EastEnders is currently at the centre of a racism debate after Kat mocked newcomer Habiba’s name in last night’s episode.
In Tuesday night’s episode viewers saw the arrival of Masood’s nieces Iqra and Habiba. The two girls came to Walford in order to help their uncle with his business while he is away in Australia.
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Habiba wound the Slaters up the wrong way at the beginning of last night’s episode. Whilst attempting to meet clients and make friends at The Vic, she came across as flirtatious to Martin causing his wife Stacey and her cousin Kat to step in.
Throughout the episode the new arrivals exchanged evil glances and comments with the Slaters, but it was Kat’s mocking which upset some viewers.
While Habiba was in the toilet, Kat turned to Iqra and said: “You still here? Where’s Haribo?”
Iqra simply replied: “Habiba.”
Kat replied “whatever” and began laughing with Mo and Stacey.
This comment didn’t sit well with some viewers who called it blatant racism.
lowkey racist Kat but okkkkkkk #Eastenders pic.twitter.com/CSQMEVzkqT
— saggiterrorist (@yungbarbie17) February 21, 2019
Absolutely disgusted that #EastEnders scriptwriters thought it necessary to use blatant racism against the character Habiba by having one of the Slater family refer to her as "Haribo". Honestly – in this day and age?
— MrSteveHarris (@MrSteveHarris) February 21, 2019
Other viewers defended Kat’s comment.
I can see why people see Kat calling Habiba 'Haribo' racist and what not, but as a character, Kat has called her rivals names for YEARS, Roxy was 'Peroxide' and Sharon 'Menopausal Barbie'……. So I literally don't see it as racist at all
Just Kat being Kat really #EastEnders— Amyyy (@amyyyy_amy) February 22, 2019
People need to get a grip. Kat was not being racist, just teasing, as she does to everyone else, regardless of the race. Dot has been getting everyone names wrong for years and no one calls her racist. Because she doesn’t do it with malice. #EastEnders
— Diana (DT Devotee) (@Dyana_) February 22, 2019
"Haribo"….
Great line that Kat. Made me chuckle 😂😂 #EastEnders
— Paul Wirral🎱 (@PaulWirral) February 21, 2019
Mick and Linda had a go at Kat for not cleaning behind the bar properly.
Habiba eventually made peace with Kat after she put a tea towel on the hob to start a fire and broke into the upstairs of The Vic when it was evacuated so she could retrieve one of Mick’s waistcoats.
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She gave it to Kat as a “peace offering” saying she didn’t like how he spoke to her.
ED! Have contacted EastEnders for comment.
EastEnders is on Monday and Friday at 8pm and Tuesday and Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One.
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