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'I Don't Believe You're Racist By Omission': Caitlin Moran Defends Lena Dunham And 'Girls'

'I Don't Believe You're Racist By Omission'
The Huffington Post UK
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Caitlin Moran has defended Lena Dunham from critics of her show 'Girls', saying she "can't be racist by omission" for creating a show around four white 20-somethings living in New York.

"If Lena Dunham is being accused of being racist by omission, by extension, why do you not have disabled women on there? Trans-women? But it's about girls - spoilt, white girls in Manhattan," says Caitlin.

Talking to HuffPostLive last week, the columnist and author explained why she had reacted so strongly to her critics on Twitter, who asked why she hadn't put the equality question to Lena Dunham during a recent interview for the Times magazine.

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"I don't believe you can be racist by omission" - Caitlin Moran defends Lena Dunham and 'Girls'

"I was not aware of what had been happening in the US, that a lot of people had been accusing her of being racist for not having people of colour on 'Girls'," Caitlin explained.

The British writer explained that she had got "huffy" when "lots of US feminists" had contacted her on Twitter, complaining that she'd not asked Lena to justify not having a more mixed lead cast in her hit show.

"These were white, 18-year-old sociology students," described Caitlin, whose reaction she described as. "Don't tell me how to interview someone, I've been doing this job a long time, young girls."

"My response was, I don't give a shit if she doesn't have people of colour on her show," continued Caitlin.

"If you're going to say someone is racist, simply by not tackling a subject, that's an argument we need to have, because that's not what I believe.

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Lena Dunham's 'Girls' concentrates on a small group of privileged, white 20-somethings in Manhattan

"Do I think the entertainment industry is incredibly racist, marginalises people to the point where they are under-represented and the world looks unreal? Then yes.

"But I don't believe you're racist by omission, I can't see any truth or logic in that.

"Lena's just trying to make a funny show, make some political points and express herself. I can't remember any male artist being faced with this level of scrutiny. Has she let these people down? Those people down? She's 25 years old, making a TV show."

WATCH Caitlin's full interview on HuffPostLive above. Do you agree with her defence of Lena Dunham? Share your thoughts below...

Lena Dunham's Style
"Girls" Season 3(01 of60)
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(credit:HBO/ Jessica Miglio)
Adam Driver in "Girls" Season 3(02 of60)
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(credit:HBO/ Mark Schafer)
Jemima Kirke in "Girls" Season 3(03 of60)
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(credit:HBO/ Jessica Miglio)
Alex Karpovsky in "Girls" Season 3(04 of60)
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(credit:HBO/ Craig Blakenhorn)
Lena Dunham in "Girls" Season 3(05 of60)
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(credit:HBO/ Jessica Miglio)
Allison Williams in "Girls" Season 3(06 of60)
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(credit:HBO/ Jessica Miglio)
"Girls" Season 3(07 of60)
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(credit:HBO/ Jessica Miglio)
Lena Dunham in "Girls" Season 3(08 of60)
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(credit:HBO/ Craig Blankenhorn)
Lena Dunham in "Girls" Season 3(09 of60)
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(credit:HBO/ Jessica Miglio)
Zosia Mamet, Jemima Kirke in "Girls" Season 3(10 of60)
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(credit:HBO/ Craig Blankenhorn)
Lena Dunham, Adam Driver, Allison Williams in "Girls" Season 3(11 of60)
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(credit:HBO/ Jessica Miglio)
Rita Wilson, Allison Williams in "Girls" Season 3(12 of60)
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Zosia Mamet in "Girls" Season 3(13 of60)
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(14 of60)
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NEXT: Lena Dunham's Style
November 2010(15 of60)
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Writer, director and actress Lena Dunham attends the premiere of 'Tiny Furniture' at The Museum of Modern Art on November 9, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by John W. Ferguson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
November 2010(16 of60)
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Director Lena Dunham attends IFP's 20th Annual Gotham Independent Film Awards at Cipriani, Wall Street on November 29, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for IFP) (credit:Getty)
February 2011(17 of60)
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SANTA MONICA, CA - FEBRUARY 26: Writer-director Lena Dunham, winner of the Best First Screenplay award for 'Tiny Furniture', at the 2011 Film Independent Spirit Awards at Santa Monica Beach on February 26, 2011 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
March 2011(18 of60)
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NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 31: Actress Lena Dunham attends the off-Broadway opening night of 'Mike Birbiglia's My Girlfriend's Boyfriend' at the Barrow Street Theatre on March 31, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
March 2011(19 of60)
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AUSTIN, TX - MARCH 12: Writer/Director/Actress Lena Dunham attends 'Girls' Greenroom Photo Op during the 2012 SXSW Music, Film + Interactive Festival at Paramount Theatre on March 12, 2012 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images for SXSW) (credit:Getty Images)
March 2011(20 of60)
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AUSTIN, TX - MARCH 12: Writer/Director/Actress Lena Dunham (L) and actor Alex Karpovsky attend 'Girls' Greenroom Photo Op during the 2012 SXSW Music, Film + Interactive Festival at Paramount Theatre on March 12, 2012 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images for SXSW) (credit:Getty Images)
March 2011(21 of60)
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AUSTIN, TX - MARCH 12: Writer/Director/Actress Lena Dunham arrives to the screening of 'Girls' during the 2012 SXSW Music, Film + Interactive Festival at Paramount Theatre on March 12, 2012 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images for SXSW) (credit:Getty Images)
March 2012(22 of60)
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In this March 29, 2012 photo, actress Lena Dunham poses for a portrait in the Tribeca neighborhood of New York. Lena is the creator and the star in the series, "Girls," premiering April 15, at 10:30p.m. EST on HBO. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes) (credit:AP)
April 2012(23 of60)
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Actresses, from left, Zosia Mamet, Jemima Kirke, Lena Dunham and Allison Williams pose at the premiere of the HBO original series "Girls," Wednesday, April 4, 2012 in New York. The comedy premieres April 15, at 10:30p.m. EST on HBO. (AP Photo/Starpix, Dave Allocca) (credit:AP)
April 2012(24 of60)
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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 04: Actress/creator/executive producer Lena Dunham attends the HBO with The Cinema Society host the New York premiere of HBO's 'Girls' at the School of Visual Arts Theater on April 4, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
April 2012(25 of60)
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Actress Lena Dunham attends the world premiere of "Supporting Characters" during the Tribeca Film Festival on Friday, April 20, 2012 in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini) (credit:AP)
May 2012(26 of60)
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NEW YORK, NY - MAY 07: Lena Dunham and Hamish Bowles attend the 'Schiaparelli And Prada: Impossible Conversations' Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2012(27 of60)
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FILE - In this publicity file photo released by HBO, the creator and star, Lena Dunham, of the HBO TV series, "Girls," is shown. Television looks like the land of female opportunity with the success of shows like "Girls" and "New Girl" and the achievements of actor-writers including Tina Fey and Lena Dunham. but making TV remains largely man's work. (AP Photo/HBO, Ali Paige Goldstein, File) (credit:AP)
September 2012(28 of60)
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NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 08: (L-R) Designer Rachel Antonoff poses with her brother Jack Antonoff and Lena Dunham at the Rachel Antonoff Spring 2013 presentation at the Drive In Studios on September 8, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Desiree Navarro/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
September 2012(29 of60)
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NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 08: Filmmaker and actress Lena Dunham attends the Rachel Antonoff Spring 2013 presentation at the Drive In Studios on September 8, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Desiree Navarro/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
September 2012(30 of60)
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Actress Lena Dunham arrives at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
September 2012(31 of60)
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Actress Lena Dunham arrives at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
November 2012(32 of60)
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NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 12: Lena Dunham attends the 22nd annual Glamour Women of the Year Awards at Carnegie Hall on November 12, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
December 2012(33 of60)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - DECEMBER 12: Actress Lena Dunham attends the premiere Of Universal Pictures' 'This Is 40' at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on December 12, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
January 2013(34 of60)
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Walking the red carpet at the Golden Globes. (credit:Getty Images)
January 2013(35 of60)
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NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 09: (L-R) Lena Dunham and Zosia Mamet attend the Premiere Of 'Girls' Season 2 Hosted By HBO at NYU Skirball Center on January 9, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
January 2013(36 of60)
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BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JANUARY 11: Writer/actress Lena Dunham attends the 13th Annual AFI Awards at Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills on January 11, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
February 2013(37 of60)
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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 02: Actress/director Lena Dunham attends the 65th Annual Directors Guild Of America Awards at Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland on February 2, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
February 2013(38 of60)
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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 10: Singer Taylor Swift (L) and actress Lena Dunham attend the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on February 10, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for NARAS) (credit:Getty Images)
February 2013(39 of60)
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NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 17: Filmmaker Lena Dunham attends the 65th annual Writers Guild East Coast Awards at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill on February 17, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
April 2013(40 of60)
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On the set of "Girls." (credit:Splash)
April 2013(41 of60)
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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 23: Filmmaker Lena Dunham attends the 2013 Time 100 Gala at Frederick P. Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 23, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
April 2013 (42 of60)
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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 29: Filmmaker Lena Dunham speaks onstage at the 2013 Actors Fund's Annual Gala Honoring Robert De Niro at The New York Marriott Marquis on April 29, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
April 2013(43 of60)
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Filming on location for 'Girls.' (credit:Getty)
Paris Fashion Week 2013(44 of60)
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(credit:Getty)
L.A. Loves Alex's Lemonade Event(45 of60)
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(credit:Getty)
Premiere of "This Is 40"(46 of60)
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Lena Dunham attends the premiere Judd Apatow's "This Is 40" at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on Dec. 12, 2012, in Hollywood. (credit:Getty Images)
Premiere of "This Is 40"(47 of60)
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Lena Dunham, director Judd Apatow and actress Aubrey Plaza attend the premiere of "This Is 40" at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on Dec. 12, 2012, in Hollywood. (credit:Getty Images)
Premiere of "This Is 40"(48 of60)
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Lena Dunham shows off her tattoo at the premiere of "This Is 40" on Dec. 12, 2012, at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. (credit:Getty Images)
Glamour Women of the Year Awards(49 of60)
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Award recipient Lena Dunham appears onstage at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards on Nov. 12, 2012, in New York. (credit:AP)
The New Yorker Festival 2012(50 of60)
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Lena Dunham attends a party at Andaz 5th Avenue on Oct. 7, 2012, during The New Yorker Festival. (credit:Getty Images)
The New Yorker Festival 2012(51 of60)
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Lena Dunham speaks with moderator Emily Nussbaum at "In Coversation: Girl Power" for The New Yorker Festival at Acura at SIR Stage37 on Oct. 7, 2012, in New York City. (credit:Getty Images)
Fortune Most Powerful Women 2012(52 of60)
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Lena Dunham speaks during the Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit in October 2012. (credit:Flickr)
64th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards(53 of60)
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Lena Dunham arrives at the 64th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (credit:Getty Images)
64th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards(54 of60)
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Lena Dunham arrives at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sept. 23, 2012, at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. (credit:AP)
Spring 2013 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week(55 of60)
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Designer Rachel Antonoff poses with her brother Jack Antonoff and Lena Dunham at the Rachel Antonoff Spring 2013 presentation at the Drive In Studios on Sept. 8, 2012, in New York City. (credit:Getty Images)
"Nobody Walks" Premiere(56 of60)
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Lena Dunham arrives at the "Nobody Walks" premiere on Oct. 2, 2012, in Hollywood. (credit:AP)
Met Gala(57 of60)
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Lena Dunham attends the 2012 Met Gala in New York City. (credit:AP)
"Supporting Characters" Premiere(58 of60)
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Lena Dunham arrives at the premiere of "Supporting Characters" on April 20, 2012, at the Tribeca Film Festival. (credit:AP)
South By Southwest(59 of60)
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Lena Dunham, producer Judd Apatow and writer Jenni Konner speak onstage at a "Girls" Q&A on March 12, 2012, during the 2012 South By Southwest Music, Film + Interactive Festival in Austin, Texas. (credit:Getty Images)
South By Southwest(60 of60)
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Lena Dunham speaks onstage at a "Girls" Q&A on March 12, 2012, during the 2012 South By Southwest Music, Film + Interactive Festival at Paramount Theatre on March 12, 2012 in Austin, Texas. (credit:Getty Images)

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