Okay, I had something else in mind when thinking about what would be my first post of the new semester, but at this moment, I can not articulate myself in a way that would be enjoyable for an audience to read. So, I am asking for help. It seems like recently; I have been finding myself in situations where I may have come off as a bit of a party pooper. Now I know that you all are probably thinking what does that have to do with the topic of the blog. However, it has everything to do with this blog. Recently my friends and I were on a binger of old seasons of America’s Next Top model, which could be a blog post itself.
For the sake of keeping my rant on the show sort. Let’s say that the show did not age well at all. Particular challenges like the switching of ethnicity *insert intense eye roll here*or the comments that judges made that can come off as very very ignorant. And although I was utterly shocked that something like this could be aired on television even for the ’00s, the people around me found it hilarious. *Facepalm*. Now I don’t know if this was the best course of action, but my silent reactions slowly became more vocal. With some, “this is ridiculous” or “come-ons.” Now let me set the scene a bit more. The episode that we were watching was the one with the infamous meme, “We were all rooting for you.” Taken out of context, the phrase itself was funny but inserted into the events of the episode, and it was insensitive, rude, and borderline ignorant. The contestant, Tiffany, found herself in a tough place when Keenya, a fellow, black contestant, commented on her hood like attitude and jargon. Her words were along the lines of: “just because you are from the hood doesn’t mean you should talk like you are.” I was bewildered watching someone belittle someone just because of the way that they talk. I thought that as a society, we have moved passed the idea that your accent reflects your intelligence, but I guess I was wrong when some of my friends piped up in an agreeance with Keenya. Every week they have the challenge to do in front of the judges. That week’s challenge was to read a teleprompter in front of the judges. You can already tell how this is going to go. So, when it came to Tiffany’s turn, her usual confident exterior was replaced by a nervous shake. In my head, I thought it was because what Keenya had said earlier on in the day. Yet one of the people in the room [this one I don’t claim], said that it is because Tiffany can’t read. At this point, I can feel my blood boiling at the accusation of her ability to read, being linked to the fact that she is a young black single mother from the hoods of Miami. I took a deep breath deciding to stay silent because despite though odds Tiffany did better than most. And that is not an opinion Tyra said so herself.
Now its time for elimination, as Tyra is calling up girls and despite Tiffany being said to have done best in the photoshoot and the challenge. Tyra puts her in the bottom two because “she gave up.” My skin was crawling when Tyra said that because to me, it felt like she was enforcing that because Tiffany is black, she has to work ten times harder, and any moment of insecurity shown devalues herself as a product. In a surprise elimination, she sent both girls in the bottom home. As one cried, Tiffany playfully said goodbye to her fellow. This now irked Tyra, and she started ranting to Tiffany about how “if she wanted this, she should be in tears” like tears are the only way people grieve things. Tiffany responded, saying how much she cares, but she can’t change what Tyra just did. Now, this is when the meme moment happened. And although some of us accepted this moment with a chuckle. I was utterly disgusted, so much so I hiked onto my soapbox and began saying how much Tyra’s words are colorist, ignorant, and borderline racist. Let’s just say my outburst wasn’t received well as some in the room just gave me blank stares. I can admit that when I get on the soapbox, you can expect percentages and facts thrown in your face. Still, I only do it because a lot of people won’t understand if I just say this moment was wrong or offensive I would have to show them (more likely through numbers) why this is offensive. But I don’t know maybe I was too hypersensitive to the situation. My empathy for Tiffany could have blinded me from what everyone else saw. Did I go about the conversation in the right way? Leave a comment below with your opinion.
I enjoyed how honest and detailed you were about your reactions as you were watching America’s Next Top Model. I remember a couple years back I had a phase with the show, and this scene stuck out to me as being incredibly upsetting and demonstrative of Tyra’s ignorance. The whole show often showed the lack of morality in the fashion industry. I think it’s great that you stood up for what you believed in, and I hope that it yielded a productive conversation amongst your friends.
Yes it was absolutely ridiculous in so many ways. You know what actually bothered me even more than the obvious racism, was the time Tyra called that one guy a drunk when they clearly supplied them with tons of alcohol… I mean, really? If you think he’s got a problem then maybe you shouldn’t be stocking the house with it.