Survivor comes back - with a fury!! - Page 2

[JeDeeLenae]

I don't like divisions like this at all. Be it race, gender, sexual preference, or age. It seems that the main purpose is to say "this group" is better/smarter/more advanced/stronger than "this group." And if a

[armonia]

Originally Posted by Momof3inMI

: In everyday society races seperate themself all ready. It doesn't matter what race you are. People (for the most part) stay with what they are comfortable with. I think it will make for a interesting season of the show.

I don't get this at all. People stay with what they are comfortable with? huh?

[Missy]

I think the idea of this show is as disturbing as the fact that so many people here don't see a problem. We still have so far to go, there's still so much healing and so much ignorance.

[babybugmama]

Originally Posted by JeDeeLenae

I don't like divisions like this at all. Be it race, gender, sexual preference, or age. It seems that the main purpose is to say "this group" is better/smarter/more advanced/stronger than "this group." And if a

I think you're right on there. I know when they divide by gender I'm totally rooting for the women! I want to prove that we just as good...and that battle should be over, but it ain't.

Missy we cross posted...I agree. I do think it's a bad idea. I wonder what it will show about where we are at as a nation in regard to racism, sexism, etc.

[babybugmama]

If the thread seems a little funky I merged the two survivor threads into one to keep it easier to follow.

[Starr]

Well I am on weaker side. I can see their point. Not saying I think its right or worng but Jeff Probst did give a detailed explanation of why they thought this way. I can't remember it word for word but some of his argumentatives were that Survivor was getting a lot of slack because only two winners have been non-white. They really wanted to try to gradually increase the minorities but not a lot of minorities were auditioning to be on the show. This way they give everyone equal playing field. And in all honesty they just start the game segregated. In about a week they are already merging and trading tribe mates so it isn't permanent. I don't think a lot of people here really watch Survivor but I could be wrong. Tribes get switched around very often. I think they are just starting it this way to see if they all think alike, strategies as far as getting established, and seeing if one group really struggles. Last season they divided the groups into 4 tribes and it was never an issue and the year before that they were split into men vs. women. Again I am really on the fence is they should take it this far but I think 3 or 4 episodes down the line you won't even remember and there will be a much more divrsified group battling it out.

[nonconformnmom]

I agree that it is just a gimmick for ratings. However, I think it is an interesting idea and could possibly yield some useful information for sociological research, among other things. This society has a very difficult time talking about race; I believe any opportunities to bring racial themes into the societal dialog will be beneficial. Anyone who pins their racial identity and its capabilities or potential on the performance of a team on a television show could use a reality check, IMO.

I wonder what racial stereotypes might be reinforced, or contradicted in the course of this series? I guess I'm an eternal optimist but I'd like to hope that people who watch with any degree of hostility or resentment toward any racial or ethnic group may have their minds broadened ...

[Missy]

We have not come far enough for this to serve any useful purpose.

[fremontmama]

And in all honesty they just start the game segregated. In about a week they are already merging and trading tribe mates so it isn't permanent.

This is what I was thinking would happen. They often start the game with tribes divided by commonalities and then they all mix together within one or two episodes, sometimes the first episode. Although, I will admit I absolutely root for the women when they are separated by gender.

[wende]

I wasn't saying that I think it's ok...though I do think it's an interesting idea...I just meant that there was never an uproar when tribes were seperated based on age or sex so why the uproar about this? Why is THIS worth it but not the other issues? It's ok to segregate based on sex still, based on age still, but the race issue is just too big?

[Missy]

Considering that schools in this part of the country have only been integrated for 40 years, considering that--in very recent history--laws separated the races and POC were denied basic rights, considering the racism that is still spouted by the leaders of this country now (hear about George Allen and his macaca statement?), yes, it is too soon for this type of "entertainment".

[Starr]

So then do you think it was wrong to seperate the tribes into the men vs. women? Where the men were given ceremonial dances by the natives as the women were pushed to the side to sit obiedintly and watch? Why was that not unfair? The men were also given an opportunity to earn something, can't remember what, if they could climb a pole. The item gave them an unfair advantage and the women were never given the same opportunity. I just feel that Survivor in general in the past has always segregated one group to another and no one said a thing. Now that it is racial there is huge controversy. If your going to get mad at this one then you should be equally upset over the others. And whose to say they are doing this to classify one race as the slowest, laziest... this gives them all a chance to prove to people that they aren't and break those stereotypes.

[Missy]

I don't watch survivor. I think it's trash. So, when it doesn't make headlines with dividing by gender or age, I'm not going to know about it. FWIW, I don't agree with those divisions, either. And I really don't care if the point isn't to determine "one race as the slowest, laziest..."; my point is that the history is too close, we have not moved on yet and to pit one race against the other is dangerous. There is still way too much racism and emotions are too raw.

[kama'aina mama]

I have never liked it when they divide by gender or age. And I have said so in previous Survivor threads. Race is a far more loaded issue than sexism or agism and my objection to this particular type of division is even stronger as a result.

Also, as a dedicated fan since the first season... I don't think the original tribal divisions go away quickly at all... but when they do it is because they are more random. The people who were on the "old people" tribes never shook that stigma and that division only lasted about 36 hours! While I applaud Survivors attempt to have more people of color on the show I think this is a really bad idea.

[fremontmama]

Originally Posted by wende

I wasn't saying that I think it's ok...though I do think it's an interesting idea...I just meant that there was never an uproar when tribes were seperated based on age or sex so why the uproar about this? Why is THIS worth it but not the other issues? It's ok to segregate based on sex still, based on age still, but the race issue is just too big?

I gotcha, and I agree, I don't necessarily like it either. I was just agreeing that it probably isn't going to last longer that the first show. Enough to get a controversy going and to get people watching the first show. I think that they could have found a better way to show an increased the diversity on the show. I guess there have been so many seasons of Survivor, they really need to hype it up? Not saying it's right, just thinking of the motivation.

[LotusBirthMama]

You know that a few episodes in the tribes will get mixed up and then when they merge it will be mixed. Of course its a ratings move. Its a television show. It sorta *needs* ratings.

I would watch if it were slugs versus sea anemones, as long as I got to look at Jeff. I love him. I love his hat.

[Awaken]

I don't have anything new to add that hasn't already been said, but just had to sub since I'm a huge survivor fan and just heard the news about it starting again soon and the tribes being divided according to race. I was pretty surprised to hear it, and don't think it sounds like a very appealing idea. BUT, I agree that the initial divisions don't usually last long and I'm sure they will be mixed up within the first couple shows.

Just the fact that it has already generated this buzz is exactly what the producers were going for, I"m sure. How many seasons have there been already? They are just trying anything to keep up the ratings.

Onto another topic: I have been watching season 1 on netflix since I started watching survivor at the last show when it was first on (I've never missed a single episode since I first started watching it!) I am enjoying it SO MUCH! It is so cool to see everything being done for the first time- tribal council, alliances, challenges, the merge, etc- they had no idea what was coming and it was neat to see it all play out for the first time. Now it is more predictable that there will be a merge, alliances, etc. I am really savoring it!

[Starr]

See I think they should merge the tribes at some point to the one. And then split them into two again for a few days and have an immunity and reward challenge. They would expect the merge but not re splitting.

[MillingNome]

Ready for the next racial war?

Holy smokes- y'all see that the new Survivor is going to separate the next round of hopefuls by race? There will be one group of five for African Americans, Caucasians, Asians and (I am assuming) Latino. I have not watched the show since the second season but might just check this out for curiousity sake.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060824/...tv/survivor_15

[armonia]

Even if they change it up after a few episodes, I think the initial division by race is still very wrong.