As reported by Celeste Katz at the Daily News, BP Ruben Diaz, Jr. is out with a press release criticizing American Idol for its negative depiction of the Bronx when profiling a 16 year old contestant. Diaz says, "Rather than focus on the amazing revitalization the Bronx has seen over the past three decades, the producers of the show chose instead to highlight the negative stereotypes that have plagued our borough for years." No doubt that to some extent Diaz is correct. The Bronx is almost always depicted on TV as a crime-ridden wasteland. But if you watch the video above, they are actually following this contestant's narrative, and it's pretty negative. His family has been in a shelter and he has seen some bad things. It would be hard for them to spin it any other way (although I am sure they are more than happy to play right along with this stereotype of the Bronx). So in this instance, it may be an over-reaction by Diaz, but good to see him sticking up for the borough's image and there are certainly way too many times when the Boogiedowner should get better coverage so we are probably owed this one. UPDATE: After criticizing American Idol for its negative portrayal of the Bronx, we now have Diaz in the Daily News describing gun violence in the Bronx as an "epidemic." Makes it harder to complain about our negative portrayal by Hollywood and the media while we have a gun violence "epidemic" going on. Here is an article in the NY Post by Gerson Borrero that says the BP is missing the point in attacking this contestant. Borrero says, "The truth is that if the producers of "American Idol" really wanted to malign The Bronx they could have mentioned that the county leads New York City in unemployment rates. They could have also reported that out of the 536 murders committed in 2010 in all of New York City, 127 took place in The Bronx."
It's funny, but I always thought of Rubén Díaz Jr. as a walking, talking negative stereotype for the Bronx.
ReplyDeleteI just watched the American Idol video and it shows exactly what the Bronx looks like just one block from Borough President Diaz’s office at 161st Street and the Grand Concourse.
ReplyDeleteIf that ceremonial buffoon of a politician wants to change the poor image of the Bronx, he should start by cleaning up the neighborhood he works in. But then again he’s really “chief executive” of nothing at all and has no power to clean up even a single block in this borough.
By the way, it was nice to see a Bronx native like Jennifer Lopez supporting the American Idol contestant. J. Lo grew up on Blackrock Avenue just off Castle Hill Avenue.
Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler were on American Idol for the first time as judges. Both singers are much nicer to contestants than former judge Simon Cowell, and the result is that American Idol’s ratings have plummeted by 3.8 million viewers. So much be being nice to people.
ReplyDeleteI saw that on TV as well and thought "Oh Boy, here we go again" with all of the Bronx stereotypes, as though all the other boroughs and cities are some crime free utopia. It just shows we still have a long way to go improving the quality of life here. Despite all the progress we've made, we still have to deal with the facts and perceptions that The Bronx is the Poorest, Unhealthiest, Most Polluted, and some precincts are still the Most Dangerous. Yes there are parts of the borough even hardened life long residents still wouldn't want to walk, or drive through. I'm for the Bx, but have to admit it still needs a lot of work.
ReplyDeleteSorry Mr. Diaz but that is a realistic depiction of certain parts of the Bronx.
ReplyDeleteRuben Diaz Junior is a shameless politico who will say and do anything for a headline. If he dosen't like the way the Bronx looks on TV, he should do something to change the way the Bronx is in real life!! Instead, what does he do? He kills that great armory project that would have brought jobs and commerce to the borough.
ReplyDeleteInstead of calling him "Rubencito," just call him Ruben "Armory-cito" Diaz Jr.
ReplyDeleteSince this is the fifth time that I have seen this overplayed story in the press (three times in the NY Daily News alone), I will submit my comments again, which is the same as 95% of the comments on this issue thus far: "I think the BP took the whole thing out of proportion and for political purposes, as if this story was a reflection of his narcissistic self. This was not a hatchet job. This is a story about a 16 year old relaying his and family's experience in the Bronx. This was about Travis' life in the Bronx...and his success and rise in the Bronx. Although the Bronx has improved over the years, it has not improved for all 1.4 million residents of the Bronx. There is still a lot of work to be done, as this young man conveys in his story. Through the gangs (which still exist and keep growing), crimes, and drugs, he still lifted himself up to make it to American Idol and to Hollywood. The BP's press release should have been all about the young man's achievement through the struggles, and use him as an example that despite the tough times in the Bronx, there is always hope and with true dedication and hard work, we can all achieve!!!" Further, the BP's office recently forwarded a press release from the SVA suggesting that we boycott the show....are you serious?? Shouldn't we be supporting Travis and help him become the next American Idol?? Now that would be a big boost for the Bronx!
ReplyDeleteThank goodness that man has no executive power!
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