Snacks. CHECK. Remote.
CHECK. Phone on silent. DOUBLE CHECK. This has been my routine on nights when I
like to watch my favorite shows. I’ve
been drawn in by all kinds of shows like Scandal, Being Mary Jane and Blood,
Sweat, and Heels. But I recently began to wonder about this ongoing debate that
has been going on. I’ve had plenty of conversations about whether shows like
Scandal, Love & Hip Hop, or RHOA are good representations of Black women in
the media. My first thought was yes and
then an immediate no. Before you judge, let me explain.
I feel that there is a difference between an actress
playing a role and someone being a reality star. I commend Kerry Washington and Gabrielle
Union for taking on the roles that they have.
Seeing a powerful Black woman on television is needed in today’s
society. We may not agree with the
storyline or what/who they are doing in the show, but at the end of the day
it’s all about ratings. No one wants to
tune in every Thursday to see Olivia Pope happy and all the Gladiators sitting
around a round table smiling, it’ll be pointless! I want to be entertained! Now
you are probably saying, “You can be entertained by RHOA” and you’re absolutely
right, I can, and I’ve been guilty of watching shows like that. Reality shows
and television series are to separate entities. Reality shows are suppose to
show the “reality” in which that person lives and a television series contains
a script in which actors/actresses tells a story through the character in which
they are playing. Reality equals real life or at least it’s supposed to.
Television series equals telling a story through a character.
I personally feel
that reality television has gone a bit too far, there is too much degrading of
women, fighting on camera, cursing, etc. Why can’t they just all get along? Of
course the fighting and the degrading boost ratings, but is this how we want
our black women portrayed in the media?
Another point was raised about Olivia Pope’s relationship with the
President and how Shonda Rhimes is uplifting and giving “side chicks” hope all
over the world, but is this not the same issues that take place on our white
soap operas and television shows? Why can’t we not just commend Kerry
Washington and Gabrielle Union for being leading actresses in these television
shows? We are quick to applaud reality stars for winning a fight on the
previous episode of our favorite reality show, but can’t applaud a Black women
for the accomplishments the she has made through a successful television
series....but I digress! What are your thoughts on this?
Britt Daise
Urban Echelon Magazine & Blogspot
Twitter: thisisbee
Urban Echelon Magazine & Blogspot
Twitter: thisisbee
This is my whole gripe with reality shows. Look, if you were to take an alien (or someone who has NO contact with Black women) and sit them in front of the television and have them watch one of these "reality" shows, they would have the worst opinion of Black women. But then the same women who sit and watch this, are always on that "I demand respect" foolishness. You can't want respect but then turn around and glorify and/or boost ratings for shows that show women with SOOOOO much lack of respect for themselves. Secondly, it's NOT reality. I have been cursed to have to watch Real Wives of Atlanta or whatever it's called. And it is not realistic. You got 5 or 6 women who really have NO reason to be "friends" who just argue and fight ALL. THE. TIME. If you so called dislike someone that much, don't be in their company. Plain and simple. Why not show the good that each of those women do (if they do any good) for their communities? But instead, folks tune in EVERY week to see them argue about the most trivial things (I caught the episode in the spa). Then you have grown men who are featured on these shows that do the same exact thing the women do...argue with each other wives/girlfriends. What part of the game is that?
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