Recently VIBE MAGAZINE ran this cover. Now Im going to assume that this was done with a smidgen of sarcasm. Help me out here, but other than Kandi, which of these young women is actually “known” for something … I’ll wait. Oh yea Tamar and her SANGING.COM … I dont believe that you need talent or fame to be a role model but u do need to have a blueprint that can be followed as a path to life. Nobody’s Perfect but geez this is like saying follow anybody!
Lets see what the dictionary defines a role model: a person whose behavior, example, or success is or can be emulated by others, especially by younger people.
I will certainly agree that some of these women know how to make the most of an opportunity. Evelyn and her t-shirts, book, and what I personally view as a ill concieved opportunistic cleaving to Chad Ochocinco but a Role Model? I think thats a far stretch.. Especially based on the snippets of how we see her behaving on TV now. She started off one way, Mother & loyal friend and then went another but again we only see what producers want us to see, The Drama!
While I understand the strength in each of these women is a good thing. It is demonstrated at times in ways that arent good for young people to follow blindly. I can relate to every emotion shown in the reality shows but some of the women seem to only have emotion over one thing. The way Chrissy and Evelyn are often portrayed distraught or angry with other women because of things said about their significant other shows a weakness that many women use anger to cover up. Its a gray area in a pot of loyalty and jealousy thats easily stirred. Tamar is often shown as nothing more than a selfish adolescent girl who wants what Tamar wants no matter who else needs to get it done.
Kandi seems to be the only one close to “Role Model” persona as a professional, mother, and good daughter. Although her fetish for all things sex seems to be insatiable, she even turned that into money. She gets into drama as well but rarely seems to pick on others or start fights.
Simply using the term “role model” makes me think that you would put young girls in front of these four woman and be comfortable telling them that this is how they should behave, look, act, speak, carry themselves, interact with others, etc. And thats not something that I would say about all four of these women. They may not be horrible people, but I cant agree with the cover. I do however agree with the sarcasm in it all.
It seems that the reality stars of today have become Role Models to grown women who are insecure within themselves. They want to be these women and live these flashy “UN-Real Housewife Lives”. And for what? Because these women appear to live without worry. They care more about how they look than how they look. If you get my drift.
Appearance is more important than behavior and thats a terrible standard to set. I dont believe in being fake but I do believe in when you know better do better. We dont get to see how these women live everyday we mostly get a bird’s eye view into the drama and based on that I would say calling them “Role Models” is a bit much.
It really makes me wonder why this is becoming the predominant theme in television. Women fighting, arguing, and belittling each other. Is this really what the majority of people want to watch or is that what television executives want to show? Its not art imitating reality if Its supposed to be reality tv now is it?
I want my daughter to embrace herself not to chase what she sees on tv. But hey to each his own…
What do u think????
Wow! The women featured on the cover are role-models for young black girls as well as women in their 20s. I would not say that they are the ideal role-model however, they are just individuals who are popular now. The percentage of black women who are gaining fame currently are those who are the girlfriends of famous athletes or rappers, the ones who dance in videos and pose nude, or have slept with somebody who knows somebody. Reality television is to blame in my opinion with the majority of black women shown to be ruthless, unkind and bitchy. If you are not starting some kind of drama, then you will lose your spot in the series. The media presents series that cater to what the audience demands and it seems like we want to watch shows like Basketball Wives or The Real Housewives of Atlanta instead of something that has more substance. So of coarse, those women are not the ideal role-model, but who else will a young black girl or woman look up to if this is all she sees?
While these young women are most certainly popular I guess I take for granted that most people know better than to follow something just because its on tv.