Complaints focused on the popular animated character’s use of Caribbean patois – with some accusations of that it’s use of language could lead to ‘stereotypical’ views of black people.
But is Rastamouse really as bad as some sections of the right-leaning press have suggested, or is this just a storm in a Mumsnet/Daily Mail teacup?
The Telegraph calls says the show is “patronising to ethnic minorities”
The BBC have not upheld any of the complaints made, and a spokeswoman for the BBC told the Mail ‘This was one of our most popular children’s programmes last year.
She went on to say ‘We have had a huge amount of positive feedback about Rastamouse, which continues to be a hit with our young viewers and which was consistently in the top ten CBeebies shows viewed on iPlayer throughout 2011.’
It seems the popularity of Rastamouse and his band Da Easy Crew means this Rastafarian character is set to keep on skanking. The majority of the complaints, in fact 9 out of 10, were in reference to the confusing language used which some parents considered to be confusing for young children developing their use of the English language.
Rastamouse is voiced by BBC radio DJ Reggie Yates and recently featured a guest appearence by reggae stars Chaka Demus & Pliers.
