Is Reality TV 3-D?

After reading and discussing Dr. Robin Boylorn’s article, As Seen on TV: An Autoethnographic Reflection of Race and Reality Television, I can now perceive reality TV the same way I view Black women, multi-dimensional. Throughout the discourse of the class, thus far, I have come to feel as though I should be somewhat ashamed or embarrassed because the comedic enjoyment/fascination I find in the various reality TV shows. However, Dr, Boylorn has given me some sense of appreciation for the shows. Don’t get me wrong, I evoke the similar emotions of confusion, disgust, and intrigue as she, but I also can identify with facets of the characters that are represented.
In the beginning of her article, Boylorn recalls the images of Blackness and Black womanhood she encountered growing up. Reminding us of characters such as “Clair Huxtable,” “Weezie Jefferson,” and “Mary Jenkins,” Boylorn emphasizes that during the eighties, “Black women on TV were to be admired as role models.” Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines “role model” as: a person whose behavior in a particular role is imitated by others. However, Boylorn explains that the lifestyles these characters portrayed, while admired, were not connected or linked to her reality. But the positive image these women portrayed not only provided an escaped from “reality” they also could give hope that one day the lifestyles of “Claire,” “Weezie,” and “Mary” could be attained. Just as these scripted roles provide for a means to escape reality, so does reality TV.
I concluded that there are three dimensions of reality TV, the three R’s. Represent. Relate. Resist. Boylorn explains through the comparison of Living Single and Girlfriends that the representations of Black women in TV are simply a reoccurring cycle of stereotypes, merely modernized. And while I feel as though reality shows with characters like those seen on Flavor of Love, Real Chance of Love, and College Hill are far from role models and most are inaccurate REPRESENTations of my reality, there are aspects of these characters that I can RELATE to. Some of their actions, behaviors, and outbursts are features that many viewers identify with. Whether it is reacting to gossip, responding to some other form of confrontation, or recognizing commonality in struggle, circumstance, or background, I believe that it is possible and plausible to identify with some of the responses and behaviors displayed by reality TV characters. Conversely, just as I can find characteristics that are identifiable, I think it is just as important to recognize the extreme exploitation or portrayal of negative stereotypes, prompting RESISTance. Boylorn demonstrates one form resistance by responding with an autoethnography. But the most important factor of resistance is having the ability to recognize the reinforcement of the extreme. This equips Black and White views with agency, while simultaneously eliminating the “danger that is the inability to distinguish between reality and fiction on the television screen.” With this in mind, I pose these questions:
1. Can you identify with or relate to characters or characteristics displayed on reality TV?
2. Are you embarrassed or ashamed because of this commonality?
3. Do you think by relating to or identifying with these characteristics, we are perpetuating the negative stereotypes that are placed on Black women?