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'Survivor: Nicaragua': Is NaOnka a black stereotype?

Three episodes deep into "Survivor: Nicaragua," one thing is painfully clear--castaway NaOnka is the most hated contestant amongst the show's viewers.  Go onto any Internet forum or the comments section of YouTube and you'll notice that NaOnka, the sole African American female competing on the show, is being called "ghetto trash" and a "hood rat." 

In just three episodes of "Survivor: Nicaragua," viewers have seen NaOnka accuse her tribemates of stealing her socks (prompting her to steal another player's socks), attempt to create an "all minorities alliance" with a man who is half-black and a woman who is Asian, and wrestle a grown woman (who plays the game with one prosthetic leg) to the ground in an effort to exclusively have the latest Immunity Idol clue.

So, is NaOnka yet another black stereotype seen in television and film entertainment for decades, perpetuated by the media and often witnessed on reality television?

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The thing with stereotypes is that they're just that--types.  Types of people like NaOnka do exist in the world, and if we deem reality television as the ultimate melting pot, it would be unfair to suggest that she shouldn't be allowed to display her crazy on camera for the world to see.

But admit it, you cringe a bit when she's on screen.  Her lack of charm makes her come across more bitter than brilliant and her people skills, as evidenced by both the sock and Immunity Idol incidents, are clearly non-existent.

The problem with NaOnka may have less to do with her and more to do with casting.  On a show that features one black female out of twenty contestants, Na Onka was likely stereotyped before she even opened her mouth.

But when she did open her mouth?  Oooh boy.

Is NaOnka a black stereotype on "Survivor: Nicaragua?"  Probably so.  And while I may cringe when NaOnka goes on her wild rants, I also shake my head when thinking about the show's casting director.

In the vertical column to the left, watch a couple moments from "Survivor: Nicaragua" that feature contestant NaOnka Mixon.

"Survivor: Nicaragua" airs every Wednesday night at 8 pm ET on CBS!

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Comments

  • Anonymous 1 year ago

    I agree!!!!!!!

  • Anonymous 1 year ago

    What sacres me most about her is that she is a PE TEACHER!!!!! God help us all.

  • Capra 1 year ago

    Oh please! Not blame her for being a horrible person, but blame the casting people? Did it ever occur to you that she waited until she was on the show to let loose? Blame her for feeling entitled enough to act the way she does. She chose two of the most innocuous people to harass -- coward much? -- and she seems to feel that she can say, do, act how she wants because she's Naonka. Yuck!

  • Anonymous 1 year ago

    Can somebody please help me out? I am Australian and admittedly don't know any black Americans. The type of woman that Naonka is, that finger waving "Mess with the hand, coz the face don't understand' I absolutely vehemently detest. But when trying to describe this sort of person to somebody else I can't help but use the word black, but I know for a fact that all black people, indeed most black people are not like this. I want to know how best to adequately describe this kind of personality without using the word black, or being racist. Strong, assertive woman does not cut it because you can be strong and assertive and still be beautiful, not a total bitch.

  • Anonymous 1 year ago

    NaOnka should be fired from her teaching job. I don't know where she got her education degree from but in most education degrees you go though extensive training for diversity pertaining to people who are physically or mentally chanllenged. So her treating that lady with one leg the way she did should be enough alone to get her fired tv show or not. What kind of role model is NaOnka anyway to the kids she is responsible for teaching. This is very sad

  • miss manors 1 year ago

    Last night, She proudly ripped a fart on national TV. The girl is nasty and the producers should never have shown that.

  • Anonymous 1 year ago

    no doubt....fire her as a teacher....she is a bully and a thief....and trash..

  • Anonymous 1 year ago

    NaOnka i wouldnt say is a stereotype, she's just a bitch. but maybe thats her gameplay, she seemed so nice in the pre-interviews!

  • Anonymous 1 year ago

    I too question the Survivor casting directors. Too many lazy/stupid young black men and young bitchy black women. Yes, there have been exceptions, but I can't think of many among the younger crowd.

    Sadly, whether it exists or not, NaOnka IS either perpetuating, or creating, a stereotype.

  • stevieb 1 year ago

    Sounds like you're trying to make a race issue out of this. There have been PLENTY of black women on Survivor who were very nice and pleasant. She's not a stereotype; she's simply a bitch who happens to be black. Get over it and write about something upbeat. Stop trying to stir the pot.

  • BLACK list her from teaching!!! 1 year ago

    If your child is scheduled to have her for a teacher, RUN! Run fast and run far! She is NO role model and will only teach your children to be deceitful, nasty, ghetto and quit.

  • Anonymous 1 year ago

    Black, white, male, female; would you want this PERSONALITY teaching your kids? I would be outraged if this person had any interaction whatsoever with my children.

  • Anonymous 1 year ago

    she is a disgusting, vile human being. Wait did I say human? She is barely human , she is boirderline animal.

  • Anonymous 1 year ago

    She is definitely a black stereotype. She has a terrible attitude and gets "hood" on people.

  • Anonymous 1 year ago

    I wondered when somebody was going to play the race card in regards to Naoka. She is just a nasty, mean spirited poor excuse for a human being and she would be no matter what race she is. Stop giving her an excuse for her behavior. Not everybody that criticizes a black person is a racist. The word is so overused, it's completely lost it's meaning. There have been a lot of black people playing Survivor and I can't think of one that wasn't well liked by tribemates and fans alike. Tyrone is a good example on the older tribe. He's a very nice man who doesn't talk trash to everybody that crosses his path and he treats people with respect and they return the favor.
    Naoka stole Fabio's socks and yelled at him when he approached her about it. She beat up a woman with one leg to get a clue that Kelly B saw first and she smashed some fruit to do it. She has no remorse for either thing. She even had the nerve to hide the clue that she couldn't even figure out in those stolen socks. I hope Fabio or somebody else steals something from her personal belonging to show her how it feels. She needs to go and soon (I hope)

  • survivor scriber 1 year ago

    I am pretty sure Dreamz was unpopular, for the whole Immunity Car Gift Fiasco Deal w/ Yau-Man. Also Osten, the first Survivor quitter was seen by some as a lazy black man stereotype.
    Cirie OTOH was quite popular, regarded as a funny & savvy player, delightful to watch w/ fun soundbites. Shecould be perceived as the jolly fat mama/caretaker role but whatevs. I liked her. Stereotypes are not necessarily negative, among my friends Yau-Man was nicknamed Mr. Miyagi (and yes we knew that was the wrong country. But it was mean as the kindly, world-wise, funny wiry Asian dude who was way more bad-ass than he looked way that we jokingly compared him to the Karate Kid mentor. We're 80's kids, we'll start being PC when Judd Nelson & Molly Ringwald become relevant again...)
    Na'Onka is a both a nasty, self-righteous jerk face, & an example of the angry, entitlement queen hater ghetto grrl (other bad labels may apply here, take your pick). I don't like her, & I think 90% or more of the people who dislike her are basing it on personality. She could be whiter than wonder bread & still annoy people by calling Jud retarded & suggesting that Kelly the triathelete having an artificial leg makes her a charity case & challenge liability etc.

  • Anonymous 1 year ago

    Who is playing the race card to Excuse her? No one.

    As far as the OP goes, well said. Although, I doubt the casting managers really viewed it as we view it now. Hindsight, you know?

  • Alex Kessie 1 year ago

    ''I wondered when somebody was going to play the race card in regards to Naoka.''

    Really? why did you wonder this? She is a stereotype like it or not, thats not a racist thing to say, be you black or white or green, the stereotype for a black woman is usually behaving like this - black people say it, white people say it stereotypes aren't meant to be favoured nor are they reasons to excuse her behaviour. What I think the author of this post is saying is that NaOnka represents the bitter and recognisable depiction of black women. We know we're not all like that, but yes as a casting researcher myself I know what sells - unfortunatley you want to cast as diverse as possible and that means stereotypes because it forces cultural and social clashes, that gets people like the ones here talking about it. For those who say they hate her, TV is never that straightfoward and though her attitude stinks and comes from somewhere what you are being shown is for pure entertainment. Im not condoning this woman, but I have been in meetings where its imperitive to the studios to get in people like her to stir the public up. You watch, you complain, youre engaging in fueling the media corp fire and no doubt Survivor will be back again next year.

  • Anonymous 1 year ago

    She is just a bad person, period. Now that would be fine for the show, but she is also a teacher, and I would not want any of my children near a women who steals and acts like Naonka. She should be fired from her job. She has very little character and very little class.

  • JustMe 1 year ago

    Don't forget James. James was awesome as well as Cirie. They were two of my faves from all seasons combined.

  • Rapini 1 year ago

    Namoonka isn't a stereotype she is a reality, demonstrating TNB on prime time. What a joke, I will only continue to watch after she is eliminated. Why watch Survivor when you can see her "type" on every local news show reporting a hood shooting.

  • Anonymous 1 year ago

    I think "Moron-ka" is the worst person I've ever seen on TV. I really hope that this is just an act and she isn't like that in real life. The fact that she's a PE teacher scares the hell out of me.

  • Anonymous 1 year ago

    hello

  • cdubs 1 year ago

    so should we thank the Survivor casting director for portraying Tyrone as a strong, intelligent team player? or, is it possible that he is doing that on his own?

    in Survivor, just like real life, there are assholes, like Naonka, and there are decent people worthy of our admiration, like Tyrone.

    racism is an evil, not an excuse.

  • Anonymous 1 year ago

    I find it quite interesting that she accuses someone of stealing her socks then immediately steals someone else's socks. Fabio knew that they were his socks, and when he simply looked at her, she ripped him a new one. She knew that she was in the wrong, but instead of apologizing, she became confrontational.

    I find her truly offensive. She physically assaulted another team mate (who also happens to be an amputee). Physical game play is expected during challenges, not when walking back to camp. I have still not heard her apologize to her team mate, but I have heard her threaten to throw the girl's leg into the campfire. Her apology for ruining the bananas was beyond lame.

    I hope her employer is watching and thinks hard about whether or not this is the type of example that they want their students to see. What is she hoping to teach her students? Accuse without evidence, steal whatever you feel entitled to have, verbally and physically assault others, do not mean it when you apologize to others, etc.

    I hope she is voted out next, and I hope the people in her personal life set her straight when they see this on tv. If I were her family member, I would be so ashamed that I would deny being related to her. If my child were in her school, I would go to the school board to have her removed from employment or put my child in another school. We need strong, positive role models for our children.

  • the truth 1 year ago

    She is quite simply - trash. I don't care what color she is - she's a piece of trash. Someone should dispose of her.

  • Flavor Flav 1 year ago

    Man, That girl is salty. I want her on my show to smother her in her sleep to make sure she does not reproduce.

  • Anonymous 1 year ago

    It seems that every reality show has this kind of black woman on it , coincidence ? maybe , maybe not , I remember Tyra Banks even complaining on America's Next Top Model that she was sick of the black ghetto queens and their behavior . And this was TYRA BANKS !!!

  • the voice 1 year ago

    She is a fool. Wouldn't want her anywhere near kids or handicap people.

  • surfrhino 1 year ago

    NaOinker! She is nothing but and only a BEAST! I have yet to see her exhibit one redeeming, positive human quality. Her affect and demeanor are truly repugnant and hard to view week after week without feeling depressed for our future as a species. Her total lack of honor, ethics, compassion, integrity or any semblance of simple human decency are indeed stunning to the point of revulsion! The sick thing for me is, I keep tuning back in just to see if some altruistic good will prevail among the other players whose faults and flaws pale in comparison to NaOinkers painfully serious pathology. Hopefully sooner than later, these other players will come to their collective senses and tell this embarassment to our species that she truly needs to go home and get some help. Especially before she ever returns to teaching children. That's a no brainer, Mister Principal and Misses Superintendent! Doublless, she is doing somebody's kids more psychological damage than our intemperately coarse society can really afford. If she has tenure, then somebody in her school district definitely dropped the ball! She seems to caricaturize and epitomize most of the worst traits currently afflicting the most socially maladjusted dysfunctionals in our society. Her aggression toward the prosthetically enabled, courageously determined, good-natured doctor is beyond cruel and greedy. It's evil and squalid. So say sayonarra, beeach! Go home and check yourself in to a longterm care facility because you definitely ain't right!

  • Anonymous 1 year ago

    she called herself a ghetto tramp and a hood something or other so who is giving black women a bad rap. Her. I have never seen such trash she even said the lady with the prosthetic leg needed to keep it away from the fire. Nice example for kids. i never thought anyone could damage the image of black women more than that Omarosa character but this one may have topped her. These types of women need to be kept out of the limelight. They are trashy and are poor examples of human beings.

  • Yerboy 1 year ago

    NaOinka is pure hoodrat. Immature, arrogant & ignorant as they come. (that's not a good mix) She may be famous now, but I think she will not be able to go anywhere without being heckled by the public. The smart players should want to keep her around as much as possible. You could put Michael Richards up against NaOinka & she would still lose.

  • Just the Truth 1 year ago

    NOT A STEREOTYPE: Most, diva black women are JUST LIKE HER. It's not a stereotype, if it is true. Is it a "stereotype" that blacks are better athletes than whites? NO... because it is true. NaOnka is a gh*tto trash black female, just like 75% of the black females welfare baby factories in this country. The ONLY reason that NaOnka does not have kids is that she is SO OBNOXIOUS, that even a black won't scr*w her.

  • DNA DIVAS 1 year ago

    NaOinka ... Omarosa ... Oprah ... Naomi ... It's in their DNA to be obnoxious.

  • Anonymous 1 year ago

    Why do black women stick their lower lip out, like NaOinka does? Does she think this is attractive, or is this some signal that she is willing to sck something of yours? Why do black guys, constantly l*ck their l*ps ? Don't their l*ps get dry? K*be does it constantly. Is this some signal that they are willing to eff anything in the area?

  • Ano 1 year ago

    I believe that N*Oinka is Om*arossa's little sister; by different dr*g dealing b*by-dddies ... of course. Just two w*lfare girls out of 21 kids.

  • Racist People 1 year ago

    It's realy telling that more than 80% of these comments are racist, and not even about Naonka, but about black people in general, but hey, none of these people think they are racist. What a joke. I find all racist appalling.

  • Racists are Blind to their Racism 1 year ago

    Excellent point...well said. NaOnka is an embarrassment to women, Blacks, PE teachers, etc. But, it's unfair -- and a form of prejudice -- to say that she represents most or the majority of any of these groups.

  • ROBERT O"VERY 1 year ago

    Come on people !!! She's playing a game for a million dollars in extreme conditions @_@ you know the other people wanna choke some of their enemies and make it known that they hate them... the difference is NaOnka is not afraid to show her hatred for her enemies and i can respect that <3's Naonka :)

  • CRYSTAL 1 year ago

    she is ugly in side as she is outside she is mean to every one and she makes me puke she is a hoodrat

  • Josh 1 year ago

    Dunno if you've actually watched previous seasons, but a few seasons ago, I thought Jayson would win it all. He was smart, well educated and portrayed in a great manner. Then there was Cerie, brought back for two additional seasons as a favorite both times and or two seasons ago when Taj almost won the whole thing. Of course I guess any one of those would have deflated your whole argument, so...I guess you should just go on ahead and keep perpetuating the myth that the show casts racial stereotypes and maybe not just the fact that NaOnka turned out to be an embarrassment of a castaway.

  • ~ Mr. Anonymous 1 year ago

    I don't think you argument holds water because Tyrone who would also then be stereo typed by your theory was really a stand up guy.
    Through most of his interactions and some of them "mine fields" of logistics, he kept a clear and balanced head. The only mistake he semed to make, and it could of been just 'talkative nervousness' at being suddenly shifted to an unfamiliar team and insisting on the immediately telling everyone "the rules" the oldies followed, which was clearly a misread of the slacker mentality and their numbered majority!

  • A Pissed Off White Guy 1 year ago

    this article is ridiculous - No don't blame NaOnka for her actions, blame the "white casters" that picked her - by perpetuating stereotypes.

    How bout we just all admit that NaOnka is a horrible PERSON. Who cares if she's balk and if you really want ot get into stereotypes then... Obviously there are black people like this - certain stereotypes DO exist for a reason. Why deny it?!? Like it or not that's the truth. NaOnka is living proof of this.

    There have also been many black people that have been on survivor who do not fit this stereotype and they have been this season. So how is this a casting issue??

    Seems to me that the author of this article has the same problem as NaOnka... can't take responsibility for their OWN actions, and has to make excuses, and blame others for the short-comings of themselves, their race, or because a shitty person of their color got on a tv show.... give me a break.

  • Steve 1 year ago

    Is NaOnka a network examplne of an educator educating America? Her values of betraying and stealing and quitting is not what young America should be learning from their mentors in my oppinion

  • Julie 1 year ago

    NaOnka.............. need I say anymore

  • Steve 1 year ago

    i agree she is a pc. of trash

  • Julie 1 year ago

    Trash? more like an Inglewood Succubus in training, quitter!!!!!!!!!!! In my opinion

  • Lance 1 year ago

    I AGREE

  • Mike 1 year ago

    NaOnka is by all definition a HOODRAT and Bitch Thank God she quit I have had enough of her crap.

  • Mike 1 year ago

    I hate--absolutely DESPISE the " N" word... but when I see someone like this person act the way she does and do the things she did to others; without regard to the consequences it would have for the other people...I'm reminded of how bigotry and hatred can be perpetuated. She has demonstrated in her 28 days on Survivor, that selfishness and self-serving are two principles by which she lives. As much as I like to think we've moved beyond racism, as a society, she is a reminder of why some people feel the way they do toward other races of people--even if those thoughts are wrong. In her twisted mind, it's ok for the white person to be self-effacing as reparation for transgressions committed generations ago, and as a result, she feels entitled to the self-serving and selfishness attitude... really...a sad sad excuse for a human, if you ask me. She exemplifies the moral decay in our society today--regardless of race or skin color.

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