In Monday's class, we began by discussing points from our reflection papers. Many students touched on many different points of their particular interests and challenges such as the "Oppositional Gaze", censorship, and Separating "Real" from Realistic TV. Listening to other students address their points and ideas opened a great dialogue for the class to discuss of race. We watch an episode of a reality show where a black family and a white family switched roles. This switch included both actually changing the color of their skin and shows how they attempt to integrate into the opposing environment. This show did in some particular degree exhibit whites inaccurately. They were casted as being naïve, a tad bit insensitive, pleasantly ignorant, and mildly eccentric. There were two overwhelming dominating points of discussion, those being the perception of the white father in black face and his obliviousness to the things that he says and expects, but more so in the second case where the black boy in white face is confronted with having to hear other white teens around him use the N-word. The class had mixed feelings about how the teenager responded to the situation. This opened up conversation about the use of racial slurs, not only about the N-Bomb, but also the use of other slurs intended for other races. I went on to tell a personal experience from when I was called a racial slur and how I responded to it (which was punching the guy in the face). In a moment of realization, the class came to the idea that there are better ways to confront racism no matter how extreme or minor the case. It should be more about response that reaction and recognizing the difference between blatantly implied racism and blind ignorance.
(Disclaimer: The thoughts AND actions of one class member does not reflect the thoughts, feelings, and views of the entire class. In other words, don't go around punching people unless you getting paid to do it.)
--MerkSum
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I thought the show portrayed white people to be naive and stupid. There is no way this white family has never been in contact with a black family and if so act that way. The show wanted to make white people look way worse than they really are. I understand what they are trying to do but way over the top. I also found the show quite creepy when they showed them transforming into different races. I know a girl that encountered her first conversation EVER with a black person and knew not to say and act the way the white family acted on the show. I believe there are people in this world that could possibly act this way but not as extreme as the show portrayed it. Absolutely scripted and a mix of real life.
ReplyDeleteI beg to differ, because it showed te temperance of black people. The Black mother and father were very quick to "snap" on the white couple every time they felt like they messed up. Some people are just plain ignorant. I know a lot of black people that act liked they have never seen white people before and stereotype them the same way the couple in black face did. It all depends on the way a person grows up. You should not count anything against anyone in this world because we are all ignorant to some extent.
ReplyDeleteI'm just saying,
ChrissyJ
The reason the show portrayed "temperance" as Chrissy said is because the white family was pushing them. I felt tempered myself hearing the white dad say the things he did. But if the show would'nt have scripted out ridiculous dialogue for the white family then they would'nt have had to get vocal in the first place. I honestly dont think the black family was being set up into a stereotype, they were just acting as anyone would if some old white dude started walking around spitting out the N-word like an idiot.
ReplyDeleteI just dont feel that the black family were real enough for that show. They showed some parts were they took exception to some remarks.....but when the "N" word was used, I wanted to see some real results and not what they did. Im just saying the show would have been cancelled mid-stride
ReplyDeleteI don't believe that everyone was on the same page through this discussion and that people were thinking too much "y'all" and "us". I believe that it did show whites in a negative light. I thought it was also intresting to see how they transformed to the opposite race and how they did react to it... many I believe developed a better understanding of one another.
ReplyDelete