Survivor: Racism and Sexism Right Here on Your TeeVee
One of my guilty pleasures is watching Survivor. I've seen almost every season. I love it when the underdog pulls off an upset, I love seeing how people deal with each other in these incredible situations. It's like one giant sociological experiment and it fascinates me.
This latest season, I have gotten a few eps behind because, frankly, the people this season are awful. Now, I love devious characters and people who pull off upsets. I love the snappy zingers you get in the confessionals. But this season these are just despicable people. There is nothing likeable about them. I want them all to fail. And then last week's episode happened, and a contestant named Ben just made my mouth hit the floor. The fact that this sort of clueless racism and sexism exist is not a surprise. The surprise is that he went on national television and justified it. And in turn, got smacked down so hard by another player that I practically got to my feet and cheered.
Watch this clip from last week's show. Even if you don't watch Survivor. It's fascinating and horrifying and just...argh. Notice not only Ben's complete ignorance of (or refusal to acknowledge) his racism, but also the way he treats the blond girl sitting between them. The way she cowers under his onslaught as he calls her a "good girl" with manners who knows when to say "yes, sir". Dear. God. And the absolute worst part is his complete ignorance of what he's doing. His COMPLETE lack of remorse or understanding. The mind boggles.
All I have to say is well done, Jaison. You kept your head, you made your point clear as hell, and didn't lower to Ben's level of six-year-old pissing contest. Thank you for saying what needed to be said.
Oh, and if you're curious, Ben got his ass kicked the hell off the island that night.
This latest season, I have gotten a few eps behind because, frankly, the people this season are awful. Now, I love devious characters and people who pull off upsets. I love the snappy zingers you get in the confessionals. But this season these are just despicable people. There is nothing likeable about them. I want them all to fail. And then last week's episode happened, and a contestant named Ben just made my mouth hit the floor. The fact that this sort of clueless racism and sexism exist is not a surprise. The surprise is that he went on national television and justified it. And in turn, got smacked down so hard by another player that I practically got to my feet and cheered.
Watch this clip from last week's show. Even if you don't watch Survivor. It's fascinating and horrifying and just...argh. Notice not only Ben's complete ignorance of (or refusal to acknowledge) his racism, but also the way he treats the blond girl sitting between them. The way she cowers under his onslaught as he calls her a "good girl" with manners who knows when to say "yes, sir". Dear. God. And the absolute worst part is his complete ignorance of what he's doing. His COMPLETE lack of remorse or understanding. The mind boggles.
Click to viewAll I have to say is well done, Jaison. You kept your head, you made your point clear as hell, and didn't lower to Ben's level of six-year-old pissing contest. Thank you for saying what needed to be said.
Oh, and if you're curious, Ben got his ass kicked the hell off the island that night.