First off, one of my predictions (albeit based on just what I read online) was WAY off as one of my top two picks was the first to get the axe (Rob). Overall, I'm sticking to my predictions though.
The topic of this particular rant is that the show seems to be headed for another racsim controversy.
It seems to me that the producers were so happy with the buzz generated during last season's accusations by Omarosa of racism, that they've put in another ringer. This season they've included yet another apparently wacky black woman: Stacie J.
I say "apparently" because who knows how far off from reality her TV personality really is when subjected to the magic of the editing room. That being said, I do believe that Omarosa had a massive chip on her shoulder. I don't see that in Stacie J., however it certainly seems like the show is laying the groundwork for an episode similar to last season.
At one point during the season premiere episode she seemed to go slightly off her rocker... kind of like someone who's had a bit to drink at a party, or someone who is trying to cheer up a bunch of people and doesn't know when to stop. She was really annoying to everyone, therefore she becomes a target, and mark my words that the race issue will come up before it's all said and done.
Why did the producers of the show apparently go out of their way to find yet another black woman to play the role of "unstable woman"? In my mind that is nothing more than race-baiting of the worst kind: NBC wants the audience to play into that game and it is bound to cause divisiveness.
I'm absolutely sure that they had hundreds of applications from qualified, strong, intelligent black women. I'm not saying that those descriptions don't apply to Stacie J., but she does have an edge about her and that was probably a big factor in selecting her.
Shame on you guys for going down this path on purpose.
Again.
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Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Ryan Eanes
I was wondering the same thing. Stacie seems more than a little mentally unstable.
2 - Mac Diva
You are basically calling for racial, and possibly, sexual, discrimination. Whether the woman has "an edge," or has "a chip on her shoulder," or is a "wacky black woman," are subjective conclusions. They reveal your bias. If the contestant fit the objective criteria for the program, then she was fairly selected. To exclude her would be discrimination. As for your silly effort to try to rationalize your bias by claiming that there are black women who would somehow get past it, spare us. Why should they have to? The problem is with the person holding the bias, not those he imposes it on. Considering your pattern, I suspect you will continue to pick on this person of color, but I doubt she has done anything to deserve it.
3 - Vic
I was waiting for you to chime in. Despite what you think, I was extremely annoyed at the fact that they are setting up Sophie J for the same mess as Omarosa.
I just stated that they could have selected some white woman to go all goofy and annoy everyone in the group, and thus be ostracized, as will happen here.
Can't win with you, but then I'm not really trying.
Did you even *watch* the show?
Vic
4 - Evilwhiteguy
"Why did the producers of the show apparently go out of their way to find yet another black woman to play the role of "unstable woman"? In my mind that is nothing more than race-baiting of the worst kind"
I haven't watched any of this crap. But here's MD slinging the racist card again. Even when someone is agreeing with her on race issues, she fails to see it and throws the race card out there. How surprising...
5 - Mac Diva
If applying all those biased -- no, let's be blunt -- racist and sexist claims -- to someone is doing her a favor, I would love to see what insulting her would look like. And, again, it is your subjective opinion. There is no proof Stacie J. has "an edge," or has "a chip on her shoulder," or is a "wacky black woman." Those are all characterizations you applied to her to discredit her. If you really are foolish enough to believe you have said something favorable about her, your bias is seasoned with stupidity. I suspect you are just trying to be sneaky by claiming your attack isn't what it obviously is -- an attack.
Those of us who a familiar with discrimination see pretexts like this so often we find them laughable. '"Colored Person X will not do because (fill in the stereotype). But, it is not that I have anything against Colored Persons. There is one somewhere who would be just fine. Just not this one. Or the one before. Or the one after.' Like I said before, spare us.'
6 - Vic
Again, I ask you: Did you watch the show? If not, how can you possibly comment on the veracity of what I said?
As to your suspicions, go read my response to another of your idiotic posts.
If a white man pulled you from a burning building, I have absolutely NO doubt that you would find some accusatory and or desultory thing to say about him.
You would no doubt accuse him of setting the fire so he could make himself look like he wasn't a racist by rescuing you.
I've never met anyone online with such self-loathing, and I truly pity you.
Vic
7 - Phillip Winn
MD, let us for just a moment consider that NBC might actually have deliberately picked a volatile personality in order to create drama and boost ratings for a popular show. And let us further consider that the volatile personality chosen happens to have dark skin.
This could be a serious issue, if true.
How should someone raise this concern while avoiding the terminology to which you are reacting?
8 - DJ 7
Vic, Don't take it to heart. MD claims
to be of partially African American,Amer
Indian* and Caucasian lineage. The self
loathing observation is right on the F'n
mark. Should you ever choose to 'Google'
her name,page after page will come back
with Diva's ranting and ravings.She has
been laughed out of many sites before &
I have no doubt she'll be here too much
longer,either.
*She has claimed at least two different
tribes of Indian lineage leading me to
believe that both are lies.Yeah Mac Diva
people do read your posts.Only for good
laughs and to watch Shark make sport of
you though I might add.
9 - Mac Diva
LOL! There is no use trying to hide your identity, S. Nobody else justifies their text. They all have better sense than that, at least. [edited]
Vic, it is bigots I loathe. Anyone who knows me will tell you I am very pleased with my achievements. Furthermore, I have no intention of desisting in saying when something is biased. Which, unfortunately, is the case with this entry. [edited] Belittling the woman and then claiming 'the network made me do it' ? How credulous do you expect people to be?
Phillip, there is no evidence that any of the characterizations Vic made of the woman are true. You are accepting them at face value. [edited] Furthermore, it takes time for contestants' personalities to emerge. The contest has just begun. [edited]
10 - Vic
Mac, I wonder if you have the balls to make accusations face to face, in the real world, the way you do so easily in forums such as these. The hubris you display on this site, slinging accusations and attempting (in vain) to hurt the reputations of other members of this community is truly staggering.
You don't know me, my family, my background, or anything of the sort, yet you launch personal attacks post after post, all the while feeling justified and wrapping yourself in self-righteousness.
You sit on high, thinking you're better than everyone else, and that you know better as well. Usually other people have to put one on a pedastal... in your case you've hoisted yourself up their on your own.
Everyone here sees through your B.S., you do realize that don't you?
You are the one who continually makes race an issue, as you did in my Halle Berry post which had nothing whatsoever to do with her ethnic background. So shall we filter what we say in case we offend someone as yourself? We can say anything negative about anyone we like as long as they're not a minority, is that it? You are the racist and that is abundantly clear to most people who frequent this site.
I'm sure you've been to my website, and if your eyes were open you'd see that when I criticize people in Hollywood that make stupid decisions, or actors that say idiotic things, I'm an equal opportunity critic. But you, you see racism where there is none, and I'm sure you see conspiracies everywhere you turn as well.
You are truly offensive as well as delusional and this is my last response to you on any topic. I will no longer be baited, and I will not be dragged into the mud with you.
Vic
11 - Phillip Winn
MD, I'll ask again, and I encourage you to note the hypothetical and qualified nature of my question:
MD, let us for just a moment consider that NBC might actually have deliberately picked a volatile personality in order to create drama and boost ratings for a popular show. And let us further consider that the volatile personality chosen happens to have dark skin.
This could be a serious issue, if true.
How should someone raise this concern while avoiding the terminology to which you are reacting?
12 - Phillip Winn
BTW, MD, if you click on the IP link available with every comment, you'll see that a pattern of identity does suggest itself, but it does not point to Shark.
I don't know if that suggests anything to you about your statements, but it probably should.
13 - Mac Diva
I did not mean, Shark, Phillip. The 'not bright enough to figure out justifying text isn't necessary' giveaway applies to someone else.
I have considered what you said. Though I am not a watcher of reality television (it is actually unrealistic and often silly) I am aware spies have been planted on a few of them. But, there is no evidence of that in regard to most of them. Volatile personalities? Even less than no evidence. And, if there was a volatile personality, why couldn't the person be any of the contestants? Or, emerge naturally over time? Vic singles out minorities, usually blacks, for abuse for a reason. And, he is determined to continue doing so, no matter how ridiculous the pretext he must put forth to try to justify it.
I wondered what was going on with American Idol after reading its forums. The incredible amount of abuse of black contestants, including Fantasia, was almost surreal. Weeks later, after my concerns about discrimination had been attacked at Blogcritics, the situation became an international scandal. When examining discriminatory situations, one takes personalities into account. But, the claims made about the victims are rarely true. They are projections of contempt and/or stereotypes. See the descriptions of Stacie J. above for an example.
People like this are annoying on the Internet. But, in real life, they cause much more suffering. Let's say Stacie J. had to work with one of them. From the day she was hired, he would do his damnedest to make her life miserable. His efforts to plant stereotypes -- she has "an edge," or has "a chip on her shoulder," or is a "wacky black woman," -- would be ceaseless. If he failed to turn the other workers against her or get her fired, he would be furious. He might be blatant or pretend he was doing the victim a favor, as here, but the result would be the same. I've worked on enough Title VII cases to know the pattern well. I do not cite it in vain.
14 - RedTard
MD,
The ideas that volatile personalities are not planted on reality television is laughable but does confirm your statement that you don't watch them.
Your racist rantings are so baseless and out of touch with reality that I sometimes wonder if you really aren't a white supremacist trying to undermine the causes you claim to espouse. The garbage that spews from your keyboard has managed to turn off the biggest advocates of civil rights on these boards and has introduced and reinforced the negative "chip on the shoulder" stereotypes to everyone exposed to it. David Duke would be proud.
BTW, if you really are a black woman I think you would be perfect for the show!
15 - T-Sqaure
Mac Diva, how in the world can you make ANY comment on this post if you did not even watch the show?!?!?!
Being a black female myself, I can say that this post is right on with what NBC and The Apprentice are trying to do. Omarosa all over again.
Just because a person comments on a person of color (being any color) does not make them a racists. Get real. Every black person in the world knows that...except for the ones who are so stuck on making something out of nothing that they leave reality when it comes to reasonably discussions.
I have been reading your comments for a while, but never really got it until now...you pipe in on a post that you have no knowledge of, because it is about a person of color, to pull the "race card". Maybe someone needs to jump up and pull your "poor minority card".
16 - Vic
Red, T, thanks very much.
Vic
17 - Dan
I've never seen this show, and don't intend to, but the girl looks very camera friendly and interesting. I doubt there is any racist plot going on here. If you can set aside your racial consciousness, and realize that she's an individual and not representative of any group, then she's free to be as "wacky" or "unstable" as she wants. Without any "divisiveness".
18 - JustMe
I was personally hoping the producers would move beyond the race card for this season, too. However, I'm not surprised they didn't. Omarosa was good for ratings, so why wouldn't they go after someone who might deliver the same sizzle?
Please do not take these comments to be me making excuses for The Apprentice 2 or justifying this behavior. As a Black woman, I don't like having to battle these stereotypes just because Omarosa made it to prime time.
Omarosa was a clown last season. Not sure how Stacie's going to pan out, but let's hope she's a bit more grounded.
I don't expect the producers of a reality show to prioritize anything above good ratings. That's just the sad fact of the media industry. What I do expect is that grown folks--Black, White and everybody else in between--will have the common sense not to let any television program provide the key reference as to insights of into particular ethnicity.
Just like we didn't equate all White men with "Puck" from the Real World, we shouldn't equate all Black women with Omarosa or whoever this Stacie chick turns out to be.
Mac Diva...take a chill pill, darlin. I think you took Vic's post way out of context. He's on the right track with this one.
19 - Phillip Winn
MD, I'll ask just one last time. I hope that the third time will be the charm. If you sidestep my quesiton again, rest assured that I won't be asking it any more.
MD, let us for just a moment consider that NBC might actually have deliberately picked a volatile personality in order to create drama and boost ratings for a popular show. And let us further consider that the volatile personality chosen happens to have dark skin.
This could be a serious issue, if true.
How should someone raise this concern while avoiding the terminology to which you are reacting?
20 - JustMe
Philip:
I'll answer for Mac Diva, although I don't even know her (sorry Mac Diva...but since you didn't respond, I thought I would).
You raise the concern just as Vic did. You don't worry about people like Mac Diva who throw out accusations as a result. It's all in how you present the information. I didn't think that Vic presented the information in an offensive way. I thought he was questioning the producers moreso than he was trying to dog Stacy. And that's just fine.
To be honest, it seemed to me that the producers tried to copy more of the previous characters than just Omarosa. It looks like they will play the sex card again as well.
Let's all just keep in mind that we are talking about a TV show...the type of show that makes its money from typecasting people for ratings. The challenge to us all is to be educated about what we see, and open minded enough to realize that it's just TV...and not reality at all.
There are Omarosa's in the Black race. There are Puck's in the White race. And there are fucked up people in all races. As individuals, we should challenge ourselves to look for the merits of each person, and not let the media be such a dominant force in shaping our ideas. It's television! The medium was never meant to be "reality." That's why we watch it...to get away for the everyday bullshit. So let's not let the "escape" cause us to lash out at one another. Mac Diva, perhaps your accusations should be thrown at the producers of The Apprentice 2 rather than your fellow critics in this forum.
Whatever The Apprentice 2 is, it ain't worth all this. Can't we all just get along? :-)
21 - Mac Diva
Phillip, if there was evidence to support what you are saying, I would agree with you. But, there isn't. A web search will find a few fellow travelers with Vic spouting the 'black women are crazy' stereotype. But, most coverage looks at all of the contestants. To single out one contestant, load the garbage on her head that Vic has, and then scream 'she is not a scapegoat!' insults the intelligence of a reasonable person. Then, one must look at his other 'choice.' He promoted a milquetoast white man to win. The fellow was the first to get the boot because he was a 'just present' sort. Some judge of character.
I will grant that the producers, as Just Me says, are focusing on some traits. Youth and being photogenic are among them. (Let me know when a fat person shows up.) But, I don't have evidence that volatile personalities are a goal.
I also must take issue with the claim that Omarosa and Stacie are the same person. All they have in common is some African ancestry and gender. It would never cross the minds of the people making that claim to say two of the white men are the same person. That is how bigotry works. It deprives people of their individuality. Stacie has a right to be judged as an individual. Vic and company are set on depriving her of that. A former Ford model and a Haitian immigrant? Only a person blinded by 'race' would think it.
I had not intended to say more on this thread because when the bigotry brigade starts creating colored sock puppets to mouth its views, I consider my point more than made.
22 - JustMe
Somebody please call a doctor and see how much it will cost to get that stick out of Mac Diva's ass. If trying to get you to lighten up makes us "colored sock puppets," then you really have proven your point...
First of all, you've shown what an ignorant and judgemental person you are to throw such harsh accusations at people you don't even know. Secondly, you've proven what a coward you are to talk so much shit from the safety of cyberspace. And finally, you've shown us all how pathetically angry you must be to put so much energy into trying to downplay others. See a therapist or something...you sound too much like Omarosa!
23 - Mac Diva
We appear to have a very unhappy sock puppet.
24 - Eric Olsen
Mac, I am totally with you when you are right about matters relating to race. Racism is still real, still does real harm, still needs to be held up to the light.
But to see racism every single time anyone brings up the subject of race, to ascribe nefarious motives to a post such as this which isn't about the contestant at all but about the motives of the producers, and then to accuse anyone who doesn't agree with your particular angle as either (white) racist) or (black) a colored sock puppet is intellectual bullying of the most shameless kind.
Do you not understand how this recurring approach undermines your credibility, makes it easy for those who disapprove of these methods to disregard you entirely, and reduces important and measured discussions to name-calling?
I find this extremely frustrating as I am contantly put in the position of defending those who you attack in this manner or defending you from those you attack.
25 - Mac Diva
The 'the devil made me do it' defense to wrongdoing is quite common, Eric. I don't believe the network is engaged in any plot to stereotype black women as crazy. [edited]
Stacie Upchurch is a former model for the elite Ford Agency. She used some of her earnings to purchase a sandwich shop so she could be independent after leaving modeling. She is from Colorado and people there have had nothing but positive things to say about her. Ditto Atlanta and New York, where she worked. There is nothing in Stacie's history to suggest she is unbalanced. Nor has she even had an opportunity to do anything to support [edited]characterization of her as, direct quote, "has "an edge," or has "a chip on her shoulder," or is a "wacky black woman."
A few commentators said one remark she made on the show was shrill, but they said similar things about other contestants. [edited]
Mike Bowen, Cobb, has written an excellent essay on how the 'black women are crazy' stereotype is trotted out whenever some barely toilet trainable white man feels threatened by a successful woman of color. This entry is just another example of the effort to promote that stereotype. I recall you commenting on Cobb's piece previoulsy. You might want to re-read it.