If Survivor is Racist...
...then either you're crazy, or so is America.
Some are outraged that the new season of Survivor features tribes divided along racial lines.
Why? Such division only mirrors what already exists in our neighborhoods, schools, universities, restaurants and churches. And you’re pissed because they’re putting this on TV?
Wake up! If you’re upset that a ‘system’ has deliberately divided people for no other reason than skin color, look at a map of Nashville. Where are the housing projects? Every one of them is boxed in by interstates, major roads, or a river. Is it any accident that I-40 bisected and destroyed the once vibrant African-American cultural boom that was Jefferson Street? Ever wonder why Williamson county is 93% white? Because when cars became affordable and roads became paved and wider, people hightailed it out of the urban core, where black people were looking for work.
So, instead of pointing the finger at a TV network whose sole purpose is to make money off of ad revenue (and not heal social divides), look in the mirror and try to answer some worthwhile questions. Here are a few to get you started:
Some are outraged that the new season of Survivor features tribes divided along racial lines.
Why? Such division only mirrors what already exists in our neighborhoods, schools, universities, restaurants and churches. And you’re pissed because they’re putting this on TV?
Wake up! If you’re upset that a ‘system’ has deliberately divided people for no other reason than skin color, look at a map of Nashville. Where are the housing projects? Every one of them is boxed in by interstates, major roads, or a river. Is it any accident that I-40 bisected and destroyed the once vibrant African-American cultural boom that was Jefferson Street? Ever wonder why Williamson county is 93% white? Because when cars became affordable and roads became paved and wider, people hightailed it out of the urban core, where black people were looking for work.
So, instead of pointing the finger at a TV network whose sole purpose is to make money off of ad revenue (and not heal social divides), look in the mirror and try to answer some worthwhile questions. Here are a few to get you started:
- Why is Hillsboro’s graduation rate higher than Stratford’s? Because white people are smarter, or because years of negligence have put Stratford lower on the public awareness list than a school in the heart of Green Hills? Or does it have to do with the fact that the wives of rich husbands can devote time to raising money for the PTA while working mothers in East Nashville barely find time to work two jobs to afford food?
- Why do predatory lending outlets and liquor stores litter Gallatin Road while there is a bank on every corner in Belle Meade?
- If organic food is supposed to be good for everyone, how come it’s only affordable to very few?
- It’s been said that Sunday morning is the most segregated time of the week. Is this segregation racial, economic, or both?
- If you require a Ph.D. for a certain position, and the majority of those holding this degree are white, are your hiring practices racist?
- Do you live in an all-white neighborhood? Is this why you chose it? (You may say stuff like safety and schools, but deep down, be honest on this one. You probably equate safety and good schools with whiteness, anyway.)
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Comments (5)
1:18 PM
The point is sam that people are pissed off at the exploitation of race at the expense of these issues you're talking about. Only if mention of the show would get people so angry as to list some of the things you have. Unfortunately it wont. Don't think that just because people are angry at a lowly TV show doesn't mean that they aren't well aware of the issues you bring up.
3:23 PM
I think Sam's point here gandalf is not that people are necessarily unaware... But that they should refocus and redirect their angry energy into bringing about changes that positively impact the issues that Sam brings up.
Simply yelling at CBS won't accomplish anything, well, other than getting more people to watch Survivor.
3:48 PM
Doesn't have to be an either or proposition. It is possible to address those problems/issues and be hacked off at CBS simultaneously. Saying that people are "simply yelling" at CBS is not really an accurate representation of what people are talking about regarding the show. It in fact diminishes the complex issues that arise from this.
We'll see what happens from it, if anything.
11:24 PM
Sam - your points are well taken. My take on this is that they (cbs) may be talking a good game, but truth is, this is a show that needs an infusion of fresh air to combat the staleness (i've been a big fan of the show), and the truth is, they would bring in macacas (the real monkdy kind) vs. the Senator Allen family if they thought the ratings would improve.
8:11 PM
I don't know anything about survivor, but to the rest I say preach it brother. The other day I had a woman over for lunch who told me that her friends had to break their lease in a South Nashville apartment (closer to Brentwood than Nolensville Rd.) because "there were hispanic people and loud music so they didn't feel safe." In my head my jaw was dropping. I don't think she realized what she was saying. But she really was equating safety with whiteness, as you phrase it. Honestly I've done this too.
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