That was fast! The Lake Shore backlash has begun
Not since “Sneezing Panda” has a YouTube video created this much of a stir. First, Toronto hated Lake Shore, then the American media loathed it, and now there’s even a petition to stop the show. A Torontonian currently studying at Syracuse University has created a petition against any networks picking up the show, claiming it is “offensive to all Torontonians as it highlights the most racist, xenophobic, philistine and unearthly residents our great city has to offer.”
Not to be outdone, Bernie Farber, CEO of the Canadian Jewish Congress, told the National Post that Lake Shore’s decision to air a quote from Sibel “the Turk” saying “I’m not racist because I hate everybody equally. Especially Jewish people” was “the most insensitive, puerile, trashy way to get attention.” We wish the petition signers luck (so far it has 100 signatures), but we signed the “Keep Veronica Mars on TV” petition, too, and remember how that turned out.
• Stop “Lake Shore” From Airing [PetitionSpot]
• Anti-Semitic comment stirs controversy for Lake Shore trailer [National Post]
![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://torontolife.com/city/that-was-fast-the-lake-shore-backlash-has-begun/&title=That was fast! The Lake Shore backlash has begun&picture=https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/sibel.jpg&description=[caption id="attachment_46827" align="alignleft" width="320" caption="Lake Shore's resident antisemite"][/caption]
Not since “Sneezing Panda” has a YouTube video created this much of a stir. First, Toronto hated Lake Shore, then the American media loathed it, and now there’s even a petition to stop the show. A Torontonian currently studying at Syracuse University has created a petition against any networks picking up the show, claiming it is “offensive to all Torontonians as it highlights the most racist, xenophobic, philistine and unearthly residents our great city has to offer.”
Not to be outdone, Bernie Farber, CEO of the Canadian Jewish Congress, told the National Post that Lake Shore’s decision to air a quote from Sibel “the Turk” saying “I’m not racist because I hate everybody equally. Especially Jewish people” was “the most insensitive, puerile, trashy way to get attention.” We wish the petition signers luck (so far it has 100 signatures), but we signed the “Keep Veronica Mars on TV” petition, too, and remember how that turned out.
• Stop "Lake Shore" From Airing [PetitionSpot]
• Anti-Semitic comment stirs controversy for Lake Shore trailer [National Post]){kind=link}
Bernie Farber is right…it’s casual antisemitism like that which is most dangerous.
The ethnic chauvinism is the main reason to support this show. Here we have people unaffected by PC mores. Bernie Farber needs to STFU.
“offensive to all Torontonians as it highlights the most racist, xenophobic, philistine and unearthly residents our great city has to offer”
Maybe they should air Degrassi right after so that the anyone who is going to watch the Lakeshore and make assumptions about the whole city will have another point of view.
no wonder the petition isn’t getting more hits. its through facebook and a petition app that wants to email you. Even though everyone is hating that possibility it might air, i’m not sure if the petition is the right way. it does give out ppl to contact so I think i’ll start with that.
As far as I am concerned the views expressed just reflects the racist comments i hear on the subway every year and the true way that ethnic Torontonians regard each other!! All humans are racist and a multiculural society just fosters that kind of thinking!! Get a clue!!
Sign the new official petition against “Lake Shore” without complying to Facebook permissions!
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/stoplakeshoretoronto/
The biggest strike against this show is that it’s based in Toronto, which is just about the dullest city on the planet.