A Chicago-based radio show host said she is fed up with the negative portrayals and violent behavior of black women on reality television and has spoken out in an attempt to set a new standard for African American females everywhere.
Monique Caradine, from WVON 1690 AM, has issued a Black Women's Manifesto for 2012, feature nine points she believes will help women lead healthier lives in the new year, Blacknews.com reports. She said she was inspired by the behavior of black women on shows like "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" and "Basketball Wives."
"I like entertainment just like anyone else," she said in a press release. "But the toxic behavior that is so prevalent on the airwaves today is downright embarrassing and unacceptable."
Caradine spoke out specifically against reality stars like Atlanta housewives Nene Leakes and Sheree Whitfield, and Tami Roman of "Basketball Wives," as women who have leveraged their celebrity on their aggressive behavior, negatively affecting young women who watch these shows.
"When we see women on tv clowning and acting a damn fool we will confront them, call them to the carpet and lovingly correct them," she said while reading the manifesto on her show. "Nowadays, shaking our heads as we continue to watch this train wreck is not enough because these women are negatively influencing an entire generation."
Caradine's commentary comes at a time when primetime television is overrun with reality shows whose viewers are driven by the drama, that, oftentimes, culminates in some form of violence. Shows like VH1's "Basketball Wives" series and "Love and Hip Hop" have started off their seasons with outright brawls between the main characters.
Shaunie O'neal, creator of the hit show that follows the lives of women who have had relationships with professional athletes, admitted she was embarrassed by the show and forbids her own children from watching it.
But networks aren't complaining, as ratings continue to increase. According to the Hollywood Reporter, "The Real Housewives of Atlanta," season opener raked in 2.9 million total viewers for Bravo, the franchise's most-watched season premiere.
But Coradine didn't focus entirely on television. Her manifesto also touches on a number of other aspects affecting black women's lives from mental and physical health to promiscuity. Here's what she includes in her pledge:
1. We will strive for better health--mentally, physically and spiritually.
2. As mothers, we will put the BEST interest of our children FIRST.
3. We will absolutely NOT flirt with, lunch with, spend time with, share personal information with, engage in long conversation with, or have sex with another woman's husband.4. We will raise our standards and level of expectation when it comes to relationships.
5. We will vigorously protect our image in the media.6. We will create a multiple-streams-of-income lifestyle.
7. We will ONLY speak words that give life.8. We will lovingly forgive ourselves for bad decisions and stupid mistakes.
9. We will honor ourselves (and the God within us) everyday.
Read the Black Women's Manifesto for 2012 in it's entirety here.