MARRIAGE IS A GAME?

This blog entry by Pablo Ildefonso

The story: "'Who Wants to Marry a U.S. Citizen?'"

The analysis:

The newest reality show, "Who wants to Marry a U.S. Citizen?," is set for independent distribution according to Reuters. The premise of the show deals with an American bachelorette chooses her future husband between 3 immigrants. Creator of the show, Adrian Martinez says, "We're out to prove love knows no borders," and, "besides, that's what America is all about – a multicultural nation." And at the end of the show the bachelorette chooses whom she will marry, though the contestants are not guaranteed citizenship. The article had a link to a video that I was not able to load, though I did manage to find on YouTube. Where the end promo reads: One will win and stay in the country, two will be probably deported.

This comes at a time when immigration is a hot topic in the U.S. and has recently been on YouTube presidential debates. Candidates will soon be in a position of power to implement public policy that deals with immigration. At a time when this campus it self had a tense emotions about immigration, there is a xenophobia climate where exposing your self as an immigrant is not a popular thing to do. Because when someone thinks of immigrant, they think illegal. No one wants to be labeled an illegal because that's when one is seen as threat.

It's seems the creator of this show exploits that vulnerability, not consciously (which is problematic in its self). If you say to someone they have an opportunity to be a U.S. citizen in a game show, they'll do it, especially when becoming a U.S. citizen is such a hard process. I wouldn't be surprise if there were a game show where one has to eat testicles to win a green card. Oh wait, there is. It's called, "Gana la Verde," Win the Green. To add to the injury, its promo amplifies this message: oh well, good luck next time on your citizenship. If Adrain really wants a multicultural nation, maybe she should participate in the political arena to guarantee immigrants their U.S. citizenship as oppose to making a game show out of it.