I'll have to agree with people and say that Kevin from New York was the bomb! He came to my school a couple of years ago, and he was still holding it down. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/cool.gif

As for Mohammed from San Francisco, that was my guy! They never gave him much air-time and that's because he was basically drama-free! (They love to give air time to the people of color who have crazy drama!) He (Mo) was a positive black man doing his thang, and I loved that.

As far as Segun on the casting special, I didn't get any vibes that he was gay. I got the impression that yes, he was heavily into his appearance. But I know quite a few heterosexual men like that, too. Segun was just a "pretty boy." Even if you don't think he's that attractive, that's just how he carried himself. And while it is true that maybe he took it to the extreme (lotion gloves!), I can appreciate a brotha who cares about his appearance. And just because he was into his appearance, does not mean that folks should assume he's gay. I don't know, that's just me. *shrug*

I like Malik too. I am not diggin' his blow-out afro look, but he is cute. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif He seems like he will be one of those positive men of color with some actual substance.

I could go on and on about the Real World, but I won't. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

I don't think that most people are saying Segun is gay just because he is into his appearance. During the Truth or Dare, they asked him had he ever fantasized about other men. He very quickly said that he had and all men had. He was also saying that he's sure whenever most men are with their gay friends in a gay bar, they wonder about the other side. All of the men at the casting special were yelling NO, not me. The women were in shock. Now whether men are lying or not, I know of no straight men that would admit to thinking about other men. I also don't know of any straight men who knowingly have gay friends or that have been in a gay bar. And if they have, they wouldn't admit it if they are really straight. I don't care whether or not he's gay (although I believe he is but unwilling to acknowledge it just yet) but I think that's probably why people think he's gay.

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#10 Sigma (Clark Atlanta University) Spring 1999
Currently: MAL, Southern Region

I was flipping through the channels and I saw that dude crying. I was like WTH is this? This big @$$ dude sitting down crying like a little girl? I thought THAT was kind of suspect and I didn't even know about the "gloves" and the "Truth or Dare".

I saw this yesterday and will definitely be tuning in (or recording) this season. Nicole seems sweeter than Coral ~ but they are representing for the most part. I couldn't believe Coral didn't do or say something to that Chinese chick though! She was very arrogant and shallow.

I don't know what to say about Jisella & Sophia ~ that was just TRIF!

Malik does need to braid that hair ~ it isn't appealing to have it out! He would be much cuter w/ it braided.

What did everyone think about the guy w/ cancer? Do you think he made it because of that? or because he genuinely makes a good cast member? I was surprised Rachel (the promiscious virgin http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/rolleyes.gif )didn't make it. I liked her.

I just had to say one more thing about Segun...
And please don't take this the wrong way. I am only stating my opinion.

In my opinion, Segun did not make it because he has nothing to offer and no talent unless you consider looking in the mirror talent!!

I think?? all the other men of color on Real World had at least one thing to offer...music,poetry,comedy, writing...well, maybe Cyrus didn't..but at least he was athletic!!

Segun came across as very shallow, uninteresting and small(minded). Personally, I would like for a black man that has something positive to do or say representing my people, rather than the Segun's of the world. I think that "white america" stereotypes us enough. And although Segun's do exist(we all know at least one)...I don't want the world to think that we are all like that. David, from RW-Nawlins' had the tendency to be shallow at times...but I can overlook some of his arrogance and ignorance. People that are somewhat "artsy" are sometimes on a different level than those of us that do not possess "artistic talents"

Again, this is just my opinion. I could talk about Real World all day...well, maybe not all day, but for a while http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

First up, Angel was an ass. He was homophobic and just his whole vibe was just...wrong. His homophobia automatically put me off. I was glad he didn't get picked. (I'm pretty sure he didn't get picked. Right?)

Secondly, I thought that the way folks cried was a bit interesting too. I mean, it's only The Real World after all. It did raise my eyebrow to see them (especially Segun) base their whole sense of self-worth upon acceptance into the Real World or not. But, to be fair, if that was something that they were really shooting for, then who am I to say that they shouldn't cry when they got rejected? Who knows? If I wanted it, and didn't get it, I might cry too. *shrug*

Ok, third (and I'm going back to Segun) - if he had been picked, the show would have been interesting no doubt. But I personally (and I would hope nobody else would either) wouldn't have looked at him on the show, and thought "Oh, this is how black men are." Apparently, some black men are like Segun. And that's fine. Some black men are like Kevin from New York, Mohammed from San Fran, like David from New Orleans, and like the other David from Los Angeles. I'm glad that they don't pick black men who are all cut from the same mold. Because, in reality, black men aren't all the same. I know some people were looking at Segun like "Oh my God, he is so feminine," or "What's up with those gloves?" or "What's up with him crying?" I know he may annoy and bother some people. But just because he behaves like a pretty boy doesn't make him any worse than some of the other black men who have also acted crazy on The Real World. (And we know that they have. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif)

Just my .25.

Why is everybody accusing Angel of being homophobic?? He said in an interview that his sister is a lesbian who recently came out, and that he now has conflicting opinions about homosexuality. I think there's a difference between that issue and being homophobic.

Also, if I had been smooching some guy and then turned around to see him tonguing some other dude "to make him feel like he belonged", I would have to stop for a second too.



[This message has been edited by SweetestDiva (edited July 02, 2001).]

Dang, I was just thinking about that whole Truth or Dare thing! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif I thought that he had said that he didn't fantasize about being taken or whatever, but he did wonder from time to time what it would be like.

Frankly, I think there are more heterosexual men that wonder from time to time than they, of course, will admit. And for those that were yelling "NO!" and flipping out, well..methinks doth protest too much. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/cool.gif When people protest too much, that usually leads me to think that they are hiding something about their own sexuality/sexual orientation or that they are not secure in their sexuality.

I'm not saying that all heterosexual men fantasize about other men or even wonder on an intellectual level. (So don't anybody get into a tizzy. *lol*) But I think that more men do than they let on. When I saw the casting special and his Truth or Dare response, I actually said, "OK, this brotha really took it there." *chuckle* I thought that he could be gay, or it could be just that he his secure in his sexuality (heterosexuality) to have gay friends, go to a gay club, to admit that it has crossed his mind and not feel threatened.

I don't know. I could see how folks would think he was gay based on that Truth or Dare thing. But I just didn't think he was gay. *shrug* I think I'm alone in that though. *lol*

Alright, I think I'm done talking about Segun now. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

poor Segun... ech!

ANYwayz, I wasn't feelin' Coral, she seemed a bit on the instigator side.
Jisela was cool
I liked Ellen, although she was a bit insecure...
The I've-Never-Seen-A-Penis-Chick was sweet
Malik -- tiiight. Maybe we'll see some good black male blood on the show again! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif
Nicole (ghetto Fab) was cool and seemed very sweet and genuine...
I don't remember the other folks, so I will stop here.

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"Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it."
Henry David Thoreau

I swear, I keep coming back to Segun, but folks are just doing him wrong. *lol* First of all, I can't even agree with the small-minded comment. What about Angel? What about the guy from North Dakota who had a real "problem" with dressing in drag (dang, man, it was just in fun!)? What about the guy (I think his name was Mike and I think he was the one with the video camera and I think he got picked) who talked with Coral about his views on race and homosexuality?

I could say that all three of those people were close-minded. Segun actually seemed pretty open.

I would love it if all the black men on the Real World (and Road Rules, for that matter) were all positive and if all their behavior was positive. But everybody is not a Kevin or a Mohammed, and that's just real. Personally, I too, thought that David from New Orleans was more than a little arrogant. I wouldn't want anyone to think that all black men were like him, either. When you say that you don't want everybody to think all black men are like Segun, what is it about him that you don't want people to see? (Just curious, seriously.)

Segun wasn't un-positive, he was just him. *shrug*

Hmmm...not trying to be funny here, but what does Malik have to offer? I mean, he got picked and he didn't exhibit any "creative" talent as far as I remember, he was just a guy. I like him, this is true, but he was just chillin'. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/cool.gif What will be his claim to fame? The fact that he can blow out his hair in a really special way? *lol* He seems really positive, but you never know. Segun, if he had been picked, might have turned out to be one of the most positive cast members. *shrug*

Just a few more thoughts. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

What I meant was that b/c we live in the United States, some people in white America will no doubt streotype black men (or gay black men, or even gay men in general b/c, as Snoop says "Please Believe It", Segun (I think, But I know that I don't know him but even SweetestDiva said he is very feminine--not saying all feminine men are gay or vice-versa but, COME ON NOW!! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif) is a closet homosexual if I've ever seen one--and I have...)...But, anyway, I was saying that I wouldn't want people making ignorant, negative stereotypes. Would you want them to put a black gang-banger or drug-dealer on the show??? I did not want Segun on the show not b/c he may be gay but b/c I did not like his attitude and seemed arogant, shallow (like when he was talking about how he values "Hoes"...WHATEVA!!), and immature. I value diversity just as much as the next person, but we have to draw the line somewhere. Don't get it twisted (cuz I don't) http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif, I know there are MANY shallow, immature (like David acted sometimes on RW New Orleans...he got on my nerves sometimes), and ignorant black men in America, but I'd rather not see stereotypes perpetuated on tv.



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"If there is no struggle, there is no progress"--Frederick Douglass

Soror, while I agree that we should be happy to be represented regardless, I don't agree that it is "always us" who make it an issue. I guess Asians wouldn't care. Why should they? Last time I checked, there was no such thing as a House Oriental and a Field Oriental, based on their skin complexion. We are STILL dealing with the repercussions (sp?) of this. The fact of the matter remains that there is STILL a color divide within our race, and it is perpetrated in the media. Now whether we want to admit that or not is another story. Jasmine Guy even touched on it in her IP. It's easier to say that it shouldn't make a difference or that it doesn't bother you when you are on the other side. When you grow up dark-skinned and you get teased for it, it's a different story. When you STILL (in 2001) hear ig'nant people say ish like, "You're pretty to be dark-skinned," it's a different story. Maybe that's why some people still pay attention to HOW we are represented on TV.

lastpoetnsite,
No disrespect intended with this post...

I agree with most of what you said, however I disagree on the talent issue. Being talented does not neccessarily mean that you can sing, dance or write. I think that there are several talented cast members on Real World, AND there are several who are not.

I think we are giving Segun too much credit. I should not have attacked him by saying he is gay...because that really does not matter to me. I had a problem with the superficial way the he represented himself. As if that is all he has to offer...But then of course, it is my problem with him, and not anyone else's.

You are right, MTV tends to pigeonhole all of their cast members into certain roles. As I watched the casting special, I could pretty much guess who was going to be picked. I think Segun rubbed me the wrong way because I thought he gave MTV another chance to show to the world this stereotypical black man, instead of showing positive brothers, like Kevin. Kevin said on the casting special that at the time they were filming, the Rodney King incident just had taken place. I wonder...did that affect his temper at that time?

much respect...

maxx5...no disrespect taken. *smile*
that is exactly my point...the brotha was annoying true enough...but instead of pointing out that...dag this dude is annoying...folx tried to go for the jugular to cut away at his manhood. that is not right. that is the part that really bugged me about the exchange about Segun.

there are a couple of things that we have to realize. the show is not live...it is cut and edited to suit the needs of Bunim/Murray. for the most part they are filmed 24/7 and as we all know our lives are not exciting day in and day out...and neither are theirs. the shows are cut to portray people as characters. for the most part people play up to that...with some exceptions (heather b. comes to mind).

so far Bunim/Murray have done an excellent job in accentuating the negative and down playing the positive. they have also played to peoples own taboo's and stereotypes. you don't think them shooting Segun being concerned with his looks one day...and him talking about homosexuality the next was coincidence? nah...he was set up to be a characature. and everyone fell for it.

its just something to think about.

oh and about talent. hmmm...i do agree that there are some talented people on there...but the reality is that most of those people got the jobs they are in because of the real world not in spite of. kevin and heather b. are two people who were doing their thing before and after the show.

peace


[This message has been edited by lastpoetnsite (edited July 03, 2001).]

I agree.