by Akilah Richards
“The Real Housewives starts in 30 minutes! Whatever you’re trying to say”...um, wrap it up, “˜cause you will no longer have my attention!”
I remember once during Real Housewives of Atlanta, when Kim and Nene created the “Tardy for the Party” concept, and I made the mistake of singing the infectious chorus in the presence of my daughters. I was taking them on a play date when my 6 year old repeated the song, snapping her fingers and giggling in delight while she got out of our truck.
Rruuuuuuurrrkk! *That would be a record scratching*
When I tell you it took all of my rationale not to run out of the car and hurl her to the ground, football tackle style, then put her in a headlock and make her swear to God and Justin Bieber not to ever, EVER, sing that song again, lest folks start thinking I allow my children to even know that the show exists, much less watch it, I am not exaggerating even a little bit. #ForgiveMeLord
As parents, we are outright competing with media to raise our children in the way we see fit. My husband, Kris, and I do not believe in sheltering our daughters, and are probably more liberal with information than most adults find “appropriate”. Yet still, I cringe at the promo clips of the reality shows when my daughters are watching TV. It feels like a crap shoot of sorts to allow the girls to watch TV, because even though we have a short list of programs they can watch, the doggone commercials are so laden with sexual innuendo, hoochied-out girls and women, and little girls trying their best to look “grown and sexy” that it’s hard to keep up with the conversations we’d need to have to remind the girls of The Lie that TV sells.
That said”...
Hello, my name is Akilah, and I actively engage in the viewing of reality TV.
Now you say, “Hello, Akilah!” with enthusiasm and a spirit of non-judgmental welcoming, because I’d bet my last brownie that many of you are right up in RTWA (Reality TV Watchers Anonymous) with me.
“Am I supporting the skewed perceptions of women in general, and black women in particular?“ I would wonder as I tuned in for a front row seat to the frontin’, backstabbing, and rabble-rousing””key ingredients in the Reality TV recipe. But I’ve realized that the issue does not lie in me watching the train wrecks, snack in hand, Twitter account fired up to ROFL at the comments made by my wicked funny tweeple. Nope, the issue lies in the fact that I can switch to almost any channel and find a smorgasbord of reality show options that follow the very same recipe.
In short, there is a severe imbalance, and if there were two or three good options of shows that fed my spirit as much as the other shows feed my warped sense of humor, you and I would be better for it.
What would you say about a series that highlights the Who and How of non-celebrities and celebrities who have decided not to use obstacles as excuses not to live their fullest versions of themselves?
You know of her, you may BE her, so now, let’s celebrate her, and use her intrinsic motivation and this-is-how-I-roll mentality to ignite that inextinguishable flame that allows you to define, design, and live the life that is a reflection of the things you used to call your dreams!
So many everyday women have upgraded their dreams to REALITY status by going out and living their best lives. Healthy doses of their specifics””how they juggle all the facets of their lives, and what happens when things don’t work, coupled with guidance from professionals in the health and well-being arena, would be entertaining, insightful, and (God forbid) empowering!
[Place palm here to high-five writer]
CAST YOUR VOTE in support of Reality Redefined. Oprah’s OWN TV is on the hunt for refreshing new programming, and the Execumama Lifestyle Series has the solution. VOTE OFTEN, and please, spread the word.
Click the link below to vote!
https://myown.oprah.com/audition/index.html?request=video_details&response_id=1797&promo_id=1
Michelle says
I Love this POST!!! I LOL several times!!!!
Pecansandie says
I really love the concept of Reality redefined. We are inundated with these images from reality TV of women who look like they are having great lives on the outside ( expensive clothes, great bodies, big houses, lots of money) who are in reality not such great people and tend to conduct themselves in a very unflattering and unreal manner. I would rather see my sisters empowering themselves…… not catfighting and bragging about their material possesions. Many of us are living amazing lives…..raising children, managing careers, running marathons, helping in the community, unfortunately its not TV worthy.
Thanks for this post….big high five 🙂
Sharee says
ALRIGHT, People!! Let’s do the dawggonethang!!! I’m ready for a higher calibre of tv programming! I did a TV survey and one of my comments was TV is too full of sex and fowl language. I spend most evenings with the TV off or watching Nick, Jr. with my 2 year old. :0( Seriously…
Tiya says
Love it! I just voted.
ValD says
Oh yes – love this!!! I just voted! I had to!!
Ronnie says
This is great Akilah and much needed. I voted too!! I will try again later to see if I can vote more than once.
.-= Ronnie´s last blog ..The Bottom Line Returns This Week! =-.
Kiyah says
I love this Kilah. I voted like 30 times already(I hope they count) cause its not saying ERROR: nope you voted to many times. LOL
MrsT says
Not “swear to God and Justin Beiber” too funny. I voted, good luck!
Angelou Ezeilo says
I just voted! Love the show concept…good luck!!!
MyBrownBaby says
My word, you’re a nut! This is why you need your own show, doggonit. Voting… again. (Kiyah–I think I may have you beat!)
.-= MyBrownBaby´s last blog ..Daddy’s Dream Come True—And Mine, Too =-.
Tanisha says
Great Article. I’m voting again & spreading the word!
darlene says
liked the article lol! I will display the article to enlighten other cuz
lots of ppl likes Housewifes of Atl.
Harriet says
LOL, Akilah! I’m late, but I have to say how much I appreciated your article! I voted, and I pray you get it. I’m all for living OUTSIDE the boxes society tries to imprison us in. Do it big!
Fly Girl says
Akilah, I’m so with you! I hide my reality habit from my kids like its sugar and corn syrup but they always manage to uncover my undercover shame! We so need a Reality Redefined on my way to vote!
.-= Fly Girl´s last blog ..American Beach =-.
Akilah says
Thanks so much for your words (and your votes!) homies!! I am so in love with this level of celebration that I will not stop until I’m in a position to consistently reach a large group of women who deserve to be celebrated and to learn to celebrate themselves! I appreciate your enthusiasm and look forward to having many of you sitting on my couch with grins, hot shoes, and plenty to share 🙂
.-= Akilah´s last blog ..Self-Celebration: A Contest About YOU =-.