Traitors - Black Contestants - WARNING, SPOILERS! (Title edited by MNHQ)

[Jimpson]

SPOILER ALERT!!!

Time and time again black contestants are voted out early doors on reality show. The latest series of the traitors has been on for 2 days and 2 black women have already gone. I even checked the statistics with AI:

Black contestants are statistically eliminated earlier in some reality shows, particularly Survivorand Big Brother, a pattern that has been documented in studies and fan analyses, often attributed to systemic bias or strategic targeting, with discussions on the topic growing as diverse casting increases. While some instances involve clear gameplay, many viewers and players observe a recurring trend where Black individuals, especially women, are targeted in the early stages, leading to deep discussions about racism, privilege, and gameplay within these shows.

Isn’t it about time that protections were put in place on these shows, to make it a fair for all?

The thing about Traitors is that it’s more than an entertainment show. It’s based on a social experiment and this means that the dynamics of the group, bias whether it’s conscious or otherwise are all part of the conversation it wants us to have.

I’ve noticed this too usually with a comment such as “I can’t put my finger on it but there’s something I don’t like/trust about them”. Same happens on I’m a celeb too

I agree. There’s a lot of “gut feeling”, “instinct”, “I just don’t trust them, I don’t know why” which I feel comes down to unconscious racism. It’s really troubling to see it play out.

It’s so awful to see it play out in front of our eyes.

So are you going to boycott the programme?

Once an episode has been aired of course people are going to discuss what has happened. If you don't watch when it is aired don't read the threads because if course they will include reverence to what has happened

I think it's good, in a way, that the show is (inadvertently) shining a light on how unconscious racist bias manifests.

When you say that you're not an identity politics fan, would watching this show make you more receptive to claims of systematic bias, in terms of its pervasiveness and harm?

I said this to Dd when Celebrity Traitors was on. IIRC it was noticeable in the first few evictions. And that was with a bunch of celebs who you’d have thought would be used to working with a variety of people and not be subconsciously racist. But then I felt by the end it wasn’t like that, think 2 of the finalists were black?

I'm not sure about this as Alesha Dixon and Ore Oduba both won.

Ayesha was amazing and deserved it but Ore was not so good.

It’s more that it holds up a mirror to society which is unsettling, the programme itself is useful (as long as the contestants feel they have been supported by the show)

If however you look at these kind of popularity votes on shows over the past 20 years or so you will see that black people who win them are not the norm. It’s far more likely that they’ll get voted out early and in most cases unfairly.

It'd be a bit weird to single out this program if it's (inadvertently) acting as a mirror to wider society.

Traitors isn't the problem - but perhaps it's a really clear, approachable and obvious way of demonstrating to non-believers that this remains an insidious societal issue that disadvantages people of colour.

DH and I talk about this every series. It's nearly always a person of colour who goes first, and Black Women are often among the first to be banished (Cat Burns being a notable exception).

I think Judy also fell foul of not confirming to Black women stereotypes i.e being a bit more quiet and considered, rather than "in your face" or angry. I hope her daughter does well!

I take OPs point and have noticed that black contestants always seem to be voted off first in reality shows . Unconscious bias is definitely sometimes in play but i thought Judy might be the secret traitor because like Linda she turned her head when Claudia said traitors.

Let’s be honest, when it was between Judy, a black northern woman and Sam, a white southern middle class man, there was only ever going to be one winner. It’s so obvious it barely needs explanation. It’s so unfair and this show, which is also a social experiment as well as entertainment, proves it.

You are right op. It’s heart wrenching predictable. Same goes for I’m a celeb.

Re boycotting the programme, as a previous poster has said, what is troubling me about it is that the programme is a reflection of what is going on in our society. Especially when we go on gut feeling or instinct, as is more likely to happen in situations where we don’t know someone well eg in job interviews

I really noticed this tonight and it made me feel decidedly uncomfortable.

There really was zero reason to suspect Judy of anything it did feel the whole group turned on her and I too suspected unconscious bias.

Like who? Who was unfairly voted out on Strictly?

I must admit I also winced at this a bit tonight, And I wouldn’t be surprised if they murder Maz and vote Ross out next…

Yep, not surprised on the 2 who are first to go.

I think there are 7 youngish white men between the ages of 27-38. Almost one third of the original 22. That definitely seems off to me.

I can see Ross and Roxy being targeted next. And Rachel becoming a lone wolf in amongst the Traitors as she won’t gel with the fellas.

she was definitely an option, it’s more the ease at which the group was turned against her imo

I think there have been many black and Asian contestants who’ve had a hard time on Strictly.

I agree with you. I think if Judy had been vocal and white there would have been much less chance of most of the group turning on her.

I feel really uncomfortable watching it in all these shows. It’s unconscious, or conscious, bias. I think they should definitely give unconscious bias training to the participants beforehand and show them the stats of previous shows. I hate how the treatment of contestants from racialised minorities in these shows is not discussed on the post show discussion programmes. It’s the elephant in the room.