Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Big Brother 15: The Aaryn Gries Saga

I watched maybe one episode of "Big Brother" years ago. In it, they pit a bunch of mis-matched people and spy on them. The show is a total ruse. It's stuffed with casted actors.

Yea, I'm not telling you guys anything you already don't know. But recently this pretty blonde named Aaryn Gries is getting a shellacking over racist, homo-bashing comments she's made on air. With a name like Aaryn so close to Aryan...are you surprised?

Now correct me if I'm wrong, but this IS a reality show? And if that isn't her real attitude or that she should keep those comments in check aren't we, in essence...NOT presenting reality? See, that's what bugs me about these shows. They want the battle but they don't want the war. She spoke her mind  and, stupid as her comments may be, only paints her out to whatever you side with. For example, she makes remarks about the Asian girl should go make some rice. Or corrects a Black girl's language (ebonics). This is what I dealt with when I lived in Ohio. And if you don't believe that is as close to the reality we still live with, then you still believe pro wrestling is real. Because nothing is as raw as blatant hurtful comments.

But hurtful to whom? We've put SO much emphasis on Caucasian people to step on shells when around a minority that it has, in fact, worked against the cause. They feel they shouldn't have to side-step someone's personal feelings because what they say is deemed wrong or offensive. If you're a minority, try this sometimes. If one of your Caucasian friends makes a race joke, look at them with a serious look and a blunt tone tell them how offended you are by that comment. Watch them freeze in fear that they've cut you deep into your soul.

Why? Why must they be the only ones that feel this way but other races will blatantly drop white jokes and get away without a scratch? Is it because they've grown thicker skin over the years? No. Is it because they understand joking better? No. It's because WE'VE given the words too much power. And it does describe our own wretchedness to allow it to effect us. The minute we can laugh this all off, the sooner we can move on. The days of angry minorities is growing tiresome. Maybe it's my old age, or maybe just not giving it that much thought anymore, but I just want us to recognize that these hurtful things exist. And the spokesman didn't have to be a 22 year old blonde model who probably couldn't articulate herself better. I don't hate her. I feel sorry for her. She will move through life with far greater burden of "type" over my Asian ass. Trust me on that. She will constantly be objectified and, more than likely, emotionally (and possibly physically) abused. People think she got the gene lottery, I say she will suffer greater than any minority because of her gender and looks. These things fade. As do hurtful comments.

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