what are you talking about?
In reaction to this article, Diversity: Why is TV so white? and in particular, the new 90210:
As a transracial adoptee, I'm always interested in how t.v. handles race and adoption. Naturally, you're going to wonder if this new 90210 is what Willis from Diff'rent Strokes was always "talking about." That's a really corny joke. But, the point is, t.v. has not had a great track record with "token" minorities, and adoptees, at that. You could argue that Fresh Prince was also African American and adopted, but he was adopted by relatives so there wasn't that transracial aspect.
Anyhow, Tristan Wilds--who is cast as an African American adoptee in 90210--is coming from the HBO series, The Wire which, in my opinion, "got it right." This show was one of the most amazing television shows in history which had a cast of 100s that contained some of the most incredible talent, regardless of racial background. Naturally, I would have been interested to see more Asians on the show, but it was nice to see Sonja Sohn in a major role. The creators of the show mentioned they were considering doing another season that focused more on the Hispanic community in Baltimore, but they didn't have time to put in the research necessary to get it right yet.
The quality of this programming, throws discussions like the article above in an anachronistic light. Why are people in such angst about WHETHER to include more people of color on television shows, and instead be concerned about MISSING OUT on the amount of talent that is out there, out of work. Tristan lamented in his dvd commentary on Season 4 of The Wire, "I hate that yo, there is not enough work out there for young striving black men." (NOTE: Wilds also embraces his Dominican heritage as noted in this interview for Latina.) I agree!! And it's a shame, not just for the injustice of it, but because of what viewers, producers, writers and yes, advertisers are missing out on. It's a goldmine of talent, people!!! Snatch it up!
Wilds also just filmed a movie, The Secret Life of Bees in which a Caucasian girl is adopted by an African American "family." It's refreshing when 99.9% of transracial adoptions are by Caucasian parents of minority racial children. "Secret Life" stars Queen Latifah, Alicia Keyes and Jennifer Hudson as well as other amazing actors, just to name a few.
For Wilds to be cast in 90210 as what appears to be the "token African American" really feels wrong, but I'm trying to keep an open mind. His body of work has been amazing so far . . . check out "Miracle's Boys" and "Half Nelson" which also deal with characters that you feel that you get to know, rather than simply highlighting a person's racial identity as the main attraction.
At the same time, I have sat on panels with other transracial adoptees and many have the experience of growing up being the only person of color in most circumstances. You're not the one looking at yourself all day, so you forget that you're a different nationality, until you're with other people who match your skin or national heritage. Then it feels like a spotlight has revealed something sort of, too self-revealing. I wonder if 90210 will cover this . . . who am I kidding? Having that many people of color on screen at the same time? That might turn it into a niche audience . . . yikes! Transracial adoptees get this concern more than anyone.
As a transracial adoptee, I'm always interested in how t.v. handles race and adoption. Naturally, you're going to wonder if this new 90210 is what Willis from Diff'rent Strokes was always "talking about." That's a really corny joke. But, the point is, t.v. has not had a great track record with "token" minorities, and adoptees, at that. You could argue that Fresh Prince was also African American and adopted, but he was adopted by relatives so there wasn't that transracial aspect.
Anyhow, Tristan Wilds--who is cast as an African American adoptee in 90210--is coming from the HBO series, The Wire which, in my opinion, "got it right." This show was one of the most amazing television shows in history which had a cast of 100s that contained some of the most incredible talent, regardless of racial background. Naturally, I would have been interested to see more Asians on the show, but it was nice to see Sonja Sohn in a major role. The creators of the show mentioned they were considering doing another season that focused more on the Hispanic community in Baltimore, but they didn't have time to put in the research necessary to get it right yet.
The quality of this programming, throws discussions like the article above in an anachronistic light. Why are people in such angst about WHETHER to include more people of color on television shows, and instead be concerned about MISSING OUT on the amount of talent that is out there, out of work. Tristan lamented in his dvd commentary on Season 4 of The Wire, "I hate that yo, there is not enough work out there for young striving black men." (NOTE: Wilds also embraces his Dominican heritage as noted in this interview for Latina.) I agree!! And it's a shame, not just for the injustice of it, but because of what viewers, producers, writers and yes, advertisers are missing out on. It's a goldmine of talent, people!!! Snatch it up!
Wilds also just filmed a movie, The Secret Life of Bees in which a Caucasian girl is adopted by an African American "family." It's refreshing when 99.9% of transracial adoptions are by Caucasian parents of minority racial children. "Secret Life" stars Queen Latifah, Alicia Keyes and Jennifer Hudson as well as other amazing actors, just to name a few.
For Wilds to be cast in 90210 as what appears to be the "token African American" really feels wrong, but I'm trying to keep an open mind. His body of work has been amazing so far . . . check out "Miracle's Boys" and "Half Nelson" which also deal with characters that you feel that you get to know, rather than simply highlighting a person's racial identity as the main attraction.
At the same time, I have sat on panels with other transracial adoptees and many have the experience of growing up being the only person of color in most circumstances. You're not the one looking at yourself all day, so you forget that you're a different nationality, until you're with other people who match your skin or national heritage. Then it feels like a spotlight has revealed something sort of, too self-revealing. I wonder if 90210 will cover this . . . who am I kidding? Having that many people of color on screen at the same time? That might turn it into a niche audience . . . yikes! Transracial adoptees get this concern more than anyone.