Sputtering Back to Life...And a Missed Opportunity?

Hi Meltingpot Readers,

Thank you so much for your kind words and well wishes. I caught pneumonia and spent the last four days in the hospital. But I'm getting better. I'm confined to my bed, but I can still type.

I'm determined to resume the blog-o-rama...so please tune back in, cuz we may be wheezing as we write, but we're back in action.

*******************************************

And here's my one Meltingpot thought for the day. While I was in the hospital I watched a ridiculous amount of television. The one show that seemed to be on continuous replay was the TLC show, Jon & Kate Plus 8. It's a reality show that captures the daily (and often times boring) life of a couple that has a set of seven-year-old twins AND a set of sextuplets. I find myself fascinated by the show for the obvious reasons of watching any parent manage so many damn kids under one roof, but mostly because they are an interracial family. She's White and he's half Korean but they never talk about identity/race.

Does anybody watch this show religiously and know if race/identity has ever come up? I know this show is ridiculously popular and one of TLC's biggest cash cows. I've seen them on Oprah, and the Today Show, so they obviously have a platform to discuss such issues but as far as I can tell it's not something they talk about. After watching my like 87th episode last night, it hit me. Maybe the Asian dad has his own unresolved issues about his heritage. Maybe mom doesn't see color. Since the show is all about family you kind of have to wonder how the children's ethnicity/identity will be discussed. And if they don't discuss it, to someone like me it's like the big duh that's missing. But maybe for network television they like the family to be whitewashed.

Thoughts? I'm going to do some cyber investigation. I'll report back.

Peace (and good health)