Article: Will Survivor Survive the Heat?

ProGroup > Learn > Articles > Will Survivor Survive the Heat?

Will Survivor Survive the Heat?

CBS show becomes a diversity water cooler hotbutton

In its 13th season on CBS, Survivor: Cook Islands is trying something different. For at least the beginning of the competition, the four teams involved will be divided by race.

Initially, my reaction was similar to many others'...they're doing what?!

It's easy to succumb to a knee-jerk reaction and blast CBS for considering something that, on the surface, seems to be as risky as treading on razor thin ice.

"Those opinions of people criticizing us for doing this are valid and fair," said Survivor host Jeff Probst. "All I'm saying is, you have to recognize you're condemning a show before you've seen it, and that's not fair or just."

So, rather than jumping to conclusions and making assumptions, something that we teach as an organization here at ProGroup, I think there are a few questions to be posed.

First, why did CBS feel they needed to do this? According to Survivor producers, they had received criticism in the past for not presenting ethnically diverse casts. So, they opened up their casting net to include a more diverse population and it worked. As they spoke with these diverse potential contestants, a theme began to emerge: ethnic pride.

The producers decided that splitting the cast ethnically would encourage and enforce that theme. "When you're talking with a group of white people, it doesn't come up. White people are mutts, we're just white, we don't have any ethnicity we hold on to," said Survivor host Jeff Probst.

Quotes such as these can be a bit touchy to deal with, to say the least, which brings me to another set of questions. What sort of conversations will be sparked by the show? Will they be constructive? As a manager or employee, how should you deal with the "water cooler talk" that's likely to happen regarding the show?

We'll have to wait and see what the answers to the first two questions will be. However, ProGroup's consultants can shed some light on how to deal with the happenings around the water cooler:

Challenge any comments that you hear that are disrespectful or inappropriate, including humor, and suggest that people discuss this without pejorative remarks.
Be responsive to the sensitivity that may result from these conversations. People may not realize that they are treading on thin ice with their remarks. Caution speakers to consider the impact of their thoughts before voicing them.
Respect opinions that are thoughtful. Ask questions to understand diverse opinions, rather than challenging them, believing your opinion is correct.
Be careful not to take this too seriously. It is TV after all. However, use it as a means to trigger dialogues about your workplace.

Lastly, will this new version of Survivor be helpful or hurtful toward promoting respect? How will the show honor differences rather than reinforce biases and stereotypes?

Again, we'll have to wait and see what happens. Many people will be watching with a keen eye, some of whom have never watched the program regularly. As the action unfolds, check back with Desktop Diversity®.

Our team will continue to monitor the progress, sharing with you some thoughts from ProGroup's stable of consultants.

Subscribe to Novations' ViewPoint