Davis Mallory’s Drinking Problem
Last night’s “Real World” on MTV was, how can I say it… exciting… but not in the fun, anticipatory way; more like the “there was just way too much happening” kind of exciting.
After a night of drinking our “token gay,” Davis Mallory, found himself in a bit of hot water. Number one, he had just way too much to drink. Number two, he couldn’t control his behavior whatsoever. Number three, he dropped the “N-word” after getting into a fight with one of his black room mates, Tyrie. (photo right: Davis (left) and Tyrie (right) just before the blow out)
You can catch the full episode (number 4) at realworld.mtv.com.
From the beginning of this season of the “Real World” I knew that Davis and his story would be a great one for LGBT and straight youth across the nation. I knew from the beginning that our nice, white, Southern Baptist gay boy from Georgia would be able to impart some sort of lesson on the millions of people watching the show. That is one of the reasons why I decided to try and follow his story and give my commentary on it as the season progresses.
Later in the show Davis informs his room mates that he has a drinking problem. He says he’s known he has had a problem for a long time and his behavior the night before showed him a side of his drunken self he had never ever wanted to see.
He did drop the “N-word”, out of anger he said the next day. Stephen Nichols, the black, Christian room mate who had voiced some reservation on Davis’ “lifestyle” quickly forgave Davis after he apologized profusely to both him and Tyrie. The forgiveness wasn’t so forthcoming from Tyrie. After telling of his drinking problem, Davis informed all the room mates that he was seriously considering leaving the show. The girls, of course, quickly chimed in telling him not to leave. Later, Stephen took Davis on a little walk. They chatted for a while and Stephen said something of definite importance.
See… Davis grew up in the South. He may not be racist, many Southerners aren’t, but there is no debating that Davis has grown up in a society and culture (especially in Georgia) which is still, in some part at least, very racist (whether that racism is very vocalized or a societal undertone, we all know that it still exists in the South). In a situation where Davis was EXTREMELY drunk and EXTREMELY emotional and pissed off, it shouldn’t be surprising at all that he dropped the “N-word,” especially if it is something that he has grown up hearing from people in his life and community.
Stephen picked up on that and immediately realized that maybe it would be better for Davis to stay with his room mates, instead of going home. I have to say I was quite proud to see Stephen (who I thought was nothing but a guy with a thing against gays) say that not only could Davis learn more from both him and Tyrie by staying, but also that he could learn a lot more from Davis.
Later in the show Tyrie does, indeed, offer his forgiveness. He tells Davis that if he really does have a drinking problem, he can’t sit in judgment of that and that he empathizes with Davis’ situation. He tells Davis that he wants him to stay in the house and that from here on out, he’d have Davis’ back. (picture right: Davis (left) and Tyrie (right) talk it out the day after the blow out)
Davis Mallory’s story is now important in two more ways in the on-going discussion of diversity, multiculturalism, acceptance, education and LGBT awareness:
- Just because a person is gay, does not exclude the possibility that a person might also be racist, have grown up in a racist environment or have some sort of prejudices against other people for any reason.
- Davis’ drinking problem may just have the possibility to shine a light on the high rates of both alcohol and substance abuse within the LGBT community, as well as with LGBT youth in particular, and provide (hopefully) for a positive gay role model who not only deals with his problem but is also able to impart the lessons about that problem upon millions of people who may be finding themselves in the same situation.
I’m a firm supporter of the role that the media can (and should) play in promoting social awareness, social justice and putting a focus on (and offering positive solutions to) the problems that we face as individuals and as a society. Although many say that MTV’s “Real World” isn’t always that “real,” I believe that it is a perfect show for playing that media role. Hopefully, people will be able to learn something not only for their own good and well-being, but also for the good and well-being for the whole community of people we call the United States of America.
Remember… You can keep up with my posts on Davis Mallory’s story on “Real World” and check out the past posts by viewing the blog category, Real World Davis Mallory.
Technorati Tags: davis mallory, stephen nichols, tyrie ballard, drinking, alcohol, abuse, forgiveness, n-word
Photos Source: realworld.mtv.com
Matt, 22, is an LGBT journalist, activist and youth advocate currently living and working in Charlotte, N.C., where he serves as the Editor of Q-Notes, the Carolinas' LGBT news source. A native of Winston-Salem, N.C., Matt attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and is still continuing to pursue his bachelors degree. He is the Owner & Editor of InterstateQ.com and has been active in LGBT advocacy work since the age of 14.
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