The War of Images Wages On: Part I—’Tude

Have any of you heard about crisis public relations? Crisis public relations is used whenever a company undergoes some kind of circumstance that results in negative publicity. The point is to ensure that the company’s reputation and image is saved among the buying public. If the troubled company does not make an effort to execute a well organized public relations campaign, the end result is a loss of profits. What’s with the analogy? I’m glad you asked that question. Let’s look at the totality of African American women as a company. The Perfected Woman Enrichment Program can be regarded as the official public relations agency for African American women. Got it? Good.

Now, for the situation.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta Cast

On last week, Bravo aired another installment of their ‘Real Housewives’ reality series. This time, they are featuring ‘housewives’ in the ‘Black Mecca’ known as Atlanta. Considering that the city boasts of more African American millionaires than most metropolitan areas, the series largely focuses on four African American women and one White woman. Three of the African American wives are involved with professional athletes; one is married to Cleveland Cavaliers’ Eric Snow, one is married to Ed Hartwell of the Atlanta Falcons and the other one is actually divorcing Bob Whitfield, an NFL player.

There’s one whose married to an ultra rich real estate investor; but she has about as much class as a cricket. Her nickname says it all, NeNe. Lastly, the one and only White woman on the show is involved with a man who wants to remain a secret, so she refers to him as ‘Big Papa’. Oh, by the way, she is a self-prescribed ‘Black woman in a White woman’s body’.

DeShaun Snow, her husband Eric, and their three sons have just moved into a 15,000 sq. ft home in a gated community. According to her, she’s always known, even as a little girl, that she was going to be ’somebody’. But after one show, we haven’t seen her do too much other than state that she’s conducting interviews for her house staff, which will be complete with an estate manager, governess, and nanny. Oh yes, she explained the purpose of the estate manager; this person acts as ‘her’ and handles all of the problems of dealing with the house staff so that she won’t have to deal with the ‘other people’.

The former wife of Bob Whitfield, Sheree, is seeking a lump sum in her divorce settlement in the sum of seven figures. Let’s see, on the series premiere, she was throwing herself a birthday party at her home, complete with valet parking and over 100 pretentious, upper echelon guests. Prior to that, she goes shopping for her party and spends over $6,000 dollars on attire, including a $3,200 bag that she supposedly owns exclusively.

So does this show sound like another battle that Black women must fight in this seemingly never-ending war of images? You bet it is. Do I, and other African American women bloggers, need to run some damage control. Indeed.

Well, here it is. In the midst of history, scores of African American women have defied the odds and accomplished tremendous feats. In addition, they have given voice to the perils of living in a country that denied a people the notion of humanity. The list is too long to name all of them, but let’s just say that Black women have come a tremendously long way.  Apparently, we have even further to go.  This show, as well as ‘Flavor of Love’ and ‘I Love NY‘ proves it.

Sapphire from Amos & Andy

For those of you who are unaware, there is a haunting stereotype that follows African American women. The image of Sapphire, brought to life by the popular radio and television series Amos and Andy, seems to still linger as the typical demeanor of a Black woman. Minister Terri McFaddin-Solomon sums it up in her book, Sapphires and other Precious Jewels:

“And without a doubt sapphire is a fitting metaphor to describe the beauty and value of women of African ancestry…but sapphire also bears a negative connotation. The stereotypical image of a loud, ill-tempered Black woman who has a love-hate relationship with men looms in stark contrast to the beauty and brilliance of the gemstone.”

Interestingly enough, the idea of success to these women as well as to the show’s producers rest on their ability to marry well, in particular, a ballplayer.  Supposedly, the show will begin to offer some insight into the women’s respective ventures.  Most of them are looking to expose some charitable foundation that they have founded but you can believe that the main emphasis will be on drama.  In actuality, the series undermines women in general, but when it focuses on Black women, we have to hold our breaths to make sure it will do us some justice.

Well, for the Real Housewives of Atlanta, it doesn’t.  While these women are individually beautiful and brilliant like a Sapphire and they are even able to afford real sapphires, the attitude or ‘tudes that have become the standard characterization of Black women is alive and well.  It’s either being reflected in the snotty, condescending demeanors of DeShawn and Sheree or it is exemplified as outright ghetto like NeNe.  Either way, it’s a mainstream television show where millions will be able to tune in and actually believe that they are getting a real glimpse at Black women with money.  Unfortunately, the perception will be the same.

“You can dress them up, but…..“

Now, I know many will say that the show is for entertainment, but let’s dig deeper.  Unless you have been existing in a vacuum, then you will know that African Americans have been the brunt of some of the cruelest jokes and image distorting realities throughout history.  Speeding ahead into the 21st century, how much longer are we to tolerate it?  For a fact, Atlanta (as well as the rest of the country) boasts of some sisters that are putting it down, making money through their own efforts and managing families with sound morals and values.  Best of all, a lot of those women are drama-free, but I guess that won’t make good prime time television, will it?

You know, I’m not done with this.  But I will stop here and reload my ammunition because the war wages on.  Meanwhile, peep the madness on an episode of MadTV, featuring Mexican American comedienne and actress Anjelah Johnson as ‘Bon Qui Qui’.