“Sorority Sisters” wasn’t liked from the jump. Folks were ready to boycott Mona Scott-Young and VH1 the moment they saw the previews. Enough was enough already with portraying Black women in such a negative light. Even though some of these reality shows are now off the air, there have been many more over the years that have given Black women a bad look. Unfortunately, these shows are just a few portrayals of Black women we find on television.
“Love Thy Sister”
Reality TV for Black women is getting worse. And folks are ready to boycott this show the same way they boycotted “Sorority Sisters.” The show premiered on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015 and features Ruby, Ellen and Ione Rucker, who belong to one of the most significant families in the Carolinas. Therefore, the best way to show their love and dedication to their family they decide to do a ratchet reality TV series. Ruby, the eldest daughter, allows her daughter to cuss and say the b-word (just like her mother) on the show — causing folks to be outraged that she allows her daughter to use profanity and be confrontational.
“Love & Hip Hop: New York”
The original “Love & Hip Hop” started Mona Scott-Young’s foray into reality TV, which has been hazardous for Black women’s representation. Scott-Young is credited as one of the producers and faces of ratchet reality TV — stereotyping Black women as angry, catty, violent, loud and promiscuous. In the last two seasons alone, Peter Gunz was messing around with his baby’s mother Tara Wallace and then, married his pregnant side chick Amina Buddafly; and Erica Mena and Cyn Santana went through an up-and-down relationship. This show started documenting the ratchetness among has-beens, hip-hop artists, wannabes and vixens.
“Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta”
Atlanta might have taken the ratchetness up a notch from its predecessor “Love & Hip Hop: New York.” Rasheeda went through her ups and downs with her husband Kirk Frost who had a secret paternity test to see if their son was actually his; Mimi Faust’s sex tape with ex-boyfriend Nikko Smith was “leaked”; ex-stripper and prostitute Joseline Hernandez has been accused of using hard drugs and has been seen fighting with EVERYONE; Karlie Redd constantly turned up for Yung Joc who didn’t care anything about her; and Bambi and Erica Pinkett fought over Lil Scrappy. That was just the last season!
“Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood”
This spin-off has been around for one season, but “Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood” already has a place in ratchet reality TV with its horrible portrayal of Black women. Teairra Mari continued to fight over ex-boyfriend Ray J; she had a falling out with Hazel E over whose relationship was real; Hazel continued to hold it down for Yung Berg who didn’t care about her at all; Masika Tucker “stole” Berg from Hazel; Masika bickered with Nikki Mudarris over Mally Mal; and Moniece Slaughter pretty much beat up baby’s father Lil Fizz’s ex-girlfriend for getting out of line. Whew!
“The Real Housewives of Atlanta”
It’s the show that started the housewife trend for Black women and took the cattiness among women to the next level. In the last two seasons alone, OG housewife NeNe Leakes fell out with former bestie Cynthia Bailey for petty reasons. Kandi Burruss’ mother assaulted her best friend and accused her of sleeping with her now husband Todd Tucker, who she repeatedly called a gold-digger. Kenya Moore was accused of potentially messing around with Phaedra Parks’ estranged husband Apollo Nida. And Porsha Williams ended a tumultuous marriage with Kordell Stewart. It’s just drama and more drama when you’re a housewife. That’s why it’s called hell on heels.
“Bad Girls Club”
When the show first started, it was trying to help young women fix their negative attitudes and bad behavior. Although the show is mixed with women from different backgrounds, the REALLY bad behavior started with Ty Colliers’ season one when she was kicked off for fighting another cast member, Aimee, for not helping with carrying beach equipment. During the same time Leslie Ramsue left the show since the girls weren’t progressing like she was trying to do. By season two, Tanisha Thomas was banging pots and pans, and making loud noise to help take the show to the next level. Soon after, she became the host of most “Bad Girl” spin-offs. Now with 13 seasons of “BGC,” it’s been detrimental to Black women’s image since its conception in 2006.
“Basketball Wives”
Another show that didn’t paint Black women in a positive light, started on VH1 in 2010 and ended in 2013. The ladies bickered just like the housewives, but they took it up a notch with being dolled up yet physically fighting each other. Evelyn Lozada and Royce Reed threw drinks at each other and fought — calling each other bums and h**s. Nia Crooks was sentenced for slapping Jennifer Williams. The violence and cattiness was off the chain with this show.
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“Basketball Wives: LA”
This spin-off of “Basketball Wives” was no better. The last season alone was crazy! Draya Michele snapped on Sundy Carter when she was trying to bully her and then, brought up her son. Carter apologized for talking about her son, but Draya didn’t take too kindly to Carter’s remarks about her son and punched her in the eye. But their drama didn’t end there. Carter wanted a rematch and accused Draya of being a h**. Just another example of women tearing each other down.
“Flavor of Love”
Ahhh yes, this show where women tore each down to be with the likes of Flavor Flav. Season one created some memorable personas for the ladies. But the biggest persona was New York. The show’s biggest moment was when Pumpkin spat in the infamous New York’s face. She grabbed Pumpkin from the back while Hoopz laughed at the situation. Ultimately, New York didn’t win Flavor Flav’s love. Season two New York was asked to re-join the show, but she lost again and Deelishis won.
“I Love New York”
“Flavor of Love” made Tiffany Pollard, better known as New York, a reality star! She had to keep her 15 minutes of fame going. Next up was a series of her own shows — including “I Love New York” season one and season two. And her crazy acting ways of provoking people and starting fights continued. The difference was this time she was finding love and men were competing to be with her. Of course, none of these relationships lasted for her. She starred on “I Love Money,” “New York Goes to Hollywood” and “New York Goes to Work” as well.
