Archive for August, 2006
24 August, 2006 | 2 comments
Surviving the amazing Racism
hmm… so I went on CNN today and gave a one two punch on racism and reality tv… now I apparently did not have the appropriate time of the show so all of my loved ones missed the show except for my cats and my parents (my parents are so cool they wake up in the middle of the night to catch my Free FM show online… Fergie and the Black Eyed Pea keep asking me when I work out “Where is the Love” but I know… it’s in Palm City Florida…) Anway here’s a transcript of what transpired… then I put up some email responses I got after my appearance… having nothing to do with my participation on the show but rather why I belong in a kitchen cooking and letting men work… I mean are you kidding me?????
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Now, are you ready for this? A segregated “Survivor.” Shocking news out of CBS today.
The new season of the popular reality show is actually going to split team — team members up based on race. The show is going to be starting off with four tribes made of black, white, Asian, and Latino contestants in what they are calling a “social experiment.” There is outrage.
Joining me tonight in San Francisco, Irene McGee, former MTV “Real World” cast member. And Marc Lamont Hilton from Temple University is joining us from Philadelphia.
So, Irene, you`ve been there. You know all about these social experiments that takes place on reality TV. That`s what “The Real World” is, after all.
CBS even told us that, when this idea was first floated out there in the room, dead silence. A lot of people are saying just shocking.
IRENE MCGEE, FMR. “REAL WORLD” CAST MEMBER: Well, I mean, that`s what made it through their media filter, the dead silence. I`m sure they were just wondering — the silence was just, “Can we get advertisers still?” That`s all they really care about.
I mean, they want to create a shock and push the envelope. And their — the only reason they wouldn`t want to do that would be if their advertisers pulled. So I`m sure the silence was, “Do you think Pizza Hut will still advertise?”
HAMMER: So basically it sounds like you`re saying this isn`t a real good idea. And the general consensus among those who don`t think it`s a good idea is that it`s basically further calling attention to stereotypes and perpetuating them.
Is that kind of where you`re going?
MCGEE: Oh, well, the whole concept of “Survivor” in general, the way they traipse into another culture and set up their crews and watch people in somebody else`s land, I mean, that`s where the field is. It`s already based on racism, like the show in and of itself. Beyond that, I think that what they are doing here is obviously showing how — where their show is going and how the ratings must be.
HAMMER: Well, let`s…
MCGEE: I mean, they are just going for the shock value.
HAMMER: All right. Well, there are those who are saying that. But let`s look at the other side of this.
Marc, you know, a lot of people would say, isn`t it better for racial bias to be out there in the open and exposed instead of sort of tucked away? It certainly remains a huge problem in this country. It`s not getting better.
If people aren`t talking about it, this will obviously get people talking. And, in fact, maybe the story lines will play out that we`ll see people working together and being color blind. I don`t know. That`s wishful thinking, maybe.
MARC LAMONT HILL, ASST. PROFESSOR, TEMPLE UNIV.: It is wishful thinking. And that`s part of the problem.
Much of America`s ideas about race are predicated upon a sense of color blindness. America wants to consistently deny the existence of race, and so much of the indignation that people had about the idea of “Survivor” being divided by race is that no one wants to acknowledge that race or racism exists at all.
So, on that level, I don`t think the show was a problem. But what happens is, when you get issues of representation, when you look at the way “Survivor” has historically represented characters, from Jerbase (ph), to Ramona (ph), Nick (ph), and also what Irene was talking about as far as the colonial gaze, you know, going to exotic lands and traipsing upon people`s cultures, that`s a very negative representation of culture and of race, and that`s what we need to worry about.
MCGEE: Well, and I also feel like that they are separating this. Like, what happens if somebody isn`t black enough for the black team? I mean, how do they do the tryouts for this?
HAMMER: Well, let me tell you about the tryouts for this. Basically, you know, CBS had been criticized because the show was too white. So they went out to cast the show and about 85 percent of the people who applied to be on “Survivor” are in fact white. What they ended up having to do was to go out and actually recruit people for the show.
MCGEE: Yes, I wonder how much…
HAMMER: Which is all pretty strange to me.
HILL: It`s a dangerous thing.
MCGEE: I wonder how much of the crew is white? I mean, if you — no matter how ethnically diverse you make a cast, if the people interpreting the show and the people editing the show are all white men, you`re still going to have it from the same point of view.
HAMMER: Well, let me — let me…
HILL: And the people watching this.
MCGEE: Exactly. Exactly.
HAMMER: Guys, hang on one second. I want to read what CBS sent over to us in a statement. They said that they “… fully recognize the controversial nature of the format,” but they have “… full confidence in the producers and their ability to produce the program in a responsible manner. `Survivor` is a program that is no stranger to controversy and has always answered its critics on the screen.”
So — so…
MCGEE: They are as confident as their…
HILL: “Survivor” has done nothing.
MCGEE: Yes. They are as confident as their ad dollars. I mean…
HILL: Exactly. And “Survivor” has done nothing.
MCGEE: Right.
HILL: “Survivor” has done nothing in — since the six years that it`s been on to inspire any type of confidence, unless it will engage in responsible representation…
(CROSSTALK)
HAMMER: We`re going to have to revisit this issue, guys, because there`s a lot to talk about.
MCGEE: But I think…
HAMMER: And I appreciate you both chiming in. I`m afraid we`re out of time.
Marc Lamont Hill, in Philadelphia, Irene McGee in San Francisco, I appreciate your passion.
MCGEE: NoOneIsListening.org.
HAMMER: Thanks for joining us.
HILL: MarcLamontHill.com.
HAMMER: The new season of “Survivor” debuts September 14th.
Plugs are in.
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OK and here are some responses I got… I’m not kidding… people can be so brave with their opinions when they have no accountability… hmm I’ll put some of the nice ones in too I’ll do a mean then nice then mean then nice this way after each one I represent the other side of the issue and just like the big media folks I will be showing both sides of the issue in a fair and balanced way… xoxo Irene
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Good mothers stay home and take care of there children. That is why
there are more men in the work place than women. You are a tool of
the industrialists who just want everyone to work - men, women,
children, illegals, everyone!!!
We are all becoming slaves because of brian washed idiots like you.
WAKE UP !!! WHY DO PEOPLE LIKE YOU MOVE TO CA AND PUSH THESE STUPID
LIBERAL IDEAS. GO HOME KOOK !!!!
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Dude, I just saw you on CNN on the program Showbiz Tonight talking about \”Survivor\” and its plans for a segregated show. You are f(*&ing cool. Thank you so much for being outspoken on these issues. And thank you for giving me the name of your website so I can now listen to your radio shows.
You are an articulate, witty, intelligent and extremely funny woman. Thank you for continuing to speak out on these issues regarding the U.S. media.
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You’re a studdette - do you have an agent?
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Suggestion…Irene to shut her mouth. Saw her on the Survivor
interview. What a loud mouth. We need less like her in this world.
The world is the way it is, and always will be. Your liberal
opinions will change absolutley nothing. Your thoughts and bitchy
bold personality supercede nails on a chalk board.
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