How I felt about My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding

The reality show My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding is a lavish and comical entertainment to say the least. Not necessary knowing who Gypsy’s where, I found their culture to be very extravagant and prideful. Although their fashion was over the top at times, I believe there is something to admire about them. Their devotion to tradition and efforts to demystify the dirty stereotypes of Gypsies is an aspect that I have much respect for. In general, I think it’s easy for a person to accept the stereotypical view that people have about themselves and conform to them. The families we watched in class (mostly with the toddler and tiara family) where out to reshape those views and influence society to judge differently. Being a minority who’s experienced much stereotypical slurs, I can only imagine the struggles these families face especially in a culture that has a severely negative reputation. Given their rep, I can completely make sense of their extravagant weddings and parties because of their pride and purpose to make a statement. While their fearless personality is an auspicious attribute that appears to work in their strength, the show is outrageous and laughable. As if it’s a sociological study, there is nothing respectful about the way the people in the show are portrayed. The shows voyeuristic, stereotypical, judgmental, and shallow depiction of a misunderstood culture abuses the minorities. While they claim to offer a kind insight into a unique community that the world knows little about, the show achieves the complete opposite. While it might not be right to laugh at a person and their lifestyle, their superficial demands and excessive disposition makes it hard not to. To simply put it, I will never understand their way of life. Even though I may not be able to fully follow a culture that our society is not completely fond of, I see that they heavily value family and traditions and for that I give them my admiration.