Essay blasting reality shows’ portrayal of black Atlantans goes viral
Metro Atlanta native Kelly Smith Beaty, herself a former reality show personality, has gone viral with a sharply worded essay skewering how reality shows set in Atlanta portray African Americans.
The piece, titled “Will the Real Black People of Atlanta Please Stand Up?,” has claimed prime real estate on the Huffington Post site. It’s been “liked” more than 4,000 times on Facebook and generated hundreds of comments on Twitter and under the post itself.
An excerpt:
“How is it that a city which was once the crowning jewel in the story of black America has allowed itself to be positioned as the melting pot of black affliction? The Atlanta that I knew and grew up in was one of great pride and self-respect. Our achievements were known across the globe, as people from far and wide would often respond, ‘Wow, I hear that black people are really doing their thing down there,’ when I would tell them I’m from Atlanta. Today that assertion is often met with, ‘Yoooo….I hear Atlanta’s got them bangin’ strip clubs.’…Really?!?”
Without naming shows, she makes thinly veiled references to “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” and “Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta.”
“If you’d like to make a reality show about prominent housewives, I’d suggest doing a retrospective on the wife of Alonzo Herndon – a former slave turned businessman who went on to found the Atlanta Life Insurance Company, became the city’s largest black property owner by 1900, and made history as Atlanta’s first black millionaire,” Beaty wrote. “His first wife’s name was Adrienne Herndon and she was a teacher at Atlanta University.”
She also suggested a reality show called “Love and Hard Hats,” noting that “Herman J. Russell successfully built one of the nation’s most profitable minority-owned business empires whose construction and real estate projects include the famed Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the Georgia Dome, Phillips Arena, and Turner Field.”
Lovette Russell would love to meet Kelly Beaty. Photo credit: Jim Fitts
Beaty noted that “Lovette Twyman Russell, wife of the company’s current CEO, Michael Russell, is stylish, sassy, and savvy. I’ve never met her, but I’d bet she’s brimming with reality-worthy one-liners and sound bites.”
Russell told us that she started getting emails about the piece yesterday and had a chance to read it last night.
“Ms. Beaty sharply articulates the way most black Atlantans feel about how these reality shows portray us,” Russell said. “I was incredibly flattered by her remarks but even more impressed that she swiftly put pen to paper after watching such a degrading show. I would LOVE to meet her!”
In 2010, Beaty landed a spot on “The Apprentice.” (Here’s a link to an article my colleague Rodney Ho wrote about her at the time). Although she didn’t win, she said Donald Trump’s business oriented reality show was a good experience.
“Having been on ‘The Apprentice’ makes me interesting to some people so I get to have conversations that I may not have been able to before,” Beaty told the AJC. “I’m thankful for that. My life’s goal was never to be famous, but to be impactful, and slowly that is beginning to happen.”
A Spelman College alumnae who grew up in Fayetteville, Beaty now lives in New York and is vice president for marketing and communications for Dress for Success Worldwide, which provides professional attire and career help to disadvantaged women. She had no idea the response her piece would generate.
“At first it was mostly Atlantans saying, ‘Thank you for standing up for us.’ Now people who don’t even live in Atlanta are reaching out to me,” Beaty told us. “I’m definitely surprised by the response but I was literally just writing my frustrations. Apparently many people agree. Most people value decency, integrity, and pride and I think those who do, based on the responses, are ready to be heard.”
She wrote the piece after being fed up with how reality television portrays her hometown.
“People believe what they see on TV so to put Atlanta’s name on (such shows) is an affront to our city,” she said. “I don’t know what the laws are about usage of Atlanta’s name, but that should be illegal. It’s defamation.”
Beaty said she is working to relaunch a New York-based organization called Black Women for Black Girls, and keeps in touch with friends from home, including the head of an organization called Living Water for Girls, which serves girls who have been sexually abused or exploited.
“Much in this world that needs to changed so many causes that need to be championed,” Beaty said. “It’s a great privilege to help move what matters to me.”
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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
445 comments Add your comment
Truth Hurts
June 22nd, 2012
11:19 am
Hey Pat Buchanan here is my snapshot of Atlanta you live in Gwinett yes your home is higer than 60,000 it is 60,001 and you have a rebel flag and a Universty of Georgia flag flying beer cans and soiled diapers all over the yard because we all know you guys allow your kids to stay in diapers too long and speaking of stench I love the way your hair smells like dog when it’s wet (sarcasm)yes we do own I Phones but why would you that technology is a little more than you can handle stick to what you know whistling and yelling out the window and why lease a Benz just keep repairing your Ford (Found on road dead) Also you guys always seem to find that loving wife that overlooks that nasty little habit you have of messing with little boys and girls and yes you belive Elvis is alive and Rush wasn’t doctor shopping that is my snapshot
Talktome
June 22nd, 2012
11:19 am
Stop tripping. This show does not represent Black people. They are just making money like the rest of the reality show people. Black people think every show has to represent them. It’s called television. It’s fake….grow up.
DJ
June 22nd, 2012
11:20 am
I was born and raised in ATL. The best thing I ever did was move away 2 years ago. Aside from everything else said, the traffic is bordeline insanity with 1hr and 2 hr commutes being the norm. I now work 3 miles from work in VA. Yea Me!
Vote For Obama Because He's Black
June 22nd, 2012
11:21 am
African americans are born on the African continent.they are Kenyans,Nigerians,Ethiopians…etc.They come to this country,get an education,work hard,have sound morals. They do not associate with black Americans. They do not live in SW,Lithonia,Clayton county. They live in Cherokee,N.Fulton,Forsyth,Kennesaw.
They look down on black Americans,are ashamed of them,would probaby like to spit on them.
Go to the Dekalb Farmers Market,deal with them,they are the most polite,soft spoken,culture of people you may ever deal with,happy too.
It’s not the color of skin,it’s the silly,violent,whacked out,disfunctional culture that black Americans are attracted to.
Just plain ignorant.
Vol.
June 22nd, 2012
11:23 am
I am not African American, but I have worked with plenty of these kids in elementary schools in South Fulton and East Point and I can tell you firsthand that these kids do not wish to be doctors, lawyers, or teachers… they wish to become rap stars and athletes. They glorify the “gangsta” culture, threaten each other with violence and have no sense of consequences or… reality. That is the truth… and to whine that some reality show is making this community look bad is naive. Dig in deep and see what is really going on… it is scary.
Get Real
June 22nd, 2012
11:24 am
Don’t all the reality shows potray the participants in a “not so favorable light” regardless of where they are based? Why is this such a surprise to everyone?
Bob
June 22nd, 2012
11:24 am
If your tv market audience is made up of brain dead fools then you market your program to brain dead fools. We have programs that show the herndons of the world, they are on the History channel and CNBC. The people that watch the History channel are not the people that watch brain dead reality shows. I would suggest to Kelly Smith Beatty that she produce her own show and see what market share a show about Herndons wife would deliver.
govtraped
June 22nd, 2012
11:25 am
B[+@# Please!! Sh!++ing where I eat, starts now! I don’t know what atlanta you live and thrive in but I live in the one where the rumors of EVIL REIGN true. These shows are showing the real atlanta on a higher level of class than it really is that’s all. There are so many “HATERS” here in HATERSVILLE” or “crabs in a barrel” here it’s utterly ridiculous. They actually have people here who LITERALLY have nothing else better to do than to harass and stalk people to get us to a point of mean or evil like them. They EXCUSE these CRIMINAL acts by calling it a “POLICE STATE”!!! Youtube my videos of their sickness. Type in: govtraped
PMC
June 22nd, 2012
11:25 am
she’s absolutely right about he portrayals, it’s just that Bravo is selling commercials, and American’s LOVE watching trashy idiots.
Debdoes
June 22nd, 2012
11:26 am
She is young. Back in the 80s people talked about the strip clubs in Atl which is the very reason the Convention business was so strong back then! its not a new matra because of the reality show…its an old facet brought back to life! When the Cosby Show was on the great black universities in town were highlighted…back then. Also, jazz use to be a big deal here but that too appears to be long gone.
The author sees and focuses on one element not the entire picture…if she did perhaps she would have talked about all the movies being made or the rising crime. Is crime a factor of reality tv? I dont think so. Way to go getting some media attention.
Ronnie 62
June 22nd, 2012
11:26 am
@Sara-I remember an article in the AJC about 10 years ago regarding bankruptcy. It was based on a white couple in Alpharetta. They went through bankruptcy 2x and had remodeled their home, she had plastic surgery, luxury cars etc…So, it’s not only people of color who act this way.This was one of the main reasons why the bankruptcy laws have changed.I made the following statement because all people do this crap. You have stupid shows like Swamp people, Rednecks in the Hamptons, Hoarders,American Gypsy wedding…This crap comes in all forms!
RAMZAD
June 22nd, 2012
11:27 am
It never fails to amuse me how black people tries to draw distinction between what the media says they are and what they give to the media to tell people they are.
We are the face of street crime, the face of the ignoramus high school drop out male with a 9mm handgun, the face of bump and grind half naked women on club posters, liquor commercials, and music videos, the face of sleazy sex-fotainment TV, the face of government hand outs, (deserved or not) the face local political malfeasance.
Those blacks who have “made it” and now believe that black people ought to act right or the media ought to act right and not embarrass them and the culture of their accomplishments are just not playing with a full deck. The fact is that only a few ants have made it across the divide. The colony at large is washing in cultural toxicity.
Mocha
June 22nd, 2012
11:32 am
fyi – when folks say “Atlanta” please kno that Atl is all of 20 minutes wide so when folks say “Atl” it mostly includes many surrounding cities (Marietta, Athens, Stone Mountain, Lithonia, Decatur etc.
I am a Native Chicagoan but I left Chi when the violence became 2 much for me after I had my daughter in ‘94. Yes, I 2 ran 2 Milwaukee, WI & spent 10+ years dealing w/the racism & the “Cheeseheads” of WI. I was traveling through Atlanta visiting friends and the beauty & colors simply overwhelmed me. I say colors because I found ALL SHADES OF COLOR in the peoples of Atlanta no matter what “side of the tracks” you’re on! The other day, a guy walked past me who I just knew had to be a skinhead, i tensed up & i grabbed my purse closer as he approached and the guy said “Good morning! How are you today!?” and gave me the most beautiful smile. I had to check myself then on my own incorrect “perceptions” of people I find in Atl.
Saying Atlanta has “some of the worst of the worst.” I would agree. BUT so does, Chicago, Jamaica, Canada & London. People saying “they flock here and destroy our city” I would agree. But also MANY of us flock here and LOVE & treat Atl as if it were our “hometown” as well. Everyday I ride the MARTA and soak in the beauty of the landscape & architecture, the scenery of the cities I pass from Stone Mountain to Sandy Springs and still, EVERYDAY I get that feeling of just how Awesome ATL is as I did that very first day I was just “passing through” and decided this would be my next “hometown”.
I resent anyone who say’s its “our fault” the city is so ran down. ALL society’s go through change for better or worse. I resent anyone who says “this is reality” because even though IT IS, IT IS NOT THE ONLY REALITY OF LIFE IN ATLANTA.
Like or not, all stereotypes are based in some form of reality. Human nature dictates one must SEE before we can adopt a response. I believe the nature of the essay begs us all to SEE & DO BETTER.
& to my fellow African-Americans there IS a double standard WE must acknowledge & deal with in Order to DO BETTER AMONGST/FOR OURSELVES. We do find it “racist” when there are “white pride” organizations but happily attend our “Black is Beautiful” events. We get upset when “they” call sister’s “Trash” but no one can tell me in private, we 2 dont look down our nose at the “hood folk.” Fact is Fact. We must either get past the color divide or accept that in 2012 society IS diverse. I blame the terms “black/African American” my skin is brown & my parents are not from Africa. I can claim 1/100th Indian just like 1/100th African. I also blame the term “white” as white is the background of this page & I’m sure most “whites” can lay claim to a better ancestry term i.e. Irish, Polish, Italian.
sorry for venting, but racism is getting pretty outdated on both ends of the spectrum.
Will
June 22nd, 2012
11:33 am
I was really disappointed in how Kim and Kroy treated their moms at the wedding. Im sorry, but I was raised right – I don’t care how fancy your house is or how many rug-rats are sleeping YOU LET YO MOMMA DO WHATEVER SHE WANTS TO DO!!! Kim and Kroy, you really showed how shallow you are……………
Let's be clear
June 22nd, 2012
11:36 am
As an Atlantan born and raised, I can say that this is definitely a true portrayal of what’s going on in Atlanta. The city is overfilled with homosexuals and down low men that women will do whatever to keep and hold onto a man. Additionally there is like 40 strip clubs in the metro Atlanta area…The culture runs deep and regular hardworking women have to compete with plain whores. In our parents generation the men used to cheat on their “wholesome” wives for the “whore” Nowadays these men will leave the “nice girl” and marry the whore. I hate that we are depicting “truth/perception” on reality tv to corrupt another part of the world that isn’t dominated by strip clubs, drugs, hip hop & broke rich people.
Sam
June 22nd, 2012
11:36 am
ATL is a stank-hole. Dumb, lazy, violent, and entitled. Calling it the next Detroit is a real insult to Detroit.
Michael
June 22nd, 2012
11:39 am
I don’t watch these shows, so I don’t know how folks are portrayed on them. Unfortunately, the article doesn’t explain it, either.
jules
June 22nd, 2012
11:40 am
I have long said RHOA does NOT represent real, genuine housewives, or the women of Atlanta. The women on that show are brass, brawdy, tacky, and have NO class. They don’t represent Southern women of any color (except those like them). Unfortunately people of class, with manners, dignity, and style don’t make good reality shows. There’s no [$$$] profit in true Southern gentility.
I think Natasha nailed it…We can tell you are not home grown” because your tasteless, uncouth behavior isn’t part of the fertilizer. NeNe Leakes is a shame to her gender, her race, and people of the South. Don’t even let me get started on Kim. LOL, I don’t even watch the show and I know these women’s names.
Now, RHONJ…that’s another story all together.
marcus
June 22nd, 2012
11:42 am
it’s about time someone spoke up against this trash. the sisters on this show are pitiful. the two people who should be above this garbage are the former model and attorney. the model is a wreck and the attorney is married to a former drug dealer. great role models! spelman and atlanta university are brimming over with talented sisters; educators, administrators, etc. the big boned woman looks like a horse, but she thinks she’s fine. walk down marietta street or on spelman, au’s campus, there you will find “fine.” what is the standard now for attractive, interesting sisters? women who spend more money on clothes, jewelry and cars tha some of the people who live in this city earn in a year’s time. the record producer belittles herself. but like they say, “bad pub is better than no pub.” have the women of this show do a sit down with the sisters from spelman, au, gsu and any other local school, televise it! so they can see themselves for what they are and portray.
lost in windy
June 22nd, 2012
11:43 am
Someone with the moniker KDAWG tells you all you need to know. She is probably trying to audition for a part on the Real Housewives. As a former resident of Atlanta on my return visits I have noticed one thing. While the skyline of the city continues to rise to the heaven, the class of some of the residents continues to sink to all time lows. For every Tyler Perry that tries to bring and element of dignity to the city (and I am not a big fan of his) you have trash like the Real Housewives bringing the city down. Additionally, there is a large faction of the city that watches these trashy women (I use that term loosely like they are) and endorse this. The solution to overcome the negative image of this city has to start in the city itself. Someone like KDAWG, who more than likely will always be a minimum wage employee, embraces this lifestyle and will not be a positive member in the community. Atlanta (and that’s the name of the city not the ATL) is an international city with tremendous potential. Make an effort to exploit that side of the city. A mecca for African Americans to realize their possibilities in a positive light. The city has overcome its image of the 60’s and now it a place where both Whites and Black work in harmony to make this the gateway of the South. This is now a place where Hispanic and Asians can call home, where as little as fifteen years ago they were found the transition to Atlanta difficult. As for KDAWG, you are entitled to your view, no matter how ingnorant they may be.
Vote For Obama Because He's Black
June 22nd, 2012
11:49 am
If it were so cool to be black,then why aren’t African immigrants joining the NACCP ? Supporting Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson ? Attending Ebenezer Baptist Church,New Life,Creflo Dollar Minisrties ? How come you don’t see 4 Ethiopian guys standing on a corner in Clarkston with white T’s on,sagging pants,dreads,wearing grills selling crack ?
Len Griffin
June 22nd, 2012
11:49 am
Please people….it’s a reality show, which means, it’s not reality. Professional wrestling is not professional, people just watch for the costumes and antics. Rule of thumb….if you don’t like something….don’t watch it.
Lexie
June 22nd, 2012
11:50 am
I find it interesting that Ms.Beaty is just worried JUST worried about how Atlanta is being depicted as opposed to how Black women are being portrayed. In most of these shows if not all we have been cast as money grubbing, back-stabbing, loud & confrontational. Perhaps the outrage should be pressed upon these one sided depictions as opposed to just he city of Atlanta.
Kim blow
June 22nd, 2012
11:58 am
I’m happy someone finally said what we all have been thinking. I happened to land on Love and Hip Hop after watching Behind the Music and what I saw was unbelievable! I was so shocked I had to rewind and ask my husband to confirm that I wasn’t dreaming this. It seems some are willing to do anything for “fame” or a few bucks. The rappers Mother should have her scenes cut from the series. There is no excuse for this type of trash to be on TV. I must admit I have been a party to tuning in to some reality shows just to see the train wreck, but this was so beyond… Lady’s and Gents, please stop and think about the lasting image that you are putting out to the world. Is it worth it?????
Real DJ
June 22nd, 2012
11:58 am
Bravo, Ms. Beaty.
Bfellows
June 22nd, 2012
12:08 pm
What a pathetic paper. This is not front page news. Go report on something worthwhile.
Essay Trashing Reality Shows' Depiction of Atlanta Goes Viral | Kulture Kritic | Kulture Kritic
June 22nd, 2012
12:08 pm
[...] the point Atlanta native Kelly Smith Beaty was trying to get across when she wrote the essay, “Will the Real Black People of Atlanta Please Stand Up?’ , which has since gone viral.Lovette Russell – A Real Atlanta HousewifeIn the essay, Beaty [...]
sircharles
June 22nd, 2012
12:11 pm
Come with me around Atlanta……let me take you on a tour. We have some beautiful Africian-American Women, they work in various positions, they go to many of the Mega-Churches, however, given their other side, they hang out among whites where they themselve have tried to mark them. They go the places where you think they should be going in the africian american communities, they play two games, they pertend to whom they are not. I seen this over and over again. Watch how they dress, wear their hair and put on their daily makeup. Many of them want to be white. So whatever it is reality shows or program, many of our sisters we called them are leaping over more than we might think. Oh, one more thing, when you venture out among all of our “so called” high class sisters here in Atlanta, when they see a black man coming towar them, they mover and change their handbag on the other shoulder just like the white women do. So what we think we see of our black women, my brothers, it is not what we really see!
Kris Humphries Kardashian
June 22nd, 2012
12:11 pm
well, I’ve been in Atlanta for years and it somehow slowly evolved into a flashy place for African Americans, blacks, etc. Now that there are reality shows, it’s magnified, but obviously not for good reasons. I’m positioning myself on relocating to another state because I’m over Atlanta period and looking fwd to a new start and branching out. My entire family relocated here over the years.
It’s not really a generation thing because you have young and old alike acting the monkey on tv. Come on now; do you REALLY act like that in your every day life? Do you really spend your days attending events at night and shopping during the day? I’m sure every major city has a clusterphuck of wannabees and negroidian behavior though. A lot of blacks have gotten away from the idea of heritage and grand history, settling for hustler mentalities and gettin’ it in or gettin’ theirs. Negroidian ideas and mindsets begets negroidian behavior.
I dont have or want any part of the social scene here. Imagine a place where everyone’s boasting about who has the highest bills (u didn’t think all that s*** was paid for did you) and out of wack priorities. I never got black folks running to any place or state anyways. Hell, no matter where you move u have to work hard. I’d move to a large metropolitan city because of opportunities and options, not because it’s this or that for black people. crazy.
raja
June 22nd, 2012
12:12 pm
Reality show in Atlanta represent what we have become. Fake Wannabes from other cities have move to Atlanta in droves. They have bad attitudes and think they’re better than everyone
RHWOA Kandi is the only one from Atlanta and the most successful. Phadrea and Nene are from Athens.
So many blacks move here thinking its easier to make it. Back in the 80’s and 90’s my relatives from up north would ask me how all these people get their homes and cars. They where so impress with that but for me it was normal.
We useto attractive blacks who wanted to get an education (Spelman & Morehouse) but now we get wannabe rappers and hoochies.
Roadrunner
June 22nd, 2012
12:13 pm
Asking for the makers of a ‘reality show’ to put their main characters in a positive life is more than just a little naive. Has Ms. Smith Beaty ever watched any besides the ones she complains about. ALL of them are about people acting like morons and for the most part for other morons to watch. I understand her concern, but this genre of TV shows is an equal opportunity abuser. People watch these shows because they are so outrageous not because they put a particular sub-group in a good light.
Michael
June 22nd, 2012
12:13 pm
I agree with her, but our real voice would be in not watching the show, so it can go off the air.
Living Well in 2012
June 22nd, 2012
12:14 pm
See previous AJC article (as also discussed on CNN HLN): “TV portrayals bad for black women” http://www.ajc.com/opinion/tv-portrayals-bad-for-926082.html
Notapart
June 22nd, 2012
12:14 pm
The reason no ones sees the contributions of black people and white that makes this city great is because they have too much class to be part of that trash. I’m sorry if you don’t like it don’t watch and hopefully this kind of trash will finally go off the air.
Alan
June 22nd, 2012
12:16 pm
The ajc would rather have this garbage as front page news instead of what should be: The Eric Holder/Hussein Obama/Fast & Furious cover up. I wonder why the ajc has still NOT reported anything on it. Something tells me they want to hide the truth from the American people, just like this socialist administration. Just watch msnbc and cnn edit quotes and tapes to cover for Hussein since he’s their candidate. The ajc is the same.
Public School Teacher
June 22nd, 2012
12:17 pm
I am so glad to read this article! I have been so disturbed by this show and how these “Housewives” portray the black women of Atlanta. I believe that the other “Housewives” and reality shows reflect poorly on all women (example” Snookie), and that is worthy of having a discussion, but since I live in Atlanta, I am especially concerned about how poorly the Atlanta show reflects on the black women of Atlanta. I realize that this show finds such “Housewives” only for the shock value because I personally know so many successful, intelligent black women who do not show such ridiculous behaviors. I also realize that most people can watch this show for the entertainment value and not mimic the actions and values shown by the people in the show. However, do not kid yourself; there are so many young black girls who look to these “Housewives” and reality show actors as role models for how to be successful in the real world. They do not realize that these behaviors will not lead to success for most people, whatever your skin color. I teach in public schools and am appalled every day at the disrespectful and anatagonistic behaviors of so many young girls. They seem to be so angry and it is as if they cannot take any small amount of constructive criticism without an inappropriate response because they see the “in your face” actions of women on TV. And they so often settle their problems with each other by physical and verbal fighting. It is so sad and upsetting to me to see these actions because that is just not how the real world works. Unless you have a special skill or are very talented, (and most people are not) a boss will fire you in a minute for such disrespectul, angry attitudes. And in this job market, there are plenty of people who will gladly take that job! I wrote about my concerns in this very blog about a year ago, and I was blasted by so many writers as a racist teacher. And I know that I will get many responses today accusing me of being racist and that is just not true. I also hate how some people assume all white southerners are ignorant, confederate flag-flying, racists and there are plenty of those sterotypes and examples shown on TV. I just hope people will listen to Ms. Beaty and Mrs. Russell. It is so sad that our society pays more attention to the “Housewives” and other negative reality shows than it does to success stories.
#1 Foxy Lady
June 22nd, 2012
12:18 pm
RWHOA lowers the already low decorum of our community. It’s in-your-face rude and aggressive – and relentless – even while in your car. It’s an embarrassment. The show should be sued for slander – but you can sue for slander if it is true.
But the show makers don’t play favorites. Jersey Shore is the Italian equivalent of RHWOA.
woodrow
June 22nd, 2012
12:21 pm
I must admit the black culture here is really bad. I have never watched these reality shows but if they resemble the real culture here, God help us. Take a serious look at the rap culture for example, at what they act like, and what they are saying, and even how they dress. They create a ridiculous image of black America. I’m embarrassed for black people. There is no dignity left. If you act a fool, it is going to be remembered before anything else.
Sam
June 22nd, 2012
12:21 pm
YOU brought ‘em here in the first place, Georgia. Can you say Karma?
BC
June 22nd, 2012
12:23 pm
This girl doesn’t even live in Atlanta. By her own article she has no plans to. She knocks a reality show when the only reason she has the opportunity to write this article is because she was on a reality show that portrays the same drivel. She claims to be a media expert but doesn’t know the difference in a documentary and reality tv. To top it off her solution is to trample free speech and make it illegal to use the word Atlanta.
What an unintelligent, hypocritical article. She may of been trying to make a good point, but fails miserably.
Does Charlize Theron count?
June 22nd, 2012
12:25 pm
Who are all these Africans that people keep referring to?
William
June 22nd, 2012
12:27 pm
I echoe Mrs. Smith Beaty’s comments. When my wife and I moved here 15 years ago, I was proud of the fact that Atlanta had African-American bank presidents, Head/Executive level tennis and golf professionals, black owned restaurants in abundance. Everyone had a sense of pride about themselves in Atlanta. The “Grady Baby’s” were especially significant in keeping Atlanta viable and special. The AU Center was robust and vibrant with scholarship at its’ forefront. What happened? Not just “Reality” shows, but a nation wide frenzy for self promotion. As old journalist used to say; “If it bleeds, it leads.” Thank you Kelly for “Keeping it really Real”. That could be the title of your show based her in Atlanta. “Really Real” with Kelly.
Fortunate1269
June 22nd, 2012
12:28 pm
After reading about 20 comments…I achieved my dose of reality and entertainment for the day!
RA
June 22nd, 2012
12:28 pm
If polygamy is ever allowed in this country, I’m marrying her!
Jephinna
June 22nd, 2012
12:29 pm
Ms. Beaty, I would like to see more T.V. programs with more positive black women,
that have mentored and lifted others. I’m ready to leave the east coast.
Put the blame on something, instead of getting back to the grass roots, that is the community services.
A lot of people are acting and playing reel-ity. Don’t talk about it, be about it.
Burroughston Broch
June 22nd, 2012
12:29 pm
Reality TV is marketed toward the bottom layers of society and the shows follow the marketing. If the network upscaled the marketing, their ratings and profits would go down. It’s exactly the same for belching contests and monster tractor pulls.
not telling
June 22nd, 2012
12:29 pm
APS, Dekalb, Clayton schools. South Atlanta crime. Nothing more covers it all.
g
June 22nd, 2012
12:36 pm
dont get mad when the 3rd person perspective shows you how ignorant you are and how stupid you look, now go buy another quad x t shirt and some jeans 4 sizes too big so you can continue to look like you wear hand me downs
Have You Been to Lenox Lately
June 22nd, 2012
12:37 pm
I applaud Beaty’s efforts and would like to see more decorum on television. However, I would like to see more decorum within Atlanta as well.
I do not like Lenox Mall, but due to the closure of Bloomingdales at Perimeter, went to Lenox to shop at the remaining Atlanta area Bloomingdales. It is a circus. There are live beings there that appear to humans of the female persuasion who have hair of the Asian human tribes glued to their faces, tattoos on nearly all exposed skin, and piercings all over their faces. I was disgusted and amused that a new species seems to have integrated rather seamlessly. I say this because I seemed to be one of perhaps two human beings in the mall and the only human who seemed appalled or threatened by these other beings.
Are we undergoing a devolution?
TRUEATL
June 22nd, 2012
12:38 pm
When will we get off the dream that Atlanta is a black person paradise. First question how much success or strides have black people made since folks mentioned in the article. Look at Auburn Ave the birthplace of MLK should be the black wall street that welcomes all people of all races. Most Millionares of color were created through politics during Maynard Jackson. Most succesful black people in Atlanta moved from somewhere else to live in Atlanta because it was cheaper cost of living. Larry blackman from Cameo started the movement and then he moved back up North. We have athletes, musicians, rappers but who else has made it that is black in Atlanta outside of those circles. look at the government agencies the jobs you can hardly find a black person in the upper levels. I can name ten companies that do not have any executive positions in which blacks have been appointed. Our schools Morris brown Clark are not finacially secure. So pls get off the hype and myth about Atlanta is all that for people of color. Check the jails and hospitals you will weep for people of color weep.