The Apprentice - Bye bye Kevin

I don't usually comment on reality TV, although I love it, but did you watch tonight's Apprentice?

During the interview process, Donald Trump's business associates said that Kevin was ambitious to the point of aggression...

Pardon me?

Wayne Brady could have been interviewed by that panel and, because he's a Black man, be deemed 'aggressive'.

I am so disgusted.

If Kevin had been a slacker with no ambition, the same interviewers would have grumbled that Kevin wasn't ambitious enough, therefore ill-equipped to run one of Donald Trump's organizations.

It irks me that these people couldn't find anything truly wrong with the brother, so they had to play the 'scary, aggressive Black guy' card. Like the girls played the 'scary, crazy, aggressive Black woman' card with Stacie J.

Tell me you fired Kevin because he didn't perform well on the tasks. But you who watched it heard it to: "I instantly liked Kevin, but..." Let me add in the rest, Urban Sista style: "I instantly liked Kevin, but last year was just too darned close with that negro Kwame almost winning. We can't have any field hands running the massa's big company. Oh Lord, he's dark-skinned too! He's just too scary and aggressive. It was one of the most scary moments of my life!" (Thank Stacy -- another jackass -- for that line.)

It's like your run-of-the-mill racist telling you, "I have Black friends!" Yeah, but would you let one of us run your company?

Please. Don't try to justify your wretchedness with by telling Kevin, or any other Black person, you like them, but I would never let you run a company 'cause you're too aggressive.

I'm not necessarily vex that Kevin got the boot (Kwame didn't win last season, but if we're honest, who's more successful? Kwame or Bill?). I vex about the reasons given, because, obviously, they were flawed. Kevin was too educated, according to the panel.

But wait.

Since when was it a crime to have a proper, well-rounded education? I can't see how having both a business and law degree can harm you in the corporate world. And, of course, the aggression, which I could rant about all night: historical stereotypes, how the media plays into this, North American corporate culture and the Black professional.

But, dammit, all of you already know what the deal truly is.

Argh.

It's so annoying and frustrating to hear people in power finding bogus excuses to deny worthwhile people of colour positions they deserve. And, yes, we need our own organizations to run and rule as we like (go Kwame!), but until then, I will comment.

Kelly, I can understand him being in the final two. He's a worthy candidate and, while quite stiff a person, he's proved himself. But Jenn? I had liked girlfriend at the beginning, but she never, NEVER!, stood up and proved herself. When she took praise for Ivana's idea during the Levis' task, I learned Jenn was a wretch. (Although, I always knew Ivana was a wretch and I was glad her tail was blazed up. Idiot.)

Anyway, reality TV or not, it goes to show you -- as I have always said -- life, success and promotion is NOT based on merit. You aren't promised the job, even if you are one of the best candidates. And if you're Black? As your mom told you many times as a child: "You've gotta be twice, sometimes three times as good as these people to get half as far."

Momma always knew best.