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Pop Culture

'Love & Hip Hop Atlanta' Sucks At Positively Representing The Black Community, And I'm Over It

@ me on this. The current popular reality shows give a bad rep to the black community, point blank period.

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Sorry not sorry, but shows like 'Love & Hip Hop Atlanta' (LHHATL) don't show the best image of black families and fatherhood.

So for example, the most recent season of LHHATL follows Kirk and the consequences after cheating on his wife, Rasheeda and getting another woman pregnant. Everyone is affected by this:

- Rasheeda has to battle with trust issues (keep in mind this is like Kirk's 4th time cheating. Or maybe 3rd? 6th? Who's keeping up?)

- Kirk's kids have to wrap their mind around the fact he cheated on their mother/step-mother

- Kirk's newest baby is facing the possibility of having no father figure in his life

- Jasmine (the baby mama) deals with a large wave of heat, hate, and rejection from the LHHATL community (I mean, it takes two to make a baby, but I digress)

Long story short, it's a show full of mess. You can even check out a recap of the few (lol) mistakes Kirk has made in his marriage here.

And this is just one storyline within many that continue to push negative images of the black community.

Yes. I understand you may loooove this show but also acknowledge that most information society consumes is via media, and when the most popular reality shows featuring a mainly black cast are similar to LHHATL...well it makes obvious sense to me the repercussions of that.

But what about those positive figures of black families? Black fatherhood? It's time for television to elevate and have a refresher. Everyone has problems in the home, don't get me wrong, but we shouldn't only blast the negativity of that in media.

Here's a family I have loved for months that should deserve some spotlight — Meet the Ellises.

(Top) Jackson, Khadeen, Devale (Bottom) Kairo, Kaz@iamdevale / Instagram

A family of five from Brooklyn, New York that makes funny skits in their everyday family life on Instagram. But they also teach lessons to their kids and us viewers and also serve as a representation that:

Yes — there are happy, complete black homes that exist in America!

Another awesome perk is that they keep it real. You see those moments of weakness when Devale makes a mistake in parenting or when Khadeen has to discipline Roro (Kairo), etc. It is realistic and honest and so refreshing that I honestly shed a tear at their posts.

Another great family to check out "Beleaf in Fatherhood" on YouTube

Here is Glen, Yvette and their three kids Theo, Uriah, and Anaya.


(Left to Right) Uriah, Glen, Theo, Yvette, Anaya@beleafmel / Instagram

Another wonderful example of a family that shares their everyday joys and struggles as a family.

Hey, just give the reality TV a break for a second and check out some of the videos and posts from these two families. Trust me, you will fall in love instantly.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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