{"id":497,"date":"2020-10-16T16:06:39","date_gmt":"2020-10-16T15:06:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/centreforjournalismprojects.co.uk\/InvictaNews\/?p=497"},"modified":"2020-10-16T16:25:12","modified_gmt":"2020-10-16T15:25:12","slug":"fatima-advertisement-continues-to-stir-controversy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/centreforjournalismprojects.co.uk\/InvictaNews\/2020\/10\/16\/fatima-advertisement-continues-to-stir-controversy\/","title":{"rendered":"“Fatima” advertisement continues to stir controversy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The \u201cFatima\u2019s next job could be in cyber\u201d ad campaign by the government has faced heavy backlash and branded \u201cpatronising\u201d. The advert encourages \u201cFatima\u201d to give up on her career and retrain in cyber.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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CC: HITC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Many critics have slammed the government for singling out the performing arts industry to \u201cretrain\u201d and switch careers, and after Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden labelled it as \u201ccrass\u201d the campaign was pulled. A government official even agreed the campaign was \u201cnot appropriate\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul Slaughter, a director from Subgrey productions could not contain his fury, he said: \u201cI\u2019ve never seen something more insulting in my life. It made me quite unhappy and quite irritated. I think it’s patronising. I think it completely demonstrates that the government is not interested in the performing arts on the local and community level.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Musicians, actors, and all others in the performing arts industry have a right to feel aggrieved. Many rising stars, and those not on big money contracts have had to earn a living alongside their chosen career development as simply a means to an end. Waiting tables in the day, and performing by night, many think the government\u2019s ad was a slap in the face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewys Taylor, an actor who lost work and roles during lockdown, said of the campaign: \u201cA lot of people in the performing arts have already segued into many jobs that utilise their performance skills. Jobs such as call centre operators, tour guides, children\u2019s entertainment, roleplaying for medical examinations, bar work and many more. So, I can understand how infuriating it may be for some who have already \u2018retrained\u2019 to be told this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lucy Keuieirellerl, who was set to direct and act in her first musical show before lockdown ushered it towards an abrupt cancellation, has been \u2018hibernating\u2019 during lockdown. She said: \u201cI\u2019ve invested too much time and effort into that career to completely drop it any time soon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In regards to the campaign itself Lucy said: \u201cI think what\u2019s offended people is the idea that arts professionals aren\u2019t already <\/em>training for and taking jobs in other sectors to make their arts career work. I don\u2019t know a single performer, techie or creative who hasn\u2019t done other entry-level jobs to tide them over between freelance contracts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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CC: The Daily Record<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Popular figures Liam Gallagher and Lily Allen have also been blasted the campaign, with Gallagher tweeting \u201cif anyone needs to retrain it\u2019s them shower of C**** c\u2019mon you know LG x\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The now infamous photograph was originally taken by Krys Alex, an Atlanta-based photographer who has today revealed that she never agreed to the government\u2019s use of this image. The dancer in the image, is actually called Desire’e.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In response to all the messages, comments and posts from the UK, America and parts of the world from Vibez In Motion, we thank you for all your support! It was definitely crazy with the endless messages and the\u2026\u201dHey if you didn't know\u2026\u201d A Special Thanks to @krysalex for making the necessary moves and bringing clarity to this unforgivable act that took place in the UK. Who is #Fatima?, it\u2019s exactly what\u2019s needed. I can remember growing up hearing \u201cdance is art, it\u2019s not a career just a hobby, make sure to get a real job and dance on the side.\u201d The UK campaign took me right back to that place mentaly, which was a bit scary. Being about 11 or 12 and feeling like I had to be someone I wasn\u2019t and suppress my creative energy to satisfy what \u201cothers\u201d saw as productive lives. We pray for Desire\u2019e, Krysalex and the Arts Communities near and far and that this will help hold the right people accountable for their actions and maybe set the tone for what is never to be tolerated. Here at Vibez In Motion we will continue to uplift our youth and provide them with the proper resources so they can be amazing creative beings in their own right! – Mrs. Tasha #fatima #savethearts #uk #theartshare<\/a><\/p>

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