Get ‘Em While They’re Young
Turns out that motto isn’t just for tobacco companies, R. Kelly and fans of Dazed and Confused. Kids TV networks have been following it for years. Peep game…
When my insomnia kicks in, I usually tune into Nick (formerly Nickelodeon) to watch their late night line up – Home Improvement, Family Matters and Fresh Prince of Bel Air. I was watching Tim the Tool Man destroy himself the other night when a commercial came on that caught my attention. It was for a show called “True Jackson VP.” No, it’s not Slim’s G rated, Nick Cannon-esque side hustle. It’s a show featuring a 15 year old Black girl who works for a 40 something White woman at a fashion company.
The main character, True, is surrounded by a cast best described as the 2009 Benetton kids. She works with a teenage White guy, an Asian girl as well as a subtly gay Black man. Nothing out of the ordinary really, kids’ networks have been pumping racial diversity and subtle homosexual references since some of us were young tikes (You remember Bert and Ernie. How they lived together. In the same room. Yeah…). So why did the show catch my attention? Because the commercial featured a young White dude kissing said young Black girl.
I have to admit, that stopped me dead in my tracks like when I saw the photos of Cassie in Complex. Not because of the kiss, but because of what channel it was on. Every once and awhile, mainstream America gets treated to a glimpse of interracial affection in the media. From “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” in 1967 all the way to “Guess Who” in 2005. But those are movies. They’re supposed to challenge the norm. We hope. TV doesn’t do that as much. I can count on one hand how many times I’ve seen a Black and White couple on TV. The one that stands out in my head is Aisha Tyler when she played that doofus Ross’ love interest. That took 9 seasons, only happened because people complained and it was a more adult show. “True Jackson VP” is obviously a kids’ show, it’s only been on for one season and they’re doing it of their own volition.
Then again, every generation’s media intake is more daring than the previous ones. My parents watched all Black and all White casts, when I was a kid there were more racially diverse casts, but you never saw them have more than a friendship. For example, those who watched “Saved By the Bell” will remember that the playboy Zack Morris had a relationship with most of the chicks on the cast. Except Lisa. The two of them kissed, talked about it during one episode and it was quickly forgotten. Now casts actually have relationships regardless of the race. I’m anxious to see if that will translate into network TV when these kids grow up and begin to watch primetime slotted shows.
But all this got me thinking – if they’re putting this imagery out to kids now, is it possible that it won’t be a big deal to see a Black woman kissing a White guy on TV anymore? More so, will that in turn affect the next generation’s views on interracial dating? For example, will Black women be less apprehensive to date White guys because of what they see on TV growing up? And will White guys finally have the Spaldings to pursue Black women a la Robin Thicke? Just something to ponder while you’re pretending to do work or procrastinating on studying for that quiz.
Seattle – Personally, I Like Caramel With My Chocolate – Washington
50 Responses to “Get ‘Em While They’re Young”
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they say life imitates art if the old adage is true then it will become more socially acceptable. I think its a good thing to show children if they grow up with no bias things may be much better.
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RightCoastLexSteele, Global Cocksman Reply:
January 27th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
I’m all for it. Let’s get this cross-pollination crackin
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I have a 3 year old daughter who told me the other day she wants to be True Jackson when she “gets big, big, big” and that Carly Shea (iCarly) is her friend. Nickelodeon has indeed captured the attention of ALL the kids, but I worry about the images. I worry that my daughter watches too much tv (but that’s something altogether different) so I am constantly trying to safeguard and censor what she DOES watch. Don’t get me wrong, we read, write, draw, take walks in the park, go for bike rides, etc., but there is an undeniable attraction between children and the television. I, too, was stopped in my tracks when I saw True kiss the white guy. I had to check myself and my own values and judgements. Ultimately, I previewed the show and found that the episode itself was a bit much for my three year old. What I did remark on, though, is the fact that in an effort to display diversity, True Jackson VIP might be TOO “Melting Pot-ish”. Will True ever have a black boyfriend? Does she have other black friends? Aside from the obviously (not subtly) gay receptionist, True is, so far, the only African American person who works for Mad Style. My daughter only has Black dolls. Her clothing, if there must be faces on them, has Black faces. Her birthday invitations – Black children. Dance lessons – Black performing arts academy. (I’m sure you get it now.) I want her to have a global view without feeling ashamed or neglecting the importance of knowing the history of and being in contact with people who look like us. Am I wrong?
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Cuz Peyso Says So Reply:
January 27th, 2009 at 10:39 am
U dont invite her white friends to her bday parties?
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niasmomma Reply:
January 27th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Of course my daughter’s white classmates are invited to her parties. Invitations, however, are extended to them on decorative, high-quality cardstock that is imprinted with happy Black children’s faces on them.
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I’m thinking kids are already on their way to being desensitized… My little cousin think its nothing to want to be Miley Cyrus…. or to dress up as the 2520s on High School Musical for Halloween.
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Seattle Washington Reply:
January 27th, 2009 at 10:54 am
So you never wanted to be a White character on Halloween? Back in the day, I know I wanted to be a Ghostbuster for Halloween and it wasn’t because of Ernie Hudson.
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Nicki Sunshine Reply:
January 27th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
LOL.. I didn’t. We didn’t have money so mama made costumes like ghosts and witches.
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Seattle Washington Reply:
January 27th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Lol. That is true. Wanting to be one and being one were a different story. There’s plenty of pics of me dressed as a bum. The
easiestcheapest costume ever.Reply
Black & Trapped in Toronto Reply:
January 27th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
One year someone in my fam allowed me to explore my creative side and I went out as Malcom X ??!!!LOL…..
I thought I was soo damn smart drawing X on my face lololol…I’d give anything to recapture on film the looks on ppl faces when they asked me “so lil girl what r u dressed up as?”…I dont know what possessed me, I must’ve been 8yrs old @ the time….
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Nicki Sunshine Reply:
January 27th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
“One year someone in my fam allowed me to explore my creative side and I went out as Malcom X ??!!!”
I think this kilt me. LMAO!!!! This has to be the funniest comment of the day. I know you shocked the he!! out of some parents. I love it.
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Black & Trapped in Toronto Reply:
January 27th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
Uh oh…more typos (malcom s/b Malcolm) smh…I’m a stop writing today lol
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Vanessa aka Miss V Reply:
January 27th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
LMAO wow… that was pretty darn funny. i would have loved to see that costume!
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Nicki Sunshine Reply:
January 27th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Seattle, I think we did the bum once too… I also did the ballerina… just put my hair in a ball on top of my head. LOL
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Seattle,
How could you forget on the Jeffersons the couple on there.
Or am I just telling my age?
So that’s one.
2. Soap operas (Young and the Restless, Neal and Malcom)
3. Friends
4. Julia (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062575/)
5.
Ok, you got me. Right now I can’t think of any more but I’m sure they are out there.
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Seattle Washington Reply:
January 27th, 2009 at 10:46 am
You’re not showing your age at all. You’re right though, I did forget about Tom & Helen from The Jeffersons. Only thing with the Jeffersons is George was constantly making fun of Tom & Helen for being together. On other shows, it was viewed in a positive light.
I can’t get down with the Soap Operas though, so thanks for the heads up!
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The prophetic MC Jay-Z once wrote that “”Scarface” the movie did more than Scarface the rapper to me”. If we take that to be true for all children, what they watch will have a very large affect on how they act and how they perceive the world around them. However, I feel like how the parents frame what is going on tv has a large affect on how the children grow and their future world views.
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i must admit that i think it’s kind of cool when the kid shows try to “diversify” their casts. i kinda agree though with niasmomma in the sense that there needs to be MORE black/latino people on those shows in addition to the token one or two. i personally like the That’s So Raven show (and their spin-offs) because i feel they make a better attempt at showing diversity (ex. showing the dynamics of the black family).
what pisses me off is when there is one black person on the show and he/she is super ghetto. like why do they have to use the most stereotypical version of a black person? for example, I was watching Total Drama Island on Cartoon Network, and the only black girl on the show totally upset my spirit (she had the big hoop earrings, the neck roll and everything). now, if they had another non-ghetto black girl to balance that one out, it would have been fine. but they don’t…
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I think this is true as well. I remember when I was little I wanted to be Lucy…yes from I Love Lucy…
And my first BF was a 2520. Ahhhhh….the good days. LOL J/K. My father said he’d disown me if I continued. Now you look around and Lily and Cane/Billy/Daniel (always a white dude) are doing it…and doing it big…wtf? Can she just get with her brother already?
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Ehhh I’m sorry, but seeing a Black woman kiss a White man on TV hasn’t been a big deal for at least 10 years. While I don’t know who this True character is, television has been displaying cross-cultural/interracial couples for a quite some time now.
To add to Shawn’s list (in no particular order):
-The starter of it all: Star Trek! (Captain Kirk and Lt. Uhura)
-Of course, the Jefferson’s!
-Grey’s Anatomy (Yang and Berk)
-Lost (don’t know their names, but the only Black chick on there is married to a White man)
-ER (Benton and Corday back in the day…Eriq LaSalle actually asked that story line to stop, for fear of Black women)
-Sex and the City (Miranda and Blair Underwood)
-Ally McBeal
…and a slew of others. I think the questions you posed would be more pertinent to our time if they referred to the portrayal/display of gay couples on television. They’re starting to show women kissing women and men kissing men on primetime TV. This, I think, is of a bigger concern for our younger generation (regarding acceptability and what’s perceived as the norm) in the coming years than that of interracial couples on TV.
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Seattle Washington Reply:
January 27th, 2009 at 11:24 am
You’re right Ms. Goodness. As I said in the entry, it wasn’t about the kiss itself. We’ve had plenty of interracial couples as you noted in your list above.
What I was talking about was where it showed up – on a kids’ network. There have been plenty of interracial couples on adult shows, the point of the entry was about what they’re showing the kids.
Cuz you know, Seattle loves the kids. In a purely mentoring, community service, non R. Kelly sort of way.
And this is a different topic in of itself, but I have a short attention span anyway – why is showing LGBT activity on TV a concern of yours?
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Slim Jackson Reply:
January 27th, 2009 at 11:37 am
“And this is a different topic in of itself, but I have a short attention span anyway – why is showing LGBT activity on TV a concern of yours?”
I was gonna ask that. I think we both know the answer…
It has to be the fear that Black male children will grow up thinking this stuff is okay and down low brothas will then be up high, and no good Black men will be left except Slim Jackson, Seattle Washington, and their hetero cohorts.
It’s like society is becoming more socially liberal and financially conservative.
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ChokLitFacory Reply:
January 27th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Also co-sign with Slim.
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Nyela Goodness Reply:
January 27th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
“…why is showing LGBT activity on TV a concern of yours?”
This is no concern of mine no more than the topic at hand is a concern for you. I was simply making the point that seeing interracial stuff goin on in TV-land is old news. If questions are to be posed about how TV is changing and how the young folks’ perception of things are being affected by these changes, then the evolution of “LGBT activity on TV” should be the first in line. I’d argue that (and someone else said this first) “Gay couples on commercial television are where interracial couples were about 15 years ago.”
@Slim – ::shiver:: I can’t even go there right now.
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Nyela Goodness Reply:
January 27th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
@Seattle – Even though you posed the question “is it possible that it won’t be a big deal to see a Black woman kissing a White guy on TV anymore,” my comment wasn’t about the kiss, itself, either. I, too, was referring to the overarching display of interracial dating in television. I’m still not following you, though. Are we assuming “kids” don’t watch Grey’s with their big sisters or Lost with their parents?
To what “kids” are you referring? What age range? Kids shows have been diversified since I was a child. (Captain Planet, anyone?) As far as romantic happenings being shown among them, well, very rarely did romantic storylines happen in the first place…on “kids” shows. But if you’re talking about shows like “That’s So Raven” and this “True Jackson” thing, I’d guess the the young folk that watch this show have already been exposed to interracial dating via several different mediums, and it’s already “not a big deal.” That perception has little to do with what’s being shown on “kids” networks.
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Cuz Peyso Says So Reply:
January 27th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
I agree. I think this discussion will be more appropriate when it happens in a cartoon.
Sidebar: Anybody else think the dude that had the Love ring on Captain Planet was gay?
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Seattle Washington Reply:
January 27th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Ms. Goodness, while you were referring to the “overarching display of interracial dating on television,” I’ve been talking about the display of interracial dating on kids’ shows. I don’t doubt that children watch primetime television with their folks or older siblings; however, that’s not what this post is about. It’s about what networks are displaying on True Jackson, VP. A kids’ show that’s on a kids’ network – Nickelodeon.
In referencing shows like True Jackson, VP (present) and Saved By The Bell (past), I thought I made it clear that I was referring to a demographic ranging from adolescents to the early teenage years. I.e. kids.
Also, romance has been a constant theme throughout children’s shows while I’ve been around. One could watch Looney Tunes, Batman (the cartoon) all the way to Power Rangers to see a basic version of it.
But you bring up a good point that others have as well. This may not be a big deal to these kids because of their surroundings and diversified classrooms. Hence why I asked do you think that interracial dating will be as big a deal to them as it is to us and previous generations.
Whew. Now I have to go and do what these folks pay me to do.
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ChokLitFacory Reply:
January 27th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
I agree with Nyela 100% on this one. Interracial couples aren’t really a big deal to me. In fact, in my hometown, it is sometimes RARE to find black men and women dating within their own raace **smh** so, I’m not surprised or shocked what NICK is promoting on the tube.
But showcasing LGBT coupledom on kid’s TV would be my biggest concern. I personally think there is something wrong with showing young boys it is ok to crush on other boys, when you ‘grow up’. No ma’am!!
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Cuz Peyso Says So Reply:
January 27th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
What town ru from?
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ChokLitFacory Reply:
January 27th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Originally from Edmonton, Alberta. In Canada.
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RightCoastLex Reply:
January 27th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
“Interracial couples aren’t really a big deal to me. In fact, in my hometown, it is sometimes RARE to find black men and women dating within their own raace **smh**”
God Bless Canada, their House of Parliament and Labatt’s Blue.
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Seattle Washington Reply:
January 27th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
Road trip?
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ChokLitFacory Reply:
January 27th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Yeah, everybody dates everybody here, its very common.
But in Edmonton especially, ‘Beckys’ are on the HUNT for Black men, it ain’t no joke!
Get your Passports ready..
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RightCoastLex Reply:
January 27th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Caribana, we’re out eh?
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ChokLitFacory Reply:
January 27th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Hahah see u there!
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These shows are also reflecting what the kids see everyday. This generation is growing up with friends and classmates whose parents are of different ethinicities and so it’s not weird or “shocking” to them like it is to us.
I don’t even really think it’s getting them while they’re young as much as it’s just putting on tv what they see everyday anyway.
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Nyela Goodness Reply:
January 27th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
One of my points, exactly.
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I will need to watch this show to see this fabricated racial utopia for myself…because newsflash- it does not and will not exist. By no means do I condone interracial relationships, I am bi-racial, I have a rainbow of friends & co-workers, and the word diversity is constantly being shoved down my throat. I grew up in a city where you go to school with the rainbow and we are all taught to get along, hold hands and love one another- color blind? But as I grew older I started to see the differences for myself- No matter how light-skin I am or how long my hair is I will always have to work ten times harder than my blonde hair blue eyed chum no matter what.
So while I think that shows like this may somehow get the dialogue flowing in the homes, ummm we need to open our younger family members eyes to our differences good & bad.
This way we dont have lil keisha not knowing who she is …looking to a blonde hair blue eyed pop star as a representation of beauty, success and power. And if she chooses to date a Robin Thicke she is dating him because she likes who he is- not what he “represents”.
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Slim Jackson Reply:
January 27th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
“By no means do I condone interracial relationships, I am bi-racial”
BTT…is this an oxymoron/typo/etc?
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Black & Trapped in Toronto Reply:
January 27th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
OMG major TYPOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Sorry y’allllll
I’m having a rough week
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ChokLitFacory Reply:
January 27th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
BT&TT, you are biracial and you do not condone interracial relationships?? (AND you live in Toronto??) Why not?
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Ah, Zack and Lisa. I remember how much I cheered with glee when they kissed. And how much I cracked up when Screech stomped on Zack’s foot for taking “his girl” and everyone oooh and ahhed like that was actually badass. And how much I wanted to kill The Powers That Be when that episode and its continuity disappeared into oblivion.
But, anywho. Great article, Seattle and definitely something to think about. In terms of comfortability and what is considered the norm, we first learn that as children. And I think there is definitely an intentional purpose to desensitize interracial relationships while they’re young. Especially white male/black female relationships. It makes me wonder how far that loyalty black women have for their black men will go since the images will be so ingrained in their minds when they’re little girls. Or if they’ll even feel they need to be loyal at all.
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I think it’s ever-changing society. Plus, there is always a token black boy on shows like this so he is put with a white girl. Why is the reverse so shocking?
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I grew up reading Berenstain Bears and quickly understood what the accepted nuclear family was supposed to look like: Everyone must look the same and the kids should look like miniature copies of their parents. While it sends a arguable message [to some] when a television story line involves a happy interracial couple, I think it sends an even more dangerous message when the story line features a character who has interracial relationships that continuously fail. On Disney Channel’s, That’s So Raven, all the white guys that Raven (played by Raven-Symoné) happens to like, always disappoint. The only successful relationship she shares with a male beyond familial ties is her best friend, who is also Black, and more like an emotional lover than strict friend.
When I saw Zack and Lisa almost like each other on Saved by the Bell my immediate reaction was, “Oh, it didn’t work out because they’re from different cultures.” When you think about it, Zack and Lisa were perfect for each other all along: similar economic background, they both loved fashion, both laid back, they had better chemistry than Zack and Kelly, it was definitely perfect.
When/if I ever have kids, I would want them to be exposed to interracial relationships, but ones that are healthy and positive. I was taken aback when I saw a steamy commercial for True Jackson, VP and I don’t want my kids to be hindered by that immediate awkwardness I felt.
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Cheekie Reply:
January 27th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
“I grew up reading Berenstain Bears…”
OMG, this took me BACK. Those books were the bomb.
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yea I saw that, that’s KeKe Palmer from “Akeela and the Bee” playing True Jackson. In a way I hope it does desensitize the youth because as a Black Woman I am hesitant to make white friends period, and I can remember in elementary when I had a white girl BFF. Even in high school I was cool with the “2520s” (where did that come from?). When did I change and what happened? Not sure. But I cringe when I see a Black Man with a white woman, not mad at it, love is love at least I hope it’s present. IDK. But would I want to date a white guy if my feelings were different? Having something new doesn’t hurt, as long as it’s just dating. Love the chocolate!
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Black & Trapped in Toronto Reply:
January 27th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
I ALSO LOVE CHOCOLATE!!!!
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What I’ve noticed about kids these days is that they really don’t see race the way we did back in the day. My nephew is black and he’s always getting confused about who is black, white, hispanic, whatever. He sometimes says things like “I love Tony Romo because he’s Mexican like me” or “I love Barack Obama because he’s black like me.” I think it’s kinda funny, and also very telling of the world today that kids just see all their heroes as “like them” no matter what they look like. That’s especially nice because a lot of kids’ biggest hero today is our black President (did you see the SAG awards’ Red Carpet interview with Tina Fey; she says her daughter was looking in the mirror and turned to her Mom and asked “Don’t you think I look like Barack Obama?” yeah…).
I’m usually not bothered by shows that have “token” kids in them simply because mathematically, it’s the way of the nation. If blacks make up 12% of the country, then in a show with 10 kids, it would make sense to have only one black kid, one hispanic, one gay, etc (I’m a statistician I guess I should have said that from the beginning). What I don’t like is to see shows – black or white – with NO ONE of the other race. We (black people) don’t seem to mind, though, when we see it the other way around. Ask yourself why…
As far as the topic at hand, I LOVE to see interracial couples on tv, and as a bi-racial kid myself, I always looked for it sort of as some kind of validation in a world that told me there was something wrong with me and my family. My immediate family is made up of black, mexican, puerto rican, and white, and I know I’m not the only person who grew up with all different kinds of people as brothers and sisters. I recently saw a commercial for ITT Tech or something and it had a black man, white woman, and two bi-racial kids and that was HUGE for me (Thanks Obama). I wanted to cry/smile/jump for joy because it really shows how far we’ve come as a country. COMMERCIALS is where it really hits main stream. Because I remember growing up I used to get so annoyed to see these obviously mixed kids with black parents on commercials and I’m like… really?
I love America. Times really are a changin. I’m not naive; I know that racism exists. But I would love to think that I won’t HAVE to explain to my kids how they’re different and will have to work twice as hard blah blah because it won’t even be the case anymore. They’ll see all kinds of success with their own eyes. I hope.
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interesting…
people are becoming more and more desensitized to most things at younger ages. everything from teenage pregnancy, interracial dating, and sex are part of the norm for this youthful generation. sadly, this again is the argument of which came first, the chicken or the egg because now children are growing up faster and faster.
sad… i know if my kids (if i ever have any) do that ish, i’m gonna hem them up so fast and beat em like ike beat tina… smh
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Look that’s not the issue at hand….my question is why are white kids…especially on NICK (because there aren’t any show’s besides, Everyone Hates Chris)….always shown as the hero. It’s nothing to show black girls, or any minority, chasing after a white boy. Let that be a minority slobbing down Hanna Montana…”Houston we have a problem”. I don’t let my son’s watch NICK, because I don’t ever want them to think that a white boy has anything on them!!!!
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