Should parents talk about One Direction ‘joint’ video?
One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson is at the centre of a racism row – but the debate can be an opportunity for parents to talk about difficult issues – one mum tells Channel 4 News.
The One Direction star apparently used a shortened version of the n-word during a video which seems to show him and bandmate Zayn Malik sharing a ‘joint’.
The footage, published by the Mail Online website, was apparently filmed by Tomlinson during their tour in Peru. At one point smoke is seen being blown across the car.
‘Concern for parents’
Tomlinson made the comment when a motorcycle police officer drove past. He said: “He’s having a look. He’s thinking ‘I’m sure I can smell an illegal substance in there’. And he’s hit the nail on the head.”
Tomlinson then referred to the ‘joint’, and reportedly said: “It’s green only, n**”. The three-letter word was taken by some to be an abbreviation of the n-word.
It’s a concern for parents, but it’s also an opportunity to discuss drugs and say, look at this, here’s why it’s wrong. Jennifer Howze, co-founder of BritMums
Other band members Harry Styles, Liam Payne, and Niall Horan were believed to have been travelling in different cars and were not seen in the video.
Jennifer Howze, co-founder of BritMums and mum-of-two, told Channel 4 News: “It’s a concern for parents, but it’s also an opportunity to discuss drugs and say, look at this, here’s why it’s wrong.
“[The racist slur] is almost worse – I would tell my children that I was really disappointed [in One Direction] but I would use it to stress what our own values are and what we feel strongly about.”
#NiallRaised300kWriteAboutThat
The comments recieved mixed messages on social media – with some fans defending the pair – but others spoke of their disappointment.
One fan tweeted: “Niall did something amazing for charity yet the media care about making Louis look bad.”
Another tweeted: “I’m actually really upset now because my whole family has turned against One Direction and they’re telling me that Louis is racist.”
Dear diary
I raised more than £300000 for charity
No one cares
They care about Zouis
#NiallRaised300kWriteAboutThat pic.twitter.com/MzUkdqRBRc
— I follow back bc ily (@NarryMyDream) May 28, 2014
The group, who have a huge following on social media, rose to fame as teenagers on ITV’s The X Factor talent show and have become one of Britain’s biggest bands, with a huge and loyal following of young girls across the world.
Earlier this month, the band were named fourth in the Sunday Times Rich List of young musicians with an estimated fortune of £14m each and a combined wealth of £70m.
‘Squeaky-clean boys’
PR consultant Mark Borkowski said the controversy was likely to have been a “shock” to the band’s management. He said: “It changes the focus. I guess they are no longer the squeaky-clean boys.”
The pair also faced criticism from John Whittingdale, chairman of the commons culture, media and sport select committee. The Tory MP told the Daily Mail: “They are adored by many people and they have a responsibility to set an example.”
A spokesman for the band previously said: “This matter is in the hands of our lawyers.” He said today there was no further statement.