For years Love and Hip Hop has been one of the main shows that shapes black culture and how people look at Black culture around the country and the world. The shows Consists of several Actors or Actresses with professions that range from Multi-platinum artist, to Models, to just people who may have been married to someone famous living out their lives Many believe that shows such as Love and Hip Hop New York and Atlanta have had a positive impact to black culture, especially young Women of color and say that these shows are a "must-watch". I also believe that these shows are a must watch for many reasons The instances of gender interaction, the switch of Gender roles, and the actors and actresses charitable actions in their community are just a few reasons why the show has had multiple spin-offs and all of them are still successful now.
Gender interaction plays a big part in all of these shows ans at times is one of the main attractions for watching the show. For most of the show the men and women of the show act in a professional manner. In some instances, actions between them are not always nice. On many occasions throughout the show where there are heated arguments about business, relationships, and even personal image that have even led to punches being thrown and threats being made. Many of these arguments are related to either relationships that happened before the episode or during the episode. One of the heated arguments I will highlight is the relationship between Peter Gunz, Former rapper now artist manager and his relationship with his wife Tara Wallace and one of Peter's artist.
"Peter Gunz, a former rapper turned artist manager, embodied a narrow portrayal of black masculinity through the dramatic story line he carried with two women. He is portrayed as a womanizing liar, as it was revealed that he cheated on Tara Wallace, his long-term girlfriend and mother of two of his sons, with an artist he managed named Amina Buddafly. After many lies about the nature of their relationship, it was further revealed that he was married to her, leaving Tara to navigate the terrain of motherhood and heartbreak on her own." (Edwards pg. 6-7).
In this situation, this showed that the man here, Peter Gunz, acted as if these women's emotions and feelings were disposable and that he could get whatever he wanted as long as he said what they wanted to hear. This sort of interaction between genders is often shown in reality shows to add a sense of drama
With these shows being on the air and being successful for so long, many of these women on these shows have gained stardom and even superstar status. With that you see these women at the helm of Multi-Million dollar companies, You see these women giving orders as the Boss of the organization while they look for the support of other women to life outside the businesses. With that you can see times where someone is not as supportive as the other party would like and even questions their actions.
In Season 2 of Love and Hip Hop Atlanta singer K. Michelle was very vocal about her abusive relationship with Mickey Wright over twitter. "For three years my was ruined because I could not talk. I don't have that anymore, K. Michelle said. I don't care what anybody has got to say about me. None of y'all were there. I got my [expletive] beat and I have to tell the world what happened to me(Pg. 1)". This gave singer and Co-star on the same show Rasheeda give a response to the tweet questioning the truth of what she saying. "It's sad how a person wants sympathy but every word and gesture out of her mouth is slapping a [expletive] and whooping a [expletive](pg.1)." She then continues on saying that "we know that story has a lot of holes in it." K.Michelle then responds to her comments by tweeting "A persons true colors will always show. Never fight a battle that God has already won for you. I'm still standing." Later on in the season this confrontation went on air as these two singers were throwing punches towards each other.
Now with all the harsh words and actions throughout the show, there are some good times in the show where not only do they benefit themselves, it benefits others. Being on a Reality show it is all about image and even though there were a lot of bad things that happened during the show, they do a lot of good things off the show as well. One of the things I would like to highlight is when stars on the show Love and Hip Hop Atlanta Mimi Faust and Mama Dee went out into Atlanta to attend a volunteer event. "The Amazing Spider Man stand up and volunteer event in Atlanta, where they painted pictures and murals with kids to beautify the local community center. (Florence, 1) This act of kindness shows that these girls can be civil and act like adults when they want too.
With their charitable efforts, the ability of women to hold high ranking positions, and the constant drama between men and women on the show make this a very good show to watch for the average watcher. If you are like me, and love the constant drama that goes on, this is the perfect show for you to sit down and endlessly watch it.
In Season 2 of Love and Hip Hop Atlanta singer K. Michelle was very vocal about her abusive relationship with Mickey Wright over twitter. "For three years my was ruined because I could not talk. I don't have that anymore, K. Michelle said. I don't care what anybody has got to say about me. None of y'all were there. I got my [expletive] beat and I have to tell the world what happened to me(Pg. 1)". This gave singer and Co-star on the same show Rasheeda give a response to the tweet questioning the truth of what she saying. "It's sad how a person wants sympathy but every word and gesture out of her mouth is slapping a [expletive] and whooping a [expletive](pg.1)." She then continues on saying that "we know that story has a lot of holes in it." K.Michelle then responds to her comments by tweeting "A persons true colors will always show. Never fight a battle that God has already won for you. I'm still standing." Later on in the season this confrontation went on air as these two singers were throwing punches towards each other.
Now with all the harsh words and actions throughout the show, there are some good times in the show where not only do they benefit themselves, it benefits others. Being on a Reality show it is all about image and even though there were a lot of bad things that happened during the show, they do a lot of good things off the show as well. One of the things I would like to highlight is when stars on the show Love and Hip Hop Atlanta Mimi Faust and Mama Dee went out into Atlanta to attend a volunteer event. "The Amazing Spider Man stand up and volunteer event in Atlanta, where they painted pictures and murals with kids to beautify the local community center. (Florence, 1) This act of kindness shows that these girls can be civil and act like adults when they want too.
With their charitable efforts, the ability of women to hold high ranking positions, and the constant drama between men and women on the show make this a very good show to watch for the average watcher. If you are like me, and love the constant drama that goes on, this is the perfect show for you to sit down and endlessly watch it.
Works Cited
Edwards, Erica B.. Journal of Black Studies , Apr2016, Vol. 47 Issue 3, p273-292, 20p. Publisher: Sage Publications Inc..
Anthony Florence, New York Amsterdam news. Jul 2012, vol. 104 issue 24 p18-22, New york Amsterdam publications
International Business times, Aug 2012 item 375455.20120820.
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