N

Not all efforts to record actual occurrences achieve their desired outcome. The film, Capturing the Friedmans, initially depicted clowns but ultimately depicted disturbing offenses. Some Kind of Monster by Metallica was meant to be a few infomercials, not a detailed portrayal of how fame can be destructive. Tom Cruise appeared on Oprah to casually talk and praise Katie Holmes in a conventional manner.

Reworded: The program “Whites Only: Ade’s Extremist Adventure” follows Ade Adepitan as he explores the idea of whether “racial separatism” can be acceptable. Through his experience, it serves as a warning for black individuals who believe they can escape white supremacy and fit in with the “good ones”.

The show features a charismatic host and Paralympian as he travels to Orania, a town in South Africa that only allows white residents. He seeks to understand the reasons behind its founding (racism), its guiding principles (racism), and its glorification of the leaders of apartheid (racism). During his visit, he interviews real estate agents, students, and town officials in a respectful manner, approaching the subject of their exclusive community with the same casualness as discussing the weather.

Adopting an anti-authoritarian approach by encouraging participants to freely express themselves can result in captivating interviews, as seen in Louis Theroux’s mastery of the technique.Or as seen in Louis Theroux’s skillful execution as an almost artistic display. However, in the case of Whites Only, Adepitan’s lack of assertiveness goes from being ridiculous to offensive. He expresses concern that as a black man visiting an all-white town in South Africa, he may be viewed as the problem, despite his peaceful demeanor. He mentions that he does not want to be seen as someone who aggressively enforces his own biases and opinions, stating that it goes against his natural disposition as a laid-back individual. Even when faced with the unique situation of being in an all-white town in South Africa, he prioritizes the comfort of the residents and wants to avoid being kicked out.

In any interview, it is important for there to be trust. However, Adepitan’s hopeless optimism does not serve him well as he desperately tries to be seen as one of the “good ones.” His interview subjects reveal that they believe apartheid should have been even more segregated and some even admit to not knowing enough about Nelson Mandela to form an opinion. This unintentionally becomes comical when he witnesses a school play portraying dark-skinned, unintelligent “homosexual monsters.” Adepitan remarks, “I may not be an English graduate, but even I understand the symbolism in this.” This is not just underlying meaning; it is obvious.

Adepitan’s unwavering and optimistic naivety becomes more captivating than the feigned intellectual jargon his interviewees spew. Their foolish theories, such as segregation being a form of rejecting “social engineering” and Orania being primarily a cultural rather than political entity, hardly deserve attention or thought. Yet, Adepitan is seen shrinking and becoming more amiable as he tries to appease them. It is truly intriguing to witness.

He implies that their previous racist actions were merely eclipsed by the presence of apartheid. He delicately inquires about any negative aspects of Afrikaans history in the area, and demonstrates a misplaced sense of propriety by defending British democracy and stating, “I am in favor of BLM [Black Lives Matter], but I do not participate in riots.” This statement is not only insensitive in South Africa, but it also highlights his lack of knowledge about Mandela.

This program is comparable to observing a young child enter a dangerous situation to defend veganism. During one instance, they visit a church where other members of the media claim they were forcefully removed because of their race. “Fortunately, we won’t be going in,” they state. “We have permission to interview the pastor after the service.” However, they appear surprised by the unwelcoming response they receive.

Even the Oranians seem puzzled by Adepitan’s openness. At one point, he says to his fixer, Kerneels: “I don’t feel comfortable here. And I want to.” Kerneels looks at him, dumbfounded, and says: “I’d be very surprised if you did feel comfortable here.”

James Baldwin once stated that living in the midst of extreme racism in the United States during the 1960s often led to a constant state of anger for those who were aware of their surroundings. Adepitan’s portrayal demonstrates that opting for positivity over awareness is not an ideal alternative. Being a laid back African American is a weak reaction to the oppression of white domination; the Oranians do not respond favorably to his politeness.

Adepitan states that there were good people on both sides, however situations like this will inevitably lead to conflict. He appears to not recognize that his approach ultimately supports violent responses to racism. It is not praiseworthy to accidentally make a relevant point. Being a person of color in an exclusive white environment is to be unwelcome, and no one or program should aim to normalize that.

Source: theguardian.com