TALKIN' VIDEOS
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Ice Cube's "Black. White." Episode 3
Posted on March 23, 2006 11:02 AM
Every week Talkin' Videos will provide a reaction to Ice's Cube's "Black. White." reality series where two families swap races to see how the other half lives. Ron Mexico will blog from the Black view, and guest blogger Bear will represent the White side of things. Let us know what you think in the comment section below.
Bear on the White side:
After seeing the third episode of Black.White, I can admit that things have become interesting and this week. I believe Carmen and Bruno truly stood out. Note - while I think Carmen is socially oblivious (not to be confused with close-minded), in this episode that tide has turned and I believe she has really begun to become aware of her surroundings.
I'm gonna focus on the Country Western Bar scene. Now I don't know how to line dance and I've never been to one of them Country Western Bars. There's nothing wrong with them, it's just not my cup of tea. I'm not sure how many people picked up on this, but I noticed the rebel flag hanging on the walls.
As a proud Yankee, I don't dig the "stars and bars." Some people say the flag is racist, some say it's about pride … whatever. Either way, I wasn't surprised when everyone at the bar watched every move Carmen and Bruno made. And I wasn’t shocked when Carmen became emotional, again. I do find it peculiar that while Bruno said he was having a great time and playing pool, the camera really didn't show him playing pool or talking to anyone. It seems like the camera tells a totally different story.
I will give Carmen her props. Though I find her annoying, I'll admit she is taking full advantage of the situation she was placed in. She wasn't really getting much guidance from Renee, so she sought out the help of someone else (was Deenna her name?) and kept putting herself out there. I can't hate on that (and if she didn't do that, this episode would have sucked).
As I finish this entry, here are some last questions I have in my head. Would Carmen sound better if the TV was on mute? Can someone tell me where the hell Nick is working, because that guy seems to be rolling in the dough. Will Bruno use a Mach 3 on his chest - he's got some thick ass chest hair. And Does Michael Stipe play the role of the Photo Professor?
Ron on the Black view:
The funny thing about Nick… Nick suffers from an genocidal epidemic of Small Pox proportions known as ANS. Advanced Nigga Syndrome. We lose more black people to that shit than any socially-marginalized disease, natural disaster, or police department I can think of. I can’t even laugh. I used to be Nick.
I remember when I was 16… well… maybe a little younger than that. More like 14, I guess. I couldn’t wait to cash my damn Summer Youth Employment Program check. Now, at the time minimum wage was $4.25… so I was pulling down like $96 dollars after about 3 weeks of slave labor.
Anyway… what’s the first thing I did after I held that little piece of Jr. Welfare in my young banana peelers? I took my sharecroppin’ ass directly to the check cashing spot. I did not pass “GO.” I did not collect $200. In fact, I dropped like $4 right there, and headed straight to 125th Street. I didn’t get a $150 watch like my man did. I came away with a $20 fake Tag Heuer watch, a $20 Tommy Realnigga polo and a Sony Walkman. While I did kinda understand the value of a dollar, and I did kinda flip that shit quite economically… The point is, I was stuntin’ hard.
Stuntin’ kills. This is a primary factor in the inability of black people to amass wealth. We have a great chip on our shoulder whereas we intrinsically have something to prove. Interestingly enough, we only parade this way in front of other poor ass black people trying to put on their Sunday best as well. I call this phenomenon “Keeping Up With The Jacksons.”
Funny shit is… The Jackson family’s all fucked up. Check ‘em out someday.
Comments
This shows fuckin lame !!
I yawn on this show everytime I see it.
My question is how in the hell is this lil nigga holding anything more than a 20 in his wallet. He's not in school, doesn't have a job, nor does he look like he wants to do anything. His parents should have a foot in his ass not about the damn watch, but more so about getting kicked out of school for "allegedly" holding a knife for his triad card holding asian best friend.
He wouldn't have shit. No door on his bedroom, no sheets on the bed,1 pair of drawls,wrangler jeans,a plain white t-shirt and a fresh pair of Roos for his kicks until he got his shit together. Fuck being on a show about race relations they need to worry about the relationship or lack there of with their son.
Honestly, I like this show but I thought it was one of the worst ones. Finally an episode where the "White Family" sees things in a black eye, and then how quickly it fades. I think the whole second half of the show where they go to that Urban Community just messed up everything. I'm sure the lady Deena had good intensions but she just showed Bruno exactly what he expected. Instead of her showing blacks in another light she made them seem so radically racist.
Did anyone find it suiting how in that setting Bruno noticed the eyes and negative vibe, but he didn't noticed it in the Redneck bar, when it was just as visual if not more? Also did anyone notice how Carmen wanted to ask the Black people questions and claim to want to know why people were acting rude towards her in the black community, but she didn't have that type of additude in the Bar? Black or white no street vendor is going to want to see or hear anything you have to say after you had them wrap up some goods and then say you don't want it.
Oh, and I can't forget to comment on the black folks. I thought the father made a great statement of how him and his wife were so focus on Bruno that he should have been focusing on his son, But how the hell did we get to three shows and just find out that the son was a Dumba$$. I just don't understand how they can have a son thats not in school, or just so clueless, I admit that most niggas that age don't care, but they aint airheads like him.
The show is sort of lame....but i still watched it none the less the white hoe was too damn emotional and i argee that she did the typical white person move that is going up to a black person and ask'em a whole bunch of questions that you already know the answer for. That black kid is really an idiot and I could care less if bought the watch or stole it. It was point blank his "hood" mentality to get get bling up to show off to other broke idiots. I know the show was hiding some scenes because I didn't see how they actually had a vibe at the bar. Lastly im sure if someone was following me with a camera others might tend to look at me too even with all the make in the world you can't hide the fact that it still looks unnatural or wierd.
The show is sort of lame....but i still watched it none the less the white hoe was too damn emotional and i argee that she did the typical white person move that is going up to a black person and ask'em a whole bunch of questions that you already know the answer for. That black kid is really an idiot and I could care less if bought the watch or stole it. It was point blank his "hood" mentality to get get bling up to show off to other broke idiots. I know the show was hiding some scenes because I didn't see how they actually had a vibe at the bar. Lastly im sure if someone was following me with a camera others might tend to look at me too even with all the make in the world you can't hide the fact that it still looks unnatural or wierd.
i think the show is the shit and that the parents should have let him keep the watch cause it was his money not theres. I also think the lil nigga with the iced out watch has a crush on the white girl. I saw the way he was lookin at her and he wants a piece of that ass.
I agree wit everybody. The lil nigga is a dumb ass, maybe ignorant is more appropriate. How the hell he gonna say he ain't never paid no attention to if he was gettin discriminated on. Shid, I noticed that a long time ago, probably around middle school. Maybe if he had some black friends he wouldn't be so oblivious to shit like that... or be his asain "best friend's" dummy. I wonder if the asain kid every fessed up to the shit and got kicked out too, or is he sittin in class thinkin "damn, I lost my scapegoat".
Yeah, the son is not all the way there. The mother tries to act all tuff, but if she was really lke that I don't think dude would be like that. It doesn't seem like he's that dude's real son. Maybe they're acting like parent for t.v.. Somethin' just doesn't seem right about them. (btw: My homie sells those watches and his cost is $10.00)
The white dude is your typical "I'm not racist, I have black friends" type of dude. He hates niggas because he thinks they stop him from playing pro ball, but he probably wasn't good enough. He felt no racism at a racist (see dixie flag) establishment than at a cultural center. And for those of you who say the flag isn't racist, remembr thats california not down south. Being from Cali my exprience is that if you see that flag you know it's deliberate racism. Th only reason they didn't get bounced out of there is because of the cameras. I also am very familiar with Leimert Park. I usd to live two blocks from there. It's a very significant place in L.A. I think what happened with the whites is that Niggas can see through the scam. that white dude looks totally weird. He doesn't even look black. Or he looks like a tom. either way people over there don't trust just anybody because of all the gentrification and all that going on over there. Then when white people do stupid shit like cancel orders and ask "why all the bad vibes, is it bcaus im with a black man? " What do they expect?
plus you know bad vibes beget bad vibes and bruno came over there as an asshole and those people over there don't kiss ass,so. And those people marching werent racist. There are just a lot of Black Power groups over there and that was a special event. They didn't even show the Moors or Black Israelites, who preach there every sunday. They also didn't show that that guy Oran Z owns a radio station and art gallery.He's also the inventor of the wonder weave...
I'm getting all off track it was good to see home on the tele.
Back to subject. I thinkthe son is an idiot. The "he was asian" comment had me bustin up.
The white dude is the worse kind of racist: the one's who wont admit it. He's an asshole,too
The white lady is another bad kind of racist: she doesn't realize everybody aint white.
the black mom is annoying.
The black dad is the only one besides the white daughter who's really epitomizing what the show is about: seeing through someone sles eyes.
I like this show and I hope when Bruno watches himself on television, he realizes how ignorant he is. I like Deanna, she seems pretty enlightened and open-minded. She is fairly patient with Carmen, and I was wondering why she wasn't fawning over the Madame C.J. Walker Hair care products as well. I would have questioned her as well.
I could not figure out Bruno's reaction when Renee said," WHAT JOB DO YOU HAVE, NEGRO?!" Now, if you have ever had a parent call you a Negro, you know they are seriously calling you ignorant, but to a foreign (Bruno-esk) ear, you could take it in many different ways. I was hoping to hear the views of this in the re-caps given.
Even though it was his money (and the Father explained it better than Renee), his parents are trying to teach him that whenever he gets a bit of money to actually use it on something important. They need to at least home-school his ass though.
HDB, you might be on to something? it does seem weird about the dad and son, but you know alot of times real fathers or even step-fathers are not that close to there sons for some reason, but In that putt-putt setting it does seem like they might have just started to bond together.
But in general black fathers that are legit parents or people, don't like to look foolish on camera so you know hes on top of his game even more than his family.
It seems like they cut to much of the behind the scene of the story out. I know its a reality show, but I thought there point was to not be so much pitty drama. Carmen gets to much crying time it seems like.
On another note, Do alot of ya'll that are making comments have alot of freinds or co-workers that watch the show as well, black or white. I don't know to many people who watch it, I hear alot of oh I heard about that show and so the commerical from white people, and alot of blacks are like that show is dumb, or say "I don't need to watch that show to learn" or they complain about it, saying its dumb or that it aint going to solve anything. And that comment usually come from Blackswith College degrees.
this is a good show i like it and im glate tath white mom got to experience racsism that white dad and black son need to open thier eyes im black i dont get why the black creature comment was so bad i understad why the black family thought it was bad but i dont think she meant it like that.
I know Carmen didn't mean anything by the "magnificent black creature" comment. However, the problem a black person would have with that (which neither Brian nor Nick could articulate) is the dehumanization involved.
Why can't I be a magnificent PERSON? My magnificence in the form of a black creature is dehumanizing, even if unintentional. Coming from a white person, it's not very easy to take.
That kind of dehumanization is a tactic that has been used on black people since we were first dragged over here. It's a powerful one that we are a little more aware and openly defiant of today. It's one of a great many facest of the black/white social dynamic that Carmen should be aware of as well.
Ron, I understand how that can be dehumanizing, but at the same time. I have heard many many females called beautiful creatures. Yes if you call me a black creature I will look at it as strange. But , I wouldn't get offended by it. I think as blacks we also need to be more aware of other cultures and dialects.
I know black Americans who cannot stand black Africans and vice versa.
Dat young boi is the Archetype of African American men between the ages of 17-25. Please dont criticize him for emulating what he sees. Its obvious he is very feeble-minded and easily manipulated...the watch incident was for the sole purpose of impressing the lil caucasian female..a girl wit game could run circles around tha boi. Childish behavior to say in the least.
Damn bitch boy killa learn how to spell stop making the niggas look bad
I did see the commercials for the show, but when I went to visit my
Father out of state, he is the one who had me sit down and watch it. I always thought it looked interesting, but I don't think they really look like the race they are suppose to be. Rose looks the best in my opinion, but her parents just look like something is up with them.
I think him and I find the show so interesting is because I am biracial and he is in an interracial relationship, so racism from both sides is an everyday thing. I just don't understand why Bruno just doesn't get it. My sister saw the family on an episode of Oprah, and she said it still seems like Bruno is completely lost. I actually kind of feel sorry for him in a way. If he is so unobservant in life when it comes to this, think of everything else he is missing.
that little white bitch is okay for a black girl...if that makes sense..yall kno what i mean dammit
Bruno is the most ignorant, close-minded, white man I ever seen. I say "white" man, because of his mentality. He puts up a block, like everythings all good. If I could just holla at dude and try and lay this shit down. The only time he noticed racism is when they were in a black community, because thats the only time he wanted to see any racism.
The "beautiful black creature" shit wasn't cool... at all! When she said that shit, I cringed at home while watching it. I was like, "Hold up! Is this bitch for real!?" You can't say something ugly, then call it beautiful, that's just a mockery. In the episode before this one, the whole slam poetry class up-and-left! I would do the same, because I don't like to show white people my anger, it just shows them the "angry nigga" role. Calling something (like an entire ethnicity) a creature is like treating you as less than human.
I ain't bias, the black people aren't perfect either. The son is in a "I need to impress this white girl, buying a watch like it ain't nothing. Balling out daily" mode. I agree, I have bought things just so people would think I ball, but that was to hide that I really was broke. It's like if you give nigga's money, they want to buy senseless crap that will devalue. That girl Rose was right, he's the product of every stereotype. I talk with ebonics too, but in the presence of white people, I try to act right, instead of holding my head down and slouching.
The only person on this show who's got their head right is Rose. You can tell she is sincere, even when she told her own mother that saying "beautiful black creature" might of come across the wrong way. This girl could be a leading example of what everyone on this show needs to be. It's crazy how a man like her father could even raise a daughter to be as good a person as she is.
the white girl and the white dad are actors and you can look them up on imdb.com
i assume the others are actors as well
At first I was like: "Where the fuck is Blackswith College?!"
"The only time he noticed racism is when they were in a black community, because thats the only time he wanted to see any racism."
Amen, Amar!
What is the link to the Rose website on Disney? I have a class that I will like to show that to.
Oh, and I think that it was kind of silly for the black lady that guided Carmen to tell her that she knew she was white because she said that she had not read a bible in 10 years. I mean I am a black lady and I have not read a bible in a minute myself (minute being since the last time I went to church, which was last year). But, I think I would just say I have not been to church in a while, but I believe in God and I pray.
Oh yeah in response to Da Architect's comment, I am in college and I know a lot of people that watch the show. Most of them are from my African American Studies and American Studies courses. I wouldn't talk about it in my Business courses though. But, I think people are watching it because we are reality TV show junkies. We are always watching the latest shows when not studying. Also, I go to U. of MD so it is a very liberal school.
I found Bruno on imdb.com, but I couldn't find Rose. Bruno played lots of crappy bit parts and went on Oprah with the rest of the cast.
Oprah may have another James Frey to deal with.
Tawwsha - I think the problem wasn't that Carmen HADN'T read the Bible in 10 years. She's saying not very many black women would ADMIT that.
We LOVE the religion the slave masters gave us to make us behave.
Nena - Oprah MADE James Frey, so that's why she felt compelled to shut him down. I don't think being an actor by profession takes much away from the experiment. They're still a white family, right?
Brian seems extremely familar as well. He also strikes me as an actor, or at least I feel he could have been one if he wanted to.
Dear Ron on the Black view:
I'm so sick of everyone worrying about what black people are doing with thier money...as if we don't have the right to own anything nice! Ron...you are a fucking idiot!
How many times did Bruno say "nigga" on dat shit??? I wonder why all of a sudden non-black ppl feel its o.k. to say nigga all of a sudden??? I don't give a fuck if its in music, on tv, or whatever. I hate dat shit with a passion. If anyone where to come around my way poppin dat shit and you ain't black, you go be a sorry motherfucked dat day. Bruno watch out you fucking pussyhole...
Ron- your right, Oprah did make him, so she would have no reason to shut down Bruno, but it makes you wonder if any of his reactions or over or under acting?
SadDamnYouAll- Ron will correct me if I am wrong, but Black people can own all the nice things they want, the problem is that in Nick's case, he used all of his money on a watch. He has no job, no education and as soon as he got $150, he spends it all. If he had a job, a place to wear it to and would get money like that all the time, then no big deal, but Renee said he already had a watch and was only buying it for show (no pun intended). I doubt anyone, but his parents cared what he did with his money, but those are the people who should be caring. Bruno looked at the watch and didn't even have the same questions as Renee did. This is what I took from it.
Nick's situation....hilarious!
Let's see, the Sparks appeared to be such a strong well put together family, that it is laughable that they have lost the grip on their child ... oh where did they go wrong!? I guess dad was too busy worrying about who's been trying to discriminate against him.
Two families each with one child and all are clueless as to what's going on with their children ... what's up with that? You'd think with having only one child, someone should know what's crackin' ... they could've done a better job.
I don't think they belong on the show. They have more pressing concerns than race relations, their son's education and future being the biggest. And I find this to be hilarious because I have a aunt and uncle who are just like them, and their daughter is just as dumb as Nick ... if not moreso... get your heads out your butt and catch a hold of your child, before your child catches a hold of you
Nick really does personify the black stereotype: uneducated, unaware,inarticulate and caught up in the 'gangsta rap lifestyle'...wow.
Nick has all that money because they are obviously paying him on the show. He's doing what any teenager would do, hit the mall up. No one seems to have noticed that he's rockin' designer clothes every episode (Ecko fan). Second, the families are obvioulsy not "real" families and are actors posing as families. This was obvious when his "parents" jumped his ish for buying a $120 watch. Now I had strict parents and I can tell you that as long as I got the watch honestly and the money honestly my parents wouldn't care that I bought a watch; Gold teeth we might have a problem but a watch, no big deal.
I also have to disagree with you Ron, the primary factor that contributes to the inability of blacks to amass wealth is racism not black spending habits. No one can amass wealth working a job. White people have something that we lacked called "inherited" wealth. Our ancestors were slaves so there was and is nothing for us to inherit. I remember working retail when I was younger, I used to think that the white people who worked alongside me were in the same predicament I was in....LOL!!! Until I start hearing them talk about the credit card that daddy gave them or the house they got as a wedding present. That's what Jim Crow was all about, making the odds uneven and getting rich in the process.
Painting your face black does not change your brain funtions! Bruno is WHITE at the country dance, he forgets he painted and behaves as if he is "one of them." No fear - no uncomfortable feeling. But the fear and discomfort sure did hit him in the Black community - even in black face! This man is not even trying to get it.
My one hope is that this show gets to a major television station quickly and is shown three times per week (like Idol)for the next five years. Americans have to "live it" to "get it" sometimes. That takes longer than 6 weeks for people who have been "trained" in a blindfolded, separated, racist society for over 20 years! America needs to see many colors and many cultures in shows like this. Keep the show going AND get the conversations going! I am a Social Studies teacher. I have attempted to talk to colleagues about the show....not one has ever seen it.
"I am a Social Studies teacher. I have attempted to talk to colleagues about the show....not one has ever seen it."
Uh, don't kid yourself...they've seen it. They just don't want to talk about it. They said the same shit when Roots was on T.V.!!! BUSTED!!!
NO, worse. People don't even tune in -they aren't watching. They aren't discussing - not teachers, not staff, not even kids! Is it available in DVD? Where? RERUNS? When?
We as blacks are watching this show expecting what? There is no reason to attempt to empower ourselves with a show that discusses something we already know exists.
C'mon now, when Rodney King was beat up, blacks didn't see it and say "Wow, I can't believe that happened".
Blacks heard about Rodney King and said, "Wow, they finally got proof that it happens".
And even with cameras and televised beatings, there was doubt that Rodney King was beat down.
My only point is this... racism exists, we know this. Blacks as a race have a harder time, we know this... DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT...
Maybe you can't change the world, but you can do SOMETHING... I'm not going to pass down hatred and anger to my child...
Now don't get me wrong, I FEEL HATRED AND ANGER... I FEEL IT OFTEN....
But what will it give my child except for HATRED AND ANGER.
My parents were not born rich, I am not rich... but I own my own home in California and my daughter will go to college. That will make a difference right there.
The show “Black and White” has a lotta loopholes... I mean, the black parents are so concerned about their son, yet if they were that concerned in real life, he'd be in school. You don’t have a child and start raising him when he’s 16 years old… something isn’t right.
The show is serving a purpose, AWARENESS... awareness of ignorance and racism.
There are times that black folks do things that embarrass me, now Bruno can be on national TV and do things that will embarrass his race... ignorance is embarrassing...
Just don't forget, he doesn't represent the entire white race, just a large portion of them.
I also get tired of hearing... don't talk correct, slouch and cut off your words... that’s how blacks talk...
No it’s not!!!! That’s how people talk that use slang… and white kids and adults use it too!
I don't talk white, I talk intelligent... lets not give the white race credit for all intelligent talking blacks by saying that we talk white.... we talk intelligent and like intelligent black people.
I could say so much more... but my fingers are getting tired and there are still a few more episodes.
While I a not foolish enough to think racism does not exist. I think this show makes white people look like a bunch of bumbling idiots. The white people on this show do not reflect me or how I feel.
I live in a mixed area, now I know this may be rare in most of the country, but most of my friends are black and they accept me being white.
Please dont be offended though, I just feel this show paints white males in a negative light.
what happened to the show??? was it cancelled? why was it off the air so abruptly
mi neva see the show but all a who a this ice cube the don mega go and suck your mother and fuck your sister.
The show was great!!! it realy showed reality and if you guys cant see that than u are positively blind.
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