You might be confused because the writer is using what I like to call LOL...lack of logic. Something endemic to many of these AI threads.

--also thinks LOL applies to whomever is doing the voting, but that's just a hangover from last year, isn't it?

Yeah, but if you were going to write an article claiming anything, wouldn't you try to use logic to prove your point? Regardless of your point?
I know you and mrc are playing along with me here, but this writer didn;t take the time to lay down a premiss and then follow with fact.....
Systematcally voting off black women....WTF were John Stevens and George(other than bad singers), black women.....

Flying my car to the nudie bar!

but that wouldn't get me my own thread, would it?

WTF were John Stevens and George(other than bad singers), black women.....

Yes, I do believe George was a black woman. An ugly one, but no doubt a woman.

I honestly don't think racism had to do anything with Latoya being voted off. I loved her I thought she should of been the next american idol. But look at who is voting. White Amrica are the ones who run the show when it comes to voting time. Of course they are voting for the people who they can relate to. We the "minority" don't even watch these kind of shows because we figure we won't win because we are not white. If we actually got into these reality shows that we can support each other than we wouldn't be saying it's a race issue.
Than again we all know who is going to win (Diana)she is the American Idol. She is a super star with a great personality. Latoya had the most amazing voice but personality was not there. Whan you look at the American Idols we have now they both have amazing personalities and are very likeable. I think if Latoya would have been a little younger and had a little more carisma then she would have taken it all. Oh yeah, and I really hope Jasmine doesn't cry next week cause she needs to go! No more pitty votes America.

White Amrica are the ones who run the show when it comes to voting time. Of course they are voting for the people who they can relate to. We the "minority" don't even watch these kind of shows because we figure we won't win because we are not white. If we actually got into these reality shows that we can support each other than we wouldn't be saying it's a race issue.

Once again, isn't Ruben black? Didn't he win AI2?

I have to be completely honest here. I did not go to the link and read the artical. I did however, read all the different posts.

What makes me so upset about this whole issue, is that there is so much more going on in this world than whether AI is racist.

I mean, Laytoya is WAY better off than she was lets say a year ago. No one even heard of her until AI. I mean it's not like she had her head cut off or anything. So, I really think it is ridiculous that such issues are brought into play. Can no one think of the positive here? She will get a record deal, or become an actress, or whatever. I have no doubt that this very talented young women will do very well for herself.

As far as racial issues, what a silly little notion. Did no one watch the last two years of AI? Wasn't Ruben African American? UMMM, excuse me, but he won! As far as Clay being more popular, well, I have to say that he appeals to women of all ages, young, middle aged and older. I am one of the middle aged women and I just adore him. I like Ruben too, but I don't care for his style of music.

But I am getting off topic here. If you look at the last couple of seasons, AI is the most racial and equal programs on TV. They always have an equal amount of blacks to whites and female to male.

The first season, top two--- Kelly (white) and Justin (black, I think) season two, top two--- Ruben (black) and Clay (white) and this season, the top two will also be equal-- Fantasia and Diana. I am the only one who sees this?

We can't control who votes for who, but we can take this a little less seriously. Remember, this is a TV program, a contest. And everyone will be better off because of it. Look at the positive, which truly out ways the negative.

LAST EDITED ON 05-13-04 AT 08:09 PM (EST)

Let's see...the last five people this season were three African Americans, a Hawaiian, and Diana D who seems to of some Latin descent or possibly Italian (nothing against Italians...I'm half Italian)...where's the racism??? Don't get me wrong...racism exists in the world but I think looking for it in this season of American Idol is just trying to create trouble. I was bummed about LaToya getted bumped. She was favorite from the beginning.

Warning, I'm going to yell...

I'M BLACK AND I'M SO DAMN TIRED OF THIS RACISM BS I COULD SCREAM!!!!

WE ARE BEING PLAYED BY THE PRODUCERS. WHY IS IT THAT THEY DON'T POST THE ACTUAL VOTING COUNT??? BECAUSE IT IS FIXED FOR RATINGS. AMERICAN HAS ALWAYS PITTED RACES AGAINST EACH OTHER SO WHY SHOW THIS SHOW BE DIFFERENT. RACE COMPETITION DRAWS ATTENTION AND RATINGS.

Now, Reuben vs Clay. Let's first begin with the facts:

Both are really good singer but the differences are in personality

Clay has a more outgoing personality. On every interview I've seen with Clay he is relaxed and funny. He is use to speaking publically and has has more experience being in the public eye.

Reuben is not as polished, YET. He clearly shows uncomfort in public speaking and needs to work on building his image and persona. This takes nothing away from his talent; however, the public will only be as comfort with a singer as the singer is comfortable with the public. I know several people who went to his concert and they weren't impressed. He just stood there like rock and sang. I didn't see him in concert but I have seen Luther Vanadross in concert when he was heavy and the brotha put on a fantastic show so size doesn't matter.

Reuben has some growing and developing to do or he will lose his limelight. As for his CD, it only has maybe 3 or 4 really good songs. Whoever wrote for him did a horrible job if they want Reuben to truly appeal to the American public. As i mentioned above, I'm black and was so NOT impressed. It will serve Reuben well to tour with some old time male groups/ men and observe their interaction and movement.

Reuben if you're reading this the following are people you nned to tour with:

Boys II Men Bring these brothas back!!!!
Gerald Lavert
Brian Mc Knight
Eric Benet
Comon

Reuben simply needs to learn how to be the sexy singer..thew true velvet Teddy Bear..

It's just my opinion because I ams SO OPINIONATED

LAST EDITED ON 05-18-04 AT 01:16 AM (EST)

LAST EDITED ON 05-14-04 AT 04:34 AM (EST)

We love both Clay and Reuben at our house...but I think it's a supply and demand thing...maybe more requests for Clay are being made...has Ruben appeared at all on this season of AI?

Another thing with Reuben that concerns me is his weight. It must be terribly hard on his heart, joints and all to do an hour to 1 1/2 hour shows. IMHO He seemed to be slowing down physically toward the end of last season...like he was tired... AI was one or two songs with breaks in between. I'm wondering if this may be why he hasn't been performing live much lately. In the last few years I have lost over 100 lbs and what a difference. Guys, this isn't about appearance...someone elses weight has never bothered me on apppearances sake...It's his health I'm concerned about.

Ruben has been on AI this season at least once that I can recall.

Cool new sig courtesy of Jslice o-

"I'M BLACK AND I'M SO DAMN TIRED OF THIS RACISM BS I COULD SCREAM!!!!

WE ARE BEING PLAYED BY THE PRODUCERS. WHY IS IT THAT THEY DON'T POST THE ACTUAL VOTING COUNT??? BECAUSE IT IS FIXED FOR RATINGS. AMERICAN HAS ALWAYS PITTED RACES AGAINST EACH OTHER SO WHY SHOW THIS SHOW BE DIFFERENT. RACE COMPETITION DRAWS ATTENTION AND RATINGS."

I do not believe racism plays a significant part in the voting on AI. I also, think that there is no way that the producers would "fix" the vote count because they would risk killing the goose that laid the golden egg for them. AI is the highest rated show on tv and if they were caught fixing the vote, the scandal would kill the show. This happened in the 1950s to one of the night time quiz shows, that fed answers to favorable contestants to keep them from losing.

OK - I'll admit I'm one of those idiots who votes 100 times (or at least has that many dials). I was voting for Latoya and Diana this week but only about 1 in 20 of my calls actually got through. I called right up until they cut off voting and the lines for EVERYBODY were solidly filled.....which leads me to this conclusion:

At the tail end of the contest the voting is decided, in large part, by the people who text message their votes. (starts to tread into dangerous territory next) The vote then becomes a funtion of disposable income and socio-economic facotrs. A disproportionate amount of people who feel strongly enough to spend money to vote for 'Tasia and Latoya are simply not as well represented by this sample.

Is that a racist statement? I surely hope not and if I offend anyone by proferring that opinion, I'm sorry. But the facts speak for themselves. As Jasmine clearly demonstrates, you win by having a small handful or very "vocal" supporters who are rabid to keep you in the competition. I think that this hurt Latoya and it HAS TO BE FIXED.

The show makes tons of money - open more phone lines. Making the voting fair and more representative. If Jasmine wins it will be a travesty.

I agree that the amount of telephone votes are probably pretty close in the Continental US, but in Hawaii 1.3 million votes were tallied out of 5 million calls.

If more than 1 in 4 Hawaiin votes get through compared to 1 in 20 in the US mainland using your numbers, then a much higher proportion of Hawaiin votes get through compared to the US mainland. The reason for this is that when Hawii votes, the rest of the US has already been locked out and gone to bed.

Out of 280 million Americans, 30 million votes were cast. Out of 1.2 million Hawaiins 1.3 million were cast. I think this can better account for Jasmine being in the top 2 than the test messaging votes advantage for Jasmine and Diana based on socio-economic factors.

You are correct in that if many more phone lines are opened up and the voting is allowed to continue for a longer period of time, the vote would be much fairer, and it would probably turn out closer to the consensus expectations than is the case at present.

first elton John now this

when will these cries stop

How come when George got voted off instead of Jasmine nobody was crying racism and he was a better singer then she wa. It was funny every talk show that had him on the people were saying that Jasmine should have gone. Randy Jackson himself said Jasmine should have gone home but nobody was saying racism, anytime a black girl gets voted off its racism. I do not see the point here.

Sorry, I only posted on this topic, because every topic is now in alphbetical order. I just wanted to see if this would bump to the top.

Any way, I don't think AI is racist. Everyone votes for there favorite, some multiple times. Thus the results.

When did this show become AFRICAN AMERICAN IDOL? I was under the impression it was AMERICAN IDOL!

When the first pictures of the final 4 were aired, I thought to myself, "Wow, what a GREAT cross section of America we have here!” There are 2 African American women, a Hawaiian woman (also a woman of color) and 1 blonde Caucasian woman. No way will we hear cries of RACISM! Well, I was dead wrong!

I agree, LaToya is an awesome singer and was the favorite to win... But, I would love to know, how many of the people who are now crying racism ACTUALLY voted and how often? How many people thought she was safe and decided not to vote this week? How many people are just jumping on the "Racism Bandwagon" and never cast a single vote?

Remember when LaToya and Fanny were in the bottom 3 a few weeks back? The following week they both got WAY more votes and were not in the bottom 3....Hmmmm...Sounds like people are dropping the ball on their favorite contestants. Maybe people are not all committed to just 1 contestant.

Just because a person of color gets voted off it is not a racist attack. It is a matter of who votes and how often they vote. Please stop trying to drive the wedge of racism further into society.

That is a bunch of BULLSHIT.

LaToya London was on both "Access Hollywood" and "Extra" last night and she said she didn't feel there was any Racism involved.

valleygirl

The cry of racism also reared its ugly head on Australian Idol last year... and for all the arguments for and against, the fact remains that you've gotta keep voting.

I wasn't a fan of La Toya, and although she is a fantastic singer, there was something missing in her performances - just that missing X factor that plays a part in this game.

I have to agree with others that people thought she was safe - and Jazzy got sympathy votes...

And quite frankly, the producers of Idol WANT controversy - as they say in the biz, any publicity is good publicity.... It gets more people watching, more people voting next round, etc, etc....

I wouldn't be at all surprised if this week Diana goes, because people are gonna vote by the truckload for Fantasia (to support the black vote, to fight racism, to vote for the best singer left in the comp, and for many other reasons), and people are gonna vote by the truckload for Jasmine (sympathy, prove a point, whatever).... Diana will get lost in the quagmire that is AI...

Just my 2c - for what its worth!!!!