Yaniv Schulman as most know is the host of the hit TV show "Catfish." The show aims to tell the incessant internet betrayals of love and friendship. The show was inspired by Nev's personal experience when he was catfished by an older white woman. Many have been duped by those impersonating another on social media platforms. This has fueled the success of the show as the cast and the stories are relatable, or are they? Nev interrupted Black Girls Rock on April, 6 with the following line of ignorance
There are several issues with this post. For one, who called for Nev? He's posting about a movement that is not for him. Also, Nev was catfished by a white woman, which was the basis of his show. His tweet implied that he had actual statistics of the demographic of people that create fake profiles. Nev's show does tell the story of many individual's that created fake profiles, and some do happen to be black. However, many of those exposed on the show are also white or of another race. Nev also seemed to be oblivious to the involvement of black Twitter in the boosting of his show's views. Black Twitter is consistent with creating witty and perfectly timed memes. These memes always complimented the show and hyped the audiences as they tuned in. Nev seems unaware of those who have a hand in his show as he directly attacked many of his fans.
What is interesting is that Nev is Jewish. Jews are to uphold all that is good in the world and speak up for oppressed people. Yet, one can find tweets similar to this where Nev is supporting oppression. In one Facebook post, Nev stated: #alllivesmatter, which again silenced black voices. This is a case of horizontal oppression. Horizontal oppression occurs when one marginalized group upholds the dominant culture which in return further oppresses another group. Horizontal oppression is often anti-black as is white dominance where whiteness is used as the default. Nev's posts ring similar to instances when early Jews felt the need to assimilate into white culture. This assimilation was based solely on anti-black notions as that is what it means to truly be white in America. However, as seen time and time again Jews just as blacks are often used as the scapegoats for undesirable traits. When social tensions come to a head it is these groups and others like them that suffer. Yet Nev spoke in the voice of white dominance which he does benefit from, but on the other hand he suffers too. Nev is certainly white passing, and this is where his privilege comes into hand. His privilege allows him to make public mistakes like this and bounce back after a simple "sorry." His privilege is what allowed him to track down a social media crush and not be marked as crazy. His privilege is what allows him to take "assertive" actions on his show and be deemed a hero.
Instead of a crazy black (wo)man. To Nev this tweet was just a joke, but it was much more. He silenced black women on a day meant solely for us. He reminded those black girls that are catfishing that they should continue to do such. As even an event made to uplift and celebrate you will be interrupted. Black women are silenced daily and erased by images of European beauty. To respond to Nev's tweet, yes black girls do catfish. They do so because they live in a society that constantly tells them that they are not beautiful. That their blackness is undesirable and should be hidden away. A society that allows us to be silenced and publicly ridiculed. You have shown black girls that Black Girls Rock is important as there will always be a voice attempting to speak louder than ours. While you may exclaim that #alllivesmatter it is clear that black lives are viewed as disposable. I simply ask that before you speak out to silence black woman (or POC in general) remember that we never interrupt Holocaust memorials or Jewish celebrations. Yet you continue to force yourself into spaces made for us. Lastly, Yaniv, as passover approaches, remember the struggles of you ancestors. Shavua Tov.
Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, she-asani b'tzelem Elohim.
