How DIRay defies British Asian stereotypes on screen — by izzymks
When it comes to South Asian representation on TV, there's always a risk that writers will fall into the trap of perpetuating stereotypes – think terrorists, young women controlled by their families and honour killings, with all brown characters written as some amalgamation of South Asia's very distinct religions, cultures and languages., however, takes a step in the right direction, representing a British Asian experience that will feel familiar to many.
The four-part series follows DI Rachita Ray as she's appointed to a CSH — a term she later learns refers to a 'culturally specific homicide.
The microaggressions start in the very first scene, where DI Ray is assumed to be a corner shop worker as she picks up some wine. Next, a receptionist hands her the lanyard of another South Asian officer, but not before her superintendent had asked her the dreaded question,"Where are you from, Ray?" Her answer of"Leicester, Sir" isn’t enough, so he probes further."What's your heritage?" he pushes.
Throughout the series, Ray is continually expected to be able to connect to the Hindu, Muslim and Sikh families involved in the investigation, whether that's speaking their language or having some deeper understanding of South Asian customs and practices. Instead, the only other language Ray speaks is a smattering of GCSE Spanish, and she describes her parents as not"Indian-Indian.
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