Real Housewives of Atlanta – Where Race and Class Collide
by Latoya Peterson
Dear readers, you are going to have to bear with me on this one, because I am still sorting my thoughts out about this show. However, I did want to put out some preliminary thoughts and get your feedback.
I only sporadically pay attention to the Real Housewives series, so I’ve only caught about six episodes of Orange County and New York combined. However, when I heard they were basing a RH series in Atlanta, my interest was piqued. Atlanta is considered by some to be the new Mecca for black wealth in the United States and home to some of hip-hop’s largest stars, in addition to athletes, filmmakers, and others. As opposed to the casts of RH:OC and RH:NY, which are predominantly white, RH:ATL is predominantly black.
The show revolves around five women: Lisa Wu Hartwell, Sheree Whitfield, NeNe Leakes, Kim Zolciak, and DeShawn Snow.
Watching the show, I’ve been a little less than impressed with the women involved. Part of this is my own personal bias – I like to watch shows where people need to achieve something. Watching people with the means to accomplish so much in this life waste it away kind of bores me, so I tend to tune out most of these kinds of shows. Even the title of the show – The Real Housewives – is off-putting to me. But I checked out the women’s bios and noticed that most of them seemed to be involved in both a charitable organization and an entrepreneurial venture, so I thought it might be something worth watching.
But if the first two episodes are any indication, I’m going to regret investing time in this show.
For one thing, I’m not seeing much information on what any of the women do besides spend money. Aside from Lisa Wu Hartwell, who seems to invest a lot of time into her real estate business and jewelry line, no one else seems to be business focused. (This may be why she has had the least air time on the show.) All the other businesses – like Kim’s country album and Sheree’s clothing line – seem more like a moneyed hobby, rather than something they will use to support themselves. I missed episode three, so I didn’t have a chance to watch DeShawn plan for her gala event, but most of the women seem to ground their days in spending.
My feminist antennae went up when it showed just how much these women were reliant on a financier to maintain their elaborate lifestyles. Most of these women are not self-reliant. For example, Sheree – who considers herself amongst “the wealthy elite,” is currently divorcing an NFL player, and looking for a seven figure settlement. “I don’t think I could survive without my entourage,” was her comment. However, the types of money being thrown around seems like she would blow through any finite amount of money in record time – and then what?
The most compelling part of the series is the frequent discussion of class. There is a lot that could be parsed here, especially as the women seem to equate financial means with increased status, and seem to work up to the worst of the “new money” stereotypes. Much focus is placed on money purchasing access and power, which is to be immediately displayed. My first thoughts when watching the series was that there would be little to write about – the show seems more like an exploration of class in Atlanta.
However, RH:ATL also brings up interesting ideas surrounding the nature of class. One of my favorite authors is Benilde Little, and her books often deal with shifting classes within the African American community, focusing a lot on some of the struggles between middle class blacks who have married into – or just work around – old black money. It is also interesting to think, on a larger scale, how we create distinctions between terms like “rich” and “wealthy” or “old money” and “new money” and rank them accordingly.
Now, the show does give me some pause – while I perceive this show as mostly dealing with class, the actions of these Real Housewives do bump up against ingrained stereotypes of blacks. I do admit I kind of cringe when the women start showing out, because they purport themselves as “society women” – and the images they display are beamed into millions of homes across America. The reviews of this series also seem to underscore my discomfort. Pegging the women as materialistic, self-absorbed, and just plain stupid, they do not seem to inspire much empathy with their audience.
Has anyone on the blog watched the show? What are your thoughts?
—
For the DCers, the fact that they threw around the word “classy” so much on the first episode of the show reminded me of a go-go song that’s now stuck in my head:
CCB – Classy Girl
(Clearer audio here.)
For those of y’all who aren’t DC locals, yes we know it sounds like people banging on pots and pans.
Carmen Van Kerckhove is co-founder and president of
WestIndianArchie wrote:
They’re just as vapid, shallow, and materialistic as their white counterparts in the OC and NYC.
Pretty much anytime TV brings us images of the rich and beautiful, there’s a lot of people who want to confirm how they already feel about people with means. It’s even better when they didn’t do anything to earn it.
The reverse drama is the Extreme Home Makeover. We love to see the meek and mild rewarded.
Posted 23 Oct 2008 at 1:54 pm ¶
Kismet wrote:
DC local — love that song btw.
“I do admit I kind of cringe when the women start showing out, because they purport themselves as “society women” – and the images they display are beamed into millions of homes across America.”
I cringe too.
Then again, I wonder if white society women cringed when the other RH seasons ran their route. Or if white women in general, of any class, winced. The comparison is not the same or fair, since, of course, there is a wide range of images of white women on TV while there is a particular set of images of women of color, in this case black women.
::nose wrinkles:: I wonder what I would have preferred–rich, black women showing out or rich, black women horribly disconnected from anything resembling the black/working class.
Then again, I am know for a fact there are plenty of Rich Housewives in Atlanta who are the latter.
So why choose them?
Then again (again)…why knock them? They are more familiar to me than the rich, dare I say, snooty ones.
(lots of random thoughts there for you…enjoy)
Posted 23 Oct 2008 at 1:59 pm ¶
Jus Plain Ol Me wrote:
I saw about 15 minutes of the show while my wife was watching it. HATED IT.
As for your go-go: I’m from the midwest, but went to high school at a boarding school in DC. All of the DC kids at my school loved that go-go. Chuck Brown this, E.U. that. I couldn’t stand it. It sounds like cow bell music to me.
But what can I tell anybody. My state provided black music with Bone Thugs N Harmony which plenty of people can’t stand.
Posted 23 Oct 2008 at 2:06 pm ¶
tallulahbankhead wrote:
These women aren’t supposed to inspire empathy, they are inspiring envy for a lot of people whose talent is being able to look good at the hottest club.
It would amaze most viewers that there is as African American elite that exists that does not derive any of their wealth from sports or entertainment.
Because these people believe discretion is the better part of valor, the real housewives of Atlanta can swoop in and pretend that they are society women for the ignorant masses.
Posted 23 Oct 2008 at 2:06 pm ¶
Jus Plain Ol Me wrote:
Correction, the boarding school was in VA, not DC. But you catch my point.
Posted 23 Oct 2008 at 2:07 pm ¶
kim h20s wrote:
we say that we want equal representation for african american women on tv and here we have it. atlanta housewives features the same type of housewives and displays of being nouveau riche as the version in set orange county.
Posted 23 Oct 2008 at 2:14 pm ¶
Latoya Peterson wrote:
@kismet –
Your random thoughts follow mine. My biggest thing was should it matter? But again, blacks aren’t judged as individuals, just one autonomous mass. But then again (again), why should we let the racist attitudes of others dictate how we behave? But on a third again, why would you let a show present the world with really ugly images of yourself to sneer at? Or maybe they didn’t think that way at all. So many avenues of thought to go down, but who knows which one is the right one.
@tallualahbankhead – Yes, I think you got it right on the money here:
It would amaze most viewers that there is as African American elite that exists that does not derive any of their wealth from sports or entertainment.
Because these people believe discretion is the better part of valor, the real housewives of Atlanta can swoop in and pretend that they are society women for the ignorant masses.
1. That’s why I wonder so much about the divisions of old and new money – but is that even an accurate definition. Especially when the images of blacks in the media are so distorted – either poverty or extreme prosperity – is there a benefit to really digging into black class differences?
I know Wendi (Muse) recommended I take a second look at BET’sBaldwin Hills when writing the follow up article – maybe I should do that as a comparative study.
@kim h2os – Yes, but are they being perceived in the same way? From the reviews, I have to wonder…
Posted 23 Oct 2008 at 2:25 pm ¶
tallulahbankhead wrote:
Latoya ..
yes check out Baldwin Hills — the focus seems to be on the strength of family and how it nurtures positive life choices in addition to the consumption
Also BET is bringing a new show called Harlem Heights that may explore the same divide … we shall see.
Posted 23 Oct 2008 at 2:28 pm ¶
kenda wrote:
I’ve seen RH:OC & NY as well as some of this season and all of the women are a bit vapid at times, but the ATL cast is the worst. It’s really disappointing they’re all dependent upon a man for their money.
Posted 23 Oct 2008 at 2:32 pm ¶
drispe wrote:
The show is obviously a waste of time and energy for the creators and viewers. What I’ve seen has resulted in a few observations though. Sheree said that she intended for her children to continue living within the means of her current lifestyle. And if they didn’t, then what? Would a truly middle class existence be so bad? What if they don’t maintain it as adults? A ridiculous element of the show is the amount of staffing necessary to run these women’s lives. If they truly don’t have jobs, why are they too busy to manage their affairs. DeShawn has a hair salon in her house so that she doesn’t mix with real people getting their tracks glued on!
This show is different from the first 2 Housewives series, and the opportunity to discuss wealth amongst people who historically lack it (or even a middle class existence) is sorely missing. At least ONE of these women has to be from the wrong side of the tracks, and how she processes the switch in fortunes should be explored. But tv producers assume that anything less than obscene displays of wealth will depress us and cut their ratings down.
Posted 23 Oct 2008 at 2:33 pm ¶
Kaonashi wrote:
I agree with West Indian Archie. Regardless of race or region, the “Real Housewives” audition process seem to attract the most vapid and social climbing people. The housewives that are actually “in” these sort of societies wouldn’t be on these shows in the first place because they’re either too busy with social obligations or because they would think it was vulgar.
Then again, I wonder if white society women cringed when the other RH seasons ran their route. Or if white women in general, of any class, winced.
Yes, yes and YES. I don’t know about the OC crowd, but it was open season on those NY ladies and it got brutal. Lots of distancing, lots of “I’m an ‘ACTUAL’ New York housewife and trust me, they aren’t “one of us’” and accusations of social climbing (not to mention all of the “code words” being bandied about). It seemed like the only NY housewife that was liked was Jill, and even she was called “pushy” on a few sites.
Posted 23 Oct 2008 at 2:52 pm ¶
atlasien wrote:
I’m an ATLien but never had any interest in watching this show.
I did hear one of the women is associated with Eddie Long’s church. That horrible prosperity gospel stuff is really big around here. It’s the most disgusting perversion of Christianity… the preachers literally worship money.
The way class works in Atlanta (and the South in general) is really wrapped up in what church you go to.
Posted 23 Oct 2008 at 4:01 pm ¶
kahlilG wrote:
omg i was waiting for this! i haven’t read the story yet but i will. i just wanted to mention, if it hasn’t in the story, how much we see people of color interact in this show compared to the other real housewives series. and when i say poc i mean black, asain, indian, probably more but that’s who i’ve seen so far. and i love it. if this was somewhere in the ghetto i feel like these people wouldn’t be interacting the way that they are since there is so much overt racism and prejudice in economically depressed areas. it’s almost like the money takes this burden off. now i’m not saying money solves problems and that classism is any better than racism, but i do think that 1.) i like how many people of color i see interacting and 2.) that there is definitely a difference if this show was about poor families.
anyways sorry if you mentioned it already i just had to get it off my chest. i will read this piece as soon as i can and will probably reply again.
Posted 23 Oct 2008 at 4:13 pm ¶
global wire wrote:
Can someone please tell me why the blonde woman, Kim, is a housewife? I mean, what did she do to get money? I’m not clear about her. Is she suppose to be the gold-digger? And who is her mystery boyfriend, Big Papa?
Also, Kim’s relationship with NeNe seems contrived to me. Is Kim supposed to be the token white housewife? But I guess the whole show is contrived for ratings.
Posted 23 Oct 2008 at 5:30 pm ¶
Joseph wrote:
@Latoya
From the second they started running ads for this I have been wondering what you’d have to say about it.
I am not the demographic for these shows (I have never watched a second of any of the editions outside of the ubiquitous commercials–which are more than enough for me). Still, I have been curious about your response to RH: ATL because of the race/class relationship you zero’ed in on. As usual you have applied a laser-eye to the dynamics suggested by this show.
Reading your thoughts it occurred to me that Black Old Money families are all but invisible in popular culture. But In cities like Philly (where I grew up) such wealthy Black families exist although they do not call attention to themselves—one of the prominent distinctions between so-called “new” and “old” money (Black or White).
I once worked with a woman who’d married into such a family and she described a ritual wherein her mother-in-law (the dowager/matriarch of her husband’s family) was presented with each grandchild after it was born and she would look it over and decide, based on hair texture, features and skin tone whether the child was, in fact, a member of “her” family. They were an old-time, wealthy, Philadelphia “paper-bag” family–in my co-worker’s words.
Of course that is only one family but the relationship they had to race via social class was fascinating: They did not aspire to whiteness but rather cultivated a particular vision of themselves as light-skinned (AME-affiliated, wealthy, cultured) Black people. An identity that has as much to do with class as race. Or rather, that depends on both in equal measure.
The ATL housewives would have horrified them.
Posted 23 Oct 2008 at 7:04 pm ¶
chi wrote:
When it comes to this show, ignorance is bliss. I’m happy I don’t watch tv (except election coverage heh).
PS — love, LOVE that song! I live in MD and used to hate Go Go. Didn’t think it compared to bmore club music, but I’m starting to appreciate it more. “Welcome to DeeCee….” /random aside.
Posted 23 Oct 2008 at 9:58 pm ¶
luzzleanne wrote:
My roommate has a tendency to watch “whatever’s on Bravo” all the time, and you’ve pretty much articulated the class thing that sets me off every time this show is on. So much wasted money, so many assumptions that without all that money life wouldn’t be worth living.
I think the only thing that annoyed me more was Miss Blonde Hair Blue Eyes up there suggesting that she basically was black (”I’ve had a lot of people who’ve told me I should have been born black! I understand black women so much more than white women!”) because she has a lot of black friends. Which, no. As another Miss Blonde Hair Blue Eyes, I do understand that having friends who are of color can help you to understand the way race works in the world, but you can still only ever get secondhand experience. Which is never the same thing as firsthand experience.
At least ONE of these women has to be from the wrong side of the tracks, and how she processes the switch in fortunes should be explored. But tv producers assume that anything less than obscene displays of wealth will depress us and cut their ratings down.
Amen. In other missed opportunities, there was a very short, very stunted conversation where Lisa Wu Hartwell was discussing with the other housewives how she didn’t feel she could claim she was “black” because she felt like that would be denying her father and his family, but she felt bad not claiming that because black people have been so historically denigrated that she thought it seemed like she was trying to escape that part of her identity. That 20 seconds was the only part of the show I actually found interesting, and I wish they could have gone into it a bit more.
Posted 23 Oct 2008 at 11:46 pm ¶
roschelle wrote:
Speaking of race…. The “assaulted” McCain volunteer may have faked the crime…or at least a portion of it!
Posted 24 Oct 2008 at 2:39 am ¶
Whitney wrote:
@Kismet: I’m white and I grew up in Orange County and those women on that show made me so disgusted. So the answer is yes, I cringed. And every person I know from the OC cringed.
@luzzleanne: That bugged me too about Kim… when I heard her say that she’s a “black woman trapped in a white woman’s body” just really rubbed me the wrong way. It also [i]really[/i] disturbed me when she referred to her boyfriend (aka her sugar daddy) as “Big Poppa.”
In regards to the series, I was happy to see that at least one woman had multiple successful businesses. It’s still the aspect of thoughtless consumerism that really bothers me. Do you really need that many staff members? How is a show like this supposed to make the viewers feel? Jealous of their lifestyle? And the vapidity of the women on all three seasons isn’t entertaining. It makes women look bad. My boyfriend was watching it with me and he asked “Do all women treat their friends like that?” Also, how is it supposed to make women feel, because all but one are almost entirely dependent on men. Plus, what does this teach the younger viewers? That you should marry a rich man and he’ll take care of you and you can spend, spend, spend? That things = happiness?
Ugh, I just want all of these types of shows to go away.
Posted 24 Oct 2008 at 7:02 am ¶
Diana wrote:
I’m a black woman living in Atlanta . Here’s what I wrote about it on my blog recently:
Reflections on the Real Housewives of Atlanta
October 18, 2008
Well, I watched the Real Housewives of Atlanta on Bravo the other night and I must say my feelings about the show mirrored my feelings I had when Hooters first opened a restaurant in downtown Atlanta several years ago–simultaneously pleased and disgusted. As for Hooters, I was pleased that they thought black women were worthy of objectifying and disgusted that they were objectifying black women. As for the Real Housewives of Atlanta, I am pleased that a television program is interested in profiling well-to-do black women and disgusted at the wealthy black women they chose to profile. I know I am talking out of both sides of my face. But because there are so many negative images of black people out there, I have high expectations when the mainstream culture portrays black women as beautiful and/or worthy of interest. But did all the wives have to be married to athletes? Could they find no women who came by their status outside sports or entertainment? And what’s up with NeNe? Did her mama give her that name? Or, if it is a nickname, why can’t she go by her given name on national television? Why do the ladies need to be so petty? I’ll admit that I haven’t watched the other Houswives shows on Bravo, so the content of these shows may all be the same. But these ladies don’t represent the best of the black women in Atlanta that I know.
Posted 24 Oct 2008 at 7:43 am ¶
Queenodnile wrote:
I have to agree. These shows should go away! But I know people who watch women like this and do every thing they can to emulate them. They worship this ostentatious way of life and life just becomes a daily preen for the day they meet their future husband at a sports event.
As for that prosperity gospel, I never paid it much attention until someone I know who is very religious told me how she met the man of her dreams and he is a ‘minister’ who belongs to a family who runs one of those churches. I had not realized that it was an actual religious movement!
Posted 24 Oct 2008 at 8:34 am ¶
gatamala wrote:
I just threw a little shoulder into it at my desk…
Jus Plain~ my college roomate schooled me on go-go. I saw Chuck Brown and Sugar Bear last new years. As I love any percussion, I had a good time. Give it a chance. (What ever happened to “and Tashaaaa”?)
anyhoo that show is PAINFUL. Tallulah, I hear you. Even though Orange had an athlete’s wife, this show is a kick in the gut.
Posted 24 Oct 2008 at 9:27 am ¶
Penni Brown wrote:
I agree with Diana on this one.
I’m disgusted and interested at the same time. Doesn’t NeNe realize that she is playing court jester to Kim? Doesn’t she see that Kim wants not so much to be her friend, but to have access to what that friendship means? I mean, in the next episode, she’s going to become friends with Sheree, NeNe’s sometimes nemesis.
And what’s up with Dashawn, I know her husband is in the NBA, but a full time staff including weavologist and makeup artist in her home salon? Is he paid like that?
And Sheree, I’m not mad at her for wanting to get what she deserves from her divorce settlement, but when she said that she wanted to maintain or BE BETTER OFF THAN SHE IS NOW. She lost me.
Most of these women featured are one generation away from working class and are so obviously trying to overcompensate. However, they aren’t much different than that super mushy couple on the NY cast. Except the white code words for pretentiousness are different.
I’m disgusted by this show but I keep watching, hoping that I’ll see some sort of enlightenment come their way.
Posted 24 Oct 2008 at 9:53 am ¶
livininphilly wrote:
Re: Baldwin Hills v. RH:ATL.
I haven’t watched RH: ATL just yet but when I saw the ads my interest was piqued. I refused to watch the RH: OC & RH: NYC b/c I didn’t want to watch “a bunch of rich white women flaunting their money”. That’s really how I felt and so I didn’t watch any of those shows. So when I saw that they would have rich black women on RH: ATL I was slightly interested b/c that is a demographic that you often don’t see on TV. Haven’t got a chance yet but after reading your thoughts I probably won’t anyway.
As far as Baldwin Hills goes, that is actually a show that I became invested in. I was all ready to be up in arms about it, as I am for so many other bET shows that mimic popular TV shows on MTV. But you know, I liked Baldwin Hills’ portrayals of the kids b/c it seemed a lot more balanced and fair. I know it’s all scripted “reality” and it played like that most of the time. The interesting thing about BH though is that not all of the characters come from the wealthy moneyed black families in that area. One of the opening lines is “we are the sons and daughters of actors, doctors and lawyers, but not all of us come from that world, some of us have parents who are teachers and office workers” (not a direct quote but you get the drift). Baldwin Hills itself is an interesting place where this higher economic class ppl live literally right next door to Crenshaw, L.A. The wikipedia article explains it better. They don’t do an actual analysis of the class differences but it is in some of the kids stories (i.e. when deciding about college one kid is faced with choosing a school with less of a scholarship but closer to home and a full ride to a school that is farther away. He takes care of his mother so needs to be home but the he will have to work more). It may be interesting to compare the two; I know BH was on-demand for a while.
Finally- thanks you, thank you for putting up a go-go clip. I’m from DC but live in Philly and although a lot of the music is up here I still have to get my “fix” when I travel home!
Posted 24 Oct 2008 at 11:11 am ¶
ceecee wrote:
Funny you should mention how classism is being played out because that was one of the first things I picked up on.
Sheree looks down on NeNe because she considers her new money. She hasn’t said it out loud but the way she talks about her you can tell.
Posted 24 Oct 2008 at 11:33 am ¶
Tafari wrote:
From my blog; “On a so/so news level, the “House Wives of Atlanta” started tonight on Bravo & it is a hot ghetto mess. Just when I thought the “House Wives” franchise could get no worse, it did. The wives are all so common & seem to not have come from shit, then blew up. I guess this is typical when you are dealing with people from the hood that grew up eating their cornflakes with water.”
Although I know the show is a hot mess, I will be tuning in because I love OPD (other peoples drama).
Of all the women, Lisa & DaSahwn seem to be the most together or at least they do on the surface.
Tafari
Posted 24 Oct 2008 at 1:40 pm ¶
Vanessa wrote:
Baldwin hills and other BET reality shows.
I don’t understand why BET has the need to copy off of MTV with each of their reality t.v. shows….why can’t they just come up with one of hteir own.
Plus, why can’t they promote the shows that they have….seriously you never see them promote any of these shows in any of the magazines….would it kill them to give their shows more exposure.
Also, why are all the shows on BET have the low budget appearance …I don’t understand….they seriously need to work on spending more money on their shows b/c half of the shows look so budget.
Real Housewives…is literally like crack….the first time you take it…it sucks you in into a very black abyss where every second you watch…you lose a brain cell.
These women are so vapid, selfish, egotistical, retarded, heartless, wretched and vile creatures yet…I still click in to watch occasional.
Sad but true.
Posted 24 Oct 2008 at 1:46 pm ¶
Laura wrote:
Pathetic and a new level of trashy by Bravo. What is up with that CHEAP BLOND WIG that one girl is sporting???? Please, if you have real money then get some Beckham Extensions, Serious LIPO for all that Southern FLAB and try getting beyond that goldigging 6th grade education that’s so very obvious.
Posted 24 Oct 2008 at 4:04 pm ¶
Cecelia wrote:
I don’t watch TV but this show is disgusting. Materialistic and upholding oppressive capitalistic values. How else can you maintain a lifestyle like this without oppressing others. They just chased after the mainstream status quo which as we all know now is failing desperately because of the state of the economy.
And again you see no Native American women on this show – they would never ever play this part.
I would refuse to live a lifestyle like this even if it was presented to me. No thank you! I value simplicity, Mother Earth, healthy foods, friends and family.
The impact of these shows often infuses people with – “ohh I would love to live like that because my life is so hard right now.” That is true, but never ever idolize the ruling elite. I always wonder what they are missing spiritually and emotionally in their lives? What lies behind the facade?
Posted 24 Oct 2008 at 6:27 pm ¶
Zee wrote:
“Southern Flab?” Laura. ::glances down at rather flabby tummy:: Not cool.
I haven’t seen the episode yet but the whole “black woman trapped in a white woman’s body” statement by Kim has me blown already.
Posted 24 Oct 2008 at 6:31 pm ¶
Myl wrote:
I wish they’d display some other kind of black elite. My cousins are in Jack & Jill- all the families in it seem pretty classy. There’s no wealth requirement, but you know how it goes. A guy I know is actually in it too.
Of course, I’m sort of prejudiced. I never like new money. Not that I’m old money by any means, I’m not any kind of money, but my style & background is a lot more old money.
Posted 24 Oct 2008 at 8:54 pm ¶
Princess wrote:
Since I’m not a big TV viewer, nor do I subscribe to cable TV, I learned about this Bravo TV reality show from my brother. And after watching the video clips at bravotv.com I have many different thoughts about RH of Atlanta.
Latoya is correct, this show is more about class. However, in my opinion NeNe is not the only one struggling with the new money social scene and lifestyle. Of course, all of these women have the backing of either a husband, ex-husband or boyfriend with very deep pockets. And I don’t think their mates are the problem, nor prosperity in general. For me, the issue here is there appears to be a lack of balance. For example, DeShawn’s home is absolutely beautiful, yet when she named all of the staff members she has already hired and went on to say she has yet to hire a governess and a nanny, I thought this is way over the top.
Maybe there will be more depth revealed in upcoming episodes. The friendships seem very fake, competitive and a bit too toxic for my taste. Of course, there may be a spin-off show offered to one of the women. If I had to pick one, it would be Lisa Wu Hartwell. She’s a beautiful savvy business woman, wife and mother.
Posted 24 Oct 2008 at 9:12 pm ¶
Mocha Agent 07 wrote:
Hi Latoya,
This is my first time at your site but I wanted to give you kudos for writing such an insightful blog.
I am a former print journalist and wannabee syndicated columnist, who is in the process of designing her own blog but before I digress to much further. I share so many of your thoughts about the Atlanta installment of the Real House Wives. I think I may have caught a total of two of the other installments to get an idea of whether the shows would be as inane as I thought they would be. I at least wanted to catch the ATL version because I had been talking to and dated someone (if one date counts as dating) who lives in the ATL , so I was wanted to tune in to see what all the hype was about Atlanta, because I live in the Midwest. Of course, I know the RHW:ATL is a reality show and television and I wouldn’t get an actual or realistic glimpse of life in Atlanta. But nonetheless, I tuned in hoping to get, at least, some general ideas to discuss with my friend to see if there was any truth to some of the attitudes that were portrayed on the show.
I want to be respectful to your space but I too have developed a love/hate relationship with this show, it grates against a lot of my values in addition to just about everything I learned in my African-American Studies courses, back in the day.
I have come to the conclusion that some times black people with money can be just as mean, nasty, oppressive, and biased as white people.
Furthermore, I don’t like labels or throw them out at random, but I feel there is nothing cute about being “boogie” and it seems like what one the things that this show and shows like them wants to “capitalize” on is the fact that some of the women are so-called “boogie” and therefore better, kinda of that slave/field thing on the sly, but as a rich, black, man, who gets pulled over by the police will probably tell you, I got profiled just like the brother in the Honda or the hoopty, I might have looked a little bit better being pressed against my Mercedes or BMW but it felt the same, hurtful, fearful and oppressive.
Keep up the good work, I will continue to read your blog.
Posted 25 Oct 2008 at 1:02 pm ¶
Tiffany wrote:
@ Diana I totally agree with your comment.
Posted 26 Oct 2008 at 1:55 pm ¶
Trixy wrote:
Hey! I think this show is great for our people and our society. It is proof positive that money CANNOT buy you happiness or everything you want.
Posted 26 Oct 2008 at 10:23 pm ¶
bdsista wrote:
Can’t stand it, I’m with Myl, where are the Jack and Jill moms? Are any of these women Greek? Atlanta has an active Business Women Networking Org, where is there any activity in that shown? Are any of their husbands in the Boule’? Where are the affiliations with the Links? I don’t see any of what Iknow to be where the “REAL” wealthy housewives are doing? They are on boards of the HBCUs, they are on Hospital and Arts/Museum boards, they are doing things other than shopping. This is sad, and not representative. I saw the one show where one of them was left off the guest list and the she got mad and DRAMA!!! What a joke. Most of them seem kinda like the Wanna Be’s in the BAP Handbook. I never tuned in again-it was boring and uninspiring to me.
Posted 27 Oct 2008 at 11:19 am ¶
Latoya Peterson wrote:
@bdsista – see, I had the same thought about the BAP handbook but I didn’t think anyone would get the joke!
Posted 27 Oct 2008 at 11:22 am ¶
Reginald A. Redd-Ree wrote:
On yesterday I had the comic displeasure of watching R.H. of Atlanta, and I was mortified. I belong to an “old upperclass” southern family of color and I am very social in my home town and the idea of anyone regarding those vulgar illbred women as anything else than “poor people with money” who assoicate with other “poor people with money” is foolish. I have family in the Atlanta and Savannah social scenes and I assure you that the only way the “real” Atlanta people would associate with them would be coming through their backdoors as cooks assistants. These women are nothing more than the wives of athletes and other new money people and are nouveau riche to prove that they are not apart of the real black upperupperclass ask any of them if they belong to the Links or Girlfriends…. of course the answer will be no. These women are have to standards and definitely no class.
Posted 27 Oct 2008 at 11:26 am ¶
Monie wrote:
Latoya,
Have you read Lawrence Otis Graham? His book Our Kind Of People explores well-to-do Black families.
Posted 27 Oct 2008 at 11:30 am ¶
bertie wrote:
This show seems to be about regla folks who happened to marry regla dudes who happen to be able to ball. I really don’t see it as an exploration of class or wealth because these folks aren’t generationally wealthy and none of the women talk about their pre-NFL/NBA wifey life. To be honest–none of the women seem to be wealthy–as in my kid’s kids won’t ever have to work. The fact that Sheree is “hoping” for a 7 figure settlement shows that it isn’t guaranteed and she may only get 6 figures. With the amount of staff/expenses she has, she’ll blow thru any settlement quick.
I don’t get the sense that any of these women are boule’/JacknJill type old money black elite folks. Atlanta has such a deep history of a powerful black business and political establishment–it is a shame that the show focuses only on the recent rise of the entertainment rich. It would be far more interesting if some of the business or political elite folks were on the show to rub elbows with the Nene and Sherees of the world.
Posted 27 Oct 2008 at 12:44 pm ¶
Trixy wrote:
ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Old money would NEVER do a show like this. They rarely even social with entertainment money. THAT’S THE POINT. RH: OC, NY & ATL are ALL poor people with money! It’s like the primate house at the zoo. This is meant for entertainment, not inspiration. You’re suppose to feel better about your own life because you witness this train wreck once a week. The only thing better AND BY FAR BETTER was “Being Bobby Brown”. Even then, you wished Whitney would leave Bobby alone and stop bringing him down…!
Posted 27 Oct 2008 at 7:23 pm ¶
Bree wrote:
I sincerely doubt Bravo would take the time to find wealthy women who aren’t vapid, shallow golddiggers dependent on a man to support their lifestyle because to them, that doesn’t translate into ratings gold. This is why I can’t call 90% of these reality shows “reality.” To them, showing actual successful independent women who are not in the entertainment field = boring. And that’s a shame. If you think about it, that industry has been played to death, it’s not interesting anymore. Bertie is right. The political and business societies are a lot more captivating.
Posted 27 Oct 2008 at 8:00 pm ¶
Princess wrote:
Actually, NeNe’s husband is a real estate investor, and Kim supposedly has a wealthy sugar daddy/financier she calls “Pappa” who by the way, doesn’t want to be seen in public.
The bottom-line here is the show does not capture the true essence and diversity of the majority of wealthy WoC in the Atlanta area. Of course, one can argue old money versus new money attitudes, lifestyles or ideals, yet in my opinion money can buy many things, but class is obviously not automatically attained.
For example, Michelle Obama is a prime example of an accomplished woman of class, intelligence and excellence. Although she did not grow up well-to-do, class does not escape her.
Posted 27 Oct 2008 at 10:15 pm ¶
messenger wrote:
Hello I just want everyone to know that this is what america wants people to think of african american people period they don’t want it to be known that some women have ran their own companies and have their own buisness and I wish this was portrayed rather than the other stereotype I would love to see women like me on t.v. African American successful and doing what they have to I’m 27 junior partner at one of the most successful law firms in america and not depending on an athlete or entertainer to support me
Posted 28 Oct 2008 at 5:05 pm ¶
tifini wrote:
I will try to remain optimistic. I love my black sistas from the ATL as well as the white sisters from previous seasons. I attempt to find some common ground with any woman period. What I can say for ATL season is I find it hard for any woman not to relate to DeShawn. She has a wonderful heart. At the end of the day I want to be able to watch the show and see past the obvious oppulence and over indulgence to find that at the core there is a person looking to better themselves by attempting to help others. I almost cried when her charity function failed. I will definitely continue to watch the show to see more od DeShawn and Lisa. Gotta love to see real business women!
Posted 28 Oct 2008 at 10:10 pm ¶
deena wrote:
Money doesn’t buy class.
KIM: Get a better wig
Posted 28 Oct 2008 at 11:54 pm ¶
Sunnnee wrote:
Its pathetic when they can only define their self-worth by the money their husbands have. Without that…they are just like the average Joe. Remember its a tv show and no matter what race you put on NATIONAL TV they are all going to act like FOOLS or as my mom states: IDIOTS ALWAYS SHOW THEIR A–! Take away the money and new found fame and they go back to being themselves: NOTHING.
Posted 29 Oct 2008 at 1:24 pm ¶
Jonesy wrote:
I think what really bothers me about this show is that only 1 of the women actually does something to earn a living. If you watched the RH of OC, most of the women worked hard to earn their money and made a very good living. Two use to have the OC life style and lost it, but worked hard at regular jobs to keep their family a float. Joe was the only gold digger who really didn’t have any motivation. At least the women of the OC could support themselves and showed that women can “hold it down”. Watching the RH or Atl is very disappointing. As a professional black female that makes a very good living, I was upset that the black women on this show are only rich because a man put them there. You mean to tell me that there are no independent, educated successful, rich black women in ATL?
Posted 29 Oct 2008 at 3:57 pm ¶
tallulahbankhead wrote:
Also Valerie Jarrett has the class and pedigree that the women on the show wish they did.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valerie_Jarrett
Posted 17 Nov 2008 at 11:57 am ¶
alexis wrote:
hi this is my first time on this site and i just wanted to tell you that your rundown of the show was on point. I am a fan of the real housewives series and was so excited to find out that they were going to ATL and choosing an all black cast… then cast info leaked and i was very disappointed to learn that out of the gazillion black professionals in atlanta all they can find are some gold diggin drama queens that if it had not been for that meal ticket with a sick crossover like kobe that they call husbands would have probably been on welfare or that attitude havin dmv clerk or bank teller… i’m soo glad that obama won cause these ladies { and i use that term loosely} work my nerves and i refuse to support them and refuse to let bravo network push my ppl back 100 years… cause thats all white america think we can do sing, rap or play ball
Posted 18 Nov 2008 at 11:07 pm ¶
pittsburger wrote:
Where is the “C” in “Class”. Does this help our stereotype of how rich folks are snobs or how they perceive themselves as money gods. And what is wrong with Kim, I mean she takes a drag of her cancer stick and blows the smoke right in her daughter face in the one scene where they ask her to quit smoking. What kind of mother is that? Sharee is miserable and lonely, she know she wants her hubby back, DeShawn is too perfect..the NBA wife thing is true (snob)..who wears a gown to take cooking lessons ! please..don’t forget where you came from girlfriend…that money can be gone tomorrow..then who will fry ya chicken for you !
Posted 19 Nov 2008 at 4:33 pm ¶
Diva Muse wrote:
If this show had been about five Black women sipping tea with their pinkies sticking out and charity balls and cotillions and everybody speaking in hushed tones so as not to offend anyone, no one would have watched it. It would have lasted five minutes.
Black people would have said they were out of touch and forgot where they came from, and White people wouldn’t have found it believable.
People watch shows like this for the drama. Drama brings ratings. These girls may be nouveau riche, but they aren’t stupid, they want to be invited back for a second season. And the only thing that will get them there is ratings.
Having said that, Latoya, love the blog.
Posted 20 Nov 2008 at 2:38 am ¶
open your eyes wrote:
What I find most interesting about the coversation you’ve started here is the way class is playing out in the discussion about the show. In an effort to distance themselves from the show and the behavior they deem vulgar and seemingly below them, numerous people have responded with classist and blatantly offensive remarks about “poor people” and those who don’t come from “old money” or money in general. This is the real problem with our society…and clearly people who join organizations like Jack and Jill, and continue to breed such classism and divisions within the black community. I find it interesting that “old money” people are bothered by “new money” people claiming to be wealthy and would like the show only if “old money” wives were on it, as if it’s a relevant argument. Anyone else see the classism in this? I think a lot of people missed the point of your post…or just didn’t read it.
Posted 22 Nov 2008 at 9:21 pm ¶
martha wrote:
What a mess. Where did they get these women from? Lisa is great/ I like NeNe and her husband. I like Deshawn also. But that Sheree has got to go, she is a fake dog, never had anything until she married someone that has money. And Kim is a mess, take some of that hair off your head. And do not ley Shree drag you around, this womanm is trouble. Womken with money do not act out like this.
Posted 24 Nov 2008 at 9:25 am ¶
LC wrote:
It’s not anything near being Atlanta, most of the women live in Alpherretta! It is most defiantly not a true representation of what life is like around Buckhead or even the areas surrounding Atlanta. Most people living in Atlanta find it be an absolute embarrassment and an extremely false one at that
Posted 15 Dec 2008 at 6:30 pm ¶