The juxtaposition between Southern Hospitality and Summer House is really striking to me.
I think it’s both interesting and activating to see these two parallel Bravo shows airing important conversations about anti-Blackness and racial dynamics within American friend groups.
The biggest difference I’m noticing as a viewer is that, on Summer House, most of the cast seem willing to actively listen and engage as allies (with a few exceptions cough West). Where the Black cast members experiences are centered, received, built upon and giving space for talking heads to explain further their experiences of being Black on tv and in the current cultural landscap.
Whereas on Southern Hospitality, Emmy’s personal drama has ended up dominating the storyline and, in my opinion, derailing what could have been a really poignant and important conversation about microaggressions, rasicm and the experience of being Black in the South.
I’m curious how other people are interpreting it.