Tokenism refers to a policy or practice of limited inclusion of members of a minority group, usually creating a false appearance of inclusive practices, intentional or not. Typical examples in real life and fiction include purposely including a member of a minority race (such as a black character in a mainly white cast, or a woman in a traditionally male universe) into a group. Classically, token characters have some reduced capacity compared to the other characters and may have bland or inoffensive personalities so as to not be accused of stereotyping negative traits. Alternatively, their differences may be overemphasized or made "exotic" and glamorous.
In perusing the web, checking out the new television series scheduled to reach the small screen in the fall, I noticed (Hell, I think Stevie Wonder could see this!) a trend in the cast line ups. Let's see if you can spot it:
The cast of ABC's "Off the Map"
The cast of ABC's "No Ordinary Family"
The cast of ABC's "Mr Sunshine"
The cast of ABC's "Happy Endings"
In compiling this list, I initially thought that I was noticing a trend in the fall television programs from several networks.... imagine my shock when I discovered that every single one of these programs are appearing on the same network.
I certainly do not knock the brothers who are portraying these rolls, but how lazy are the executives over at ABC? What a half-ass, transparent, super-fail attempt to appear diverse!!!
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