Shawty Lo and all his babies’ mamas
*If the suits at the Oxygen network thought putting on a show about ATL rapper Shawty Lo called “All My Babies’ Mamas” was a brilliant idea, they may be in for a rude awakening.
As we reported, there’s already an online grassroots type boycott petition in place. And now, to stoke the fires even more, so to speak is radio host/blogger/activist Morris (Mo’Kelly) O’Kelly, who’s written an open letter to the powers that be at the network.
He wants them to know that he, along with a growing chorus of black folks, don’t want the program to even get an airing date and he’s prepared to do everything in his power to that end.
Good afternoon,
A reality TV show featuring a rapper, his TEN baby mamas and ELEVEN children? And you thought this was going to be good for your business and profile within the African-American community, on a network co-founded by Oprah Winfrey?
I will save the pith of my commentary for my columns and programs, but in short…this show can not happen. As a respected African-American media professional I can not in good conscience allow this program to move forward. There must be accountability as to the programming decisions at your network.
“Diversity” intimates more than just faces of different colors which grace your network. It also implies and demands a level of respect for varying hues and the imagery put forth. The fact that this project was green-lighted means that there has been complicity (and thus blame to be parsed) at all levels of your network.
A number of people said “yes” to this project, long before the press release was written and they are collectively responsible.
If you are of the opinion that “all publicity is good publicity,” I am here to disabuse you of this notion. Starting Thursday (Jan 3.) you will see why.
From my radio shows (KFI, the #1 talk station in America * XM Satellite * KTLK AM1150) to my syndicated columns and network of African-American media professionals, I assure you this will go down as one of the worst decisions in the history of your network.
Pull the program.
Respectfully,
Note: This letter has been blind copied to the expanse of the national African-American media…and no, that’s not a good thing.
For my friends:
The Show’s Press Release: http://www.nbcumv.com/mediavillage/networks/oxygen/pressreleases?pr=contents%2Fpress-releases%2F2012%2F12%2F26%2Foxygenmediaorde1356536292899.xml
Morris O’Kelly I On-Air Personality - KFI AM 640 / KTLK AM 1150
Clear Channel Media + Entertainment
If you want to personally respond to Mo’Kelly, email him at: MorrisO’Kelly@clearchannel.com
Morris O’Kelly aka Mo’Kelly
Here, here, Mo’Kelly! They have sunk to an all-time low with this one.
Bro. Mo!. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 2013. (for openers). I’m all for you, but waiting for white folks (with money) to act right or responsibility?.
We are responsible for the images and media we ALLOW. There is nothing saying we have to allow this. We have a responsibility to also demonstrate that such programming is neither appreciated nor has any place.
Just because someone wishes to produce, promote and profit from it, doesn’t mean we have to be complicit in the process.
Some fights you must fight…on principle alone. This would be one of them.
A few people on this site was excited that Oprah found a way to turn her new channel into a black channel. That being said, isnt it true that a lot of black fathers are missing from the family. This rapper is simply showing how he makes it work so I will watch.
Some factual errors Gayle. This is on Oxygen…not OWN. Just because Black fathers may be “missing” doesn’t mean that it is fodder for entertainment. It’s also true that Black women sometimes become strippers…doesn’t mean it’s appropriate for reality TV.
It’s a farce if you think he is somehow able to “make it work.”
It’s not possible. You can’t be part of 11 families and we as a community can’t be part of furthering the ridiculous stereotypes which harm us each and every day.
Gayle K is a nasty dog that loves sitting under Black folks to get her licks in. Bet she didn’t have a problem with “Who’s Your Daddy” and “Moment of Truth” being cancelled because these shows featured folks mainly from her demographics. Zell Miller took his issue to the senate floor when it came to defending hillbillies:
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/967343/Senator-incensed-by-hillbilly-show.html?pg=all
Scott Pierce: Senator incensed by hillbilly show
By Scott D. Pierce Deseret News television editor
Published: Friday, Feb. 28 2003
“With the nation facing war in Iraq, nuclear weapons in North Korea and a budget deficit in the hundreds of billions, Sen. Zell Miller, D-Ga., took to the floor of the U.S. Senate earlier this week to defend hillbillies and attack CBS. Really.”
Here’s another senator out to protect the image of his ‘own’.
http://politix.topix.com/homepage/3724-hillbilly-reality-show-riles-senator
Hillbilly Reality Show Riles Senator
Joe Manchin says producers profiting off ‘poor decisions of our youth’
Don’t expect Sen. Joe Machin to watch the premiere of “Buckwild” on Jan. 3. The WV Democrat is preemptively denouncing the MTV reality show set in his home state, which has been described as “the ‘Jersey Shore’ of Appalachia.”
WOW…I guess along with sex, drugs and violence, ignorance sells too…reality television is nothing more than people being entertained by other people’s failures. It simply goes to show what type of women he has procreated with…ignorant, country, uneducated, gold digging hoes. This show is no different from T.I. and Tiny. 2 druggies with a gang of kids that can barely speak correct English and why aren’t their kids EVER in school…I’m still trying to figure out who the hell is Honey Boo Boo other than a fat faced white kid that needs a switch put on her ass.