Speaking Out. Taking Action!
I’m a millennial, also known as the social media generation, where our vernacular can be communicated in 140 characters or less. We’re considered confident, connected, and open to change. The Pew Research Center even states that we “embrace multiple modes of self-expression,” and to that I agree. The rise of reality television shows ruled not only my Saturday mornings but also my evening wind downs. I am one of many who contribute to the high ratings of reality TV and the media industry at large. But as I grow into a conscious young adult, I have become in awe and disgusted at the evolution of the media and the negative portrayal of our culture that influences people’s perception of who we are. What once use to be creative storylines that not only entertained but educated the mind has emerged into episodes, seasons and series of degrading and humiliating exploitation.
The portrayal of “real life” situations has become very unrealistic and I consider this to be a disturbance to our progression in thought of what’s truly reality. On last Monday evening, I was one of thousands who tuned into the VH1 reality show, Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta. I was drawn to the show because Atlanta, GA is my home state. As a proud Georgia peach, I wanted to see if producers would finally get it right. Would they portray my city as the upcoming place to be where the all African American cast would be on the rise entrepreneurially and breaking out as top executives in the entertainment world? I sat down on my couch with preconceived doubts that this show would be like the many already aired on the network; loud, violent, ignorant, immature and self-centered people who would grace televisions all across the country with their unpleasant characteristics that are considered to be entertaining and watchable.
The hour long premiere of Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta not only exploited the cast members but gave the music industry in Atlanta a bad look. In my opinion it lacked substance completely. I turned off my TV thinking “what were the producers trying to convey?” Another missed shot for VH1.
As a rising senior at Savannah State University, I meet thriving executives, professors, business men and women on campus all the time. These are the people who should be sought after to have television shows. To be a millennial, the next and rising generation, I wonder how many more shows like this will be created before we speak up, not only as African Americans but as women. Although this is a mechanism for making more money, how many more B and C class celebrities will we embrace before we call them out on their actions?
I was inspired to write my own article after reading Kelly Beaty’s post in blackenterprise. When will these shows stop being aired? Well, I might have the answer. When a collective group of people stand up, stop contributing to the high ratings by changing the channel and start advocating for quality shows. We need to raise the expectations for producers and creative writers and let our voices be heard that we no longer stand for reality shows that showcase varying levels of degradation and humiliation.
If you haven’t had the chance to view Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta, tune in tonight, Monday June 25, 2012 at 8pm or 11pm. I refuse to look at another episode. If you feel the same way I do after watching it, take action. Write to your local affiliates and demand quality programming. Or visit change.org and sign the "Boycott VH1 (Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta, Specifically): Stop Dealing Crack and Tell True Stories" petition. You may even share my post. Like the inspiring quote from Mahatma Gandhi says, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” It starts with us. We can be the change.
