Reality Television started out as an interesting genre that allowed cameras into the lives of celebrities, strangers, and even everyday families for entertainment. Sadly, this outlet has become known for its drama that includes nasty gossip, cat fights, and overall debauchery. Surprisingly it is not the men who run around acting like fools and thugs raised by animals, it’s the WOMEN! These negative portrayals are not only offensive and unappealing but they are also setting a terrible example for young women still trying to find their way.

There are four shows that continuously show these negative portrayals of women (specifically women of color):

1. Bad Girls Club, Oxygen
2. Mob Wives, VH1
3. Basketball Wives (both Miami and LA), VH1
4. Love & Hip Hop, VH1

Each of these series show grown women involved in petty arguments, degrading and slandering one another, and even attacking each other with physical violence! Some shows, like the Bad Girls Club, promote excessive drinking, promiscuity, and partying in between fights; in fact, this show has taken it so far that one young woman was jumped just because she wanted to leave the show! These programs are teaching our young women that a girl should be proud to wear the term “bitch” and they encourage the “mean girl” mentality by showcasing the drama and fights between women rather than encouraging supportive, nurturing relationships.

Violence between girls is now encouraged, evident by the large number of YouTube videos available that show young women fighting, and the outstanding number of views and comments these videos receive. These shows do nothing but encourage the notion that “bad girls” are the best – specifically since many of the most popular women on these shows are the ones that tend to keep up the most drama and are quick to turn to violence to solve them. Those who don’t involve themselves are given little to no camera time and are often removed from the series after one season. Simply put, the more likely you are to be the aggressor and strike someone – the more likely you will be stay on the show and become a reality star!

Reality television does not have the right to trash and tarnish our women for ratings! We are petitioning these stations to remove these shows off the air and replace them with shows that show positive relationships between women, regardless of social class, color, or financial abilities. Please sign this petition to ask the stations of VH1 and Oxygen to switch up their programming and include MORE programs that show women in positive light or don’t show them at all– specifically women of color! As long as we accept it, it will continue! YOU CAN make a difference, please sign and share and boycott these shows until a change comes!