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May
24
No They Didn’t…American Idol Racism
Filed Under American Idol, Black/African American Issues, International Racism, Race and Racism, Uncategorized by Rachel
Update: I posted this yesterday, but now I’ve got pictures.? So I’m watching the American Idol finale, and I generally like the show (blogged about it last year each week), but they just had the worst performance most stereotypical costumes.? They had an group called the African Children’s Choir, and they dressed the kids in costumes that looked like animal skins with leopard print head bands.? (I think they were barefoot, too, but I’ll have to double check.)?
They should have let the kids wear what they would normally wear, but instead they decided to sell? the colonial fantasy of Africans being “animal like natives.”? ? I have never met an African from any country who dressed like that.
The kids were really good singers; I am not one to put them down at all.? ? However, the fool? who decided that the African kids should be dressed like “natives” needs to have their butt fired.
If anyone can help me find a picture, I need to post it, so you can see the stupidity.? Hopefully, there will be pictures I can find tomorrow.
First, we have how the kids normally dress.? Found it on line.
Then we have how they were dresses on American Idol.
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53 Responses to “No They Didn’t…American Idol Racism”
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Leopard print…. FUCKING LEOPARD PRINT?????? Because that’s the best visual signifier for how African we are???
It was so stereotypical. I’m may be the only person in the US, who noticed it.
I am not going to pass judgement on the clothing, mainly because I don’t know enough about African dress. It may be possible that there are some African tribes that do use outfits with leopard print. If this is so then I don’t think there is a complaint to be made.
I guess it depends on who made the decision. If it was the directors of the choir, then no problem, if it was a decision made (or influenced) by the network, than you definitely have a fair point.
I will say, that the choice was stupid for one other reason. The original outfits look a whole lot cooler.
Ok… a little bit of googling. It appears that at least the Zulu tribe does use leopard skin as part of their tribal dress.
You can see examples at:
http://www.saembassymuscat.gov.om/text/gallery/people.htm
http://www.africancraftsmarket.com/Zuu_people.htm
http://www.axisgallery.com/store/images/bop30a.jpg
Rory, I know many Africans, mostly West African people, and I haven’t met anyone who wears leopard print. Obviously, we are talking about a huge continent, and many cultures, but it is definitely not the norm in contemporary African cultures to wear animal prints.
I think the outfits that you highlighted in your searches are specific to only a few groups, and mostly likely not current. Moreover, they were probably used only for ceremonial purposes
When I did a google search for this group. This is the only time, I saw them in these goofy outfits.
I just don’t know any African folks who really dress like this, and I’m sure Sewere, who is Nigerian and has spent some time in Kenya, will back me up on this.
Don’t get me wrong… I think the dress is a little bit suspicious. I should of specified that the leopard print was most likely ceremonial in the pictures.
I was offering an alternate explanation more as a “possible” alternate explanation than as a believer.
I just hate to assume the worst about anybody…
OMG! I’ve downloaded the final (yet to watch it) but I just wanted to say you’re so right! I work with a lot of Africans, I’ve visited West Africa, I live in Paris where there’s a large African population, and the only person I’ve seen wear leopard print is a Greek woman. Oh, and an Italian.
I don’t understand why they would do this, when the “normal” dress is so attractive. I see women here everyday in fabulous colors and prints–the shiny cotton from Senegal, and the colors the women from Bnin wear are my favorites, and look wonderful. They certainly bring cheer to winter in Paris.
Why would AI *do* this?
[...] No They DidntAmerican Idol Racism – Rachels Tavern “They had an group called the African Childrens Choir, and they dressed the kids in costumes that looked like animal skins with leopard print head bands. (I think they were barefoot, too, but Ill have to double check.) “ (tags: african tv realitytv) [...]
I live in Congo. Gabrielle’s description fits the Congo, too. True, I have seen people wear leopard skins for ceremonies in far-off villages but for nothing else. Yes, there are a couple Kitawalist groups that wear animal skins regularly, but they’re a religious group that rejects man-made products, and a tiny minority. I have never seen someone wearing animal skins on the street, nor in the villages I’ve worked in.
The pick you posted made me think of the Lion King show at Animal Kingdom.
I appreciate that you’re trying to find a nicer explanation, Rory, but the fact that you have to stretch to find a decent reason is telling (not on you, on AI), That, coupled with my hunch that this is probably the largest number of black children shown on network TV all season long (and in a positive way)?
If the choir routinely dressed the way they did on AI, then fine, But Rachel’s first pic proves otherwise (it’s clearly a performance costume, not street clothes, unless they all shop together), and that means that some producer, director, or high-level wardrobew consultant decided to glam the choir UP for US TV… and THIS is what they came up with.
This is disgraceful. How sad. To think that AI wants to advertise “African culture” this way is insane. I put quotes around it because African Culture is obviously not homogeneous.
I am officially shutting up about this episode, and withdrawing any alternate explanations.
The more I look at the picture, the more condecending and insulting the outfits seem.
I think Lyonside is probably right about the network trying to be “cute”.
saw your link on racialicious.
i saw this mess. i gave my tv the side-eye when i saw how they had dressed those children. you weren’t the only one to notice. i actually fast-forwarded the tivo, i was so disgusted. not by the kids’ performance, but by the jacka–(es) who decided that this was the way to market Africans.
Admin’s Note: I debated about letting this through. but I figured what the hell, it will give us someone to make fun of.
WTF??? YOU ARE A PERSON WHO OBVIOUSLY HAS WAAAAY TOO MUCH TIME ON HIS/HER HANDS. YOU ARE A TOTAL AND COMPLETE WASTE OF SPACE. IT IS PEOPLE LIKE YOU FUCKTARD THAT MAKE THIS WORLD SUCH A HOSTILE PLACE. I DIDN’T SEE ANYONE HOLDING A GUN TO THE CHILDREN’S HEADS AND MAKING THEM WEAR THE OUTFITS. BTW DIPSHIT IF THE FOLKS AT AMERICAN IDOL WERE SO RACISIT WHY THE HELL WOULD THEY HAVE RAISED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR THE THE PEOPLE OF AFRICA!!!!! BOTTOM LINE YOU SHOULD DO A LITTLE MORE RESEARCH ON THE SUBJECT BEFORE POSTING YOUR STUPID ASS BLOG. GET A LIFE!!!
I’m originally from Nigeria, and I’ve seen the African Children’s Choir perform in person multiple times in the US. They have never even worn anything remotely close to the ridiculous costumes American Idol made them wear. Can the media only appreciate POC in caricatures and stereotypes? I’ve seen people from numerous African countries in their traditional dress and I can assure you that leopard skin (or any other animal print for that matter) was nowhere to be seen. The only animal skin one might see are in remote villages, and it looks nothing like what they made the kids wear. This may come as a surprise, but I’m pretty sure most American children have seen more real-life wild animals than most African children will ever see.
I do not watch American Idol, is this a “reality” show?
It is the same old same old. Racist caricatures are the oldest form of propaganda in the United States.
Nielsen Ratings (for the week of 5/14) rank this show at the top nationally:
American Idol-Wed is 1st
Grey’s Anatomy-Thurs 2nd
American Idol-Tues 3rd
Dancing w/Stars-Mon 4th
So first and third are generating profits to the arch right-wing propagandist Rupert Murdoch as both air on Fox. Racism is used to generate those profits.
hat tip to Rory Hes
lol hat tip to Rory Hester for possibly being the first person in blog history to actually change their viewpoint about something…
Thanks Anu,
Technically I didn’t change my mind, since my earlier posts were only an attempt to come up with a rational explanation, not a firm position, but I appreciate the recognition all the same
I think the internet for the most part causes most people to harden their views on any particular stance. I try and make a concious effort to seek out opposing views, and do my best to understand the rational behind them.
I have also feel that since I advocate for certain positions on certain issues (education reform), its only fair that I am willing to “change my mind”. It would be hypocritical of me to expect other people to accept my arguments if I wasn’t willing to accept theirs. No one has a monopoly on truth…
Besides, I have yet to find a progressive blog that has as much reasoned and civil debate as this one. Rachel uses excellent logic and supporting data to make her arguments. I think her commentors are unusually fair as well. Since, Rachel duplicates many of posts over at Alas, I think the Alas blog acts as a lightening rod that draws the less well reasoned comments.
I love you too.
Universities are the most enlightened places and because this is essentially an academic blog with a professor and students, you have the most enlightened discussions. The classroom is the only place where a black student or a woman can speak on an equal level as a man or white person and have equal value because professors make sure everyone is equal. This is especially true in sociology classes.
And this is why Republicans and conservatives hate our educational system especially universities.
From: The National Museum of African Art
Subject: African Attire
Symbols associated with the wilderness and with Islam enliven the attire of a high-ranking Loma warrior. Items from the wild include leopard fur
What is wrong with what American Idol shows? Native dress should be celebrated. No need to be ashamed.
http://africa.si.edu/exhibits/inscribing/power.html
Kind of puts me in mind of Outkast’s obscene stereotyped “Indian dancers” at the 2004 Grammy’s.
http://www.bluecorncomics.com/stype425.htm
But at least those were adults. Those sweet little choir kids in that picture are obviously having a great time, unaware that grownups were mocking them by putting them in Halloween costumes.
Yeah, Local Crank this put me in mind of that too.
So, if it was a bunch of white kids in cowboy suits, that would be racist too.
I just saw these kids perform a couple weeks ago at a church in my neighborhood in Houston. They were amazingly energetic performers, and they were wearing the purple/gold dress that you have in the first picture. I gasped in horror when they came out in the leaopard print as well. DO you know much about the ACC? It is a Christian Mission group. Most of the kids are orphans or have one or two parents with HIV/AIDS. They are sponsored by a foundation called Music For Life:
“Music for Life Institute is the home organization of the African Children’s Choir and is a Christian humanitarian relief and development organization dedicated to the survival, education and well being of Africa’s innocent and abandoned children. Music for Life is not of one specific denomination. We have an evangelical statement of faith and are members of AERDO (Association of Evangelical Relief and Development Organizations.”
http://www.africanchildrenschoir.com/aboutus/aboutus.php
I was really excited about the show, but frankly a little creeped out when we left. It was a VERY Christian show. I am frankly not that surprised that the choir’s adult managers allowed this choice of dress. Every adult that spoke at the performance (to raise money) and the founder himself, were all white. They have helped hundreds of kids, but their missionary message is just plain exploitative and gross, IMHO.
I wonder how many on Idol’s production team are blacks. I would say a fairly sizable number given the show’s audience demographic. Just what we need, more blacks oppressing the blacks.
Tut-tut, Rachel.
Bill – The short answer? Because this is NOT evidently the usual performance attire of the children’s choir. And as people around here have said who are from the West African region, or who know people who are, the normal attire for most areas is NOT leopard skin.
Also, I don’t think those kids are Loma warriors. There are TONS of tribes within many nations of the continent. There is no one African traditional dress, and therefore any example you dredge up will not explain the attire seen on American Idol’s finale.
Me: So, if it was a bunch of white kids in cowboy suits, that would be racist too.
Uh, NO, lets think more along the lines of a children’s group from Ireland, but wearing huge green hats, buckle shoes, and red haired wigs, looking like the Lucky Charms Leprechan (i.e. NOT traditional Irish or Celtic dress by any stretch, but a mish-mosh caricature of Irish stereotypes).
Me: wonder how many on Idols production team are blacks. I would say a fairly sizable number given the shows audience demographic
Since when does audience demographics have anything to do with the production team demographics? AI is hardly a “black” show in any stretch of the imagination. Black production members in TV, especially in any high-level capacity, are usually reported as underrepresentative of the population.
At first I thought “What on earth is she complaining about? There’s nothing wrong with that. Sheesh, talk about looking for something to insult.”
Then I realized that I was only looking at the first picture.
Holy. Shit.
This would be like dressing up kids from the USA in Mickey Mouse outfits,
Ronald McDonald, or even Sponge Bob. It’s like a Hollywood cartoon caricature. How degrading.
Kathy, Those are really good examples to make the point.
I was watching this with my children and as soon as the kids came out, I immediately rolled my eyes and said, sarcastically, “oh great, here we go.” My daughter (13) recognized it right away too. We just looked at each other and sighed.
Sorry guys I know I am a white male but it seems to be as the majority of people writing here are way too sensitive about this issue. Nor did It even remotely see anything wrong with how these kids were being portrayed. I even thought it was cute. I did not notice “lepard skin” or anything else. I just enjoyed the singing. Guys I realize I miss a lot of things being white and I am not as senstive about issues as some black people are and other persons of color (due to not being prejudice against) but I still think this is over reacting and the photographs are not that big a deal. Wanting to be more ethnic made it cute. Wearing traditional or ethnic costumes from ones own courtry is OK. Even though I am German wearing the traditional “Octoberfest” costumes would not offend me.
Dear God, not the S-word.
Because stereotypes are adorable!
To slow down the probable storm of criticism against me I decided to ask my wife what she thought. (She is from Jamaica). She said they were probably trying to be fancy or more African. She said maybe they did not have to dress that way but that it did not really bother her. I asked her because somethimes I use her to see how I am doing on my sensitivty meter. I use her all the time (yes she gets very frustrated with me sometimes) to explain black jokes culture, etc when we sometimes watch movies on BET and I do not get certain jokes or phrases.
Dear God, make it stop!
Will somebody else please tell him? I’m getting a migraine.
Dale, I’m sorry. It’s just that you’re so clueless in a naive sort of way! And now I do believe that you’re a geniunely nice guy.
But I’ve got to tell you: You’re so cliche that you’re going out of style.
We’ve all heard the whole “my-POC-significant-other-agrees-with-me” millions of times. And the fact that you refer to her for jokes on BET? Priceless! If you were here right now, I’d give you little pat on the head.
I think I might start an “Mentor a White Guy” program. Who wants Dale?
Dale, sorry to inform you, but your wife is not the sole arbiter of what people of colour can and cannot find offensive.
Of course not never claimed she was. There is no “one way” a whole group/ race thinks. However getting input from a few people does help me. I think I might have struck a cord here so on this point so I will remain silent on this issue from now on. You must pick and choose your battles.
I thought the song was beautiful and it brought tears to my eyes by the end of their song. It’s a show and the African Kid’s Chior travel around the world performing many shows. They don’t have a “usual” dress…it changes from show to show. The kids were such a cute group of kids…words can accurately describe how beautiful they were as they sang and danced their little hearts out….with such joy radiating from their faces. If you seriously are offended by what they wore then you really really missed out on the joy that I felt watching them…BTW their outfits are not decided by American Idol but by African Childrens’ Choir directors. Maybe the case is that you might have issues of being way too racially sensitive. It must be a heavy burden for you to carry around…always thinking people are constantly stereotyping you in a negative way and seeing it in the littlest ways that more than likely have nothing to do with racial discrimination or stereotyping. Notice…when you point the finger at someone else in a blaming and judgemental way, your other three fingers are pointing right back at your own heart…which you might want to check. I’ve found that esspecially those who constantly accuse others of racism or discrimination act in a way that is much the same of what they accuse others of being. Or maybe you truly experience blatent in-your-face racism, were truly discriminated against, or negatively stereotyped…maybe that actually has happened to you and it’s possible you haven’t dealt with it or resolved it in a healthy way in your own mind. The ability to truly forgive is so freeing. If you’ve never experienced being truly forgiven…then it’s hard to be able to truly forgive. True forgiveness is rooted in love. Look ya’ll, racism will stop only where love begins. True love leaves no room for racism…and true love will continue to love even in the face of racism. Does that make any sense??? Anyway….I ain’t mad at ya….just sharing my mind. And…if you feel like you are being persecuted for your race (which truly happens…not as much as the media protrays at times…but still it happens) But, what is the proper repsponse? I’ve been there. I’ve lived a large chunk of my life as a minority in a country that was extemely ethnocintric and blatently stereotyped the foreigners…and I’ve learned the best response is to this is to return it with love. So stop whining…and start loving. Defending yourself will only strengthen their stereotypes…but when they see you respond in love, peace, kindness, joy….only then will their perceptions of you chance. I hope you remember that the next time you are offended and think, “This person is totally stereotyping me!” Your response will either strengthen their ugly misconceptions or open their eyes to see the true beauty that you possess as well as the true beauty that own culture/heritage has to offer. Peace.
correction:
I meant to say
“words CAN’T accurately describe how beautiful they were as they sang and danced their little hearts out.with such joy radiating from their faces.”
“Defending yourself will only strengthen their stereotypesbut when they see you respond in love, peace, kindness, joy.only then will their perceptions of you CHANGE.”
Chris, you’re just trolling around. You don’t have any special inside information that would let you know if the Idol producers or the choir directors picked the kids clothes.
Why is this that these racism apologists always use the–I have insider information tactic. These idiots drive me crazy.
Ive found that esspecially those who constantly accuse others of racism or discrimination act in a way that is much the same of what they accuse others of being. Or maybe you truly experience blatent in-your-face racism, were truly discriminated against, or negatively stereotypedmaybe that actually has happened to you and its possible you havent dealt with it or resolved it in a healthy way in your own mind.
the hell?
it’s too bad you missed the point of my message. Love being the center of it. “These idiots drive me crazy.” Thanks for the love. ;)
It’s whites’ responsibility to end racism.
It’s mens’ responsibility to end sexism.
yet another test post (and yet another apology. rachel asked me to, i swear!)
i know this is a bit late to the game, but i cant pass it up. i, for one, am very pleasantly surprised at the finale and the performances. AI is such a mainstream show and Randy’s “dawg this and dawg that” I really haven’t watched it in a while. but to have doug e. fresh (i know that finalist beatboxes, but they didn’t have to get Doug E) was dope! how many young kids got exposed to Doug E Fresh for the first time that night? and hopefully, the follow up questions to who is this guy and Slick Rick and maybe somewhere, theres someone who actually got a bit of education on the history of hiphop.
anyway, perhaps they could’ve been more sensitive as to other choices, but i was pleasantly surprised to see the diversity. kinda reminds me when paul simon brought the so. african choir on Sat Nite Live 20 yrs ago, i remember hearing Graceland for the first time and it really opened me up to world music.
one step at a time i guess… AI is such a huge stage that compromises are inevitable.
hi everyone, im Nigerian and in Africa you really wouldnt catch too many people dead in that outfit. but Im not offended. i expect this all the time. i just shook my head and listened to the music. American Idol is not at fault. The choir leaders were at fault. if those were my choir kids i would never let AI dress them that way. Never.
Actually, I have seen these exact kids in concert at my church and when they do a concert they use both of these outfits. They come out at first wearing the “African” ones and sing typical tribal African music. Then, about halfway between the show, they go backstage to change into the purple and yellow outfits and come out to sing more typical gospel/praise songs. These outfits were not designed specially for the American Idol performance. I suggest you do some more research on a topic before you talk about it. Also, the kids were wearing shoes. they were black ballet style shoes, because they dance around so much.
Hey, Emily, before you come to a site, find an OLD post (8 months old, to be exact), and tell us about why you THINK the poster didn’t do enough research, how about a little more information from your end?
Such as, WHEN did you see this group at your church? Before or after American Idol?
The problem, if you read the comments, is NOT the use of tribal costume, but the apparant misuse or stereotypical costume that is SUPPOSED to be tribal but fails in everything but perpetuating stereotypes of Africans.
To quote Any, in the comments above, “Im originally from Nigeria, and Ive seen the African Childrens Choir perform in person multiple times in the US. They have never even worn anything remotely close to the ridiculous costumes American Idol made them wear.”
So. Any has seen them. You have seen them. You have different opinions. That doesn’t mean that the Rachel didn’t do her research, or that AI didn’t encourage stereotypical dress, or that the stereotypes of “Africans” don’t exist and aren’t perpetuated in the media.
oh, and Rachel said that she wasn’t sure about the shoes. If AI didn’t show the shoes, and they’re not visible in the photograph, how was she to know?