Using a black boyfriend as a bait and switch
CVK
(Thanks to Me Kitty for this tip!) This new sitcom on Fox The War At Home sounds truly awful. Here’s part of the recap of the pilot episode:
Seemingly out of nowhere, Hillary has a change of heart. She concedes that her plan to date a college freshman was probably ill-conceived. Beside, there’s a boy in her own class that she’d rather date. And he just so happens to be waiting in the kitchen to meet the folks. Surprise! Dave and Vicky come face-to-face with Tay.” Short for “Boo-tay.” Tay is the epitome of everything Dave doesn’t want his daughter getting to know. He wears baggy clothes, he’s arrogant and….he’s black. Before Dave can react, Vicky pulls him aside and assures him that Tay is all part of Hillary’s elaborate and very transparent plan to get them to let her date the college boy. Instead, they should pretend they couldn’t be happier with the situation. Unfortunately, “Boo-tay” just keeps coming around.
Gotta love the dramatic pause: “…and he’s black.” This is offensive on so many levels I don’t even know where to start. Oh wait, yes I do. His name is Boo-tay?!? WTF? No, no sexualized black male stereotypes here.
I also find it amusing that Michael Rappaport, who has built his entire career on playing the “down white boy,” would be cast as a dad who disapproves of his daughter’s interracial relationship.
eric wrote:
yeah, zebrahead showed his on this one. 100% CO-SIGN
Posted 21 Jun 2006 at 10:00 am ¶
bertie wrote:
Yeah–the whole Michael Rapport thing always bothered me. I recognize that I’m just jealous of his access–he can be down with black folks when he wants to–but if need be, he can “whiten up” and still reap the privileges of being a white male in america. Its like taking all the positives of being affiliated with black culture, with taking the bs that comes with it.
Posted 21 Jun 2006 at 10:37 am ¶
Sewere wrote:
What the hell is up with Michael Rappaport??? Just because he did the same act on Spike Lee’s Bamboozled doesn’t mean he can pull the same shit completely out of context!!!!
Why the hell is Fox pulling the “I’m going to piss daddy off by dating a black guy” schtik?!?
I swear seeing/reading/hearing shit like this makes me want to kick the next person who says “oh yeah, you know that asian/latino/black guy”
Posted 21 Jun 2006 at 12:56 pm ¶
gatamala wrote:
{kiss} bertie
1. This show is still on the air??????
2. Is MR that hard up that he would do this show? Let’s you see how “down” he REALLY is. Just because does a blaccent does NOT make him respectful.
3. Boo-tay….I’m not even going to deal w/ this today
Posted 21 Jun 2006 at 1:52 pm ¶
Sabrina wrote:
Trust the FOX network to come up with something so stupid! Talk about being insulting to those who really ARE in interracial relationships.
Posted 22 Jun 2006 at 7:56 am ¶
lemure wrote:
Um, this shit happened already. The daughter dated the black guy already and they broke up b/c she wouldn’t give him any (lovely) where are you getting this info its soooo late. I had the misfortune of watching this horrible show last fall. I was deeply offended and its hard to do so, I’m not one of those who give white people “who are down” honorary black cards, so I’m not down with MR.
Posted 22 Jun 2006 at 9:59 am ¶
CJK wrote:
The only episode I ever caught was the one where they met “Boo-tay’s” parents. It was truly awful. Both fathers made racist remarks and ended up getting into a huge fight. I didn’t bother watching the rest of the show. My husband I just sat there wondering what was supposed to be funny.
Posted 22 Jun 2006 at 10:43 am ¶
bertie wrote:
Yeah, Lemure–who invented the whole “black card/ghetto pass, etc” business for “down white folks.” I hate the whole idea of it. But I think part of the problem is with black folks. Why can’t we just enjoy the talents of white folks like Teena Maria, or appreciate the political style of Bill Clinton, without trying to make them “honorary” black folks.
Posted 23 Jun 2006 at 9:48 am ¶