Unless you have been hiding under a rock or are a transplant from another planet, you are most likely aware of the controversy surrounding the formerly, now recently cancelled proposed Oxygen network program “All My Baby Mamas.”
The so-called reality program (a genre that has frequently dabbled in the lowest common denominator) was to feature rapper Shawty Lo along with the 10 women and the 11 children he has fathered with them. And get this? Only two children have the same mother! Surrealism at its most cynical? Indeed! Yes! That’s right! Crazy?! Hell yes!
Not surprisingly, the outrage that emanated from various quarters was considerable. The Parents Television Council, referred to the proposed series as “grotesquely irresponsible and exploitive.” In addition, petitions, as well as other acts of protest were started by various groups and individuals who were greatly disturbed by the deeply perverse values the proposed show promoted.
Under increasing pressure and perhaps a latent moment of common sense and decency, the Oxygen Network came to its senses and pulled the Shawty Low series.
That being said, the larger question that arises from this issue is the continual pattern of wanton, arrogant and in some cases, downright hostile behavior that has been directed toward Black women. It is clear that the people who would have been exploited to the greatest degree by this circus were not the children or Shawty Lo, but rather, the so-called “baby mamas” all of whom are all Black females. For some reason, it seems that humiliating and degrading Black women is an ongoing activity and there never seems to be any cease fire on the horizon.
Another example of the continuing devaluation and marginalization of Black women was a post on a notorious blog that will go unnamed here that provided a forum for sexist, misogynistic men of all races to discuss ideas on how to most effectively expose their genitals to women with getting caught or prosecuted. I first became aware of this appalling website in 2011 when a number of fellow Black writers from News One, The Root, Your Black World and other related sites brought attention it. In mid 2011, the website encouraged its members and followers to make a special effort to target Black women and other women of color. Their reason for doing so was that they felt “there would potentially be less consequences” for doing so. Upon hearing this, my reaction was like “what is this?”
Why do these men think that it is acceptable to engage in such callous and disrespectful behavior toward Black women? I would argue that much of this attitude has to do with history. Historically speaking, men of all races have realized that they have been allowed a free sexual license to objectify, terrorize, sexually violate and demonize Black women, regardless of age, with impunity.
