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Is there a 'Big Brother' double-standard? (Big Brother Network)
In the wake of reports that Chima Simone has quit Big Brother 11 (CBS claims she was evicted by the show's producers), a persistent double standard has once again reared its ugly head. And no, the issue isn't about race. It's about gender.
I know that Chima called Russell "a terrorist"--which rightfully angered many fans. Some say it was because she claimed he was "terrorizing the houseguests." Others who are avid live feed viewers claim Chima compared herself to the Twin Towers, making an implicit 9/11 reference while simultaneously invoking Russell's name.
That's inexcusable.
But where's the equal outrage for Russell? While fans have been upset at Ronnie for being a "rat" and playing the game the way it was intended, Russell berated Chima and other women using derogatory terms and claimed that the only thing Chima was good for was running her mouth and performing fellatio.
Has Russell been reprimanded by the show runners? Is he on thin ice? No. The producers complied with the rules of the game and allowed the Coup d'Etat power to save him from an evening with Julie Chen on Thursday night.
Men clearly get away with far too much on Big Brother--and no doubt on other reality shows as well--that it's become glaringly disturbing. Dick Donato, known by fans as "Evel Dick," did more "terrorizing" of his fellow houseguests on season eight of the show than Russell could ever imagine. When Jen--in a frustration equal to Chima's though certainly exhibited differently--became angered by Dick in the backyard, he blew cigarette smoke in her face.
Dick was beloved by fans due to the venomous words he spewed and the chaos left in his wake. The sheer lack of remorse for his destructive behavior was what fans loved most about Dick. He was deemed "real," a man who could have a tender moment with his daughter Danielle one minute and pick a fight with Amber, Jameka or Jen the next. That's not to say that Dick was a monster--but it was his actions towards others, often women, that both shocked and thrilled audiences at home.
With Dick's volatile nature--his own theme music played whenever he went on his Bruce Banner-like rages--were plans for a live eviction ever re-tooled? Did fans give him as hard of a time as Chima is getting right now? Certainly not--he was beloved by the Big Brother producers and fans for the drama he brought to the television screen.
It must be noted, too, that contestants on Big Brother must undergo a rigorous screening to get onto the show, a process that involves a psychological evaluation. Clearly, Allison Grodner (executive producer of Big Brother) must know what she's getting into when she casts these people. Could it be that Big Brother casts stable men and unstable women? Volatile men and emotionally scarred women? Are contestants of both sexes not sound in the mind for a mental game such as Big Brother? Wherever the truth lies, it would seem unfair to believe that Chima's behavior is so far gone--so egregious--that she would need to be removed from the show while her male counterparts have been able to remain in the Big Brother house after committing similar offenses.
For those that dislike Chima--I'll admit that I don't understand you. If you dislike confrontation and drama, a majority of reality television shows are probably off limits. If you do enjoy some strife within the house, how is a Chima-less Big Brother going to raise the entertainment level of the program?
Doesn't every show need a villain? Or can you only be "Evel" if you're a Dick?
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Click here for more 'Big Brother' news, stories, recaps, and commentary
Michael Langston Moore is also a writer for the African-American Entertainment Examiner
OTHER 'BIG BROTHER' NEWS:
What Ryan Jenkins and Chima Simone have taught us about reality television
Details on Chima quitting 'Big Brother 11' begin to surface (Poll)
Jessie evicted as Jeff opts to use the Coup d'Etat power
'Big Brother 11': CBS makes changes to live eviction show due to Chima's 'threats'
Massive fight on 'Big Brother After Dark' (Videos)
Comments
YOu must be a newbie to Big Brother. You can say whatever you want. You can verbally destroy someone and mess up their game mentally. Because guess what? It's a game. The house guests also sign a contract that this is acceptable. Also When Chima began to call Russell a terrorist, she made it very clear it was racial. Kevin asked her to stop calling him that. Then she said she would spin it as if he was terrorizing the house. She said she was well aware America already hates her for those remarks. You got to watch the feeds then you will know she is the B1tch in this picture.
The reason there was no outrage over Russell is because pretty much everything he said about her was true even if disgusting. She hung all over him and got jealous and possessive.
Chima was threatening the house and bullying producers for days. Destroyed property and threatened to put candy with red dye in to Michele's food which she is allergic. Russell yelled at people but he was no terrorize-r like Chima
There was no gender or racial issue when it came to the dislike of HCima. She made her bed and now has to lie in it. On twitter, women, African-American, Asian, Men, ect. hated her alike. She made every excuse in the book accept take her own responsibility. Her behavior in the house was deplorable. She brought it all on herself. And it isn't because she is a woman. It isn't because she is black. It's because she herself is hateful, racist, man hating, and rude. It was she who constantly made remarks about the dumb south, about red states and white people, and blondes. She is fiercely jealous and bitter and full of anger and hate. If she doesn't get her way it must be because she is a woman. Oh yeah it must be because America is racist.
I am offended that every issue with someone character must be blamed on their race and not the content of their character. You should be ashamed of yourself for perpetuating it without the facts.
Can you only be "evel" if you're a Dick?"
Great line. But Dick and Chima are two entirely different kind of "evel". Chima's is the most insidious because she never can admit that she is an incredibly mean spirited, self-absorbed, woman who is insecure and full of hate, while Dick was self-aware enough to proclaim himself a villain, and he ran with it. Nobody liked Dick, but they accepted him on this type of show because he told us who he was from the beginning. Chima, however, hides her cruel behavior beneath a guise of intelligence and elitism. I couldn't stand Dick. I don't like Russell, and if Chima was booted for something she said, rather than something she did, than Russell deserves to go too. But Chima exaggerated others' behavior while never admitting to how bad hers was. She blamed everyone for everything that happened to her, and then, when he thinks there is a good possibility she won't win and will be humiliated, she, according to her, takes the coward's way out.
Oh and for the record, Evel Dick had a lot of fans and a lot of people hated him for his remarks too. Not to mention Amber from that same season as Evel Dick, suffered the same fate as Chima for her racist remarks about Jewish people. From what I understand The ACLU and angry fans actually protested the BB house over Amber's remarks. You better get a grip on what really happens on this show before you write about it.
I've been watching "Big Brother" since Will "Mega" was evicted week one of the first season.
There's no denying what Chima did was wrong--that was never my point. My point is that what Chima did was every bit in line (though certainly not as harsh and unrelenting) as what Dick did on season eight. But he faced no serious punishment and was certainly never evicted.
I'm aware Chima called Russell a terrorist, and I think it's every bit as wrong as when Erica made the comment about Yee being "fresh off the boat" due to his ethnicity.
At the same point, Dick verbally terrorized people in the house. He berated Amber, accusing her of doing drugs around her own daughter. He lambasted Jameka's religion, something she heavily believed in. Her blew smoke in Jen's face and poured tea on her head. And America loved every minute of it.
Good points, Dee.
I would argue, however, that according to your breakdown, Dick was more disgusting. If you're self aware in your behavior and proceed to do it anyway--to say and do vicious things without regard to how one feels--then that goes beyond strategy and becomes sadistic. And Dick reveled in that.
Chima was simply a man-hater. Yes, can't blame the girl, but maybe being on a competition show was not the best choice for her. Maybe she should have spent her summer in therapy, she obviously is still dealing with some issues.
Chima was deemed to be a danger to the other house-guests. She stated that she would "do" stuff to them and their belongings, and did touch their personal possessions. Further, Chima appears mentally unstable, staying in this stressful situation could cause further harm to mental heath. She need help.
Oh yeah, and she broke several rules of the game that say explicitly that doing so is grounds for expulsion.
I don't think you can compare Chima to any other houseguest in the past, her racism and malevolence aside.
I would also like to point out that she was trying to hold the show hostage.
For the first time the live eviction show wasn't live, because of her threats
to do things during the show, which would have gotten CBS fined by the FCC.
She also was destroying CBS property, throwing one wireless mic
in the jacuzzi, then taking off her back up and throwing it across the yard.
We were told those mica have to be specially made and run about 7K each.
I never tried extorting things from the producers if they didn't give me things I wanted,
otherwise she would sabotage every competition and live show.
I got warnings, but I always would stop anything they asked of me.
I was always mindful of what was asked of me.
And I also find it hilarious how some people always make a point of saying
I focused on the women in my rants or deeds. I got into it with Mike, Nick,
who did I bang pots and pans over? Yes, Dustin. Julie Chen asked Zach
how he dealt with me ranting on him for hours..
Thank you for acknowledging my comments. I understand what you are saying, however, I still see a difference between them, a difference that goes further than what ED pointed out himself (if that is ED:) ). And I have to say that some of what I feel is intuitive-Dick made it clear that he was playing an exaggerated character. He talked to us, the audience, and often told us of his evil plans. I did not like the fact that he hurt people, but I also never took Dick entirely seriously-he was a bit of a cartoon character of "evil". I always knew he was playing the game.
My intuition is that Chima was not playing a part, or playing a game, when she went way too far. She wasn't even trying to save herself all the time. She was being herself, the worst part of herself. It was painful to see a woman who was smart and had so much going for her, enjoying being cruel,
and laughing at her actions, while being blind to them. Dick played a character, Chima played herself.Feel it in my
gut:).
Michael, Michael, Michael. You just implied in your comment that Chima was evicted because of her comments. This is not true. As an earlier comment discusses, Chima bullied the producers and held the show hostage with her antics, fine. Chima made derogatory and racist comments, fine. Chima destroyed property (two wireless microphones). Chima stole other houseguest's property. Chima took what is understood to be prescription medication from another houseguest (Nat's naproxin, to go along with her alcohol.) Chima used threats of violence, including castration towards other houseguests. Chima intended on using scalding hot tea/water to splash on Russel, but opted for safer temp water after being discouraged by producers and fellow houseguests.
Chima admittedly (during a game of Table Topic) that her biggest flaw is that she cannot let go of the past. She had horrible thing happpen to her, and it has turned her into an angry, angry person. She needs help.
And by the way, I appreciate it when anyone, man or woman, opens up a discussion when they perceive a double standard. Sexism exists for both men and women, and women get the brunt of it historically. So any forum that opens this up for discussion is good.
It is unusual that people get thrown out of BB for their words, however heinous they may be. They do get thrown out for their actions. Russell has said some horrible things, as well as DIck and Chima. But Chima lacked any respect-for herself, or for the game. And for the producers, who she continually taunted and provoked.
And further more, early in the game, Chima was perfectly content to throw herself at Russell, objectifying HERSELF to try and make him do what she wanted. It was a clear strategy. I cannot tell you how many times I would tune in to the primetime shows and the AfterDark airings and see or hear Chima making sexual innuendo and hanging off of Russell. It came to a point when Russell rejected her, and pretty much told her that he wasn't interested (I know, he flirted and played the game too, but then put a stop to it). ONLY THEN, did Chima go ballistic and start making all the derogatory remarks (cauliflower ears, small d**k, pig, terrorist)....ALL WITHIN THE GAME. Then she escalated matters, and crossed the line.
From the first week when she threatened to leave because she was a "have-not" it was evident that Chima was a drama queen just waiting to spin out of contol.
And by the way, I appreciate it when anyone, man or woman, opens up a discussion when they perceive a double standard. Sexism exists for both men and women, and women get the brunt of it historically. So any forum that opens this up for discussion is good.
It is unusual that people get thrown out of BB for their words, however heinous they may be. They do get thrown out for their actions. Russell has said some horrible things, as well as DIck and Chima. But Chima lacked any respect-for herself, or for the game. And for the producers, who she continually taunted and provoked.
Michael. You are picking and choosing from what you have been exposed to of what has happened inside the BB house to construct a reality to fit your point, that BB is sexist.
You are confused in this case. If you watch the feeds, BBAD and the broadcast version, you will see that Chima wanted to have sex with Russell, was eventually turned down, and then went after him full force. Did they both say despicable things? Of course...
But the straw was broken when Chima said... "Russell is not a f****** Catholic, he is a Muslim Extremist Terrorist."
You cannot spin that no matter how you try. Chima is not the victim of sexism or any kind of ism. The only ism she is a victim of his her own very well documented RACISM. That and the fact that when the game wasn't going in her favor, she threw tantrums ending in her leaving the house.
Good riddance to her and good riddance to your excusing her behavior.
I noticed the editor is also black. Chima made this racial and you are clearly misinformed or racial as well.
Michael, regarding your comment:
For those that dislike Chima--I'll admit that I don't understand you.
You don't understand a dislike of racism and racists? Are you kidding me? You HAVE to be joking here. Chima used Russell's ethnic background, he is Lebanese, to REPEATEDLY hurl insults at him, that would be hurtful to someone who is Arab. She likened herself to the twin towers, called him terrorist again and again, topping it off by saying he wasn't f****** Catholic, he was a Muslim Extremist Terrorist. The use someone's race as a means to belittle, mock, or hurt them is never acceptable.
If someone in the house called Chima a n*****, what would happen. Would we say it was OK. Would we just consider it part of the game and entertainment, the drama that might ensue as just part of the excitement of reality television?
While you may not equate the two as being equal, what Chima said was racist. Period. To say otherwise is to ignore the hurt that racism can and does cause.
You have no clue dude, with Chima she crossed the line by both destroying items and not only threatening to disrupt the show but actually doing it. plus you was physically touching players to intimidate them. Am I happy Chima is off the show , heck yea because she made the environment unsafe.
This is not about race or gender , but rather she should have been kicked out a lot earlier if they had not given her a great deal of latitude because she was both a woman and black. Thing is that Chima was a danger to her fellow players and needed to be removed for their safety. She had shown that she was no longer playing the game and was going to harm the other players and show unless she got what she wanted.
She had to go.
Chima was kicked out for her racial slurs? No. She started destroying equipment. How is that a double standard? And many fans dislike Evil Dick, including myself. I also dislike Chima AND Jessie (male) AND Ronnie (male). Can't we dislike a girl without being accused of disliking all girls? What middle schooler wrote this article for their ethics class, it's "C" work at best? Good luck getting a date for homecoming!
YOU'RE JOKING RIGHT? YOU DON'T GET WHY CHIMA'S GONE? DID YOU WATCH ANY OF THE FEED? SHE MADE THEM PUT HER OUT! HER STRONG WOMAN STATEMENTS ARE NOW; NOT VALID. SHE IS NUTS.. SHE GOT PLAYED BY A GAME! MY MOTHER WHO RAISED THREE KIDS BY HERSELF, IN THE PROJECTS OF NEW JERSEY, WOULD SLAP HER UP FOR HER "STRONG WOMAN" MANTRA. IF YOU CAN'T SEE THE REAL TRUTH MY FRIEND.. YOUR JUST LIKE HER.. NUTS!
YOU'RE JOKING RIGHT? YOU DON'T GET WHY CHIMA'S GONE? DID YOU WATCH ANY OF THE FEED? SHE MADE THEM PUT HER OUT! HER STRONG WOMAN STATEMENTS ARE NOW; NOT VALID. SHE IS NUTS.. SHE GOT PLAYED BY A GAME! MY MOTHER WHO RAISED THREE KIDS BY HERSELF, IN THE PROJECTS OF NEW JERSEY, WOULD SLAP HER UP FOR HER "STRONG WOMAN" MANTRA. IF YOU CAN'T SEE THE REAL TRUTH MY FRIEND.. YOUR JUST LIKE HER.. NUTS!
@Michael Langston Moore (Boston TV Examiner)
Dude , this was not about pouring liquids on someone this was about not listing to the producers, destroying a $7k microphone, and the show realizing that Chima was no longer playing the game and staying within any of their rules.
what is different with Chima is that she attempted to blackmail the show into doing what she wanted with the fear she would make the live feed unusable. You can not put a live show on hold if she refuses to cooperate and decides she will do everything she can to make it impossible for them to air the hours worth of live programing.
Other players have been bad but those that stayed never were as direct with their disregard to the producers and the show.
well i dont really watch the feeds so it must be 2 different worlds i know she is a b but i dont know
Chima got evicted because she threw her microphone in the hot tub and you are not allowed to do that. She told just screwed up big time....Strike 3...she's out!
I am a black woman and it has nothing to do with her being black or a woman. She was not following the rules, so she had to go. Justin Sebik from season 2 got kicked out for holding a knife to Krista's neck. Scott Weintraub from season 4 did not follow the rules of the house and he got kicked out.
Sooo.....it is NOT about gender, raace, age or whatever. If you ruin the chance to be in the house and act a fool, then you deserve it. I'm glad she is gone.
I hope Kevin or Jeff wins.
I am a black woman and it has nothing to do with her being black or a woman. She was not following the rules, so she had to go. Justin Sebik from season 2 got kicked out for holding a knife to Krista's neck. Scott Weintraub from season 4 did not follow the rules of the house and he got kicked out.
Sooo.....it is NOT about gender, raace, age or whatever. If you ruin the chance to be in the house and act a fool, then you deserve it. I'm glad she is gone.
I hope Kevin or Jeff wins.
Chima, after getting nominated went totally nuts....she started blaming the producers for her nomination then when natalie or kevin (i dont remember which one) woke her up to practice for the POV competition she refused to put her microphone on. After being asked a couple times natalie went to get it for her and gave it to her she then threw it in the hot tub, she was then told that she would have to replace the mic and the money would come out of her stipend, she then went crazier saying f*** this s***. I want out and started attacking Allison Grodner which made the feed cut out for about 90 minutes (which supposedly a house meeting was called by producers) when the feed came back chima was no longer in the house. NOTHING TO DO WITH HER BEING BLACK OR A WOMAN!! Also being called a terrorist and comparing herself with the twin towers is worse than saying all your good for is running your mouth and performing fellatio. One is an attack on the person and other is on the persons actions.
Good riddance, Chima! You profess to be a supporter of women but your behavior did the exact opposite.
Maybe next time the writer should do some better research before writing an article full of crap that appears to have been disproven by many people that don't do it for a living. Better luck next time dude.
The first rule of good journalism is to research your subject matter. After reading this article it is clear that you did none. As someone who gets the live feeds, I can say Chima's behavior made Evel Dick look like a church mouse. She even went so far as to suggest to other houseguests that they melt red M&M's into Michelle's drinks (Michelle has a severe allergy to red dye #40). She went throughout the house removing Jeff and Russell's clothing and hiding them in different places, even took the rosary Russell's grandmother sent him and put it amongst her things saying he was not a Catholic but a terrorist extremist. And justified her racist slurs saying "America won't care that I called Russell a terrorist b/c America hates Middle Easterners"
Chima's expulsion was not about gender. Chima got the boot b/c her actions showed an instability that threatened the safety of the other players AND broke several BB rules. She sunk her own battleship, stop trying to shift the blame.
The first rule of good journalism is to research your subject matter. After reading this article it is clear that you did none. As someone who gets the live feeds, I can say Chima's behavior made Evel Dick look like a church mouse. She even went so far as to suggest to other houseguests that they melt red M&M's into Michelle's drinks (Michelle has a severe allergy to red dye #40). She went throughout the house removing Jeff and Russell's clothing and hiding them in different places, even took the rosary Russell's grandmother sent him and put it amongst her things saying he was not a Catholic but a terrorist extremist. And justified her racist slurs saying "America won't care that I called Russell a terrorist b/c America hates Middle Easterners"
Chima's expulsion was not about gender. Chima got the boot b/c her actions showed an instability that threatened the safety of the other players AND broke several BB rules. She sunk her own battleship, stop trying to shift the blame.
OMG....You do this for a living, you might try another line of work, maybe politics...you sir are a true IDIOT, you would fit right in.
you are an idiot. watch all of the show and feeds. whenever things got tough chima would not deal with the issues and start with the russell woman thing. do some research and take your bias out of your reports.
You have got to be kidding me. You and Chima must have went to the same school of journalism-neither of you are very professional. Your personal bias is rampant throughout this article.
Maybe you should have done some fact checking before writing. Chima took things to a completely unsafe level in the house. Several of the other players (Jordan, Michelle, Lydia) admitted to being afraid she was going to physically attack them. She suggested doing physical harm to two players (throwing hot tea on Russell and putting red m&m's in Michelle's tea (michelle has a food allergy to red dye). THAT, coupled with ignoring repeated direction from production and destroying BB property is what Chima the boot.
And you don't understand why anyone would dislike Chima huh? i guess you enjoy being in the company of racists and hypocrites. you have no problem pointing out Russell's sexist language but say nothing about Chima calling Jordan and Lydia whores. There's your double standard-hypocr
are you kidding me! Russell just yelled he didn't toss water at her face she did! He didn't use racial slurs she did! He didn't refuse to put on the mike she did. He didn't through the mike into the hot tub she did. She's a poor sport, now band from all CBS and fellow co. She was also threatening to Jeff, Michelle and poor Jordan.
You don't understand people that don't like racist people?? Wow! Let me guess, you probably don't understand people that thought O.J. was guilty either. Wake up - it's people like you that perpetuate racism. How you could even begin to try and defend her actions is beyond comprehension. Use your position to help end racism, not to encourage it.
Chima is a man hater. She got raped and yes that sucks. But she still has anger towards men. Maybe she should become a lesbian. Or get some mental help. And maybe a new weave cause that one looks like a rats nest.
either your article can't possibly be serious, or you did not see the live feeds. Chima wasn't ousted because of how she treated Russell or anyone else in the house, she was tossed because of willful destruction (her mic - which she refused to wear), flipping off and abusive language toward the producers and crew, among other 'behind the scenes' shenanigans that were going on with her. Terrible uninformed article.
WATCH THE FEEDS BUDDY BEFORE YOU WRITE AN ARTICLE LIKE THIS! YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS!!!!!!! YOU CALL YOURSELF A JOURNALIST. BE EDUCATED ABOU THE SUBJECT BEFORE YOU WRITE ABOUT IT NEXT TIME. YOU SHOULD BE FORCED TO WRITE A RETRACTION ARTICLE AND APOLOGIZE FOR SUCH IGNORANCE
Chima got the shaft - Jeff should never have been given that power; he did nothing to earn it. What's the point of competing if that's the end game. What's worse, America gave it to America's 2nd dumbest player (1st being Jordan). Seriously?! Technotronics?! I'd sooner see Russel win now, and that's not saying much for the show any longer.
Chima has a right to be ticked. So much, in fact, that everyone was riled up when CBS did a pre-tape. Now that she really blew up, everyone's ticked at her. So which is it America? Did you want to see her go off or not?
After watching the feeds, I'm curious to see which way CBS will spin it. Oh no, she wrecked a wireless mic, you say! Big deal. Watching Jeff and Jordan out-dumb each other doesn't make fo good TV, but it probably fits in well with America.
To all the people who commented. Thanks for showing everyone who does not get the lived feed what a complete unstable wacko Chima is. You can see alot on the show, but now at least her supporters have no leg to stand on. She needed to go and I dont care I found this out before hand, now I can enjoy the next episode, knowing she is gone. Good riddance.
are you retarted? she got evicted because she refused to pay for the mic that production owned, because she broke it by throwing it in the pool. that has nothing to do with gender. wow...
I agree with BB. When in the history of BB did they ever give someone the power to overthrow the HOH. I think BB used this to change the game. I agree Chima got the shaft.
Chima was a fool, she knew the rules before she came in, I guess her psych evaluation didn't show what an unstable fool she truly is. As for the author of the above article, you must be deaf, blind & stupid. I hope she never works again in this town, she broke the cardinal rule, with absolutely no reasonable justification. I hope CBS sues her ass.
Shivon, I so admire your posting. No, it is not about race as much as Michael Langston Moore would like for it to be. She just was an embarrasment to the game and should be out of there for not following the rules. It is refreshing for someone to finally not play the race card.
Shivon, I so admire your posting. No, it is not about race as much as Michael Langston Moore would like for it to be. She just was an embarrasment to the game and should be out of there for not following the rules. It is refreshing for someone to finally not play the race card.
Chima wasn't evicted for being mean, she was evicted for breaking her $3k mic and throwing around threats. Also, she claims she left of her own volition so take that as you will.
I can't believe you're defending Chima, holy crap man. Open your eyes!
You have got to be kidding me!!! I'm a woman and I completely disagree with his article. Chima was absolutely out of line. I'm not excusing Russell's actions as far as getting in people's face and yelling, but you can't hardly compare his behavior to Chima's. In almost every season of BB, there's drama - it's what they signed up..it's a GAME! Chima crossed the line with the racist comments. She repeated them over and over and over and she meant every word. She was plotting to get Russell to hit her so he not only would kicked out of the house, but put in jail. She went on to say..yeah they'll rape him in jail. WOW!!! This is coming from a person who was raped themselves. Oh and isn't this the same person that went off about Braden supposedly using racial slurs yet she's calling Russell a terrorist. What a hypocrite and shame on you for defending her!!!
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