These Are My New Role Models?

Vibe Magazine decided to showcase a few low grade Black reality t.v. stars on their most recent cover. This in itself, isn't very surprising nor would it require a scathing indictment against their editorial team. However, they unwisely chose to title the cover, "Meet Your New Role Models: Kandi, Tamar, Evelyn and Chrissy." And now, well, Houston we have a problem. Role Models? Say the word, let it swash around in your mouth let it penetrate your lips and reverberate up to your brain. I'm sure it was an out of body experience for you because it most certainly was for me. Role models and reality t.v. stars are inherently incompatible: words that should never be used in the same sentence. I wonder if the editors of Vibe Magazine have a working knowledge of the meaning of the word. Let's take a few step further and dissect all of this. The American Heritage New Dictionary of Cultural History define's role model as a person who serves as an example of the values, attitudes, and behaviors associated with a role. For example, a father is a role model for his sons. Role models can also be persons who distinguish themselves in such a way that others admire and or want to emulate. For example, a woman who becomes a successful brain surgeon or airline pilot can be described as a role model for other women. After a thorough review of their behavior on a few reality shows, none of these women qualify as role models. 

They all partake in the lowest form of televised entertainment (i.e. the bane of my existence more commonly, known as reality t.v.). These women often bait conflicts with their superficial and catty indictments against other women. "What is she wearing?" "Would you look at her busted weave?"  "Did you see the way that she looked at me?"  "I don't know who she thinks she is but, someone ought to bring her down a peg." "Bitch, this is my show!" And the infamous words heard all around the world, "That bitch is a non-mother fucking factor." These last few words were treasured so much that they are now sold on tee-shirts, sweat shirts and hats. On any one of their shows, you are liable to hear the most guttural and vulgar language punctuated by their screeches and screams across public spaces (i.e. restaurants, sporting events, galas and fundraising functions the camera crew often pans into the frighten White patrons albeit for the added effect). We all know that there is a righteous anger that exists and is evoked when we have been assaulted, mistreated or abused. However, any episode is an opportunity for these ladies to explode into an all out fight. They have all reverted to their inner mean girl, giving second life to the high school bully (that you thought that you had escaped) in some way or some fashion. They have taken of their earrings and shoes in preparation to fight. They have thrown any number of dangerous objects at their opponents er "co-stars" They have fought past well muscled security, they have leaped across tables, they have pushed, shoved, slapped and punched their way into the hearts of America. I feel unduly repulsed in even typing these words. We are taking part in an utter and complete Black cultural decline. Instead of speaking against the perpetuation of negative stereotypes about Black women, Vibe Magazine seeks to reinforce these images giving them yet, another platform desensitize and spew their latest form of ignorance.

Dear Stakeholders and Decision makers at Vibe Magazine,
 These women are the very antithesis to who I am, how I strive to live my life and serve my community. They are not role models. But, since it seems that you are stretching (very hard I might add) to find role models allow me to provide a well vetted list of women who are worth emulating in 2012. Feel free to make in roads of contact, and communication with any one of these lovely ladies. We, the strong, empowered, and  positive sister community, would love to see their faces plastered across your magazine covers (meaning more than one at more than one time). The list is as follows: Maya Angelou, Debbie Allen, Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Kathy Hughes, Debra Lee, Susan Rice, Alicia Keys, Kerry Washington, Zoe Saldana, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Jill Scott, Solange Knowles, Thelma Golden, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Tracy Ellis-Ross, Angela Bassett, Dr. Mae C. Jemison, Majora Carter, Edwidge Danticat, Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, Melissa Harris Perry, Condolezza Rice, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Angela Robinson, Anthea Butler, Sylvia Rhone, Fatima Robinson, Ursula Burns, Tracey Edmonds, Darnell Martin, Julie Dash, Kasi Simmons, Dream Hampton, Amanda Seales, Missy Elliot, Erykah Badu, MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, Lauryn Hill, Esperanza Spaulding, Janelle Monae, Isis, Sister Souljah. Please feel free to contact me directly, if you need more suitable candidates who would better fill the shoes of a role model then the four tragic reality stars that you unfortunately chose. 


XOXO,
Isis Phoenix