"Weight-ist and Wacist... You Screwy Rabbit!"
After completely writing my media journal for this semester, I was listening to the radio and heard the radio personalities discussing an issue I found much more interesting. The KS95 afternoon hosts discussed a recent statement that Rosie O’Donnell made about American Idol while on the television show The View. To give you a bit of background, Rosie discusses how an overweight, black contestant on American Idol was kicked off the show for allegedly having posed for “scandelous� pictures before entering the contest. However, on this season of American Idol, a “hot� white young lady was accused of the same scandelous actions, yet she is not being disqualified. The link can be found here: http://us.video.aol.com/video.index.adp?mode=1&pmmsid=1862800.
Although Rosie seems to make a joke of the televisions shows “weight-ist and wacist� actions, I feel like she is completely right and compliment her for realizing the fact that our society tends to overlook such drastic discrimination. What better example of institutionalized discrimination than prejudice that is perpetuated in every aspect of one’s socioeconomic life? It is very unfortunate to realize that our media may be the most obvious example of institutionalized discrimination. By portraying and allowing unequal treatment among individuals, it becomes obvious that, unless these portrayals end, inequality will continue to spread through thirty minute segments of racism, violence, cruelty and hatred.
Additionally, American Idol criticized Rosie for “bashing� the top-rated television show this season. I wonder if producers of American Idol are simply afraid of facing the truth that their racism has been recognized and been discussed and critiqued openly. Although I suppose they have nothing to worry about as they bring in millions of dollars in a single evening. Unfortunately, it seems easy to mask racism if you have enough money to cover the discrimination that you are accountable for.
I find it very disappointing that, because of prior statements made by Rosie O’Donnell, this particular statement may be overlooked. I feel that she makes a very valid point that our popular media in the United States perpetuates inequality and discrimination among individuals.
How else would two individuals who participate in the same actions but are of different races and weight be treated completely opposite of one another?
*It is also interesting to note that (as predicted) the white, “attractive� woman is receiving the advantage while the black, “overweight� woman is disadvantaged.*