PBS

[Sigmund]

PBS Finding You Roots program has been suspended. The Ben Affleck debacle.

PBS cited “improper influence” by Ben Affleck, who pressured producers of the genealogy series to leave out details about an ancestor who owned slaves. The episode, which aired in October 2014, did not include these facts.

 

[skimom2]

PBS Finding You Roots program has been suspended. The Ben Affleck debacle.

PBS cited “improper influence” by Ben Affleck, who pressured producers of the genealogy series to leave out details about an ancestor who owned slaves. The episode, which aired in October 2014, did not include these facts.

It is a good idea for PBS, and this program in particular, to step back and regroup. They clearly made a mistake; now they have to decide whether they're a show about presenting objective history or about stroking egos.

 

[bobledrew]

Agreed, skimom2.

 

[kingricefan]

As long as they learn from their mistake (and how about kepping Affleck from ever 'acting' again, that should be his punishment). What makes me sad about all of this is that due to a 'star' on an ego trip, many people have been put out of work. I hope Mr. Affleck is proud of himself. Maybe he should send those folks some money until they find other jobs?

 

[bobledrew]

Well, let's calm down a little. First off, there's blame to go 'round here. #1: Affleck should have simply accepted the fact that he had a skeleton in his closet. It's not like anyone is going to think "Oh, that Ben Affleck, such a racist for having a great-grand-parent that owned slaves!" In fact, it might have been a demonstration that values change over time. #2: PBS simply should have refused his request and cancelled the segment rather than bowdlerize Affleck's past. Just 'cos he asked doesn't mean they had to comply.

And while some people are likely being put through a bit of hardship, I'd guess (I don't know, but suspect) that the people who worked on that show are either freelancers, or if they're staff, work on that and other productions for the producing station. I doubt the hiatus resulted in any "layoffs."

And I think a permanent Ben-ban might be a bit of an overreaction.

 

[Mr Nobody]

Reminds me a little of when my gf's mom went nosing around up my family tree. Turns out someone way back, 1740-odd or so, on a relatively obscure branch (great, great, great, great step-uncle three times removed or some such gubbins), was hanged for 'highway robbery'.
She treated it like it was a scandal and a stain on my character. I found it mildly interesting for a couple of minutes then said I hadn't committed the act so it was nothing to do with me. She still seemed to expect me to condemn the guy, but I refused. I had no idea why he'd done it. His actions might have been dubious but his reasons sound enough...and he would have been a product of his time and environment, as we all are.
Highwayman or slave owner; me or Ben Affleck. We're not responsible for our ancestors' actions or attitudes, only our own. But you should still have the courage to look your family history full in the face should you seek it out.