"Survivor" uses racial divisions to gain ratings

I'm not sure if you've heard about it, but the CBS reality TV show, "Survivor" added a new twist this season. They are dividing the tribes into four ethnic groupings - black, white, Asain, and Hispanic. I wrote an article about it for one of my Journalism classes....i'm posting it below. What's your opinion on the whole thing?

“Survivor” divides at home too
by Brett Crisp

RICHMNOND, VA - There is a storm brewing in the Cook Islands of the South Pacific. CBS reality show “Survivor: Cook Islands” fresh with a new twist and already causing quite a stir, is scheduled to hit U.S. airwaves Thursday, September 14.

Starting its 13th season, the reality show cast a more ethnically diverse group of contestants. According to an Associated Press release, the 20 individuals, called castaways on the show, will be divided into four tribes according to ethnicity – Hispanic, black, white, and Asian.

Jeff Probst, host of the show and a main voice in promotions for the new season, recognizes the potential of the new twist.

“It’s very risky business because you’re bringing up a topic that is a hot button,” said Probst to the AP service for young readers.

According to an MSNBC online poll, Probst was right in his prediction that the show is hitting a touchy subject this season. The poll responses are divided nearly equally as to whether the new twist is a good or a bad idea.

VCU’s response to “Survivor” ‘s new racial focus is also divided.

“I think it’s a bad idea, because that’s just racism,” said freshman Jenny Vo.

Senior Nicole Ballou agrees. “We spend so much time trying to be united as a nation and that [the new twist] is going against everything we’ve tried to do,” she said.

Other students are supporting the show’s decision.

“I think it’s a really good idea. The ratings are going to go up,” said sophomore Natascha Williams.

“I don’t think people should read so much into it, it’s just a game,” said senior Chanel Call.

Assistant Professor of Mass Communications, Dr. Lynn Owens agrees with Probst that this is a risky ploy. “It’s going to be tricky business for the producers,” she said.

Owens also thinks that the primary danger in the show’s focus on race is stereotyping.

“It’s going to be difficult not to highlight stereotypes,” said Owens.

With voices on both sides of the coin, the only thing that is certain is that a show that has not been in the spotlight for a while has garnered attention once again. Whether the attention will help or hurt the show is yet to be determined.