At first, I said that six episodes wouldn’t be enough for the FX’S Black.White series. Now, I’m beginning to think that it’s too much. Just a few thoughts:

• I wasn’t nearly as upset with Carmen about the “Black creature” comment as Brian and Renee. I completely understand the concern about our historical propensity for ignoring the fundamental humanity of Black people. I’m also disturbed by Carmen’s constant fetishizing of Blackness. But I’m wondering if could have been a better response than Brian and Renee’s hardline approach and Bruno’s condescending response (”you clearly are ignorant to the term”).
• It’s interesting how Bruno can so easily detect “racism” from some African drummers in the park, but is completely oblivious to White racism under any circumstances. Suddenly, subtle things like glances, instincts, body movements, and even drum patterns are accurate measures of Black hostility. This is a stark contrast to the hardcore fact finding mission that Bruno demanded of Brian the previous week.
• I thought it was disgusting how, through the use of camera angles and music, they turned a group of drummers into an angry lynch mob waiting to attack white interlopers. This, fundamentally, is the problem with reality television. Just like with Flava Flav’s show, the producers are able to construct whatever reality suits their needs. My best guess is that those drummers were no more angry or uncomfortable with Carmen and Bruno’s presence than the White bar patrons.
• I’m becoming more interested in Nick. While I still find him obnoxious, I’m a little more understanding of his plight. As a 16 year old boy who would be in the 8th grade if he returned to school, he represents a whole host of young Black men for whom school has not been a comfortable fit. In light of this week’s New York Times article on the plight of Black men, his resistance to the idea of racism is particularly intriguing. Also, I’m curious about the decision to choose a Black family that had a son like Nick and a White family with a daughter like Rose. One could argue that complex representations of both could undermine stereotypes, but things like the watch incident only seem to reaffirm them.
• Renee really does look like Tisha Campbell.