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March 17, 2006
Ice Cube's "Black.White." Second Episode
(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:
I’m definitely digging the concept of this show, but at the same time, I’m not really digging the people on the show. After one minute of observing Carmen, it’s obvious that she is oblivious to the world and honestly, it seems like Renee could be just as close-minded at times. Hopefully, this experience (and editing) will change soon. Maybe more on this in the next blog.
There was definitely a part that got me thinking, where Rose said something to the extent of, “It’s like if you’re not black, then you’re not accepted by them.” Is that a generalization or a statement? Regardless, I don’t necessarily agree with that. I’ve lived in New York, Carolina and Virginia and the black people I meet show me nothing but love and respect, which I show right back.
Check it out. Several months ago, I went to this Hip-Hop show in Virginia and made friends with some of the local talent and promoters there, all of which were black. We trade contact information. A week or so later, they called me to see if I wanted to chill. I caught up with them, we listened to a bunch of records and they introduced me to a bunch of people. We all joked around and everything was cool. I wasn’t alienated and the color of my skin was not an issue. I was accepted for me and the way I see it, I have some more friends in the dirty, dirty.
So maybe now you can understand why I call a bit of bullshit on Rose’s statement.
Continue reading "Ice Cube's "Black.White." Second Episode"
Posted on March 17, 2006 10:48 AM
March 23, 2006
Ice Cube's "Black. White." Episode 3
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?
Continue reading "Ice Cube's "Black. White." Episode 3"
Posted on March 23, 2006 11:02 AM
March 30, 2006
Ice Cube's "Black. White." Episode 4
Bear:
I'll admit, the concept of learning about another culture through changing skin color is appealing, but the execution is far from perfect. It seems like Bruno, Carmen, Rose and Nick are learning some aspects of black culture, while Renee and Brian really haven't done shit in the white makeup. So the name of this show is Black. White. ? I guess the name "White People & Nick Learn About Black Culture" was already copyrighted by someone else.
I'm not hatin' on Renee and Brian by a longshot. In fact, they're concentrating on educating their son about race and that's cool. But some things I have to wonder about, like Brian - does he still work at that bar or did he quit? And did Renee think all white people are ignorant, because she’s coming off that way. Like I said, I think they're cool, but honestly, what the fuck are they getting out of this experience?
And what the fuck is up with Bruno, Carmen and Rose? The way they speak to one another seems unnatural. It's like they talk about their emotions as if they are robots pronouncing words in a dictionary. Most white families don't speak to each other as if they are reading a Shakespearian play, but this white family is fuckin' weird. The shit smells fishy.
Anyways, I wanna talk about the etiquette class. I don't have a problem with rich kids, but I have a problem with snobs and when I saw those two rich white boys make fun of Nick and disrespect him, I was hoping Nick was gonna go UFC on their asses. I've had my run-in with them snobs who think they are better than everyone else, but when they talked shit to me, I shut them up real quick. They disrespected Nick, and those two should be thankful Nick didn't kick the shit out of them.
Continue reading "Ice Cube's "Black. White." Episode 4"
Posted on March 30, 2006 10:53 AM
April 6, 2006
"Black. White." Episode 5: White People Like To Touch Hair, Can Jungle Fever Be Real Love?
Bear:
"Black. White." is not the best show in television by far, but last night’s episode was somewhat entertaining. After watching the first ten minutes, I came to a realization: all white people like to touch people’s hair. I’m gonna be real. When I saw Carmen in the beauty salon touching a lady’s hair, Renee said to the camera something along the lines of, “Who touches people’s hair?” All I can say are hairdressers and white people. I really haven’t seen a black person touch another’s hair, but us white people, for some peculiar reason, we love it. White girls love feeling my spikey hair and I mess around with their hair when I wanna get under their skin. I guess it’s a white thing … it’s really funny when I think about it.
Now did anyone else hear Bruno refer to himself as “Black Bruno?” Is this an early sign of him having Split Personalities? For weeks, it has appeared that Brian is on a crusade to prove to Bruno that white people are racist. There was a segment where Brian and Bruno (in his black makeup) were asking white people to help with their “car” troubles and most didn’t seem to have a problem helping out. Maybe it’s because of the camera presence, maybe not. But I found it interesting when Brian said and I quote, “I’m frustrated because every time I take Bruno out in his black make-up, I’m striking out.” Well Brian, not all white people are out to get you. Words of advice: either abandon your mission or bring Bruno somewhere other than a supermarket parking lot.
For weeks, I’ve been disappointed with Renee for not trying to learn about “White America.” It’s like she had a chip on her shoulder, so I was surprised when she wore the white makeup. I didn’t blame her for peeling out at the Bible Study and the Knitting thing, but when she met that lady (Debbie) at the Scrapbook Class, I was finally happy because she saw that there are open-minded white people who aren’t oblivious to the world. Regardless of what you think, not all white people are close-minded and ignorant. Anyone who thinks otherwise is an idiot.
So Rose has a crush on Devon? Well well well … if Rose plays her cards right, maybe Bruno and Carmen will experience a new side of black and white.
Posted on April 6, 2006 10:10 AM
April 13, 2006
"Black. White." Final Episode: A Nigga Moment of Clarity
Ron Mexico:
Young Jeezy over there had what I like to call A Nigga Moment… Of Clarity. It’s a shame that it took Brian and Renee until the last day of their 5 week experiment to take their son to see something interesting and educational pertaining to the struggle of his people. Obviously Nick’s Bruno-like imperviousness to the concept of racism could come from a lack of education on the matter.
What better way to complete the undoing of his miseducation than to bring in a brother capable of delivering a UPN intervention speech? I’m glad homie was able to reach young Nicholas, but a plan like that can backfire horribly.
I remember the last time someone tried to sit me down and feed me some hokey shit like that. When I was in high school, one of my mom’s newly-legit, fresh out-of-the-bing buddies from the projects came by to remind me that I’ve “truly been blessed, young brother.” I felt pretty weird about having compliments heaped upon me for doing something as simple as finishing high school on time and applying to college. I resented how low his expectations were of our generation of young men and women until I began to recount all of the kids I’d went to grade school with. Certainly half of the kids I thought of that day are either incarcerated or well on their way. I’m definitely one of the few without any children… and I think I might be the only one to have graduated college.
As fucked up as it was, I’ve begun to concede. Maybe I AM one lucky motherfucker. As fucked up as the odds are, I’ve beaten them to date, and I recognize it’s not always so easy for a brother. Nick’s definitely gotten some jewels that I hope he takes with him for the rest of his days. There’s no telling what some of my peers would give to have had a chance like that.
Continue reading ""Black. White." Final Episode: A Nigga Moment of Clarity"
Posted on April 13, 2006 11:04 AM