Ep 3. White Like Me
- TVPG
- July 7, 1994
- 21 min
-
(12)
In The Real World season 3 episode 3 titled "White Like Me," the roommates are faced with issues of racial identity and privilege. The episode starts off with Kevin, one of the African American roommates, expressing his frustration with race relations in the United States. He feels like he is always being judged or targeted because of his skin color. This leads to a group discussion about privilege and how it affects people's experiences.
During the episode, the roommates participate in an exercise called "White Like Me" where they are asked to wear prosthetics that make them appear to be a different race. Heather, an African American roommate, wears a prosthetic that makes her appear to be white. This is a powerful moment for her as she gets to experience what it's like to be on the other side of the racial divide.
The exercise is not without its challenges, however. Julie, a white roommate, struggles to understand why Heather would want to experience life as a white person when she could never truly understand their experiences. This leads to a heated discussion about race and privilege.
Throughout the episode, there are also moments of lighter fare, such as when the roommates go out to a club and dance the night away. There is a sense of camaraderie and friendship among the roommates, despite their differences.
Overall, "White Like Me" is a thought-provoking episode that forces the roommates to confront their own privilege and biases. It's an important reminder that we all have our own experiences and perspectives that shape our understanding of the world around us.