Orginally posted at http://nyaf.blogspot.com/
Has anyone else been keeping up with The Real World this season? It's only three episodes in and already it's wearing thin on my feminist nerves. There is just SO much to pick apart this season, but what I have found the most interesting is the relationship between the men and women of the house. Just in case you haven't been keeping up, there are four self-identified women and four self-identified men. Three women have been very close in the house while the fourth,Jonna, has bonded more with the men. This, by her own definition, is because she is not a crazy bitch like the rest of the girls in the house.
The men all seem to agree with her analysis of the situation. One cast member in particular, Joey, is extremely vocal about his dislike for "stupid girls." After his blow out with the three girls in the second episode, his anti-woman persona rang loud.
Now there is a very interesting situation going on where two women out of the three are trying to distance themselves from the third, Ayiiia. I find it very interesting how the two women are buying into the "stupid girl" label that the men have given them. It seems like they are now just trying to prove to the men that they are less "girl-like" than Ayiiia.
Basically it comes down to the group of men being the "default." The sane and normal ones trying to stay above those "crazy girls."
As I watch the show, I think to myself that none of this happens in real life. We shouldn't buy into gender stereotypes because personalities are not determined by anatomy or gender identity. Sometimes personalities clash. There are bound to be instigators in a new roommate situation, but that doesn't mean it's always going to be a woman. There are 3 types of agitators in the Real World. The "bitchy" woman, the caddy gay man, or the ultra-aggressive alpha male. These three archetypes surface in almost every season and it's incredibly irritating.
Of course I think this, but the majority of Real World watchers probably don't. Many just buy into the stereotypes...it's sad.
Hey Real World...get real.
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These shows feed on drama. Unfortunately people love to watch that shit. My friend worked on a casting call for a similar show (which never made it to air) and sure enough it was all about who was super hot and had a personality that might clash with the others and stir up the pot.
I haven't seen the new season, but they used to do that same shit with black and white folk. Y'all know what I'm talking about too, so I won't even describe it.
You watch it, right?
I am semi-proud to say that I have not watched a season of this program after series 3; and somewhat less proud to say I watched season 3.
I didn't watch it for a really long time, but I started after last season when they had the trans woman on the show. I thought this season would be somewhat different, especially because all of the women are women of color but it's not.