Jim Crow is alive and well at CBS. The network has announced that contestants in the next"Survivor" will be divided into ethnic"tribes" including a black team, a white team, a Hispanic team and an Asian team.

“I think we have gotten to a point where it is politically incorrect to talk about race,” reader Jim Carmignani noted on the message board. “Perhaps this will help rejuvenate conversation and understanding.”

If Carmignani wants a" conversation" on race, this scenario certainly will start it off with some intriguing questions. What will be done about people of mixed black/white ancestry? Will the producers of"Survivor" assign them to the black team on the basis of the"one-drop" rule as used in the Homer Plessy case? Will the segregation be extended to separate drinking fountains and restrooms? Will contestants who drop out be considered"traitors to their race?"

David T. Beito - 8/25/2006

A word of clarification. In my view, the network should have every right to do this but I was wondering if racially exclusive teams would put it in technical violation of civil rights laws.

David T. Beito - 8/25/2006

Mmmm...wouldn't that violate the Civil Rights Act of 1964?

Otto M. Kerner - 8/25/2006

I don't get it. Who cares? Who is harmed by this? As for "What will be done about people of mixed black/white ancestry?", the obvious thing to do is just not have them on the show this year. They can wait until next year.

Jason T. Kuznicki - 8/25/2006

This is so obnoxious I almost can't believe it.

I would start a boycott, but I never watched the show to begin with.