As many of you know I do not watch reality TV. What once used to be my most favorite genre of entertainment, I now cringe with embarrassment. From “Dance Moms,” to “Basketball Wives” its all gotten so seedy and depressing to watch grown people acting outlandish — and oftentimes unbelievably immature for the likes of the camera.
However when it comes to Atlanta reality shows, my disgust get increased by about a one-thousand. Being a Atlanta resident for almost 10 years now, the portrayal of Atlantans on ATL reality shows are nowhere near accurate. And knowing that discourages me from giving light, or being in the presence of people on these shows.
But it seems my disgust is shared commonly amongst other ATL residents, particularly one Mrs. Kelly Smith Beaty. The Spellman graduate garnered an amazing look via Huffington Post this week discussing her issues with ATL reality shows — and how their negative portrayal echoes a falsity about this great city.
Though, Beaty never mentions “Love and Hip-Hop ATL” or “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” it’s becomes very clear that she’s aiming her gripe directly at these types of shows.
“How is it that a city which was once the crowning jewel in the story of black America has allowed itself to be positioned as the melting pot of black affliction? The Atlanta that I knew and grew up in was one of great pride and self-respect. Our achievements were known across the globe, as people from far and wide would often respond, ‘Wow, I hear that black people are really doing their thing down there,’ when I would tell them I’m from Atlanta. Today that assertion is often met with, ‘Yoooo….I hear Atlanta’s got them bangin’ strip clubs.’…Really?!?”
Time after time, executive producers from L.A. and New York, where I currently reside- bring their camera crews and A/V techs into our city to create what inevitably amounts to the Jerry Springer equivalent of the franchise’s northern counterparts. A series that historically featured the diamond encrusted lives of wealthy spouses debuted an Atlanta version of the series where the wealth was elusive and spouses were no longer a requirement. More recently, a show about popular entertainers and the women who love them premiered an Atlanta-based installment where the term popular was subjective and women suggested that other women should be put “on the track,” a prostitution reference that is particularly damaging for a city that is already noted for being one of the largest hubs for child sex trafficking in the world. To put it mildly I was offended. To state I plainly, I was aghast.
While I try not to judge people too harshly who watch such shows that reflect such depravity, I think people need to realize that it’s more than entertainment. Contributing to these type of shows — by of viewership- sends a far negative signal to the masses than even the cast-members. Be very careful on what you support.
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