January 24
Real or fake, 'Amish Mafia' is bigotry
By David GeorgeMany people overlook the harm caused by the Discovery Channel’s television show Amish Mafia, perhaps assuming it’s similar in nature to previous Amish-themed “reality” programs — distasteful, but nothing to get worked up about. Or they dismiss it as mostly fake. Or, more sadly, whether Amish or non-Amish, they simply have come to take as given the regular parade of TV shows degrading Amish identity.
The time for these shows to stop was years ago. But Amish Mafia enters new territory. And the difference lies in what’s real and what’s fake. While the show portrays the obviously fake and clownish criminal antics of its Amish and Mennonite actors, it despicably makes use of the real-life Nickel Mines school massacre and recent violent attacks on Amish families by an Ohio cult to supplement the entertainment.
With these tragic elements of reality woven into the plot, the show’s actors, speaking in Pennsylvania Dutch and wearing Amish garb, do everything from smash up their enemies’ cars and buggies to provide viewers a glimpse of a “typical” Amish home with a three-person toilet for when “the ladies need to go at the same time.”
In an episode of the show in which they “speak out” against claims of the show being fake — that there is no Amish mafia — the actors use as evidence the presence of their names in the genealogy book Descendants of Christian Fisher (the “Fisher book” as it’s commonly known to many Amish and Mennonites interested in their ancestry). If nothing else, this scene makes clear that the show is a bigoted attack on Amish identity — one that has the audacity to use recent tragic episodes of Amish victimization while making its Amish participants look like buffoons.
Suggested further reading:
I discuss how Amish Mafia exploits the Nickel Mines shooting as entertainment:
‘Amish Mafia’: Amish gone wild?
Brett Hambright exposes Amish Mafia as a fraudulent portrayal of the Amish:
Is ‘Amish Mafia’ real or fake? Lancaster County viewers weigh in
Michael Shank exposes Amish Mafia as a shameful and unrealistic portrayal of the Amish: ‘Amish Mafia’ is a shameful, unrealistic portrayal of plain people
David Weaver-Zercher examines the phenomenon of Amish-themed reality television:
Viewers’ desires vs. reality
Lisa Miller reviews Amish Mafia in the context of what its popularity says about society:
‘Amish Mafia,’ a real exercise in pop culture exploitation
I explore what mistreatment towards the Amish says about larger society:
‘Amish Mafia’: Is there really such a thing as an Amish thug?
I express my views on Amish Mafia for Lancaster County readers:
Treatment of Amish a work of silly fiction
David George is a native of Lancaster County, Pa., and a marketing professional and writer. He holds degrees from Eastern Mennonite University and the Yale School of Management.
Comments
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Well...yeah...Amish Mafia is fake and maybe these comments of them being a bit of bigot-type situation might be true. But, when you look over all of the shows on the Discovery Channel...almost all are fake. I expect at some point that meeting will occur between the fake Amish Mafia and a fake Hawaii Mafia...with an episode over some business connection. The truth is...no one is really taking the show serious but occasionally having a laugh over something ridiculous.
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Check out www.amishmafiareality.com .. a Private Detective Agency located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania has taken special interest in finding out the "reality" behind the actors, filming locations and more!
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I generally refrain from public comment on things I haven't seen/read for myself, but I have just read the article links posted here in George's blog, and having heard of the show, feel the irresistible compulsion to say something. And having gotten rid of my TV with the move to my current apartment, I can't just turn it on for a look .... all to say, I am sitting here amazed at the depths to which people can sink in their disrespect for others in the human family --should one just ignore it and hope it will go away? Should one ignore mistreatment of any group, turn a blind eye? The fact that any group, including the Amish, is imperfect, is no excuse for parading dirty linens across town without any place in that exposure for redemption or healing or greater understanding. What it seems we have here is truly indecent exposure, exploitation of a people and of a faith, creating incredible misperception ... What IS the appropriate next step? (If I could just snap my fingers and yank the show from the air....)
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I am absolutly digusted with The Discovery Channel, NatGeo, Animal Planet, etc. All of my favorite channels of which I no longer watch. Nothing about any of their reality shows are real. I'm sick to death of the poor excuse of humanity that these channels keep airing. Why would I want to watch stupid, amoral, and fake shows. They teach nothing, except how to be a moron. Shame on all of these channels.
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It is against Amish rule to be photographed, that should be the first clue that these shows are fake. The Amish do not drive cars nor do they decorate or pimp out their buggies. I think the reality shows should all be pulled.
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I remeber a news article from sometime last year that stated the Amish in one commubity were wanting to do away with the requirement that they have the large, orange "slow moving vehicle" warning plaque on their buggies. The claim was that their religion was against anything that would be deemed to draw attention to themselves. If there is any truth in this report, then we know the truth about what is portrayed in the show "Amish Mafia".
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I am not Amish, but have Anabaptist ancestors, and I grew up around and live near many Amish and Mennonites (Stuarts Draft, Va & Harrisonburg, VA). I have nothing but respect for them and quite frankly, always had a longing to belong--to no longer be on the outside looking in.
I was raised Southern Baptist, but my upbringing was close to Amish. We did have TV late in my teen years, but I never really liked it, and 12 years ago I got rid of my television for good because there was nothing fit to watch. Psalm 101: 2, 3 reads ... I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set no wicked thing before my eyes; ... This is what I think of when I hear of the awful stuff they call entertainment on TV these days.
That said, I was at my brother's home a few days ago and he had his television on and there was a commercial for this "Amish Mafia" show. I was was so offended that I have not been able to get it off my mind!!! That's why I came here to see what this is all about.
Isn't it enough that the Amish have been exploited in Pennsylvania and Ohio for the sake of the tourist dollar???
At least, I tell myself, the more lenient groups, like the Beachy Amish Mennonites that I live near, who have electricity and phones but still don't have television, won't see this mockery of their peaceful, hardworking and faith-filled lifestyle. They cause harm to no one--why would people want top harm them???
Sorry to ramble, but I needed to get this off my chest and out of my mind.
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I watched this show for the first time this weekend and I am horrorfied at what I saw...I really hope this is fake and if it's not shame on the discovery channel for allowing this to happen...There is a character on the show named Freeman and it is painfully obvious that he is mentally disabled and obviously needs help...this show just made me feel sad that these people think they are christians...I'll never watch again!
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I thought Amish People are private people who don't allow radios tvs & whatnot on their propery. So, that is the case, WHAT IS WITH "AMISH MAFIA" TV SHOW? Strange.
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Discovery is trying to bring down the reputation of various groups, some religious, in the U.S. by showing some groups or members who are not typical. They did it to Hutterites, too, who are similar to Amish in customs. As for the characters, the Bible covers all of them and what they have done. Levi, who claims to do good for people, encourages drunkenness among the young. They all seem bent on revenge, but if they are truly people of the Bible, then they should know that "A tooth for a tooth and an eye for an eye, BUT I SHALL BE THE JUDGE" is what is written. Destroying other people's property is way out of line. Wayne is a little weasel. John's crimes show his colors. As for Freeman, the guy is not "right" in the head. The eyes are the windows to the soul and I see a dark interior there. Threatening his parents with a knife? Whoa! As for Alan, when I see goods and money changing hands, and money passed around by someone who does have that kind of income, it makes me wonder. That guy is not Amish in spirit, and based on his obvious ancestry, I see that someone sneaked up on one of his Amish ancestors and had a little fun. If these people are for real, they should all be shunned, or the real Amish should pursue a lawsuit against Discovery for allowing the phonies to misrepresent. We all know that gossip, violence, and scandal sell.
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So what was uncivil? The truth is that violence, scandal, etc. sell books, papers, movies, etc. To take any individual or group and imply that they are typical is WRONG! Discovery did it with Hutterites near Billings, MT. The group they used (and I mean used) are not typical Hutterites in many aspects of their lives.
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The Bible says many things and the examples being shown by the individuals portrayed shows that they are going against the Bible. They seek revenge, use violence against property, if not people, etc. Where did Alan come from, with his weave and his exchanging goods for money? Goods which true Amish don't use are shown being handed to him for money. Most states have laws against giving alcohol to minors, so what is this "hut party" business? How is Levi getting away with this? At best, some Amish or old order Mennonites who need money have sold themselves out to the Devil and Discovery.
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