Black.White.

[zacandmax]

It's coming on now. A reality show about two families, one white, one black who will trade races and live together and learn how the other race is treated. I am curious about how this show will turn out and what message they will try to portray. I hope it will be a positive message. Has anyone else heard about the show and is anyone planning to watch?

[berrybearie]

I don't have cable so I won't see it, but I did hear the two fathers and one of the show's producers interviewed briefly today on NPR. Sounds like the dads butt heads -- like they couldn't agree about anything. The USAToday reviewer said it had some good moments, but it's too contrived and simplistic, IIRC.

[jilly]

I saw the families on Tyra. (I never watch that show!) The white father, even when made up to be black said he never experienced racism. He made it sound like it was a confidence thing as to how a person is treated. The black father seemed pretty angry with him. The moms got along better but I guess there were fireworks between them during the show.

I'm going to watch it tonight.

[zacandmax]

Ok, I watched, and already I'm pissed off at both parents. As usual, the kids are the only ones who seemed to be open minded enough to handle it. The white parents are trying too hard, really expecting open, in your face rasicm, while the black parents are extra sensitive.

The kids are the only ones that are cool.

[Deleted]

Too simplistic and contrived for me.

[redpanda]

The makeup is horrible. They should have at least given Carmen a better wig. Why not one of
these? The only one that made a pretty good change was Rose. I agree with InnocentOne.

[Deleted]

I tivo'ed this and finally watched it last night. Ugh. I absolutely hate the white dad at this point. He's so freaking annoying. I hate how he keeps acting like if he just walks everywhere "with confidence" people won't bother him. Sure buddy, that's a great idea. If only generations of black people were as smart as you (rolls eyes). I especially loved how he was like "I get great service!" Um, no. They're totally sizing you up.

I'm white but I get that same faux sincerity when I walk into an electronics store or a really expensive store. They're like "Um, can I help you?" and they really mean "I don't think I can, so could you please leave? As quickly as possible?" He's so stupid to realize the subtle differences of behavior from someone who really wants to help you and someone who would really wish you'd leave their store. And I'm getting so tired of him saying the N word. Soooo tired.

I'm loving the white daughter though and I felt horrible for the black dad when he was working at the bar and that guy just went on and on about how safe and white the neighborhood was. Ouch. That was really hard to watch.

[zacandmax]

The White Dad is really annoying. I do believe he's sincere, but I don't think he realizes that he's being racist by telling the Black Dad how to act when confronted with racisim.

Just seems like the Black folks are out to prove that racism is only given to Blacks, while the White folks are out to prove that it only exist in Black folks' minds. I can see myself getting really angry at some point, and I also don't thing the show should simply be dismissed as contrived or simple. The premise of the show may be a little put on and contrived, (aren't most reality shows?) but the issues it deals with are very complex and confrontational. It should cause most people, Black and White to examine themselves.

[Deleted]

I agree zacandmax. I thought it was actually a pretty good show. Contrived? Well, yeah, the situations (focus groups, etiquette classes, etc.) had to be arranged ahead of time in order to be taped for a show. I don't know - that's not really a drawback for me, I guess. I thought it was pretty interesting. I'll watch it again.

I like that they chose families wherein the dads are pretty stereotypical. The white dad refuses to believe racism exists - as he displays his own racist beliefs! The black dad has the cliched chip on his shoulder about white America. It'll be interesting to see if any actual changes occur among them. I doubt it so far.

[redpanda]

I like the daughter, she is more open minded and willing to try new things. Why did they send the son to étiquette class? The only other guy there was also bored. He was rude to Rose in the van on the way back. I just can not get over the moms afro. Why were they thinking?