Get Engaged - Reality TV Viewing Party Monday, April 6, 2015 4:30 P.M. -7:00 P.M. Leo Burnet 35 West Wacker Drive Chicago, Illinois Partnership with Viva Women, USA! AAF, and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated Panelist: Faye Fergerson – Co-CEO of Burrell Advertising Claudette Roper- Professor at Columbia College, Director of the Cosby and Donahue Shows Dorri McWhaters- CEO of YMCA at Metropolitan of Chicago Audience: Media Representatives, Local Sororities, Community Advocates, Students, Family, and Friends The audience and women on the panel shared their opinions about negative and positive views about reality shows. Audience Participation: The audience viewed and voted on six Reality TV Shows. Voting instructions consist of casting two votes per video. The audience decided if the reality shows were more Realistic or Stereotypical and Harmful or Helpful to viewers. A majority of reality shows were viewed as stereotypical and harmful than realistic and helpful. The shows reflected a lot of disrespect, negative behavior, dishonesty, and misconstrue toward people of color. Concern: People in our society believe that the negative behavior is acceptable therefore we are constantly supporting the negative images of people of color. Questions of Discussion: How do we seek funding to support positive reality TV shows? How can we have negative reality TV shows removed? What can we do to affect change? How can we build positive legacies for our families? What’s the Real truth behind negative reality shows? Challenge: How can we make a positive change? We talk about it, think about it, now, what are we going to do about it? Let our voices be heard and get engaged!
Get Engaged – Reality Television Viewing Party Chicago, Illinois Reflections Connie V. Pugh Director, State of Illinois Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated Xi Mu Zeta Chapter – Markham, Illinois The viewing parties and panel discussions are definitely needed as a platform to engage people of color on the (mis)representation of people of color on television. The discussions centered on the belief that the reality shows are in fact innocuous. Participating in the Chicago discussion and surveying the audience, it was my belief that most of the audience members were college-educated. They were adults, who in theory, would not find reality television appealing, educational, and/or thought-provoking. The missing piece and foundation to build upon as the panel discussions move from state to state revolve around bringing the pre-teens, teenagers, and young adults into the fold. It is paramount to engage the youth and connect with their thought process as many of the images that “we” viewed with repugnancy, is in fact, their reality - their light at the end of the tunnel. The question on everyone’s mind is “What happens after all of the discussions in the various markets?” The state of Illinois is commitment to change for discussion without action, both individually and collectively, is counterproductive. Perhaps, the steering team can consider reengaging the attendees after the viewings for additional feedback, next steps, and/or plans of action. Sandra Agnew Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated Xi Mu Zeta Chapter – Markham, Illinois Reality television has never been my reality as a sister and African - American woman who strives to display a positive image of what that represents. Attending this watch party provided me with an opportunity to converse with professional women who share that common concept. I learned that realities shared through media are often manipulated to raise ratings and revenue. The global stereotypical images presented through media in movies such as Love & Hip Hop, illustrated so simply are connected to preconceived notion about how African American women and youth are viewed and approached in society. I enjoyed participating in this watch party. As a middle school teacher, I feel obligated to engage in conversations I hear about shows such as Love & Hip Hop, venturing to ask my students, if they see themselves in these shows as helpful or hurtful to the images they want portrayed of themselves. I’m glad that venues like this exist to share and to provoke more radical thinking about negative media and how to display more culturally positive images on television. I also think it might be more advantageous if youth are included in the engage experience. Chamus Burnside-Savazzini Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated Alpha Alpha Sigma Zeta Chapter – Aurora, Illinois The #RealityTVCheck Watch Party was enlightening for me because it made me think about the huge opportunity I have as a mother and mentor to speak into the lives of so many girls and young
women around me. Hearing about how reality TV portrays black women and how some reality stars embarrass themselves simply for financial gain is disturbing. I say this because the general public sees this and can assume that ALL women of color act in that way. My encouragement came from hearing about communication organizations such as the Burrell Group, that specifically work towards portraying a positive image of African American in the media. I along with several other peers in the room felt like we should definitely have focused conversations with the youth and younger women that are in our sphere of influence. Not so much regarding the media discussion, but in regards to how they see themselves and how they should value who they are as individuals and respect themselves no matter how much money is involved. The 24 hours post-viewing, I had four conversations regarding my experience with family and friends and that is the first step in my opinion, starting to have conversations within our homes, communities and across cultural and racial lines. Changing perceptions is critical. Karen Franklin Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated Xi Mu Zeta Chapter – Markham, Illinois I felt the Reality TV Watch Party was very timely and informative. It was great to have a mix of students in college who are entering the industry and those that were working in the industry now to give real feedback on what goes on. I echoed some of the comments that mentioned that we should have had someone on the panel that fell within the age group that personally identified with and watched some of the shows that we felt were negatively relaying to the world, the “black perspective.” I feel this event should also be shown in high schools so that we can get a better understanding of why our young people feel that it is more important to be “famous” or make the quick dollar, than putting in real work, getting an education and pursuing your dreams that way. I also agree that we, as African American people, have several different stories to tell, however let’s tell them with a purpose. If your generation has grown up with low self-esteem, or been around abuse, then let’s direct you and the next generation on how to make a change for the better. Kristil Hayes Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated Xi Mu Zeta Chapter – Markham, Illinois The "Reality TV - Watch Party Chicago" event was a nice introduction to stimulating the conscious state of our women and our men about the image of colored women. Many of the reality shows aired on television really are the reality of many young women of color. This event is a step to get engaged about changing the image of colored women and how they are viewed on screen and off screen." Valerie Hollis Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated Tau Psi Zeta Chapter – Alsip, Illinois The reality TV forum was very insightful. Everyone basically agreed on which shows were harmless and stereotypes as well as realistic and helpful. I thought the opinion of many was great as far as how influential negative TV can be but sadly unanimous about how entertaining it is as well.
I think when trying to figure out how to encourage youths to watch more positive shows, as well as, motivate positive images comes from media coverage and what the media is willing to advertise and display. Being an example in our homes, churches and communities will aid in this journey as well. I would love to see a forum filled with young people from ages 10 to 20 just to get their opinion in regards to TV options. Jenea Smith Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated Alpha Alpha Sigma Zeta Chapter – Aurora, Illinois The Get Engaged #RealityTVCheck Watch Party in Chicago was an engaging, inspirational event that raised awareness around harmful images in reality television. The video excerpts sparked meaningful discussion around how to bring change and positivity to the African-American community. I thoroughly enjoyed the panel and audience discussion because of the diverse perspectives and shared experiences. This event influenced me in a number of ways. I left the event feeling energized and ready to share this topic with various youth groups. Furthermore, I feel it is important to provide adult mentorship to bring about a unified voice/movement in the African-American community. Carolyn C. Wadlington, Ed.D Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated Tau Psi Zeta Chapter – Alsip, Illinois I attend a very informative Reality TV Watch Party Forum. This forum was very insightful by showing several Reality TV Shows and asking the audience to participate in a discussion. The discussion was led by panel of women from the media and communication industry. There were four categories used to depict the audience’s view in regards to the type of Reality show that was being viewed at that time. The categories were Realistic, Stereotypical, Harmful and Helpful. The majority of the audience participants basically agreed on which TV show presented a Realistic, Stereotypical, Harmful and as well as Helpful view to the audience. I thought the opinions of many were insightful as far as how influential negative TV could be to the viewer, but sadly there was a unanimous feeling about how entertaining it could be as well. What concerns me as an Educator is some young children view and imitate the actresses and actors from the reality shows. When the reality is these shows were created to entertain. As we “Get Engaged” we should include the youth to get informed. We need to inform them, that this is TV and the producers are here to promote, entertain, and make money. Also, I believe if we continue to show them positive everyday images, such as adults working hard and earning what they receive. That image will then too become a reality. However, we do need to listen to them and hear their concerns and opinions. Ramona Walton Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated Alpha Alpha Sigma Zeta Chapter – Aurora, Illinois
The Get Engaged #Reality TV Check Watch Party in Chicago was awesome! This event helped me realized that I do not engage enough with my own family. This event has inspired me to have more family members to sit at my table. This is a great opportunity for me to encourage others whom I meet to get engaged and empower our community to promote the change we would like to see on a continuous basis. I also enjoyed hearing positive feedback on how we can be better at telling our own story through our own “lived experiences.” The panel and the audience really did a great job just creating a dialogue on this topic. It was a pleasure just to be in the room and listen in on the discussion. I personally do not watch any of those shows; however, it resonated with me, because I am raising an 11 year old who admires the spotlight. Therefore, when I returned home, I realized how much this event gave me a reality check on the diaspora of how social media have depicted people of color in Reality TV shows for years, but yet we do not talk about it among the people we love and see every day. With that being said, the next day, I was telling friends, family, and folks I did not know about the watch party event. My mission now is to continue with being an advocate for social change with the members I associate with whether it is friends, family members, members of my lovely sorority (Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated), etc. I also, feel that is important to share this information with younger youth. For example, my eleven year-old daughter’s favorite TV station is Disney. Hearing people share their stories made me realize that many times our youth may say they are watching varies TV shows for entertainment; however they then go into society and begin to imitate what they have seen on TV and make that their reality. Anna Ware Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated Tau Psi Zeta Chapter – Alsip, Illinois I found the focus group to be quite interesting. The reality show participant's motives were discussed that it came down to the desire to make money or notoriety. Personally, it was confirmed that all shows were scripted and edited to present a certain view. The various media representatives in the group added rich insights based on their work experiences.