After a brawl erupted between Kenya Moore (pictured above) and Porsha Williams (pictured) on the season premiere of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” this week, the Color of Change sent a letter to the Bravo Network, asking executives to stop promoting Black violence on television, according to a statement.
In the following statement, Arisha Hatch, managing director of campaigns for Color of Change, called the violence detrimental to the African-American community with its purpose only serving to line the pockets of television executives:
“Bravo is not at the mercy of the behavior of the casts of its shows. Reality TV producers routinely utilize staged, hostile environments and specific editing strategies to conjure the story they wish to tell. We demand Bravo and Andy Cohen turn away from these stereotypical narratives, and stop profiting from violence involving Black people.
“Judging by recent reports of yet another massive brawl during taping for the upcoming season of Bravo’s ‘Blood, Sweat, and Heels,’ it seems there’s no end in sight for Bravo’s reliance on dangerous stereotypes. During that fight, between Black castmates Geneva Thomas and Melyssa Ford, a bottle was reportedly smashed over Ford’s head, sending her to the hospital. Thomas has since been arrested. Under no circumstances should Bravo air this or any other fights involving Black people.
“Stereotypical portrayals of Black people— as angry, belligerent, and violent—are dangerous, shaping negative perceptions in the minds of viewers that, when acted upon, can mean real life harm for Black communities; discriminatory hiring practices, less attention from doctors, and harsher treatment by law enforcement, just to name a few. Bravo and Andy Cohen must move beyond these harmful, one-dimensional portrayals.”
article via newsone.com