By If you're watching the Shield on FX network (and if you are not watching it, you really should be), then you've seen the ads for a new reality show called "Black. White.". It's co-produced by Ice Cube. In the promos you see white and black people trading races using Hollywood-style makeup techniques. It's an intriguing idea for a reality show and I am very interested to watch the first episode. Where did they get this idea? Two sources come to mind.
The first is Lois Lane 106, my favorite issue from Lois Lane's entire comic book run. (Keep in mind that this was published in 1970, when civil rights issues were still hot, and DC tried to address them in various ways. ) Titled "I Am Curious (Black)!" (a takeoff on a popular X-rated movie title), Lois takes a trip to Harlem for a story about the neighborhood. She finds herself shut out by the black community. What's an ace reporter to do?
She tells Superman, who takes her to the Fortress of Solitude, and uses a machine to turn her into a black woman. I like how the hair changes into an afro. I think her boobs get a little bigger. Superman's obviously not doing us any favors by keeping this machine all to himself.
After changing her race, Lois discovers how African Americans face discrimination and poverty. Then she confronts Superman and asks if he would marry her now that she is black! Yooww. Teri Hatcher ain't enough for you, Superman, so how about a little Beyonce? His answer is still the same: I can't marry you because you'd be a target for my enemies. In other words, Superman's gonna play the field because it's the swinging 70's and he's wide open, baby!
Of course, I don't believe this is the inspiration for Black White. I doubt Ice Cube read Lois Lane comics from the 1970s. But I bet that Ice Cube did see the classic Eddie Murphy video on Saturday Night Live where he becomes a white man (you can view it here). Murphy discovers that white people get a lot of things for free, like newspapers and bank loans. Parties erupt on buses when the last black person exits (cocktails are served). It's one of the funniest things Murphy has ever done. Nuff said.
I think it is time this story is retold in modern continuity. However, right after she's trasnformed Luthor and Brainiac attack and the machine gets destroyed, leaving Lois African-American.
That's but a new spin on Superman comics moreso than any Infinite Crisis will.
A kryptonian boffing a human is like a human fucking a monkey.
One of my favouritte lines from third rock from the sun was when Dick asked Nin if she belonged to any minorities, and she looked at him like she was going to slap the rest of his hair off then screams "I'M BLACK!"
Dick slaps his huge forehead because he's forgetful and say out loud, "Black, of course, how could i have forgotten, i really need to write that down."
Soulman and White chicks.
That's a disgusitng idea for television, right up there with Tyra banks in a fat suit getting up set and bawling that people don't still treat her like Tyra Banks.
A wonderful moment in television.
It's actually a bit better than Tyra in the Fat Suit, I think most people will enjoy when people find "reality"...pretty sure the idea came from Black Like Me, the book from the 60's...check it out.