The Problem with Sorority Sisters The recent backlash of VH1s Love and Hip Hop-esque portrayal of Black Greekdom is not one only Greeks feel. Sorority Sisters thrives off of fighting both in and outside color lines. It seems to toss in a bit of sisterly bonding as if it is nothing but a footnote, a palate cleanser before the next [insert letters here] showdown. As a non-Greek who has seen glimpses of the world of Divine Nine, the show feels more than disingenuous. Growing up with relatives who proudly wore the letters of organizations forged from the hands of great women, I saw a bevy of intelligent, distinguished and accomplished women dedicated to service, community and black excellence. During the holidays I saw pearls and pinks, and crimsons and creams, blues and golds all swirling together in unison. For the first time in this new era blaxploitation, something came close to home. It isnt because these women are catty or fighting or less than ideal representations of black Greek organizations, but the wide sweeping notion that our traditions as a culture are merely commodities. Its the creeping feeling that someone outside of the Greek world will hear your sororities name or see your signs and immediately place a label on you. They will not know your history or what you stand for. They will not know the hours of service or sisterhood you stand for. They will not know how many scholarships you have help fund. Where then should blame lie? In the creators for producing yet another new era blaxploitation show? In the women who went to the casting calls for perpetuating the stereotypes? Or am I to blame for aiding in the success of multiple shows like this one, that feed into the frenzy of black commodity. We cannot call for the end to Sorority Sisters, and allow Love and Hip Hop Hollywood to make it to season 3 in good conscious. All of these shows do us as black women, and black people, harm. We cannot continue to pick and choose which noose to wear because one rope looks a little bit longer. #sororitysisters #vh1
Posted on: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 09:10:02 +0000
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