TV/Sports heroes?

I don't get a chance to watch too much TV, but do record a few things on the TIVO. Whenever I watch TV I am always interested in the racial/ethnic background of the characters. Rarely do I find a character I can relate to and say "hey, I'm down with them." Between maids, janitors, and gangsters there seems to be a sea of stereotypes and typecast characters on TV. Recently, I have seen these four personalities/characters to be quite interesting. First on the list is Ish Monroe, pro fisherman. He is one of the few faces of color on pro fishing television. He explains in one interview that he likes hip hop and likes to see the young kids get excited about fishing. In another interview he is asked how is it being one of the few African American fishermen. He responds, in so many words, it doesn't matter if he is black or any other color that he is just there to fish. At first I was like "ah, man come on and represent!" After thinking about for a few moments though, I came up with some questions/thoughts of my own. First I am sure Ish may feel like that black/brown kid in the class who is surrounded by white folk who are asked, "please tell me about your people." It very difficult to have one person answer for a population of people. On the other hand, I think it is important to know that we are part of a bigger whole. On the other hand, someone might ask me, "why are you looking for Latinos and black folks on a fishing show, that's like asking 'where's my peoples at' at a country western bar." The interesting thing about fishing is that in the real world it is pretty diverse. If you ever gone(depending where) will meet all kinds of interesting people not to mention see Asian, Latino, and black folks having a good time. Unfortunately, you see these folks at the park and the mountains but not on TV. Let me tell you, I think it would pretty funny to see something like this, "This morning we have our new contestant, Rojelio Sanchez, he is sponsored by Tecate beer, will not turn down his marachi music, and for the first time, has people protesting the BASS Masters Classic."

Next on the chopping block, is Gabrielle and Carlos Solis in the popular show "Desperate Housewives." On the show, it is interesting to see actual Mexican people playing Mexican characters-what a novel idea! On the show, in the scope of how desperate all the other wives are, Gabrielle is not the bad per se. She often takes up interesting causes, saving a immigrant slave, protecting her marriage from nay sayers, and saving a child from a the clutches of a irresponsible stripper and druggie boyfriend. A Mexicana you can believe in right? Well, these events did not happen without other elements at play. The immigrant slave she saved was a Chinese girl who was a overworked housekeeper of a neighbor and Gabrielle takes her in as her "help." She protects her marriage from a overzealous nun who wants to horn in on her marriage but only after she ends an affair with a teenage boy. Finally Gabrielle and Carlos steal a baby that was promised to them from a pregnant stripper but changes her mind. The baby is taken back after the stripper changes her mind and wants to keep the baby. So, they're rich and deviants but they are comparable to the other crimes of the wives on the show. I'm just curious why is it the Mexican couple who are the horny, lazy, and at one time ends up prison? Coincidence? I dunno.

Lastly, in this day in age heroes can come in the shape of a hand/digitally drawn faces. Dora the Explora is exposing thousands of kids to Spanish, is not on a crazy diet, and doesn't need to find true love. Huey from the Boondocks is a socially critic, often refelcts on a situation, and is the voice of reason in his family. What more could any one ask for?

Hung vs. Penala

I normally don't watch American Idol but sometimes in the issue of "togtherness"(spending time with my wife) and to see people make fools of themselves, I will tune in here and there. One thing that has always bothered me was the whole wave of people who that William Hung was great. We think it is funny that a guy who seems to be a big nerd singing about a girl who"bangs." In reality, we like a person who reinforces the stereotype, of Asian folks not knowing to how to sing. Other stereotypes that the tv likes to perpetuate are: Asian guys can kick nalgas but can't get even get a kiss (Romero Must Die), Asian women are supressed little beings and work all day slaves (Desperate Housewives), and to many socially inept guys who stare at the computer too much (porno), ladies who are dominatrix(s?) who will love you long time. In the last few years, everyone's favorite discount clothing store (Abercrombie & Fitch) had to pull their offense t-shirts off the shelves. Check out the link for more info.

Intrestingly enough, Asians have a debated place in American society. On the one hand they have been seen as "the man" with almond eyes and with success in business and academia (which is covered in one of my early blogs--Asians aren't smarter then other folks.) Or as funny sounding and general "happy" to "please you" people. What I find intresting is that a minority group that has seemed to be so "accepted" in this country, still get the treatment they do in the media.