Ron, we agree that fighting racism is a noble cause. Like all such noble causes, less noble interest groups try to get hold of it. I do not know what interest groups are behind that TV station - I assume it is not "the US government" (who would that be, anyway?).

Calculated: TV "reality formats" have so often turned out to be carefully "scripted" that there is no reason to believe that this one is an exception. I concede that I have no proof in the particular case, but I have good reasons for my general scepticism. Disagree if you wish. BTW, this applies not only to commercial stations, but also to European "independent" state-funded ones.

Indeed, it is not so easy to control the internet, but it is easy to produce events that can safely be predicted to cause a "flood" as desired. If that fails, good old astroturfing can help, if done skilfully.

Summary: be sceptical (not cynical) about anything your TV set wants you to believe or feel. The idea "our nation must stand together (i.e. rally behind those in power)" has produced as many wars and atrocities as "we must keep our race clean" - like it or not.