Welcome To Freak Show

Although I do not really plan on going in depth about the television show American Horror Story: Freak Show, there is something to be recognized about what the series is doing as far as diversity. This season of American Horror Story focuses on a freak show in Jupiter, Florida and follows their struggle with being excepted in the community in the 1950's.

What's amazing about the show is Ryan Murphy's use of real "freaks" in the series. This use of these characters really hones in on what society thinks of people with disabilities now and then in the 1950's. Murphy even goes as far as using the music of artists that have been labeled or considered freaks i.e. David Bowie and Lana Del Ray.

In the opening credits of the show Murphy uses a montage of freaks throughout history:

• Cephalophagous babies
• Nicodemus the Indestructible 
• The Ohio Bigfoot Lady
• The Lobster Boy 
• The three-legged Woman. 

This presentation during the opening credits shines light on the history of disability in America. In addition to the analysis of disabilities in America during the 1950's Murphy also addresses voyeurism. Seeing societies obsession with watching other people is an interesting critique of how we deal with others who are not like ourselves.

I think it is important to recognize Ryan Murphy to opening a door for people with disabilities in television as well as give a stage to those who have often been looked at as freaks, allowing them to share their stories.


Happy Viewing!!!

How to Get Away With...

"Gay" sex scenes seem to be a repeat occurrence on the show How To Get Away With Murder. The character Conor Walsh is constantly hooking up or "talking" to other guys in the show. And, the way the audience is taking it though has been varied. The sex scenes involving Conor and his partners are really pushing the envelope as far as what society recognizes as the norm. They imply very specific sex acts and I think it's great that the producers and writers realize that they are capturing real life. These scenes should be no more shocking than that of a heterosexual sex scene. Even still this has not been the only issue with the character of Conor in the show. But, before getting into any of the angst or controversy of these scenes lets look at what Conor Walsh, played by Jack Falahee, does to add to the show's development and diversity on television.

• Adds to the diversity of the cast in representation of gay males
• Introduces audience to many aspects of the gay male community
• Depicts a gay male confident in his sexuality
• Presents gay males as savvy and clever businessmen

All these great things Jack Falahee brings to the show with his character Conor, yet there are still people who are in contempt about how gay men a being portrayed in the show. Some of the things that viewers are looking for in gay male representation in the show is a gay male character on TV who

• Aren't skinny, white, or stereotypically great looking
• Doesn't take advantage of gay men of color
• "Doesn't antagonize straight women" specifically straight black women (Cliché of white gay male vs. straight black woman)
• Doesn't portray gay men as only wanting sex

These are all valid concerns when discussing representation. Though, what I do believe is overlooked in some of these issues is that the character of Conor in the first four episodes of How To get Away With Murder has brought in at least two other gay males representations as well as discussion of other issues within the gay community. Yes, Conor in the show Conor is our focal point for representation of gay men, but he allows for the viewer to see a more diverse demographic when it comes to gay men. Some of these include

• Gay men of color
• Gay men who ARE monogamous
• Gay men who use sex to get what they want
• Gay men who have insecurities
• Lack of family support with sexuality
• Male experimentation
• Bisexuality

All of these things have been made possible in the show because of the crafting of Conor's character. I also believe it lends to a larger potential in character development. I think given time many of the contempt with the representation of gay males will be settle. Yes, we do need more diverse representation of any group. But, for what How To Get Away With Murder is doing the choice in character is the right one.

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Burset Sets it Straight

In the 3rd episode of Orange is The New Black, we delve into the life of Sophia Burset, who is played by Laverne Cox, transgender African American actress and LGBT advocate.  The skillful writing of the show has allowed the viewers to follow main character Piper as she transitions into the life of an image, while simultaneously covering the stories of the women who were already incarcerated and now live there. the show covers how Burset physically transitioned from male to female, as well as the effects it had on her family.

The use of Burset's character opens a discussion to so much involving not only the system of corrections but gender and sexuality as well. One of the amazing things the character of Burset lends is the critique of health care in the corrections system.

• What health care is provided?
• How is mental health addressed?
• How is pregnancy addressed?
• How funds are allocated to health care?
• Is health care based on inmates' needs or facilities fund allocations 

The character of Burset also brings diversity to the image of women. Not only with being African American does she add a dynamic to the view of womanhood, but also being transgender. Her character opens the idea and the view of what a woman is and looks like. Recently an article was published on Huffington Post, written by Brynn Tannehill, about transgender people being included in feminism. Burset is a great tribute to some of the things that the article was mentioning. (Feminist Issues Are Transgender Issues)

Also, in the show Burset's character shines light on the difference between gender identity and sexuality. While the character of Burset a transgender woman, she continued to stay in a monogamous relationship with her wife. While it is not outright discussed in the show this shows that Burset is a trans women in a lesbian relationship. I think this speaks greatly to the audience just how diverse gender and sexual identity can be.

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Criminal Law 100

In the wake ABC's fall #TGIT (Thank God it's Thursday), the premiere of new hit show How to Get Away With Murder is all the new buzz in television. It seems that along with Scandal and Grey's Anatomy Shonda Rhimes has hit the jackpot again with executive producing yet another great show, marking her territory on the ABC network.


While the starts off with a time jump which can be off-putting for a viewer everything seemed to come together for this new show. Viola Davis plays Professor Annalise Keating, J.D. who's character is dynamically amazing to say the least. The show revolves around a class that is taught by Professor Keating as she takes five of her student under her wing as they work to assist her in her trials. All the while in the time skip to four months later  cover up of a murder is occurring involving her new students.


The show seems to be very drama filled and pushes the limit to what society sees of different demographics on television. First being Viola Davis who plays Professor Keating. Her character has already been looked at and scrutinized be some saying:

• This a bad representation of women and women of color
• She's too dark
• She's too agressive
• She's too successful 
• She's too sexual
• She does't know how to work with groups

I believe this says a lot to what society still views what women, especially women of color should be. Instead of praising Viola for greatly executing a complex character. One who is independent, assertive, successful, owns her sexuality, and has human flaws like any other person regardless of sex or race.

I think we can look forward to more of this sort of ground breaking diversity in the show this season. And, I look forward to seeing the story develop as well as the characters.

Happy Viewing!

Welcome to Prison

Taylor Schilling as Piper Chapman

In the season one first episode of Orange is the New Black we're introduce to the main character Piper chapman. We experience with her the surrender to the corrections facility. Lauren Morelli did a great job in slowly introducing the viewer into the life of a prisoner as Piper experiences prison for the first time.

Some of the issues we see introduce in this episode are:

• Racism

• Sexism

• Sexuality

• Economic class

• Problems with the Statute of limitations

(INCITE a look into "Race, Class, Gender and Prisons") -- Recently co-Founder of INCITE, Beth Richie, on a panel discussion talk about some of these issues as well as other that have affected women in the prison system.

What is interesting is how each of these things are put under the microscope while these women are in prison. We only get a glimpse of how this is dealt with in the first episode, but hopefully later episodes will give deeper insight, possibly with different characters.


Happy Viewing!