Love and Hip Hop? More like Love and Deception. I have never
seen a show that could be so misleading and can deteriorate the image of Black
women and relationships. Instead of focusing on the women’s quest for love and success
in the hip hop industry, it places emphasis on misogynistic relationships
between the characters. This can lead to the main storyline of male superiority
and mistreatment of women in the Black community, which creates the issue of
individuals thinking that this behavior is appropriate. Additionally
individuals, who are not familiar with this Black community, may consider these
actions the norm, which can lead to an inaccurate interpretation of this
culture. This is not okay because these acts on the show are only promoting the
stereotypes of individuals in the Black community. Ultimately, this is
conveying a message that men have a power over women in relationships because
of their needs of them to fulfill their desires of family and love
Mimi & Stevie J
This bribe shows Mimi as being incapable of handling her man’s
infidelity. It is apparent that she is not content with this relationship and
is only staying with him because of his potential of being a family man for
their daughter. Even though Stevie J does have the financial attributes of a
good father, a viewer can obviously tell that he is not ready for this
responsibility. Unfortunately, Mimi does not see this and want to cross
business with love to cope with Stevie J’s cheating. This is an issue because
it is not solving the unfaithfulness of Stevie J nor the family environment she
craves for her daughter. It is nothing wrong with Mimi wanted a two parent
family, until it interferes with her judgment of her baby father, Stevie J.
This is ultimately hindering the image of Mimi as being passive and submissive
because of her clouded image of Stevie J being fully invested partner. In the
article, 3 Financial Lessons From Love
And Hip Hop Atlanta, the author says that “staying with a man for money is
never a good idea and doesn’t bring the fulfillment that deep abiding love for
one’s self will”. Mimi needs to realize this and be empowered to start a family
on her own, so she does not have to be subjected to the treatment that she
receives from Stevie J.
Furthermore, this is not just a relationship that is
exclusively held between Mimi and Stevie J. The side piece, Jocelyn, is a part
of this relationship as well, and is essential in understanding the
relationship politics of this long-term partnership. Even though she is the
business partner of Stevie J, it is still a fine line that should not be
crossed to attain fame. Unfortunately, this line was crossed when she enters
into a sexual relationship with a taken man to increase the hype of her image
and career. I believe there is nothing wrong with seeking companionship to meet
social needs until it crosses this line of respectability in monogamous relationship.
Jocelyn knew that Stevie J was in a relationship, but ignored this fact, and
defiled not only her image but the image of Black women in the community. Jocelyn’s
acts are only feeding into stereotypes of black women being objects to men and
highly sexualized to get advancements in their careers, no matter if it
destroys a potential family. Moreover, it is creating subliminal
generalizations that are showing unhealthy relationships between women as well
as heterosexual relationships for airplay. This is unfair because these
relationships are extreme and highly negative, which is only amplifying the
stereotypes and misjudgments of an already misrepresented community. It is not
needed in giving the ideas that women
like Jocelyn or Mimi must face turmoil in reaching their humble desires, while
a man like Stevie J becomes unscarred by these actions.
So why does Stevie J get away with making
both of these women look like fools on national TV? It is because of society’s
ideals of masculinity. Schultz states that “According to the prevailing
cultural view, “desirable” hetero men are inherently dominant, aggressive, and,
in many subtle and overt ways, abusive to women” (116). With these societal
views, it is only leading to sexism in relationships. This is creating a binary
structure that is placing men as superior beings in a relationship, while
placing women in the oppressed group without their choice. Furthermore, this binary and society views is
only making it okay for men to be sexist and patriarchal through the traits
that define a man. It is obvious that Stevie J has these characteristics, which
makes him less accountable and responsible for his actions. Since society
already views him as a “man” who is supposed to be uncommitted to his partners,
it’s not a big phenomenon when he cheats compared to Jocelyn’s part in the
infidelity. As the saying goes, “boys will be boys”, which promote this sexist
culture holding men less responsible in their relationships with women.
Work Cited
“3 Financial Lessons from Love and Hip Hop Atlanta.”
Girlsjustwannahavefunds.com. N.p., 4 July 2012. Web. 28 March 2013.
Schultz, Jason. “Getting Off on Feminism.” To Be Real.
107-206. New York: Anchor Books, 1995. Web.
Picture URLS
1)http://www.vibevixen.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/vibe-vixen-mimi-stevie-j-love-hip-hop-atlanta.jpg
2)http://awesomelyluvvie.com/wpcontent/uploads/2012/07/544383_418882864821430_1274629006_n.jpeg
3)http://urbanbellemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/stevie-j.-rat-face.jpg
“3 Financial Lessons from Love and Hip Hop Atlanta.” Girlsjustwannahavefunds.com. N.p., 4 July 2012. Web. 28 March 2013.
Video
"Pregnito." Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta. 11:50-12:23. VH1, 2011. Web.
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