everyone is delighted, however:

The gay storyline has been criticised by Asghar Bokhari of the Muslim Public Affairs Committee.

"The Muslim community deserves a character that represents them to the wider public because Islamophobia is so great right now," he said.

"There's a lack of understanding of Muslims already and I think EastEnders really lost an opportunity to present a normal friendly Muslim character to the British public."

Ah yes.

Well, you can't please all of the people all of the time. It's nice to see the diversity mantra being used to upset people other than conservative Britons for a change, however.

After all - acceptance of those different is the only relevant measure of civility in today's society, is it not?