Loose Women’s Charlene White has slammed trolls who accused her of “playing the race card” during a conversation on the ITV daytime show on racism at the Ukrainian border.
The 41-year-old clashed with fellow panellist Janet Street-Porter on Tuesday as Charlene highlighted the devastating reports of terrified refugees being stranded at the border due to racism.
Charlene told her fellow panellists: “There is one thing that has really stuck out to me in the midst of people trying to flee from their homes, trying to dodge bullets and bombs, they still have time for racism.
“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 for example, where they've been pushed back.”
“I think that’s a very clear reflection of what it is the world is dealing with – and this isn’t just in Ukraine, this happens in wars the world over, especially when it comes to migrant workers.”
She continued: “The difference I think this time is that it’s a younger demographic who are used to posting on TikTok, on Twitter, on Facebook and they’re telling their story.”
Janet, 75, then interjected to say: “I hear what you’re saying, and I completely understand it and on the news last night, they did show some of the students talking about how badly they were treated and the effort it had taken for them to 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.”
The pair entered a quick-fire back and forth over the issue and a number of viewers took issue with Charlene’s response to the reports of racial injustice and criticised her for “playing the race card”.
Charlene took to Twitter following the discussion to address the trolls, writing: “For those throwing the phrase, “playing the race card” at me today regarding Loose Women… let me be VERY clear.
“You feeling uncomfortable hearing someone talking about race is not my concern, when the concern ought to be directed towards the victims who are subjected to it.”
Several social media users took to the comments section to commend the Loose Women host for highlighting the issues at the Ukrainian border.
One wrote: “You said what needed to be said. If people can’t handle it that’s their own cup of tea! Thank you for highlighting what is going on.”
Another commented: “I just don’t understand why people choose to blatantly deny what is in front of their faces. Well done Charlene for bringing it to mainstream when the masses choose to ignore… As ALWAYs.”
Loose Women airs weekdays at 12.30pm on ITV
