So everyone who knows me knows I loveeeeeeee the Braxtons. Last Thursday being no different, I got ready to watch the new episode. As usual it was hilarious, and I was enjoying it, that was until, the "African Booty Scratcher" comment was made. If you don't watch the show, Tamar, and Tracy started working out with a personal trainer, who was a native of the Congo in Africa. During her monologue, Tracy referred to him as an African Booty Scratcher and went on to say that she would be getting an American trainer next.
I was born in the US but my entire family, is of Jamaican descent, and one of my best friends is from Ghana in Africa. I found that statement to be highly offensive. Twitter was in an uproar, and I was glad to see I wasn't the only one who found it ignorant and offensive. Kids say things that are stupid and cruel, but we grow up and hopefully become educated. As a child, that statement was often used (African, Haitian, and Jamaican bootyscratcher) to ridicule immigrant children. It shocked me to hear an adult use that term in 2012, and for WEtv to allow it to air, during Black History Month no less.
So, in my usual loudmouth fashion, I have written a letter which I have posted to the Braxton Facebook fanpage walls, emailed to WEtv, and also will be mailing a hard copy:
February 12, 2012
C/o Braxton Family Values
WETV
11 Penn Plaza
New York NY 10001
To Whom It May Concern:
This letter is to complain about a comment that was made on a recent episode of the Braxton Family Values show. This episode aired on 2/9/12, and as an avid viewer of not only this show, but other shows on your network, I was highly offended. Not only was I offended that Tracy Braxton would make such a stereotypical & ignorant comment such as “African Booty Scratcher”; I was further offended that WEtv would allow such a derogatory statement to be aired. This is extremely deplorable, ESPECIALLY during the month of February which is recognized as Black history month in this country. The backlash on social media outlets (Twitter, Facebook etc) was a testament to the fact that many found it offensive.
Now while I understand that many may not be aware of the origin of the statement, it’s intent was to demean, and degrade immigrants of black, non-American descent. It is this ignorance that continues to tear apart the black community today. I ask for a formal apology not only from WEtv, but also from the Braxtons for perpetuating negative images of our people. Many people of all races and nationalities watch and support this show. If they are insinuating that non-Americans are substandard in some way, then maybe this should be publicized, and we should discontinue our support of the show.
A Very Angry Viewer,
Samantha E.
If you feel to do the same, and let your voice be heard WEtv's contact information is:
WE tv
11 Penn Plaza, 19th Floor
New York, NY 10001
11 Penn Plaza, 19th Floor
New York, NY 10001
or
email them at CONTACTWE@wetv.com
We should not continue to let our people be degraded!
Smooches from Hotlipps
Kudos to you Samantha E! You did exactly what should be done, in opposition to a network that disregards the feelings of it's viewers! Traci absolutely should be ashamed of herself for her comment. To further add insult to injury, she went on to use "mock" African language or "chants" at other points in the show. I will follow your lead and voice my displeasure via email. Thank you for taking this initiative!
ReplyDeleteIm writing wetv that was unacceptable
ReplyDeleteThis is what I sent in...
ReplyDeleteKudos to that inter-race discrimination comment, I agree Samantha! If in 2012 people are still using derogatory terms such as "booty scratcher" Braxton, to downplay others, then maybe nothing has changed since the time of Dr. MLK. How could Tracy be so ignorant and why would "WEtv" even air such a thing? I mean damn we know she has a problem with taking critique, but does she have to always jump from 0-100?
What people need understand with Tracy's "booty scratcher” comment is that this phrase was use to degrade people emigrated to the U.S (particularly those who were from Africa, Haiti, and Jamaica) and to my knowledge the bullying mainly came from ignorant African Americans ,so for Tracy to use this term so bluntly followed by her saying shed rather go to an American trainer, is belittling especially with her having a son who is a young black man with dreads, (representing the African culture to the fullest) are in some ways conflicting.
How would she feel if he came home one day and told her someone had called him a "booty scratcher" all because his mother reignited this degrading term? Look I enjoy watching the Braxton family values however; on this episode I missed valuable part of it all. Come on ladies lets stop beating up on others and focusing more on the positive aspects of life especially in the black culture. Lets leave the past in the past or just get rid of Tracy from the show because she's boring, has a bad speech, thinks she's a man because obviously being called a women didn't sit well with her, and her story line is pointless, whack, and incoherent with the rest of her sisters. Boom! JAZZY