The Apprentice: What I Learned from Episode Seven

I would like to commend Donald Trump for standing up and taking a stand against the expression "white trash." I live in a mobile home, am a single parent 2 grown men and a college age daughter. I'm also in a masters program myself and work full-time as an inner city teacher.

I made a commitment to my children to place myself in a position to finance their post-secondary experiences. For this I hear we are "white trash." It is a humiliating expression.

For those of us who have stood up and taken responsibility for raising our children the best we can I again applaud Donald's unquestioning response to the glib use of the term.
Thank-you,
D. B.

Derek is an ass.

I was not shocked when Derick refered to himself as 'white trash.' Perhaps it is because of my age (23). I further think his statement did not show he lacked confidence, rather, he lacked something else very important in business. What I am alluding to is an awareness of your surroundings.

If you go back and look at the tape, everyone else on Derrick's team and Surya laughed at the comment. This had more to do with the age gap than the fact of who was in charge. Within our culture in the past 20 years or so there is a emergence of pride in racial slur comments. For example; there is a segment of young African-Americans who take pride in saying they are a N**ga. There is a segment of Hispanics who take pride in calling themselves beaners. And I have taken notice to a segment of white america who takes pride in calling itself white trash. There are even women who pride themselves in saying they're a ****. Comedians are a great source for siting this (Dave Chapelle, Carlos Mencia etc.)

When you listen to how Derrick phrased his statement, it was one of pride, conviction in its authenticity, and further made him a "working man" of sorts because he would eat deep fried appetizers etc. What he was not aware of is his surrounding. Mr. Trump--who is Mr. New York, and not of the right age demographic--is not one who would see white trash as a positive thing, funny, or something to be proud of. The others on his team--particularly in a different setting--would have had a nice laugh.

Jenn also lacked an awareness of her surroundings. This one is a bit more obvious, but she certainly should have been aware that at a luxury car event you need more than a tent and go-carts. She further did not take into account the sun might dim the screen she was trying to read from durring her presentation. This lack of being aware of your surroundings even showed up in the episode at the mall when the same group "wasn't aware" that half of the population was hispanic.

What I saw in episode seven was a re-affirmation of the fact that in business you have to know your surroundings. Some young people--for better or worse--will laugh when someone refers to themself as white trash or a **** in a jokingly way and think nothing of it. Any boardroom is not the place for that. Some car events can be held in tents outside, in fact we see them all the time. However, a Lexus carshow is not one of those events.

I agree wholeheartedly with your comments regarding the show on Sunday Mr. Quintal. The Apprentice is about proving yourself, in all aspects of the word, not trying to ruin others. Dereck deserved to go, what goes around comes around. He was an evil backstabber with the maturity level of a young pup. Surya is pulling the wool over your eyes Mr. Trump. And Angela, nice girl but nice does not cut it in the Business World. With all respect Mr. Trump, bring Carolyn and George back, and please keep Randall out of the Boardroom. I want to listen to you talk, not him. I'm a little surprised a few of these people even made it through your interviewing process. God Bless Mr. Trump, and thank you. :O)

I am very disappointed in Donald Trump firing Derek. Although I feel he didn't give 110% he was also not allowed to be himself. I don't believe this is a self esteem issue simply a reality check. We don't all come from silver spoon roots. I actually admire the guy for getting to where he is now. In the real world (not the TV real world) he would possibly have had been spoken to regarding his outburst, but fired????? I don't think so!!

Lexus Task: This task was their half way point of their 14 week job interview. At times, I ask myself how some of these candidates were selected because some of them don't bring anything to the table in the form of suggestions, ideas and strategies. Jenn took on the project manager (PM) duties for Kinetic, but I couldn't see her moving forward with the go-carts because they lack luxury which she needed to convey since they are trying to lauch a product that carries the name brand Lexus. Angela dissapointed me when she didn't make her timeline for the task she was assigned which didn't seem to bother her. Derek could have said something or even volunteered to assist her in any way. Derek, commited suicide with his "white trash" remark about himself. It seemed like Kenetic could have done more research to come up with better ideas especially after I saw what Team Arrow came up with. Arrow chose to serve high end food to the people that were going to complete the surveys as well as allow them to test drive the car. They provided class to people who not only deserved it but expected it. Even though some of Surya's teammates don't agree with his attention to detail, I can relate to it because it seems like every time a team losses, the PM gets fired 90% of the time. After all, everyone can say what they want but since he has been their PM, Arrow has won two tasks in a row. However, I think Surya lost points in the board room with Mr. Trump after this task because he didn't say anything unil Mr. Trump told him to. Surya responded politely by saying he didn't want to interrupt. It would be an added bonus if the show could incorporate a small video then present it to the losing team each week. This would allow them to see what the winning team did through out the task and use it as a training tool.
rickyl

This is for member1515164. I do not fully agree with you. Yes, there are people who take pride in referring to themselves with racial slurs, but I do not believe that the age difference between Derrick and Mr. Trump had anything to do with Mr. Trump's reaction to Derrick's comment. I say this because I am 21 and I agree with Mr. Trump's view on calling oneself "white trash," and although I also come from a small city and eat fried foods like Derrick, I would never describe myself as "white trash." I would describe myself as a country girl. There is a big difference in the two phrases, and that is hard work and education.

The term "White Trash" to me is a racial slur. It is no different than using the n word. I know some people use racial slurs against themselves jokingly but I feel this is equally not right either. I think Derick believed in what he had said though. And maybe he actually made it to where he is today by putting himself down, even if just to joke around. Jokes like this should be avoided and an absolute not for an environment that demands professionalism.

I learned that a product presentation can give or take alot to selling a idea or product and how very important it is to be focused at all times. I also learned how vital it is for a project manager to carefully consider and weigh the results of all aspects of the marketing stradegies.

I strongly agree with Mr. Trump when he fired Dereck for under- estimating his own character and abilities. I really liked Dereck to tell the honest truth but I couldn't believe what I heard when he said that he was "White Trash". It reminded me the way an African American makes themselves appear stupid when they refer to the "N" word to label themselves. I do understand that he was trying to use his since of humor to impress Mr. Trump but that wasn't the right time or place to do so. He may have slipped with a comment like that if they were at a private party and drinking. I'm sure he'll learn an important lesson about, "what to say and when to say it".

Overall, it was another great show and it was suprising but nice to see that Mr. Trump actually knows alittle about the "RAP WORLD" and gave Mr. Snoop Dogg some television exposure with his presence involved. "Go Donald, Go Donald Trump", you're the MAN and you know a true businessman when you see one. I couldn't understand how Surya said, " I have loved Snoop's music since he was ten years old" but he just stood in the corner and didn't dance or sing a note. He needs to listen to more of Snoop's music and loosen up a bit. I can see that Surya is very smart but shy in many ways as well.

Thank you for this time to express my opinion. MGN

I too was very surprised to hear Derek open his big fat mouth and call himself "White Trash."
I too think that it's extremely racial and is on the same level as the "N" word.
How dare he call us caucasians that.
He was bringing us down...but, leave it to The Donald...he was exited quickly and efficiently.

Hurrah, Mr Trump!

If Derek was clueless enough to call himself "white trash" in a discussion with Donald Trump, imagine what he might call himself (or the Trump organization) in front of a high end client.

The Trump brand is an image that has been honed by time and cash investment. After the "white trash" statement would YOU consider having someone this unrefined represent YOUR brand?

The refined client is not going to lower themself to your standard just because currently it's "hip" to use slang. If you want to be "hip" go work at McDonalds until you grow up.

Oh please. Trump's reaction was so visceral that it appears that he himself was at one time called "white trash" and it still stings. The end.

Ryan Romero's comment "If you go back and look at the tape, everyone else on Derrick's team and Surya laughed at the comment. This had more to do with the age gap than the fact of who was in charge. Within our culture in the past 20 years or so there is a emergence of pride in racial slur comments. " leads me to ask this.

How many people evaluate the Apprentices? Who are they? What are their ages? Ryan's point of generational differences is very true. While Mr. Trump is certainly the ultimate decision maker for every Trump enterprise, input from different generations might be beneficial.