After a serious drought, BET–Black Entertainment Television–has redeemed itself with the creation of the reality series, “Baldwin Hills.” It documents the lives of 11—actually make that ten—upper-middle class African-American teens and 1 middle-class outsider. Does the plot sound familiar to you? It should, because it is a clear copy of MTV’s popular “Laguna Beach” series. But just as the music we listen to is heavily-sample, so shall our so-called original programming be.
Before the show aired, I decided that it was going to be a flop because BET is known for taking original concepts and turning them into failures. But I was pleasantly surprised within the first five minutes when not only did I see the parents of the cast members, but I saw them holding their children accountable for their behavior, which is a rare occurrence for the show’s prototype.
Parental accountability aside, the regular antics of privileged teenagers ensue. They spend copious amounts of their parents’ money, talk about how great their lives are–based on their access to that money–and spend equal amounts of time judging the less fortunate, who happens to be a girl named Staci. Staci is the one middle-class girl on the show who doesn’t live in Baldwin Hills. She is from a neighborhood that the rich girls like to call the “J’s.” What are the “J’s?” I am not really sure. But it’s clear that it is an undesirable ‘hood far away from the manicured lawns and beautiful vistas of Baldwin Hills.
To show the stark contrast of their lives, we see both sides go shopping before a big party. While the rich girls shop at luxury boutiques like Christian Audigier for custom-made Ed Hardy t-shirts, Staci takes a trip to Rainbow, a bargain basement for the broke-but-fashionable teenager. As Staci cringes at $20 price tags, the Baldwin Hills girls drop $500 on an outfit without remorse. The differences don’t stop there. You can see the huge gap between Staci and the Baldwin Hills girls in their vernacular and sensibilities.
All in all, I loved “Baldwin Hills.” It provided–what I believe–is a balanced portrayal of what life is like for upper-class and middle-class African Americans, which is something we so rarely see on television outside of the syndicated episodes of “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air” and “The Cosby Show.” This season of “Baldwin Hills” will either bridge the gap between the “haves” and the “have-nots” in the black community, or further widen it. Only time will tell …
Beliefnet
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posted July 11, 2007 at 4:14 pm
Without watching I am happy that it now exists. With music videos and College Hill making hurting the perception of African Americans, it’s nice to see this rarely seen side of the minority. Hopefully this will be a contribution to proving to the world that we are not all the stereotype.
posted July 11, 2007 at 4:21 pm
I like Baldwin Hills. I mean, the kids have parents. Who would have thought? I always thought rich reality show kids gave birth to themselves.
posted July 11, 2007 at 9:27 pm
In case you were wondering, the “J’s” are the Jungles, which is an area that is at the bottom of Baldwin Hills. In the movie Training Day, the Hispanic girlfriend of Denzel’s character Alonso lived in the Jungles – the area where all those bloods were outside, which is exactly what you would see if you went there!
posted July 12, 2007 at 6:18 pm
I watched the premiere of Baldwin Hills on BET Tuesday night. In my opinion, in was probably a realistic view of how the so-called “high society” black families live in this city. The “Miss Priss” ladies of the show will prove to be oblivious to society’s black middle class. I hope some type of reality check happens to show power and money doesn’t solve everything; HIV, death, or more on there level; heart-break.
To be continued…
posted April 6, 2008 at 12:42 pm
i think bet is a great show to show how black people were treated.
posted July 1, 2008 at 2:22 pm
I love the show it’s very real it provides a great concept of life from the other side as far as the rich teens. Staci is not the only one living in the “J”s so is SAL him an Staci lives are complety different from the Teens in Baldwin Hills, they are on there own trying to get jobs break out int the music Industry and finding out if College education will benfit them in the long run. The teens in Baldwin hills are also facing the strugles og the real world, evrthing is not handed to you just becasue you ask for it well some of them like Moriha;s mom will not get haima car knowing his father is famous for playing in the NBA.
posted August 8, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Staci is not middle class. She is one person on the show that’s considered poor, or working class. That’s exactly why when SHE makes bad choices they seem more stereotypical.
posted August 14, 2008 at 8:48 pm
justin wear some better shoes
posted August 16, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Why is the 2nd season so short? They are showing the finale on Tuesday this week.
posted August 16, 2008 at 4:26 pm
The”J’s” is short for the “Jungles” where there are so many apt bldgs and the streets are confusing when you come for the first time you could get lost, its a blood neighborhood not far from the homes on the hills. It’s actually the neighborhood that’s featured in the movie Training Day where Lonzo’s Latina lady and son lived.
Someone please tell me why the second season is so short???
posted July 17, 2009 at 3:15 am
Who’s Ed Hardy? Does this website http://www.edhardyguide.com trusty?
posted October 24, 2009 at 1:14 am
love ed hardy
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