Post #2

From what I’ve gathered from the “Critical Race Theory” on the Purdue’s Online Writing Lab, the critical race theory can be used to study different forms of media in order to observe how its representation of races and cultures interact with our society at large. Those who use this approach take into account white privilege, microaggressions, as well as other prejudices and how they play into keeping institutionalized racism in place. It also takes intersectionality into consideration and emphasizes the importance of well-portrayed representation in media/sharing of one’s stories. 

In Derrick Bell’s “Who’s Afraid of Critical Race Theory”, the theory can be summed up in my newly found favorite statement: “revolutionizing a culture begins with the radical assessment of it”. This includes taking released media and challenging problematic notions within it and opening a discussion. From doing this, we can grow as a society. It is stated in this review that a goal for CRT theorists is to “empower and include traditionally excluded views” as they see all-inclusiveness as the ideal. I feel like it is important that this is done through the continued critique/challenging of media and addition of representation of cultures that are rarely seen in media. 

This all being said, in response to the Travis Turner TMZ interview: YIKES. We start off the video right away with Travis stating that he is not worried about the black community being mad at him for voicing a black character because he has collaborated with black artists such as WC and Snoop Dogg, as if merely working with them is a free pass for his ignorant comments. This is very similar to the argument “I’m not racist because I have a (insert race) friend”. After another minute of Travis creating more excuses to his behavior in attempts to justify why he should be allowed to continue what he is doing, he states that his actions are not culturally appropriating because there is nobody more suited for the role. Obviously. there is nobody more suited for the role of a black character than this white man. It seems as though no one else was available at the time of casting. 

Applying the CRT on Travis’ interview, it is easy to point out all the ignorant comments made, but we also observe the devastating result of his actions. As a white man, he takes up the space that could have EASILY been given to a black person. To him, the character is only that. A fictional character. However, as well all (hopefully) know, black people and other minority groups exist and are not merely fictional characters for one’s amusement. And to have media representation that is already rarely given be played by someone who only knows the echos of your culture is an insult.