SBS’ controversial documentary series ‘Struggle Street’ aired last night in Australia, with mixed reactions flowing thick and fast on social media: from outrage, to meh, to genuine applause.
“We work so hard to make sure our students are motivated in a positive way, and this show just undermines all the good work we do.”
This could really do without the stupid narration. Let the stories and the people speak for themselves #strugglestreet
— Trisha Jha (@themetresgained) May 6, 2015
The offensive part of #StruggleStreet is the use of subtitles for people who are perfectly understandable. English is English.
— Ser Danos of Bowles (@thecartodiv) May 6, 2015
I’m thinking #StruggleStreet is a warm and sympathetic portrayal of people doing it tough. VO is a bit ott, though.
— Mike Carlton (@MikeCarlton01) May 6, 2015
Enjoying the show, but not the writing/narration. #StruggleStreet
— Rhys Muldoon (@rhysam) May 6, 2015
Others remained critical of the show:
#StruggleStreet is disgusting and so far from a complete truth. @SBS
— Blayke Tatafu (@BlaykeTatafu) May 6, 2015
5min of #SBS #StruggleStreet was all i could take, was barbaric, there are bad pockets throughout Sydney, lets not stereotype Mount Druitt
— Sam jack (@chookonstanley) May 6, 2015
While many noted the stark contrast between “Struggle Street”‘s controversial promo and its affecting insight:
I think that last night a lot of people learned the difference between an ad & the program it advertises . Great tv #strugglestreet
— Sam Spence (@samdspence) May 6, 2015
Hey #StruggleStreet is a really worthwhile show, turns out the promo just did it a disservice. Or perhaps a service given the publicity?
— Lisa Pryor (@pryorlisa) May 6, 2015
So far I’m seeing a bunch of kind, warm people who’ve all been dealt a really shitty run. #StruggleStreet
— Emma Watt (@EmBrianne) May 6, 2015
I see what you did there, @SBS. Stirring up publicity with trashy promos for #StruggleStreet but actually delivering an insightful doco
— Bridget Gillespie (@bridgetgllsp) May 6, 2015
I’m pretty certain most of us are just one or two bad turns away from ending up on somewhere like #StruggleStreet.
— Jeremy Fernandez (@JezNews) May 6, 2015
That was clearly a bad promo for a pretty good show. #StruggleStreet
— Jeremy Fernandez (@JezNews) May 6, 2015
I’m assuming many are tuning into #StruggleStreet right now given the publicity it’s had. Good. It’s time we talked about class inequality.
— Frances Mao (@francesmao) May 6, 2015
#StruggleStreet extremely well done, real, raw, not patronising. Compassionate, supportive of each other #welfaredebate
— Rachel Neumann (@Rachel_Neumann) May 6, 2015
