Being in the TV news business, I'm often looking for something that will lighten the load-- make the serious nature of the stories I cover a little more bearable.
Enter Antoine Dodson. This man was interviewed after a man attempted to rape his sister by WAFF, a local TV news affiliate in Alabama. First, watch this video, which is the actual news story that aired on the station:
Now, watch this second video-- I promise, it will be well worth your time:
This pair of videos has generated a lot of debate in our newsroom this week. There's a large portion of us who think this is absolutely hilaroius. But several of my bosses think this is exploitation; they argue that a real crime occurred, and that these videos are making the victims look like fools.
I'm curious... what do ya'll think? Do you think this is exploitation? Racism? Humor? Do you think NOT airing the story of a rape victim and her sister would have been censorship?
And here's an interesting follow up-- what Antoine Dodson himself thinks about his new found fame (surprise! he's profiting off it!).
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Oh my gosh, if laughter only put women into labor, I'd be free of this baby! That was hilarious. Plus, it doesn't seem like he's too upset about it. FREAKING HILARIOUS!
I think that our society with its "pants on the ground" and what was that other one? A Ricky Martin song or something from American Idol a few years ago? make this sadly ok. I think that because the song was actually good and the remake done well, it's ok, but the part afterwards where the guy is singing at the piano is just making fun.
I think it's morally and ethically gross that our society feels this type of thing is ok, but that is the world we live in.
Wow! I'm really glad you added the follow up. I don't find it to be racist, but I do find it a little disturbing that the attempted rape of a woman is being taken so lightly. It seems like some people may find it to be a joke because it's in the projects. I find that sad.
okay...not racist at all to me
seriously--anyone that "out there" is going to get made fun of...no matter race, sex, age or handicap
i would imagine the brother would be enjoying his fame, lol
i give props to the newslady for keeping a straight face
it's a bit insensitive b/c of the situation...though since the girl did not get raped or seem particularly upset about it...i doubt she is offended??
i think maybe the error was in the media showing the "crazy" footage...i mean--they could have edited it...though i'm sure they would have been left with almost nothing
so...all in all--i think funny--if that happened to me and even though i would be horrified at being almost raped--if my brother were that crazy i would laugh about the youtube video
ps--how did that guy protect anyone??
Wow. First of all, I'll admit that the second video made me LOL! However, I thought the first video, the real story, was sad. Who the hell edited that story? They could have done a better job. Is that really the best parts of the 'interviews'? And if it was, did they really have to show all of that? I agree that a real crime happened but it does seem like the news station was purposly trying to make fun of them. (and, like I said, I did think it was a little funny!)
I agree that the news station did seem to mock them.
The video - I don't like it at all. I think it downplays the seriousness of the crime. It does make the victims look like fools.
its funny to me!
Oh my goodness, it is so wrong, but that video has made me laugh every time I see it! I feel horrible for the girl and I hope that the police are taking it serious and find the guy. I can not imagine the fear of being in bed w/ my baby and having an attacker crawl in bed w/ me! I didn't think the first video was racist, if anything I think it has people talking and thus, helping catch the guy. The second one I don't agree with, esp. when the guy is playing the piano, they are just making fun of this family and I don't think that is right. I was glad to see the real follow-up though! And I would love to see a video of the brother catching the guy who attacked his sister!
I think it's funny as hell. If it was one of the million dumb @$$ rednecks they put on the news, they'd make fun of that too, so I don't see it as racist.
Okay, both my husband and I watched the video. He's white, I'm black. Neither one of us thinks it is racist. I'm a bit shame to say, but we did think they were funny. And my husband downloaded the song to his mp3 player.
I do wonder why the original news segment was run in the first place. That seemed more exploitive than the music video. Glad the sister was unhurt.
I don't think leaving this off the air would be censorship. I sorta question the motives of including the victims on a rape story in the first place though. PTSD is a huge risk after rape...yea, you want to rapist caught, but asking the neighborhood for due diligence and releasing a sketch of the suspected rapist would have been a more effective use of the media, in my opinion.
I dunno if it's racism or just ridiculous people in the news though. (i.e. if it was quoted in the paper, you wouldn't know they were black...just sayin)
LMAO!!!! Wow!!!
If the dude is fine with it, than it's not, racism, exploitation...it's fun! If he's ok with it, then it's fine!
Yep, saw this spot on YT on Friday, sure has gone viral!
I think it is kind of sad that such a serious issue can be made to look like a joke. But do the new crews not look at this clown and say umm... Lets not get him on tape or lets not air that. That has to cross the minds of some people.
But being the ass that I am, I saw this then the warm stuff started running down my leg...yes the pee from laughing so hard.