*Change.org, an organization that lives up to its name, is going after VH1′s newest ghetto show, “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta” with a boycott petition.
And for good reason as far as a lot of folks are concerned. Think about it. In just the first episode alone, the show introduced viewers to a former crack dealer and pimp, a victim of domestic abuse, and a former stripper who had to try and prove her womanhood by tweeting a full blown nude photo of herself. And on top of that, she’s also a possible mistress to music producer Stevie J.
The petition reads:
After we made a ruckus about Basketball Wives, sponsors began to pull ads. Well, it’s that time again, folks!
While we should respect the perceptions and experiences of the men and women featured on “reality” television shows, networks are airing stories that could be very helpful for people to hear, but they’re telling these stories in EXTREMELY dangerous ways.
We all know premium digital crack rock is ‘slanged’ in digital hoods other than VH1. We also know the problem is not just TV–it’s a big, mean, social monster that we’ve gotta shoot down one non-violent bullet at a time. Nevertheless, somebody’s gotta be the face of this lovely movement. And since VH1 has chosen to give us yet another beautifully-blinged jewel of commercial exploitation (Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta), they might as well be the face of change. By the way, shout out to all African Americans who received Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta as their Juneteenth gift! You won and lost at the same time!
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As we work toward national- and local-level change, let’s tell VH1 and their sponsors (again) why people from a broad range of backgrounds will NOT stand for the exploitation of the lived experiences of people who may not even know they’re being exploited. This isn’t a “Black or White” thing, this is a HUMAN thing…and we should all understand.
P.S. That “turn of the TV/your kids’ TV if you don’t want to watch” argument doesn’t work here, VH1. A good number of the kids who are most at risk don’t have the luxury of living with parents who can just “turn off the TV”. Why? Because their parents are out working multiple jobs (thanks to this lovely thing called poverty); one or both parents are on drugs, dead, or in jail; or they’re raised by ill grandparents, relatives who aren’t that interested in their future, or foster parents who abuse them and only foster to collect a check.
Now the question is, “Will you sign it?” If so, go HERE.
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I don’t know what’s worse, the fact we are seeing another protest **sigh** or the reason why the people watching can’t just turn the channel.
Damn….are the majority of families that messed up and that’s the reason parents can’t turn the channe?? I don’t agree with that part of this petition. I hope whoever wrote this was attempting to be facetious because that is a more terrible depiction of black families. I’m not signing this if this is what change.org believes.
Based on this article, these parents are dependent on television to help raise their children while the single parent work several jobs to feed the family. It seems like the right thing to do is for you to sign that petition.
I don’t see it that way.. therefore I’m not signing it. Parents should raise their kids…not TV.
Ok, I don’t watch these shows, never have, but I just watched the clip. Can’t really judge a book by its cover, but I don’t see what’s the big deal. I see some of the cast members even using it as a promotional vehicle for other ventures.
With these attitudes, how the fuck can black people even get their hustle on? When it’s not the man, it’s your own people trying to knock your hustle. Like seriously black people, we take ourselves way too seriously.
You know, if Hip Hop had started in the internet age where any mofo can start some damn petition, I’m wondering if the art form would even get off the ground.
REDS this is what drugs dealers do, they sell drugs and then turn around and help the very community that they are selling drugs too. You are taking being pro black to an extreme.
Drug dealing is illegal.
As long as you are not doing something illegal, I don’t give a fuck how you get your hustle on.
Never watched a second of these shows, I just wanted to read the comments . . .Reds and I are the only ones “posting” that don’t tune in? Holy moley.
Why boycott this show…when Maury and Jerry Springer have made fools out of black folk for decades…I don’t see no one boycotting that garbage???? I don’t see you boycotting companies and banks that refuse loans to monorities. Or I don’t see you boycotting companies that don’t hire minorities….Get your priorities in order!!!!!!
Exaaaaactly, bingo, bullseye!! & errythang ELSE peeps say, when they agree with someone! Also?, it seems that exploiting Blacks was/is “ok” when it’s the Black “man” being exploited! Like…with Ray J, Flava Flav and damn near ALL other forms of imagery of Black “men”!??, ain’t NObawdy even THOUGHtT of boycotting n shyt! They ooooooonly criticized the “Brothas”!!!, for/’on who was “on the show” etc…..! But hardly EVVA had a damn thang to say about the image of “Their” “men”!!! So “I” say females?, since y’all say you’re so strong?, it’s time you “show yo strength” & “bare/eat this” JUST like Us Black “men” have to from everyone, EVERY fkn day, EVERYwhere!!! Either “that”?, or “start” being WTF y’all claaaaaaaim to be, all about yo “people” & NOT your ….”gender”. Chuuuuuch/All Day/S.I.D.!!!
The show is called Love and Hip Hop. These are some of the things that happen in the Hip Hop industry. Maybe some people mis understood what the show was gonna b about. We all have a choice, we adults should pick our battles wisely.Some of us bring on unnecessary stress. I’m not gonna sign the petition. I admire black folks gettin rich. Besides its reality. I’ve seen worst stuff on t.v. Like Bait Car. I dislike it but its reality.
I don’t like most of these reality shows that have a majority black cast of characters in them because we look like complete fools. but I have to agree with everyone posting on this site. If your a parent u dont allow your kids to watch this PERIOD. and if u dont like this type of show like i dont like it simply turn the channel and watch something else and dont even give them a second of your time. by singing a petititon to get them off the air just gives them more pub and people will watch to see is it that bad. just simply turn the channel if you dont like it and dont watch it.