"Don't Get Ghetto" and Other Ways MTV Feeds into Racism in America

MTV learned with its first season of The Real World that if you take a naive, down-home girl from the sticks and put her in a house with a black person or a person of color, eventually a line will be crossed and racism will rear its ugly head. Is this just art imitating life, and MTV showing racism in America? In previous seasons of The Real World on MTV, the racial tensions and name calling happens late in the season. With The Real World Hollywood, or The Real World XX we get it in the beginning. MTV shows us that racism in America, and on TV is alive and well.

Racism in America Reflected on TV

Purposeful Casting Produces Racial Tension

It's no surprise that an un-scripted TV show like The Real World casts its house guests based on personality types and demographics. With the existence of racism in America, it's probably not that hard for the producers to find what they need.

MTV discovered early on that racism in America is also a key to ratings success. Racism in America can be carried onto the show to produce controversy and drama.

I should add that the racial tension and racial quotes that end up on the show are usually spewed by a person who is sometimes naive, and other times they are downright ignorant. Sometimes they are somewhere in between. This is where racism in America begins.

In some ways I don't blame MTV or The Real World, because the capturing of these moments on video does provide a backdrop for discussions and brings everyday racism in America to the forefront of people's minds. At the same time, they cast for racial tension because controversy about racism in America generates ratings.

"Don't Get Ghetto" the Racist Quote from The Real World Hollywood

In the second episode of The Real World Hollywood, Kim, a 24-year old woman from South Carolina, crosses the line. She shows that ignorance begets racism in America, and on The Real World.

Apparently, there is some Real World production rule which limits the number of outside guests the Real Worlders can have in their Hollywood home at one time. Brianna, a 20-year-old woman from Philadelphia asked Kim and her guests if a couple of them could leave so that she could invite some of her guests in.

Kim refused the request and her discussion with Brianna interrupted into an argument with racist quotes and tones.

It did not take long for Kim to tell Brianna, "Don't get ghetto."

I had to do a double take when I heard this racist quote because I was pretty surprised that Kim, or anyone would say that. In fact, I was surprised that anyone in this day and age could be so ignorant. I know there is racism in America, but Kim did not even attempt to self-edit or wonder if what she was saying was appropriate.

This type of racism in America is not simply an example of naivete. It is purely and simply a racist quote. Kim has proven that racism in America has not gone very far away.

Brianna also looks pretty dumbfounded by this racist quote. She even tells her not to say that.

Later, Kim, obviously not understanding that she offended Brianna with her racist quote, or more likely not caring at this point, tells her again, "Let's not get ghetto."

Kim attempts to justify her racist quote in one of those staged "confessional" scenes by saying that it's okay for her to say it because Brianna said it referring to herself earlier.

Here's a big tip for Kim and everyone else: no, it is not okay to spew racist quotes and continue to support racism in America.

Racist Quotes

There are certain words used by subsets of people. That does not make it okay for everyone to use them. Using words we don't understand or using words in a derogatory manner is not acceptable.

This also occurred recently on Flavor of Love. One of the women who was a model called some of the video work she did, "ghetto." Flavor Flav was insulted by this racist quote, because he said he is from the ghetto.

One final note on racist quotes and the usage of the word ghetto: it's a noun. If you use it like an adjective, check yourself.

Taking Back Language

Sometimes subsets of people, whether they are a certain race or sexual orientation, or even gender, use words which were previously used in a derogatory manner. For some people taking a word with previously negative connotations and taking them back is empowering. Some of these words include the "N" word and "dyke."

Knowingly Using Racist Quotes

We could almost forgive Julie in New York for causing such a ruckus and bringing racism in America to the forefront of discussion. Now, 20 seasons later, house members of The Real World have no excuse for their ignorant or racist quotes.

Have they not learned anything from two decades of unscripted TV and racist quotes?

Don't always say what you think.

Don't use racial quotes. especially on TV.

Educate yourself about people who are different than yourself. Racism in America is ground in ignorance.

That seems pretty simple.

Racist quotes will be caught on video, aired on national TV and it will be shown in the endless loop of MTV reruns of The Real World. It may also get played on The Soup, or on VH1's greatest or worst reality show moments.

Kim Can Kiss Her Career Goodbye Before it Begins

Kim on The Real World Hollywood is an aspiring TV entertainment host. Or maybe I should write, "was."

With that type of racist attitude and careless slinging of racist quotes, she will not go far in Hollywood, even if there is racism in America.

Sources

MTV, http://www.mtv.com
The Real World Hollywood, Viewing of Episode 2
Wikipedia