Asian stereotypes of EastEn- ders. Apala is only Asian be- cause of other things in her life.' Until more blacks are seen within the mainstream media, the small existing group shoulder a tremendous responsibility as they represent Britian's black minority. However, this charge should be shared with the writers, for it is they who create the message - the actors are merely their in- struments. Seeta Indrani plays Apala in Damon and Debbie, a char- acter seduced by the illu- sions of romance that are offered by her Mills and Damon and Debbie: An effort to quash the black stereotype Boon paperbacks. Out of the mini-series' cast of 12, only three are Asian, but more Black Brookside would have been cast had they auditioned. This month the tv soap But EastEnders' irksome First and foremost, Indrani Brookside leaves its host city stereotypes are perhaps less regards herself as an actress Liverpool in a three-part irksome when compared irrespective of her race: 'I've spin-off series, Damon and with Brookside, who have yet been quite lucky in that I've Debbie, following the capers to fully acknowledge the not been pigeon-holed as an of Damon - unemployed, multi-ethnic nature of con- Asian actress. I've also play- charming and fuelled with temporary Britain. Their ed Spanish and West Indian determination - and his policy that blacks will only parts and worked with the 'schoolgirl' girlfriend, De- be cast when they are the RSC. I'm not with the Tan- bbie. The mini-series, writ- best actors to audition, pre- doori Nights / My Beautiful ten by Brookside's most emi- vents Brookside's team of 12 Launderette Asian acting cli- nent writer, Frank Cottrell writers from creating any que. I go as an actress.' Boyce, visits three locations: race-related storylines. Nevertheless, as Seeta In- York, Bradford and More- As Frank Cottrell Boyce drani arrives for each audi- combe, and, as a result of his himself asserts: 'The institu- tion, casting directors will enthusiasm for Bradford, the tion has not addressed itself see her primarily as black. series introduces Asian char- to racism. It has not thought As a black actress, she faces acters to the Brookside plot about either positive discri- fewer chances and must for the first time in five mination or what we do if we overcome this by presenting years. cast a black in a negative more skills. But sometimes, Brookside and EastEnders, role.' even this principle falls Britain's most successful re- Damon and Debbie, to be short: 'I once passed an audi- cruits to the ranks of soap screened from November 4, tion, but was then rejected opera, attribute their popu- gave Cottrell Boyce the free- because they decided not to larity to their apparent 'real- dom to break the Channel 4 cast an Asian after all'. ism'. In contrast to the escap- code of conduct, and write It is an irrefutable fact that ist tendencies of American specificially for non-white there is an inadequate num- soap, they seek to reflect the characters. The series' three ber of credible parts created state of the nation with their Asians are Apala, Patrick for blacks. Frank Cottrell familiar settings and charac- and Zoe, and as a white wri- Boyce's Damon and Debbie ters who are representative ter writing ethnic parts, Cot- is unusual in its effort to of a type. trell Boyce is as worthy of quash the black stereotype. Yet this claim fails acclaim, as he is susceptible Meanwhile, a predominantly when one considers their to criticism. It is a flaw of white media is deceiving the poor representation of many British writers that nation with its misguided blacks who are never they present Asians in one of conception of blacks. Even- allowed the equivalent scope five stock roles: the doctor, tually it will have to acknow- or importance of their white lawyer, restaurateur, shop- ledge the fact that blacks counterparts. Indeed, even keeper or machinist. But, have been assimilated into 'realistic' British soap does with daring ingenuity, Cot- many aspects of British life, not wash away the media's rell Boyce aims to shatter the their roles changed and that archetypal images of violent, stereotype: 'Whether Apala blacks do exist outside Brad- uneducated, rebellious or is like an Asian Bradford girl ford and Birmingham in real discontented ethnic groups doesn't count for me. What life. • living in Britian. does, is that she's unlike the Apala Chowdhury