“In your own best interests, for heaven’s sake, shut up”

  

June Sarpong, wearing whiteface

The Telegraph has been looking at the exhibits in the BBC's centennial commemorations, including a letter about The Black and White Minstrel Show [which ran from 1958 to 1978]. 

The letter was sent by chief assistant to the director-general Oliver Whitley to Barrie Thorne, the BBC’s chief accountant, and dealt with concerns about the programme by saying:

The best advice that could be given to coloured people by their friends would be: ‘On this issue, we can see your point, but in your own best interests, for heaven’s sake, shut up.’

Times change and issues come and go, but - in honour of Clive and Marianna - maybe “In your own best interests, for heaven’s sake, shut up” should become the BBC's new motto for the corporation's second century?