I must say there is seldom nothing more enjoyable than having the truth come out of no where and catch people completely off guard. Couple that with an environment where it can’t be escaped from or rejected because it’s mandatory to listen makes for pure bliss. I was privy to watching this recently, and it was orchestrated in such a way that it had to have been divine intervention. I mean literally one by one a table of individuals were “read” (told about themselves), with no “clap back” (response) to be found. See, the environment did not accommodate ignorance, which in turn did not provide an opportunity for the common below the belt tactics to be used.
Whether the messenger is familiar, or someone we trust plays a major part in how receptive of the truth we tend to be. Responses like “they don’t know me”, are typically given as a defense if the person is thought to not have a full grasp of the situation to pick sides. But, what stands out to me is a messenger who may not know us at all could be the most effective with the delivery of the message. What makes them more credible is they have nothing to loose by telling you the truth. There is no emotional attachment, so they can see through a facade quicker. Often it is the people who are co-dependent on our company, our money, and resources that will most likely bend the truth to accommodate the relationship.
Being “read” has the possibility of coming at us from any angle, and from any person, at any time. Ultimately, it is up to us to decide once exposed, do we make those dreadful changes or do we stay comfortably in denial? The choice is ours. I’ve recently made a commitment to serving and being willing to be served…politely and wisely of course.
In the words of a notorious hater, except my feelings are genuine, “I’m not hating, I’m not hating!” I just don’t understand why the show is necessary for this caliber of women to be on.
I’m against any type of elitism. Yes, there are parts of all these reality shows that emphasize a have and have not mentality. But, this recent show specifically brings light to a supposedly well kept, small, predominately black affluent neighborhood in Potomac, MD. It’s made clear that it takes money to move in, connections to be in the “in crowd” and rules to follow to maintain it. Chile please. I would never fit in, because I would never allow myself to be dictated by other people with no true insight of their morals, and values, simply because my opinion of them is dictated by their wallet. Frankly it’s nauseating, because even though these women are “well to do”, they seem to be more controlled by the money they have with no real freedom at all.
On top of that all of the cast members look alike, except for one. It’s a little too “brown paper baggy” for me. Of course you have a woman like myself that’s in her 30’s that is extremely confident and can handle a network not choosing to look harder to have a better variety of women on the show. But, every now and again I remember the 17 year old in me that wouldn’t have taken the lack of diversity in the skin tones of black women that well. She was constantly trying to figure out where she fit in due to so many people reminding her that because of complexion and length of hair, she didn’t. That is until those same people had their own kids and what do you know….
(www.hngn.com)
I’m not going to pick on anyone of these women individually in an attempt to single them out. I just wonder is this fame game and the price you pay to stay entertaining, even if you come off as the one that has the most sense out the bunch still worth it. We all know how these shows work. If you come off bad, you will look worse, and if you come off okay the plot lines in the upcoming seasons will revolve around showing how much you aren’t. Scandal keeps people watching.
Listen, I’m no dummy. I know that shows like this can often assist in the launching of make up lines, books, and clothing lines for SOME, and hopefully the business success can be for the long term. Unfortunately, for the other women who will end up being casualties of war, here’s to hoping you have a plan B.
I am ready, willing, and able to eat my words at anytime and I wish these women much success. However the trailer Bravo put together reeks of boredom, ratchery, stereotypical conversations about topics even the housewives don’t care about or else they wouldn’t be on the show. So, please don’t come for my critique, instead come for their editing. And no, I’m not expecting Bravo TV to suddenly become socially conscious, but I do expect these women to know better because I know they do.
If given the opportunity, would I be on the show? Possibly, if I had nothing else to do. IJS.
She just won’t stop. I didn’t write about the Watermelondrea incident, thinking and hoping Raven understood how much she offended people with her statements by all the “clap back” she recieved…but I guess not. So I’m basically writing the same commentary that I decided not to post previously.
“Theres trouble in the Huxtable house tonight since Rudy and Olivia had a fight.”
Man, I think I loved Raven Symone, that is after the Cosby show ended. The role of cute little Olivia made me sick every time I saw her steal Rudy’s shine who was now entering into her awkward pre- teen years. Corny or not I loved Raven’s rap songs, and I have been waiting for her to drop an album that would put all the great mc’s to shame…..sike.
For the last month she has experienced back lash from the public, and has even been reprimanded by her dad regarding her statements on The View (who obviously isn’t trying to loose his “black card” because of her) about not hiring anyone with a name like Watermelondrea. Raven has since issued an apology, basically saying she would never actually practice name discrimination, even though she said she would. But most recently, it is her opinion of the high school female that was flung around like a rag doll by a Police Officer that has her critics talking again.
Here’s my advice to Raven Symone, stay away from the black people references and issues involving black people for a while. I get that you don’t identify with being black, it’s evident in your insensitivity when you speak about the black culture. With that in mind, it is obvious that you are incapable of handling a lot of freedom to talk about us, because when you speak of us we are not handled with respect. It is best that you speak of black folk like a politician would; being cautious, empathetic, and politically correct.
Raven, your rich. Your circle coupled with your generation is probably full of people who don’t really care about color, as one of your songs openly declares (yes I really was a fan). Any references about race are probably minimal or laughed off, because lack of food, shelter, safety, and money isn’t a factor. So, I really don’t blame you for your attitude about these subject matters. You may not be aware of this, but because you were able to leave the black issues alone and not be forced to deal with them, like a lot of us have, not only is there insensitivity from you but complete misunderstanding. Heck, you may not have even known when you came up with the name Watermelondrea, that watermelons are often used as a negative stereotype with black people because we are suppose to love them so much. Not quite sure where that came from because I’m black, and watermelon is like my fifth favorite fruit.
Just like other ethnicities, black people are complicated, and we vary in so many ways. We vary in how we view the government, how we view money, how we view racism, how we view each other, and that’s just the beginning of it. The majority of our issues are a result from slavery, Jim Crow, the Brown paper bag rule, poverty, etc. Although we may be aware of them as a society, no one has ever seriously addressed these wrongs, and the problems it has caused us to have with our country and with each other.
See, it wasn’t the Watermelondrea reference, it was the fact that you said you wouldn’t hire her without knowing anything about her. It’s the fact that she didn’t name herself. And, the fact that you implied that you would dismiss her without giving her a chance, even if you were joking. It wasn’t your recent “follow the rules” comment about a high school girl that has everyone upset. It’s the fact that it’s beyond obvious that you are not moved by seeing the attack that happened to this young black girl. Your reaction is disconnected, cold, and scary because you are apart of a circle that does not quite get the damage that is caused when incidents like these occur.
I’m sorry Raven, I know you are “over” working towards the race relations stuff, but the reality is for most of us it never got started. And, just incase you didn’t know it…you don’t need the pay check from The View and it’s not adding to your likeability. Please go back to building your empire with goofy tv shows and novelty items as you were before.
After hearing about Kalief Browder, the young man who hung himself due to being unable to cope with life after being put in solitary confinement, abused, and tortured at Rikers Island. And, who was never convicted for the crime he was arrested for, which was the theft of a back pack.
(www.youtube.com)
After hearing the debate over whether or not new juvenile facilities are needed, which would force teens to be targeted to fill the jails up, versus the horrible alternative of housing under aged children with adult offenders.
I have to say that the death of Sandra Bland, is one of my biggest fears come to life regarding the conditions that prisoners face, and the standard of training that law enforcement adheres to. If you haven’t heard by now this young woman was pulled over for making an illegal traffic turn, which somehow led to her being held on the ground while getting her head banged into it, then being locked up in jail cell for 3 days where her life ended.
(www.nbcnews.com)
Initially they called it death by asphyxiation, but due to the bruises on her body, coupled with the fact that she had just landed her dream job, it makes no sense at all. And, if someone hadn’t caught her arrest on their cell phone we probably wouldn’t have known about this at all. No one is buying the suicide accusations, and I am ecstatic about it.
Here is how it really hits home for me. Often when there are incidents involving mistreatment from police officers and African Americans, we don’t have to wait long before a video is released having the victim caught in some type of dubious activity, and we also don’t have to wait long until any prior criminal activity is brought to the surface. No matter how wrong the act was towards them, the media intentionally plants information about their past in an attempt to lessen the amount of compassion the public would have for them. And, if you never had a criminal past, this strategy often works in creating indifference towards the victim.
But Sandra Bland was educated, apart of a sorority, and was employed. She even cared enough about the state of racial matters in America to post her views publicly. I am in no way saying that her death matters more because of her accolades, but it does allow for her tragedy to not be as quickly dismissed as the others have been. And, it is a sad reminder you can do everything right, and still get treated completely wrong in this country. Pants hanging low, and a drug past is not and never has been needed for abuse to happen by the hands of law enforcement in America.
The reason why her story and others like it are falling on deaf ears is because for far too long many of us have decided to turn our backs on prisoners, and have quieted our efforts to demand law enforcement reform which is long over due. With all of our money, influence, spiritual leaders, etc. we still don’t care about these issues. Are we numb to it? We all have friends, cousins, siblings, and parents who have lived in a prison. Just why we don’t care about this issue is beyond me.
Sandra reminds me of myself. She had a bright smile, just started twisting her hair to wear it naturally, and was highly opinionated on many issues, especially police brutality. Except, she was braver than me. She took a road trip for a job interview that she got, and as a result this is what happened.
It only takes one moment for someone to think your life isn’t worth much, decide to rough you up, lock you up, and put you away in a cell to interact with criminals and prison law enforcement for everything to change. Whether death or suicide, the biggest horror to this story is that it all could have been avoided.
