Tell MTV: Zero tolerance for racism on reality TV
Sign the Petition
* denotes required fields
YOU WILL RECEIVE PERIODIC UPDATES FROM COLOROFCHANGE.ORG. YOU MAY UNSUBSCRIBE AT ANY TIME.
Tell MTV: Zero tolerance for racism on reality TV
On the most recent season of the Real World Jenna, a white cast member with a history of racist behavior, physically assualted Ceejai, a Black woman, and faced no consequences. The producers did nothing to prevent Jenna’s speech or actions prior to this incident, despite her record of racist and discriminatory behavior. Yet when Ceejai defended herself physically, both women were thrown off the show. MTV and other reality television producers must take accountability for placing Black people and other people of color in vulnerable positions, and then punishing them when they defend themselves. Often the same prejudiced and racist beliefs that cause conflict between reality tv stars are held by the producers and creators of these shows. This pattern of allowing hate speech and violence on reality television, often use as a plot twist or ratings booster and often focused at Black women, cannot be allowed to continue.
This is the letter that we’ll send on your behalf to the executive leadership of MTV, and it’s owner organization Viacom, telling them to create a zero tolerance policy when it comes to racist speech and violence on their reality TV shows:
Dear Mr. Herzog, Mr. Atkins, Mr. Flannigan, Mr. Klein, Ms. Dolgen, Ms. DeMarco, Ms. Frank, Ms. Leferve, Mr. English, Ms. Weir, Mr. Helms, Mr. Turley, and Mr. Jacobs,
Viewers like myself have long known MTV as an institution that embraces diversity, multiculturalism, and bridges divides between people through music. Often those ideals are reflected in the programming that plays on your channel. “White People”, a documentary exploring white privilege and identity in America, is one prominent and encouraging example. Another is the web series “Decoded”, which often grapples with difficult but vital conversations around race. Yet as long as MTV reality shows rely on racial stereotypes or racist behavior for ratings in other shows, these efforts will be undermined and ultimately useless.
Recently on ‘The Real World’, a white cast member was allowed to continuously voice racist and discriminatory statements against Black cast members and other cast members of color. When CeeJai, a Black woman on the show, stood up for herself the resulting conflict was posed as her fault and one where both parties were equally at fault. This is not the first time that such an incident has occurred on the Real World. It is a clear continuation of a pattern where reality shows deliberately recruit white cast members who demonstrate a willingness to make incendiary, racist statements at the expense of cast members of color. Even worse, the official response to many of these incidents is either apathetic inaction or punishment for the victims, creating a public portrayal of racism as a phenomenon where the oppressed are just as guilty as those doing the oppressing. This cannot continue.
At a time when hate crimes, racist rhetoric, and xenophobic beliefs are rising, it’s vital that institutions like MTV stand against them, in both words and actions.If MTV is truly dedicated to acting as a platform that advocates for a more equitable world, then ensuring that your programming aligns with those ideals must be the first step. Will you commit to instituting a zero tolerance policy towards racist speech and violence on your reality TV shows?
Sincerely,
[Your Name]