Is It Just Entertainment?

My sister may not like me for this post.

I’ve been limiting the amount of reality television I watch. I was watching so many at one point. These shows seemed amusing and were always something to watch out of boredom. But then I came to my senses.

When I mention reality shows I’m not talking about long-time ones like Survivor, The Bachelor, The Real World or positive ones like Extreme Makeover: House Edition, Cake Boss, or Tia & Tamera. I’m referring to the trash TV that has too many people hooked. More specifically, black reality television such as Basketball Wives, Bad Girls Club, Love and Hip Hop, or Black Ink Crew.

To give you a specific example, I remember watching a scene in Love and Hip Hop NYC in which Mendeeces, his mom, his child’s mother, and her mom were having a discussion regarding the well-being of their child. At some point, things went left and all hell broke loose resulting in two grandmothers acting a fool on television. As I watched this take place I was genuinely disturbed thinking to myself “WTF.” That moment made me stop watching that show and eventually eliminate others like it.

When it comes to these shows people always say “It’s just entertainment,” and while that might be true for them I can’t help but think what their definition of entertainment is. While entertainment comes in many forms, I feel like it is important to analyse what our peers are accepting as entertainment. Am I going too far in saying that your definition of entertainment says something about you as a person?

Is it “entertaining” to watch Kirk from Love and Hip Hop ATL give his newborn child a DNA test without his wife knowing, or to see Stevie J ask Mimi and Joseline (who thought Stevie only wanted her) asked both of them to be his “Life Partners?”  Or did you enjoy when Elease on a season of Bad Girls Club was constantly targeted by the Victor twins?

It’s safe to say an episode is not complete without some sort of scheming, fist flying, catty arguments, weave snatching, backstabbing, or physical threats. The verbal venom and constant fighting demonstrates a culture bringing each other down. The actions (or acting) we watch are what we would normally condemn or discourage in real life, but because it’s “just entertainment” we condone it. The fact that most shows are scripted makes it worse.

Are these the only shows you’re feeding your mind when you watch TV? All this is doing is supporting racial and gender stereotypes. These are the same stereotypes that offer observers one-sided opinions on a culture. The same stereotypes we young and educated folk are trying to not be marginalised by. Yet we’re okay with watching them be highlighted on TV?

Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie gave a TED talk about the single story and the dangers of the unfair depictions on a culture. She said, “The single story creates stereotypes, and the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete.” This then makes one story the only story. When you just have one account of something, then everything is critiqued by it. Viewers of these shows have to realize that black people only have few stories. Everything we do or what is shown on TV becomes an example of who we are.

Even celebrities have voiced their disgust. A favourite rapper of mine J.Cole isn’t shy to speak of his dislike. He’s even mentioned it in songs Revenge of the Dreamers and No Role Modelz. Last year he went on the Angie Martinez show and said they are the lowest level of entertainment. I have to agree. He goes on to say how people aren’t even realizing that it is corrupting them. A good question he brings up is what other shows are being shown to balance this corruption.

If this is all we are getting as television entertainment then does it say more about the society we live than who we are?

I still believe everyone has a choice to make.

People argue that it’s not that serious and these shows do not have an effect of them. But it does, you are becoming desensitized. Watching the absurdity and not even thinking twice about it is affecting your mind. It’s like you’re tolerant to the stereotype. Also you’re content with giving these old strippers, struggling talent-less singers, washed up rappers or producers an easy come-up. We have to be mindful of the images we are authenticating or buying into.

Another thing I also hear is that watchers are able to separate the reality on TV from their own personal reality.  Is that really true when you are following these reality ‘stars’ on Twitter, Instagram, reading about them on blogs, and discussing them with your friends. You are subconsciously intersecting their lives into yours. Not so separated as you think. You may not be looking up to them but you’re keeping up with them. Why, is that “entertaining” too?

Ultimately, the culture needs shows that counter the stereotypes the other ones are underpinning. There are already ones out that highlight urban or hip-hop culture in a positive light. I watch Sisterhood of Hip-Hop which focuses on 5 female rappers on the come-up. There is hardly any drama as the centre is on their rap careers and shows them on the hustle to make it.

I want to see more shows like that, however not just about rappers. It can be about people who are trying to make it in any career the honest and right way. There should be more about professional women in power. It would be great to see women of substance who annihilate the angry black woman stereotype, and showing them grinding as CEO’s, business owners, or editors.

Then even portrayals on two-parent black families that isn’t dysfunctional. A look on kids who are aspiring doctors, politicians, writers, or lawyers or kids who are beating the odds in their community. What about a show about young entrepreneurs? Or one on HBCU’s showing that college is more than just about the turn up. It doesn’t even have to be urban, but it should be culturally diverse and show people in a way not associated with the stereotypes of their cultural background.

Remember the next time you watch Love and Hip Hop and are laughing at the foolery of Stevie J, that what was funny there is the same thing you would think is appalling in real life. How “entertaining” is it again?

-C