ER was a critically acclaimed show that suffered from a diversity problem. A few critics noted this fairly early on, but their voices were drowned out by all the accolades from others, eager to fete it as the best show ever. In time, the series meandered toward addressing these issues but not to everyone's satisfaction. But by 90s and early 2000s standards, it was enough for the network.
But even without diversity that recognized the real world -- a hospital with almost no Asian physicians in the 90s? -- there was latent bigotry that permeated the series. Maybe it was on the radar of the writers and producers, but chances are, they either didn't see it through that lens or, if they did, would never admit to it.
"Kisangani" was part of an ongoing story arc that must on paper have seemed brilliant. Physicians from around the world journey to the war torn Congo to do their best to bring humanity to a savage land. It seemed to bring to light terrible tragedies that part of the world was facing -- tragedies all but ignored by westerners going about their business.
The problem is the physicians are almost all White -- at least the ones we focus on -- who seem more to be trauma tourists, tromping around the jungle in their J. Crew gear with just enough grit and sweat to make them sexy. And sexy is important because pretty soon they'll be hopping in bed with one another (the episodes, of course, lacking the self-awareness to place that in context with all the Congolese women being raped in the background). Pretty soon, it's not the war that's the focus but the soap opera antics as our characters get to play hero against an exotic backdrop they can always fly out of when they get the chance.
The Congolese characters are stereotypes -- either vicious monsters, angelic humanitarians, or innocent victims . . . You know, like on MASH -- and the other physicians look like they stepped out of a fitness magazine. We're constantly reminded of how "handsome" and "beautiful" the White physicians are, even by the Congolese, which isn't really necessary since they act like the goings on are an extension of some college Greek system. More sex and beer!
This is a shame because the first few seasons of ER, while still struggling with diversity (well, not really -- they just didn't seem concerned) stayed relatively balanced between the medical stories and the hijinks among the characters. As the years wore on, that balance shifted away from the former.
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