I
don't watch Scandal; my Thursdays at
9:00 are more available than Philadelphia Sixers tickets.
While this statement probably labels me as the old hating cornball who hates new technology, hip hop, and young folks, I'll accept it. As every Thursday and Friday (postgame analysis) rolls around, it is an expectation to experience the following:
- My social network inundated with #Gladiator #TeamOlivia #Fitz and other hashtags the spark the memory of Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake's recent mockery of our Facebook and Twitter vernacular.
- People rejecting phone calls, even though they have DVR, rewind features, and shreds of humanity remaining that still makes people more important than a television show.
- The first half hour (maybe more) of work on Friday result in 0% production due to the book club-like discussions detailing the highlights, low-lights, and personal impact of last night's show.
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| President Fitzgerald Grant (Tony Goldwyn) and Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) locate love in an adulterous, "racy" affair. |
One of the benefits afforded to me
as the older brother of two socially conscious siblings is that I have become
trained to examine pop culture events and phenomena; even the most entertaining
productions possess themes and lessons. As the season premiere of Scandal drew near, I decided to take a
look at some of the previews, trailers, and lead actress Kerry Washington
interviews. After listening to the pieces, it surprised me how the primary
story line of this wildly popular show is received and accepted by audiences,
primarily in the African-American community. At the basis of all the twists and
turns in the adulterous affair Washington's character Olivia Pope and President
Fitzgerald Grant is a Black woman participating in hypersexual behavior with a
Caucasian man of power. Through this behavior, the character exemplifies traits
that broadcast the double standard of sexual behaviors between Black men and
Black women and defile the resolve of successful Black career women.
It's not that bad, Cedric! Aww, you
hating! You're looking too deep into it! Fitz and Olivia are in love!
Stop it.
As a former resident of the suburban
community, high school athlete, and aspiring writer/director, I've faced my
fair share of accusations and criticism regarding dating outside of my race
(whether partaking in that stereotype or not). While I will openly admit that women
of all races are attractive, I do have a strong preference towards
African-American women. Despite this, I and brothers nationwide fight the
race-wide assumption that we as black men are brainwashed, hate our race, and
"love us some snowflakes". This is not an assumption unknown in
Hollywood and many shows and films have played on this premise over the years,
including Mississippi Masala, Guess Who's
Coming to Dinner?, Jungle Fever, and more recently, Save the Last Dance and Red
Tails. Furthermore, members of the Hollywood community (and sports
athletes) have expanded this idea off
screen, leading to the widespread belief that this theory holds true for all affluent brothers, an idea still
somewhat frowned upon by a moderate segment of African American females. While
interracial dating is more common than ever, interracial couples that feature
Black men are still considered taboo. In this example of life imitating art (or
in some ways art imitating life) however, a Black female is involved in an interracial relationship, one with a man
of high rank. The result? an Emmy and 10.5 million viewers for the season premiere, or
perhaps a more informal response: "Ain't nobody saying sh*t."
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| Just let Beyoncé switch places with Ali Larter in Obsessed and tell me how much you'd still enjoy Mr. Elba. |
Why the double standard? Why the acceptance of this behavior? To be
clear, this evidence should not be used as justification for Idris Elba to star
in a sitcom with Miley Cyrus, or for me to sleep with an fashion company intern
named Sarah (made up, I promise); this is a request for consistency. If it's
outrageous, distressing, and embarrassing for Black men to push up on a snow
bunny, is it not just as disappointing for a Black women to cuddle up with a
(insert bad pet name for white guys) powdered donut? To compound the problem,
the show has featured Pope caught sharing feelings for two white men; in the
midst of briefly attempting to date the black male character on the show
(played by Columbus Short, a heartthrob to many females) she cannot cease her
feelings for (read: sleeping with) the President. My Black intuition may be rearing
its head excessively, but her selection of the white men over a serious attempt
with the black character hints at a sentiment of inferiority in dating Black
men.
In listening to the cast members of Scandal and their fans, a staple in
their quotes and responses is that the relationship between Olivia Pope and
Fitzgerald Grant is a story of love. In an interview with the New York Daily
Post, Washington quoted,
“When people say this show celebrates infidelity, I say, ‘No.’ It is a show that celebrates real love,” Is it wrong to be with the person you love, or is it worse to marry someone for other reasons? I think the show is really about that question. How
important is being in love with someone?”
The love displayed however presents an
interesting image of love and on a separate level, the modern career black
woman. In previous cases of modern African American career woman like Joan
Clayton (Girlfriends), television has used reasonable discretion in their
portrayal of the business/pleasure correlation. In Scandal, Pope's pleasure is initiated by her business; while great
for television, it sends a hypocritical message for women looking for equality
and respect. Adding to the mix is the glorification of adultery and repackaging
of the act as love. As a witness to incidents of infidelity and adultery, it's
not that cool. Take my word for it.
As a drama series, Scandal definitely lives up to its name,
probably more than writers and producers expected. A huge supporter of people
of color in writing, filming, and acting, it excites me to see Washington,
Short, and writer Shonda Rhimes experience this level of success. Nevertheless,
it is always important to have a balanced opinion on shows and the story they
tell. While it can be said that love is in the air on the program, so is the
pollution of double standards and negative stereotypes. As with all elements of
society, your intake is based on your preference and taste; if you like the
show enjoy this week's episode, just with added information. In the meantime,
I'll enjoy the scandal of Eli Manning versus the Chicago Bears defense.
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