Ah, a nostalgic look at America, circa 1956.

Scott, perhaps you're not aware of it, but you actually perpetuate many of the mistakes you see Carmen and Bruno make in this show.

This isn't a criticism, merely an observation.

For example: in your article about the blogger caught plagiarising, you bring up "black journalist Jayson Blair" and follow that up with "conservative white blogger Ben..."

Race had nothing to do with that situation. Yet, you brought that into play. The simple fact is, both men were caught stealing and both were censured for doing so.

Another example: instead of saying "the white couple/mom/dad/family" or the "black couple/mom/dad/family" every time you mention them, couldn't you just say at the beginning of each article "white family: Carmen, Bruno, and Rose" and "black family: Renee, Brian, and Nick", and then make the reader remember the people not by their skin color, but by their actions?

Again, not criticism, merely observation.

Hi Joanie. Interesting observation but I have to disagree.
I debated whether to mention Blair's race but since he - and his editors - cited his race as a reason why he was not busted earlier I thought it important to mention it.

I've been trying to figure out an easier way to explain which character in the show is which - i'll try next time the other way, as you suggest.

It gets confusing when you're talking about, say, the white father who is black during the acting of a scene.

But I take your point and it's a valid criticism.

do you think though, that if the black family in their white makeup was to go to a club or something where everyone else was black and white people never go into, thet they wouldn't get the same stares. This show is one sided. It shows racism against blacks but doesn't flip the tables. I'm not saying racism isn't worse for blacks, but it isn't like whites have this free go anywhere do anything pass either.

Yes, the whites would get weird looks too because they would be out of place.

John, you do raise a good point - it doesn't seem to be exploring whether the black family is also prejudiced in any way.

I'm watching the latest show tonight and will get a review up by tomorrow.

Rose's involvement in the all black poetry group is of course meant to explore the white person in all black experience, but my guess is the biggest reason that the show isn't going out of it's way to show "black on white racism" is just simple demographic percentages. As of 2002 census, Blacks represent less than 13% of the U.S. population. With 80% of the U.S. population being white, they're simply focusing on the black experience in a primarily white environment.

While the show does highlight some obvious stereotypes that feel staged, I think overall it is not that far off base. Some people experience racism first hand, some see it where there was no intent, some are openly racist only when with "like kind", some are stubbornly oblivious to it in all forms, and some try to sympathize with miniorities so badly it's embarrassingly racist. I think most white people are unconsciously oblivious to it, and the remainder are simply left wondering what can we do in our own lives to help, given all the mixed signals.

ian

This show is terrible. It makes all white men look racist. I am a white male and i am offended by this show. Bruno is not every white man, but some people will watch this show and go see all white people think alike.

This show is an embarrassment. Its all about white people looking through black eyes, and this show was supposed to be a two way street.

But hey if you want a show that makes white people look like a bunch of out of touch idiots, then you have come to the write place.

Interesting how my perception of the episode is so different from Mr. Butki's.

For instance, In the "white" bar, I thought Bruno and Carmen (in make-up) were treated reasonably despite Carmen, who seemed intent on provoking hostility.

Contrasting that with the African-American street gathering that sent Carmen (without make-up) into a hysterical sobbing fit because of the racial hostility she felt, it seemed, to me, that the more egregious racism was on the blacks.

For an instant, I thought Carmen was about to "see the light", until she angrily threatened to return by herself to confront them and perhaps force them to accept her.

Bruno seems to be the only one who gets it. Carmen is an obvious white guilt liberal basket case. Nick's parents are vehement racists, hell bent on encumbering Nick with their poison.

Although I empathize with Bruno. Nick is who I feel for the most. His parents are far too domineering and critical.

Consider the watch incident. It was HIS money. If he want's to throw away $150 on a bad choice, it should be his decision. That's how you learn. If instead, your parents embarrasingly force you to return it, because they see it as re-inforcing some stereotype that *they* are uncomfortable with, then it wasn't ever really *your* money to begin with.

Anyway, I think it's an interesting show. But I think it's going to be hard for the producers to shoe-horn their obviously pre-conceived bias of rampant white racism and abundant black victimhood into the series. I'm sure they'll do their liberal best, but it is a "reality" show.