After watching the film, Bamboozled, I have a completely different outlook on reality TV. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the definition of “bamboozled” is:
• 1. To deceive with underhanded methods
• 2. To confuse, frustrate, or throw off thoroughly or completely.
In comparison to this definition, the Urban Dictionary would define “bamboozled” as:
• 1. Often, the one who is bamboozled becomes embarrassed
• 2. To be tricked or swindled by another via intentional manipulation or deceptive practices.
I can honestly say that I feel like I have been bamboozled. I have been watching reality shows and movies thinking that I was being entertained; Although I knew that they weren’t representative of myself, watching them allowed me to sort of escape my own “reality.” There were several scenes in the film that embarrassed me so much that I just wanted to hide my face and cry. The whole concept of the Minstrel show plays into the condescending stereotype that black people are fat, lazy, ignorant, late, inferior, and less than human. ALL black people do not like chicken. ALL black people do not eat watermelon (I know I don’t!).
In the opening scenes, we see “boogie” Pierre Delacroix, who is the only black man at the television station. He automatically plays into this stereotype by showing up at an important meeting LATE, with a million excuses validating him being black. Delacroix is the “Oreo” of the station, meaning that he is black on the outside, but he “acts white.” I was amazed that the network denied shows that portrayed black people in a positive light because “[they] don’t want to see Negros on TV unless they are being buffoons.” WOW. This is so true. Just look at Flavor of Love, I Love Money, I Love New York, and College Hill, to name a few. In all of these shows, black people are being loud, aggressive, manipulative, and lazy. You see the stereotypical black girl with a big butt who is then stereotyped as a video vixen, or someone who is trying to be on TV to gain exposure. Now that my thoughts are flowing, I realize that I have never seen a reality TV show where there is a majority of black people, and they all got along, or where they weren’t all trying to win the affection of some man.
Ok, I had to vent. Back to the film…the names of the characters were even offensive (Mantan and Sleep N’ Eat). Wow. I was surprised to hear a white man say, “This [blackface] is hard to put on. Man, you sure are lucky.” Sleep N’ Eat…Really? I am just amazed. These names alone are a big misrepresentation of black people. These stereotypical images and titles plays into the marginalization of black people in the media. In the film, I could even see the progression of the audience’s responses to the Minstrel shows. In the beginning, the white people in the audience were the ones who were hesitant to clap in response to the myriad condescending representations of black people. By the end of the show, everyone was dressed up in Blackface and actively participating in the racial satire. On the other hand, the original black faced audience (black people) found these offenses to be hilarious.
The turning point, to me, was when Pierre’s father explained that “every Ni**a is an entertainer.” It is here that I think that Pierre could have really proved otherwise. Given his original intention to show that racism was still alive, he still had a chance to prove that he had good intentions to bring this issue to light…NOT to make a mockery of HISTORY. With this being said:
1. Do you feel like today’s society/media is still receptive to these negative stereotypes of black people?
2. What intended or unintended messages are reality shows on TV sending to viewers, black and white, today?
3. Do you think that reality shows are made to satisfy the black or white majority?
By: Tiffany Spencer
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I do still think that society openingly accepts the stereotypical roles that are portrayed by those exposing themselves on reality tv.Whether the demographics are for blacks or whites, I think that today's society embrasses ignorance and role playing and as Americans we tend to call this diversification of television. Although we get to see faces that would have historically not been characterized on television, history still plays a role in that backstage actions of selecting particular individuals that fit into those stereotypical roles that have been proven to improve ratings.I think some of the messages are intentional because the shows have to have something that grabs the public's attention but it is the unintended messages that are perceived after viewing these programs that should worry us. Unexposed individuals might have a tendency to see a show and identify that particular character with the identity of a race because they have not had any previous experience with someone of another race and make what they would think would be an educated conclusion as to all people of that race must be like that. People have a tendency to forget that although we are in the information ages, all information is not the correct information and like it was discussed in class, you have to know your history and do your homeework. Common sense isn't that common.
ReplyDeleteArnesha
In reality television, I believe that there is always a certain type casts when picking black roles. I remember on the is past season of Real World, one of the white house-mates stated that the black girl was the whitest-black girl they had ever known.
ReplyDeleteLet’s look at For the Love of Ray J and Flavor of Love vs shows like the Bachelor. The Bachelor picks ten to fifteen women that will be the most suited for these bachelors. They are usually well-mannered and “wife material”. Then you look at Flavor of Love or for the Love of Ray J, in essence the shows should have the same concept because they are all dealing with love; however, they do not. You have your women that the stereotypical loud, aggressive bitches, women with big butts (jezebels) and women who hold very few values. The women who are the most degrading are usually the ones who stay on the longest and even if they are not picked, they’re guaranteed their own show.
What messages are they sending? You have to use what you got to get what you want, it’s better to be heard and not seen and values are nothing when it comes to a man. These shows are also sending messages that not only as Black people do we not take ourselves seriously that American media/viewer do not either. As far as who do I think the shows satisfy, I think shows like these are trying to reinforce negative stereotypes so that we take them in and accept them as who we are. I think they are comical entertainment for whites and a way to keep blacks in our place.
After watching the movie Bamboozled and reading Tiffany's response, a question came to mind. What's in a name? In the movie, one of the characters was named Sleep'N'Eat. While the name was meant to be comical, it was merely a perpetuation of a stereotype. That name quickly reminded of the shows such as Flava of Love, For the Love of Ray J, Real Chance of Love, and The Bachelor. While all of these shows have the same general concept of women competing for the affection/adoration of a man, there are vast differences. And while I'm sure the demographics of the viewers of these shows vary, I find the differences to be a means of perpetuating stereotypes.
ReplyDeleteThe women who are competitors on The Bachelor are known by their real names, ages, and occupations. Contrarily, on For the Love of Ray J, Real Chance of Love, and Flava of Love women competitors are almost immediately demeaned because they become known by a nickname, one that usually makes reference to a physical feature or inappropriate behavior. But this is more than a simply "nickname," it is a means for the man and viewers to objectify and degrade these women., Deelishis, Boots, Stacks, So Hood, Hot Cocoa, Lusty, and Milf are all demeaning and degrading personas these women willingly accept. So what do these names say about African American women? What do they say about the African American men who give them these names? What do these names say about the producers, writers, and directors of these television shows and stations? More importantly what does our response to these names and these shows say about our (African Americans) community?
I think these names are just one example of the society's response to these stereotypes. They welcome and embrace them. And until we stop willingly perpetuating stereotypes, they(society) will continue to embrace them as fact, instead of fiction. In addition, I think these names or the lack there of (The Bachelor) sends the intended message that African American women can be easily categorized, generalized, and demeaned by their body shape, attitude, and behavior.
I think that shows that depicted blacks were meant to be seen by more white audiences espically at the beginning of TV. Considering the people involved in TV were white it was a way to keep racist views around. I had a friend see bamboozled who was around durning the early days of TV. When he watched it he explained that that is how tv really depicted blacks. Now there are alot of white people in America and they watched those shows growing up. I am curious and pretty sure that these people through all their years haven't given real time to meet Black people. My friend said that alot of people bought that bad propaganda. Now in 2009 the people that never met blacks are letting their kids go out into the world with the same outlook as 40 years ago. That stereotype has been made from false facted TV shows. We are still captivated in a world of falseness because not all people are one way. We come with our own minds, ignorance is no excuse to not coexist in a positive way. ----Grayson
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