The Insider With Reggie Yates
The human world is and has been divided. Accept we're are not taught 'how it really is' in depth, I believe Reggie Yates is a role model for Generation Y.
Having grown up in the early 2000's Reggie was common on Children's TV; in shows like Top Of The Pops (BBC 1), Smile (BBC2) & Only In America (CBBC) along side Fearne Cotton. As well as the Official Chart Show on BBC Radio 1. Now he makes documentaries that focus on hard hitting topics. Like 'Far Right & Proud' ,' Gay & Under Attack', 'Teen Model Factory' all part of his 'Reggie Yates' Extreme Russia'.As a black man he educates his audience using the multiple indifference in the world, and cultures them on how it is different from our own culture and beliefs in Britain.
For example, in one episode of his series 'Reggie Yates Extreme South Africa' he explores 'White Slums';Which is almost a reflection of the racism we have in our western world. Where generally our segregation is White supremacy (still) to black poverty (especially in USA).
However in South Africa it seems to be the opposite way round with black supremacy to white slums. Similarly in an episode he did in Australia; where there is a divide between 'aboriginals' and 'colonists'; they're seen as barbaric or drunks when really it's the colonists who made them that title and won't give them enough opportunities.
After watching, I've noticed the segregation created of race, colour etc. seems to be a prevalant delusion created by humans all over the world, when we are just humans.
More recently Reggie has created a couple of The Insider documentary episodes. In the first one he joins Unit 27 of the 56th Infantry Battalion in Acapulco, Mexico. He shows us, the viewers, the war on drugs.
Acapulco's tourism is made up of people from Mexico - not international? Maybe the reason being Acapulco is now the fourth most dangerous city in the world; with approximately 105 homicides per 100,000 residents.
Reggie was assigned one of the only English speaking soldiers called Luis. They talked about how growing up in his area there was only two real career choices; joining the drug cartels or the army. One of his school friends had even been murdered at just 19.
In another episode he acts as a prisoner exploring the day to day life in a Texas Jail.
Reggie demonstrates how USA's jails tend to focus on punishment over rehabilitation. One inmate was in there for a month or two because he put a pen in a projector at school. Another inmate, 19 year old Alex, who was the bread winner for his mum and sister, as well as that he'd send $200 a week for his step dad who was on dialysis in Mexico. He lost his job and car, he's now homeless and cannot take care of his stepdad's hospital bill. He was in there for possession of a small amount of marijuana; of which he used as self medication for his Bi-polar disorder and ADHD.
So, you could have a jail punishment for your petty crimes in the state of Texas?!
Other episodes include 'Life and Death in Chicago' & 'British Teen Gangs'.
Through his documentaries, Reggie Yates is able to culture his audiences on a micro scale. Which I feel is important as mainstream news nowadays tends to be whatever is more 'newsworthy' or able to 'sell'. Mainstream news often repeat a story with the same image, focusing on places or people effected by situations that are more un-natural or unexpected. Whereas in Forrest Gate, London yesterday, two teenagers were shot, one, 17, with 'life-changing' injuries. And the other, 14, dead. Except this probably won't be on the national news because it's not unusual behaviour in those areas. They use this strategy, of creating unnecessary moral panic, because it sells more, and more people get involved. The problem with this is that if we don't focus on these more general problems we won't move away from the segregation, race issues, and violence. We need to look at it on more of a personal level rather than a 'controversy' or a 'problem'. The news only intensifies stereotypes created by society. Stereotypes like 'if you're black you're prone to violence' or 'if you're white you're smarter'. Stereotypes that are still subtle in todays society. Think of all the movies you've watched; mostly heterosexual white couples in the lead roles and black, homosexuals etc. in secondary roles. Luckily todays culture is ever changing, and we're starting to move away from racism and homophobia. But it is very slow.
MUST WATCH 'Reggie Yates Documentaries' on BBC iPlayer and Youtube.
