Black.White.
There is this new reality series that comes on FX (cable television station) and for once it is actually a good one. I'm not usually not too keen on reality tv because of it's fakeness but this one is worth seeing. I think anyone who is any one should see this series sometime. It's about a black family and a white family living together in the same house and essentially through physical atlerations to their appearances switching races all for the purpose of experiencing each others' cultures. It's such an educational show that addresses some really very difficult issues in regards to such a heated subject.
One thing I noticed from the black family that I thought was really ridiculous but fairly accurate is how they walked around with a chip on their shoulders all the time and seemed to misinterpret the actions of the white family as hostile and offensive. I didn't feel like enough grace was given. I guess having that misunderstanding is a major reason why there is racism in the first place.
Here is a link to learn more about the show. I encourage anyone who is anyone to check it out.http://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/originals/blackwhite/main.html
posted by Will Branch @ 9:05 PM
2 Comments
2 Comments:
I did not see the show for myself yet, but I have some friends who agree that the black family seems very offended when the white family uses terms that are normally only acceptable for black person to say to someone they know.
It seems hard for me to grasp the idea that there is as much "institutional racism" in America as there is "personal racism". I would define "personal racism" as someone (individual, not corporate entity) acting out of their own experience and feeling in a negative way towards persons of color, based not on personal experience with that individual, but basing on their skewed impressions of that race or group of people.
But is there something to this idea of a "chip on their shoulder"? I know that there are people of color and areas of town that I won't approach or goto simply because I have seldom if ever received anything but a "hard stare" when traveling thru there. So if you foster the stereotype and image...who's fault is it when you experience a negative reaction?
I read about this show in a magazine the other day, and this was my thought:
I appreciate that God made different skin tones. Honestly, both families looked best in their own skin. Would you agree? I mean, they're lovely looking people, but gosh, God knew what He was doing.
Also, I think it makes a striking statement about how race really is skin deep. Some old people don't understand this, and actually think it's a genetic difference- like a different "type" of person. Too bad, old people. Turn on the telly and realize what Michael Jackson said, "It don't matter if you're black or white."
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