Methodists Protest CBS
'Survivor' Dividing by Race

San Francisco -- September 15, 2006

Bishop Beverly J. Shamana is calling the vigils protesting CBS’ Survivor series a profound moment in the life of the California-Nevada Annual Conference. “I was deeply impressed by the willingness of churches to respond quickly and dynamically to the call to speak out against a TV network’s racially divisive programming,” said Bishop Shamana of the Sunday vigil.

Aware of the CBS network’s decision to start its new Survivor season with a plan to segregate contestants by race and pit them against each other, Bishop Beverly J. Shamana put a call out to churches around the conference to protest Survivor: Cook Island. In San Francisco, Fresno, Reno and Sacramento, United Methodists responded, showing up at the offices of CBS affiliates KPIX-TV, KOVR, KTVN and KJEO.

On Sunday, September 10, in San Francisco, a crowd of more than 100 from Glide Memorial, Epworth, Temple UMC, Downs Memorial and Taylor UMC, and as far away as San Jose Calvary, carried signs in Spanish, Tongan, and English with slogans including “God did not divide us by race – why let CBS.” They were joined by Presbyterians, UCC, Catholics and other faith groups. “It was something to see so many different ethnic groups take part in the protest, said a member from Downs Memorial UMC. “We may have been from different ethnic groups but we were all in agreement. We just wanted CBS to know that their show sends the wrong message.”

Renae Extrum-Fernandez, pastor of Walnut Creek First UMC, was interviewed by a KPIX (CBS) reporter in San Francisco during Sunday's vigil.

Chester R. Jones, general secretary, and the staff of the General Commission on Religion and Race, have added their voices to those concerned about Survivor. In a recent interview Jones said he believes the show, in which four “tribes” of competitors are segregated by racial ethnicity, has dangerous undertones. Jones contended that the producers are "desperate to find a plot device" and that this "risky and uncreative ploy may instead heighten racial tensions, chauvinism, and separatism among viewers."

[California-Nevada Instant Connection]