Former Atlanta mayor's daughter in law derides VH1's 'Sorority Sisters'

My colleague Ernie Suggs, who last week wrote vehemently to tell folks to not watch the show, passed along this column by former Atlanta mayor Maynard Jackson's' daughter in law:

By Michelle Gordon Jackson

Despite a petition of thousands to ban the show before its launch, VH-1 decided to debut its newest reality show “Sorority Sisters” on Monday, which features several local Atlanta women claiming to be members of various black Greek sororities, including Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Sigma Gamma Rho, and Zeta Phi Beta.

“Sorority Sisters” is no different than many reality shows that cater to sensationalism. But at what cost? The show brazenly makes a mockery of century-old, sacred traditions held by prestigious black Greek Letter organizations. These sororities and fraternities have been respected pillars in the black community since the early 1900s with members pledging lifelong commitments to service and leadership. As a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (Alpha Chapter), I pledged to uphold these noble traditions; and so, I was outraged by the exploitation of our sisterhood.

For less than 60 minutes of fame on drama TV, these women sold out our historic legacies. As I watched, I couldn't help but wonder "what would Ethel Hedgeman Lyle (a principal founder of Alpha Kappa Alpha) and Mary Church Terrell (a writer of the creed of Delta Sigma Theta) think of this buffoonish display of uncivilized and "un-sisterly-like" conduct?

“Sorority Sisters” is just another extension of a concerted effort on the part of mass media persuasion to promulgate negative stereotypes of black women. Reality TV is leading this campaign in its frequent depiction of black women as classless, contentious hoodrats, who shout expletives at ease and are always looking for a fight. Why the producers of this show felt the need to stoop even lower, by attempting to desecrate the image of sororities whose members most often embody the essence of black womanhood, I do not know.

And to the creator of the show, Mona Scott-Young, I ask: Are we so pressed for notoriety and so morally broken as a society that we have no shame in sacrificing sisterhoods that encourage black women to strive for excellence in academics and civic duty? [Editor's note: Although Mona Scott Young, who creates "Love and Hip Hop Atlanta," was rumored to be a producer of the show in an earlier incarnation, her name is no attached to he project anymore.]

I asked my soror, Atlanta attorney Bernie Lawrence-Watkins, what she thought of the show and she expressed similar sentiments. "As an Entertainment and Intellectual Property lawyer, I have negotiated a lot of reality TV deals and understand these shows are somewhat based on reality and not scripted television. As a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., I was curious to see the reality show 'Sorority Sisters.' I, however, was shocked to see grown women screaming at each other, cussing, calling each other names and in the same breath calling out the name of their Greek affiliating by saying, 'I'm a proud member of _____Sorority, Inc.' Although such name calling and ratchet behavior is common in most reality TV shows today, the difference is the other reality shows are not using someone else's trademark as a platform. 'Sorority Sisters' portrays a falsehood of what the sororities belonging to the Divine 9 represent. We are non-profit organizations with profound histories. Our main principles center around leadership, scholarship, community service and sisterhood. My first thought was these women are using the name of their sorority for financial gain; and the only one who should be able to do so is the person or entity holding the rights to such trademark. Even though none of the Greek letters were displayed on the show, the constant verbal use of the sorority name throughout the show, in my opinion, infers to the viewing audience that this show is about black Greek sororities belonging to the Divine 9. This is clearly a case of commercial exploitation of the sorority 'brand' or 'trademark.' Are the national offices aware of this show? Did they approve of the constant use of their organization's name being promoted throughout the show, even though the show has nothing to do with promoting the values and principles of the black Greek sororities? Did someone in the leadership offices grant clearance? If not, in my opinion, there has been a misuse of the national 'brand' belonging to our historical black Greek sororities and the proper cease and desist letters need to be issued or a call to action against the advertisers in support of this show. Either way, those of us in the black Greek organizations want answers."

Recalling that as a student at Howard University years ago, there was a closeness and mutual respect among the Greeks, I asked my friend Dr. Jan Eula, assistant professor at Bowie State University and a 28-year member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., to weigh in on the collegiate atmosphere today and the behavior exhibited on the show.

“Unfortunately, as a college professor, I am seeing a generation of mean girls and boys, emerging from our institutions of higher learning, who may look up to the ideals (and statuses) of the Black Greek Letter Organization (BGLO) sororities and fraternities,” said Dr. Eula. “Hurt girls grow up to be hurt women. But rather than beat up on the young women on the show, I appeal to the members of our sororities to FIX this ‘hurt’ that these and other young women are manifesting in themselves and in their interactions with each other and other women.”

We didn't stand alone. Immediately upon airing, black voices took to social media outlets on Monday to express disgust and urge people to boycott the show. The backlash was swift and soon trending on Twitter, prompting sponsors including Carmex, Hallmark, and others to pull their ads in an effort not to offend consumer conscious viewers. Ava Duvernay, director of the movie "Selma," (nominated for 4 Golden Globe Awards) and an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., has requested that ads for her upcoming film not air during the show's time slot.

As the fall out continues, "Sorority Sisters" is set to air again on Monday. But what producers of the show should know is that black Greeks have always been at the helm of effective advocacy and social change, and that in as much as they seem determined to continue airing this farce of a show, we too are determined to protect and uphold the integrity of our organizations. At Howard University, the black sororities and fraternities always worked together, and we will all work together now, to get this show pulled off the air.

And in the wake of such gross misrepresentation of everything black Greek Letter organizations stand for, it seems fitting that our members re-affirm our standards and re-dedicate ourselves to service.