The Loose Women studio erupted in chaos today as Charlene White and Janet Street Porter clashed over racism at the Ukrainian borders, as people desperately try to flee what’s happening at the hands of Russia
Loose Women panellists Charlene White and Janet Street Porter clashed over racism at the Ukrainian borders on the ITV show today.
The duo appeared on the lunchtime programme on Tuesday, where they were joined by Katie Piper and Coleen Nolan, as they discussed the big news stories of the day.
Understandably, top of the list, was the conflict in Ukraine, with Charlene raising awareness of the devastating stories shared by some people from the border who say they are not being allowed to pass through because of the colour of their skin.
Discussing it, Charlene told her fellow panellists: “But there is one thing that has really shone a light on where I’m concerned, that has really stuck out to me, is that in the midst of all of this, the midst of people trying to flee from their homes, the midst of them trying to dodge bullets and bombs, they still have time for racism.
Charlene spoke of some people’s experience of racism at the Ukraine border (
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ITV)
“Because you’ve got thousands of Black, Asian, Syrian, Arab students and workers who have also been trying to get out of Ukraine and have been prevented from doing so due to the incessant racism that they have experienced. They’ve not been allowed to go through the border into Poland from example, where they’ve been pushed back.”
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She added: “There are posters up saying no black … It really does shine a light on the fact that it doesn’t matter how devastated someone is, how scared somebody is, it seems like there’s always time for one of the worst traits of society.”
She clashed with Janet over it (
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ITV)
Charlene was then interrupted by Janet, who said: “I hear what you saying, and I completely understand it and on the news last night, they did show some of the students talking about how bad they were treated and the effort it had taken for them to actually get on the train and get across the border. But I also think Poland, for example, has exceeded all expectations in accepting 150,000 refugees.”
Charlene put heads in hands as she says: “Oh my goodness! I understand that – but if you have thousands of refugees, you can’t stand there and say oh you 50 people come in, you 4 people with darker skin sorry.”
At one point, Charlene had her head in her hands (
Image:
ITV)The pair continued to speak over one another, as Janet said: “This isn’t a surprise for anyone or any asylum seeker who has moved across Europe has met this in Hungary,” before being interrupted again.
Charlene then added: “For a lot of people, it will come as a surprise. It didn’t come as a surprise to me because I am a black woman who has travelled through Europe.”
