Comments on: Rhimes vs. Palladino, Round 2 (Feminism vs. Blackness Edition)

By: tia

tia — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 03:15:56 +0000

This isnt about being on some show or in some magazine

But you know, I think some white women might be more racist than some white men. You look at credits and its white women casting these shows or they make the decision on who is in these magazines; Meanwhile, Black men are over represented, relative to their numbers in tv shows and i think its because white men are more open to them, or more willing to share in that way(maybe to seem less racist, but not white women).White women hide.

Just a thought.

By: Child, Please

Child, Please — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 01:46:25 +0000

Soooo, am I the only one who watches Shonda Rhimes’ shows and can count on one hand how many black people there are in her shows? Hell, minorities period? While Shonda has top tierd shows on a major network, let’s not forget that the draws to these shows are primarily the non-black characters. I am curious as to why a woman with three shows and seemingly paved a way for us doesn’t hire a casting director to cast more qualified blacks. I love Grey’s Anatomy and was interested in Off The Map, but she really rubs me the wrong way with her criticism of shows who don’t have black people, when she seems to forget her shows wouldn’t be successful without the white leads on her show. Scandal is the lone exception considering it was marketed (as ABC did with The Frog Princess) as the first show in 30 years to have an black female lead on a major network. Otherwise, it’d be cancelled, too!

By: Mimi

Mimi — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 01:14:47 +0000

I didn’t know making a sitcom was so gotd*mned easy.

By: tia

tia — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 00:32:15 +0000

@Isis

there is a Black feminist movement…Its called BWE-Black womens empowerment and its mostly online for now….but since these women are not kissing Black mens asses or talking about saving the community but encourage Black women to get theirs unapologetically, then most Black women shun it. LMAO!

By: arlette

arlette — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 00:10:08 +0000

women like her are exactly the reason why i get annoyed when black and white women ask me why i am not and never will be a feminist.

By: Alice

Alice — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 23:49:06 +0000

Seriously it’s really disturbing and frankly sad.

By: Change

Change — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 22:42:12 +0000

why are yall beggin this white woman to consider women of color in her shows…. please, tell me most black women don’t care about this ish.
You don’t like the lack of color, go make your own d*&n shows !!!

By: Fab from thesolepursesuit.com

Fab from thesolepursesuit.com — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 22:42:05 +0000

I don’t understand why people are saying “if you do not like it, create your own lane.” Uhm…Shandra has. So why don’t YOU take a seat because using your argument she has done more than enough to complain.

By: keke

keke — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 22:22:32 +0000

It seems as though some people here are not aware that Shonda Rhimes has shows that are not only successful but also have very diverse casts. So this is a far cry from her begging for change and not “doing something about it”. She has very well earned the right to be critical of lack of diversity of tv; she is doing her part.

By: MySister'sKeeper

MySister'sKeeper — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 22:15:52 +0000

By: Ms. Information

Ms. Information — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 22:05:15 +0000

You are right about that though…the QUALITY of black shows is horrific..I can’t watch the Game, anything by Tyler Perry….the best thing we have right now is Unsung…so I agree with you on that one..

By: @AmariahSTyler

@AmariahSTyler — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 21:42:53 +0000

What is such the big deal about the “lack of diversity” of the show Girls? Is it because the show is a hit? Everyone is entitled to their opinions, but there have been MANY shows out before “Girls” came along that had predominately white casts (Friends, Sex & The City, Entourage). If that Girls was doing poor ratings, no one would even care or give the show a second thought.

I agree with a few of the commentators above. If you don’t like something, create your own lane. Stop waiting for validation and acceptance from others. People criticize Tyler Perry for his movies and TV shows, but he didn’t like what he saw in Hollywood, created his own niche and became successful at it. Coonery, buffoonery or not, there were plenty of people “talking” about the lack of roles and diversity on the silver screen before he came along. However, there’s a difference between those who talk, and those who take action.

By: African Mami

African Mami — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 21:26:36 +0000

@ my_reply,

Help me ask am!

By: African Mami

African Mami — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 21:26:04 +0000

That is why I am an ardent supporter of shows created by us for us, like the BWNG series currently out! Those brothers are doing their thang! My support plus those of others, might bring them to the forefront, who knows even prime time. Shonda Rhimes is making her voice heard at the wrong time. Now, we have multiple platforms in which we can showcase diversity without having to cry inclusion.

By: my_reply

my_reply — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 21:15:14 +0000

@KeepItReal – !!!!!! Do you post anything else on this site? Every one of your comments seems to be about calling black women fat dysfunctional losers or blaming feminism and black women for what is wrong with black Americans male and female. It seems like you have a problem with black women. Whatever. Go find yourself an amazing non-black woman and live your fantasy life.

By: Isis

Isis — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 20:52:31 +0000

Amy Sherman- Palladino created Gilmore Girls. I loved that show!! I didn’t need to see a black face on it to enjoy it. I don’t want to be a token. I want to be at the forefront. In order to be in the front I will create my own instead of waiting on people, who hate me, to do it.

By: Alexandra

Alexandra — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 20:50:54 +0000

I agree with you both. Forcing inclusion won’t solve the disparities. White women aren’t going to always understand nor put the issues of non-White women at the forefront of ‘women issues’, and they have every right to not want to. Non-Whites can make an effort to solve their own issues and create their own visions.
I dislike when people pull the ‘lets stick together/we should support each other’ card. It’s an excuse to dismiss the concerns of others. Which is exactly what Palladino did. And for this reason many of these complaints should stop.

By: Isis

Isis — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 20:49:09 +0000

Exactly!!! But black women have latched on to that crap sooo hard. Make ur own movement!!

By: Isis

Isis — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 20:47:18 +0000

Exactly African Mami. Tired of black people begging to be a token. Create ur own and when we get our own support it!!

By: binks

binks — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 20:32:28 +0000

Agreed, like I said before after the whole “Girls” fiasco I’ am kind of done crying, begging and policing others to let us be included, it is either you want to portray people of color on shows or you don’t, it’s that simple. And you are right, I think this issue is two-folded; I would love to see more people of color on TV and in great roles because diversity is great but that does NOT make the show alone. I watch shows with a predominately white cast; I watch shows with a predominately black casts and shows with a mixture of both. Despite the casts, Palladino and Rhimes’ shows don’t appeal to me…shrugs. I just feel like we are having the same fight over and over, instead of Rhimes tweeting about it, how about she fund some shows or bring light to shows with diversity casting that has a hard time getting funding or needs more attention. Either complain about it or do something about it.

By: Okay

Okay — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 20:02:09 +0000

I agree 110% African Mami! This is why I support shows like Awkward Black Girl. I can see well rounded characters that I can ACTUALLY relate to rather than stereotypes that make me cringe.

By: African Mami

African Mami — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 19:39:40 +0000

I know. Just my general thoughts about this woe unto us! We have to be included in everything mentality. We don’t!

By: Sasha

Sasha — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 18:51:01 +0000

Seems like its the cause du jour at least once a week. Its actually very annoying. In all honesty Ms. Rhimes has her own thing and thats great, she chooses to showcase diversity. Great. Everyone else does not need to follow suit. If you don’t like it either turn off the t.v. and make your own or shut the hell up.

By: Come On people

Come On people — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 18:21:31 +0000

Shanda Rhimes is creating her own lane and she has very diverse cast. Sooooooo, what are you two talking about? She called it like she saw it. She has set the bar by creating cast that are diverse and the characters had great depth. You can’t say that about most shows on the air now.

By: A The Great

A The Great — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 18:12:59 +0000

@AfricanMami Yes! Thank you! Time to stop crying and start doing!

By: isolde

isolde — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 18:09:35 +0000

I love how I can always come on this site and see comments (presumably from blacks) supporting whites who deny our existence. Sherman-Palladino is not some newby show runner like Lena Dunham, and she had Keiko Agena (Japanese-American ) as a regular on her last show “Gilmour Girls,” so it’s not like POC’s have never figured prominently into her material. As for this whole, “black people begging to be included” meme . . . Shonda Rhimes doesn’t have to beg for ish. She’s got at least 3 shows currently in production. So that’s that.

Since when does speaking truth to power quantify as begging anyway? Oh, I know, when people of color have the gaul to question diversity in media. Right, thanks. Good to know.

By: Yb

Yb — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 18:04:25 +0000

What you should be asking yourself is “When will white feminists see through their privilege and realize that women of color are women as well and should not be excluded from WOMEN’S movements?”

By: andryce76

andryce76 — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 18:01:46 +0000

Exactly
Just like people got upset about about that show girls
When a person does a show and they don’t include any black people guess what? they don’t wan’t you
Quit begging to be included in another persons show if you feel slighted don’t watch it or create your own

By: Sasha

Sasha — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 17:58:17 +0000

It really annoys me, like there’s at least one article a week on the site about this same tired topic. I’m so over it. Its easier to complain though than to get off your bum and do something so I guess “let them eat cake”.

By: girlformerlyknownasgrace

girlformerlyknownasgrace — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 17:52:23 +0000

I generally agree that we can. But some Black women, like Rhimes, are all for intergration and who am I to shun her for that attempt.

By: my_reply

my_reply — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 17:48:57 +0000

When will we stop begging for people to include us?

By: CurlySue

CurlySue — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 17:46:26 +0000

Because policing someone else’s creative endeavor is the cause du jour apparently.

By: CurlySue

CurlySue — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 17:37:08 +0000

That show looks like a corny piece of sh*t anyway. Most ABC Family shows are. At least there won’t be any black actresses going down with that ship when it sinks.

By: GeordieEndz

GeordieEndz — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 17:36:08 +0000

Black women can create their own movement and not ride white womens coat tails.

By: girlformerlyknownasgrace

girlformerlyknownasgrace — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 17:25:50 +0000

But don’t you think it’s weird when TV is segregated when real life doesn’t look that way? (unless you live in Wyoming). And to be honest not all our shows are great. I give TV 15 years…we will be watching all great programming online, streamed to our TV. I will be getting Apple TV soon. Waste of money getting cable to watch 5 channels get the BLEEP outta here

By: Sasha

Sasha — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 17:25:45 +0000

Why did Shonda Rhimes feel the need to open her mouth about it in the first place. Don’t like what you see? Then either turn off the tv or make your own.

By: Ms. Information

Ms. Information — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 17:20:32 +0000

*comes off…sorry a little off today.

By: Ms. Information

Ms. Information — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 17:19:40 +0000

I for one don’t think that we have to have a prescence on every show….as long as we have our own shows….it is a reality that many whites and blacks do not come in contact with one another…that is just reality…It come of very contrived when writing someone into the story just for the sake of diversity.

By: girlformerlyknownasgrace

girlformerlyknownasgrace — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 17:17:00 +0000

I don’t think Sherman-Palladino was thinking of Black women when she conceived the show. THAT is the thing. When it comes to feminist dialogues, a lot of the time White women forget about other types of women, homogenizing the discourse. Her reaction suggests to me that it never occurred to her to articulate other types of female roles. Feminism comes in different forms, and sometimes one type refuses to acknowledge another.

By: Torri

Torri — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 17:13:51 +0000

WOW, I did NOT know Shonda has 15,000 shows on TV!

Guess due to that Non-Factor she wants room for her’s.

Let it Be…… Do U Shonda (inclusive)

Thx to the GOP/Tea Party hatred is promoted and ALIVE

Make your shows which are OUTSTANDING and she will do whateva, SAD,

By: SxyDread

SxyDread — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 17:06:45 +0000

the feminist “movement” was never nor has it ever been concerned wiht black women. period.

By: African Mami

African Mami — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 17:02:43 +0000

How long are we going to cry diversity? Why are you waiting on the powers that be to hear your cries. Create your own lanes!!