Anna
I don't think these types of awards are a good idea, as they seem to cause more harm than good. I haven't noticed David Beckham promoting multiculturism before, but I don't see why he doesn't deserve the award simply because of the colour of his skin. If these awards were only for certain ethnic groups, then that would be racist, and I don't see how that would help to promote mutliculturism at all.

Natalie Lawrence
Can the founder of the EMMA's please clear something up for me? What is "promoting multiculturalism"? Is it really as simple as listening to rap music and wearing diamonds? Proudly watching your wife work with a black CEO of a major record label? Or is it supporting causes across racial boundaries or actively helping other ethnic groups to be successful?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't see David Beckham pounding the streets of Tottenham, Leicester or Chapeltown, talking to youths about how to be a successful footballer, businessman and father. No, he wouldn't be seen dead in any ethnic areas, but because he's nice and not overtly racist, he's seen as an icon for multiculturalism! Don't make me laugh!
If promoting multiculturalism is the way to get an EMMA, I don't mind white people being praised for it. But Beckham, through no fault of his own, has been used by the EMMA founder for self-publicity, that's all. Another sell-out... before, the MOBOs, now this.
Whites already get a huge amount of recognition in the mainstream (i.e. white) awards scene and press. Ethnic minorities have made a major contribution to British society and when our own create awards organisations, they should recognise this. Beckham neither wants nor cares for this award. Next time, give it to people who do.

Bigger
Award for this, award for that. Maybe I should get an award for staying the right side of the law or an award for not smoking. Every little thing they trying to award people for. But people who facing real struggles and those involved in trying to ease them same struggles are getting over looked. All good David Beckham getting awarded, but what benefits does he bring to the average "JOE"? The only people benefiting are the men in corporate suits. Reward people for performing an act that is out of this world. Let's be real about agendas! Celebrities are awarded to raise awareness of the brands they are linked to. Let`s be real people.

carlene
I have no problem with giving a white person a multiculturalism award as long as they have actually contributed to the cause, but please explain to be what David Beckham has contributed? I don't see what he has to do with multiculturalism. The problem is we as ethnic minorities don't pay enough acknowledgement to the talented people of our own race. Ethnic minorities don't get enough media recognition so we can't acknowledge them. We can only support people we know about. More ethnic minorities need to given more media recognition so that we know they exist, then maybe the EMMAS would have enough deserving people to give their awards to. Tell me if I'm wrtong.

Cherry
I think that more promotion of ethnic minority role models needs to be made. Young people are constantly seeing 'thug' sterotypes and people who have jumped on the hip hop bandwagon. The Emmas could have highlighted any number of black sportsmen/women who have overcome adversity and knows what it is like to be an ethnic minority and not just likes our music.

Ryan
To be honest I am not sure how I feel about this. The truth is Beckham does promote multiculturalism, therefore he should be in the runnings regardless of him being white, however being black is a lot more than wearing baggy jeans and saying you listen to Tupac. That is what I find offensive. Why somebody with a lot more positive and less stereotypical image of multiculturalism did not win?! Where are all the investment bankers, journalists, business owners, they are the people that REALLY contribute and open doors for ethnic minorities. I am sick of the media potraying black culture as being all about music and sport! Anyone agree??

Mr Righteous
What has Beckham done to deserve this award (He's a white person listening to urban or should I say black music). Would he go and live in a Black or Asian neighbourhood? I don't think so. I see white people who 10 years ago despised anything ethnic, now jumping on anything cool. If its good or trendy white people will want to know, but if its negative they don't. having said that the MOBOs and EMMAs have sold out to gain popularity (money).

Shamem
It should not matter whether you are black, brown or white; if you promote multi-culturalism then you should get an EMMA. David Beckham deserves an EMMA because he advertises urban culture and doesn't get paid for it. People who take isssue with minor thngs like David Beckham winning awards are sad and a disgrace to being a member of multi-culturalism.

Mark
recognition should be given regardless of colour, but there is a tendency for award shows to select high profile people who already get enough promotion and advertising. associations from 'ethnic' backgrounds tend to have less funding thus less promotion and advertising. There should be a award show recognising people who deserve advertising but tend not to due to lack of funding to promote themselves, the name of the award show would be a tricky one though.....

Jonny Gray
I think it is wrong. What would happen if a black football won an award and people were booing him????????

Arbi
The thing that is forgotten so often that Beckham or anybody else is suppose to promote multiculturalism, we already live in an multiculture just because we are here. Beckham doesnt need an award, but we need to promote "ethnic" people as being a part of this society. We all know beckham, but i bet you cant tell me the name of the "ethnic" shopkeeper on marketstreet.

Arbi
The thing that is forgotten so often that Beckham or anybody else is suppose to promote multiculturalism, we already live in an multiculture just because that we are here. Beckham doesnt needs a award, but we need to promote "ethnic" people as being a part of this society. We all know beckham, but i bet you cant tell me the name of the "ethnic" shopkeeper on marketstreet.

KATE - OXFORD
I think the awards should b given to anyone who they feel deserves it no matter what race, its about who has contributed to ethnic minorities n done good. why does colour alwayz ave ta b an issue? if there was an award for white peps then they wud b accused of bein racist 2wards ethnic minorities. Jus stupidness.

Jamie
All awards which make a racial distinction are racist, even the MOBOs, especially if you have to be a certain ethnicity to qualify. If there were a white only awards ceremony wouldn't that be racist?

Assassin-UK aka Simeon
Any one that has done anything to help ethnic minorities should be put up to get an award. My point is that David Beckham has done NOTHING with his money, his influences, his contacts to help ethnic minorities of any kind. I aint got nothing against David, my man is a pro at what he does, but can any one tell me what he has done to ethnic minorities??
End of the day, i aint blaming David at all, sure he never asked for it.. I'm blaming the peeps at the EMMAs that put him up to receive the award!! Lets keep it real!!! Plus the EMMAs should look at this specially if a lot of peeps are complaining... peeps dont complain for no reason !!! P.S. Its a shame i only realised the EMMAs existed because of this situation.

Keto
Wouldn't it be weird if 'whites' had their own awards in Afrcan countries? Or perhaps they wouldn't need to be 'recognised' because they already dominate??? What are we trying to achieve with awards like this and why are so many ethinc minorities still struggling if there are so many talented ethnic minorites out there? Recognition is not the only thing these people need but to get togther and continue making an positive impact and help the people who really need the help. We need to stop arguing about pointless issues like this one.

ill Sun
I have no problem with the award going to anyone who deserves it... what has David Beckham done for ethnic minorities in this country? Let's face facts: the EMMAs have gone the same way as the MOBOs in a bid to get press and glamour to their event they have sold out to the A list, forgetting their roots and what the point of the awards is. Why embarass yourself by giving awards to people who have done little for the cause and damaged it further by not showing up to the event? - belittling it in the eyes of the audience.

M
I thought it was a bit funny him winning it, but I guess he plays for a team in a different country. He is truly integrating himself into multicultural society. He couldn't figure whether he wanted his sons to be catholics or buddhists - not the smartest guy on earth - but he plays good football and apparently that counts.

lwimbo
Supporting multiculturalism is a positive thing but if you look at the white people who won the awards you have to be a bit suspicious. Those people do not signify multiculturalism to me and I think that's what we are complaining about. There are so many talented black people in the Media Industry who are not acknowledged in other mainstream awards. The EMMAs should be about giving some recognition to the achievements of ethnic minorities in the industry and those who actually promote multiculturalism. How has David Beckham contributed to multiculturalism? How has Vanessa Feltz contributed to multiculturalism? The Last Samurai: haven't seen it and I won't get into the debate about white hero in films.

Gorton 1
i thought the emmas were about honouring people who have helped with multicultural society, not just for black or asian people... they're the ones being racist.

Kane
why is that they are so meithered about this...if anybody's being racist its them....i don't see a white peoples award so why should it only go people of other races...bad ish man...peace.

Messy One
Until 'ethnic minorities' are better represented in more mainstream awards, white people shouldn't be getting EMMAs as they are so heavily awarded elsewhere. What I resent is that this is deemed 'anti-white' by the media. Being pro-black doesn't mean it's anti-white. This is like calling the British racist for wanting to display the Union Jack - people get really upset by that - why can they not understand this ? Instead the media seem to enjoy putting white people on the defensive and creating divisions between races by printing emotive headlines like 'BECKHAM IN ANTI-WHITE ROW' (Metro newspaper).

miss_kaur_municate
I'm Asian and i've got to say that i'm appalled by the reaction of some of the Asian personalities criticising Beckham winning an EMMA. What about giving something back to people who help bridge cultures/colours together - I think Beckham does that very well.
Now don't get me wrong, i'm not one who falls at the feet of Becks and all that he does, but he epitomizes all that should be celebrated about being appreciative of other cultures - show me an Asian personality who has managed to bring such a positive image of cultural amalgamation.

sharon
The award is about people who promote multiculturalism in Britain. So it shouldn't matter what colour anybody is, isn't that the whole point of multiculturalism? I think recognition should be given where it is deserved regardless of colour.