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Source: Mark Hill / Bravo

We’ve been too silent about the surplus of violence on Real Housewives Of Atlanta. The popular reality TV franchise is shadowed by headlines of crazy brawls, cat fights and lovers disputes.

RHOA premiered seven years ago, promoting never-before-seen glimpses into the illustrious lives of Atlanta’s Black elite. We tuned in to watch the ATL socialites in all their polished, glamorous and rich glory, but as we peered over their monogrammed gates and manicured lawns, we discovered a hot a** mess.

Over its long run, RHOA’s storylines have been filled with violence. We were stunned watching Porsha drag Kenya across the stage, and we collectively held our breathe when Apollo essentially threatened Phaedra with a drill as they argued before he left for prison.

Most recently, RHOA cast hopeful Tammy McCall Browning was knocked to the ground by Glen Rice Jr. during a show taping.

Violent conflicts popping up on TV are almost expected now in the reality TV genre, especially when it comes to predominantly Black cast-shows. And while ratings soar, the reality is that any form of violence, particularly domestic violence, is no joke.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence every 9 seconds, a woman in the United States is assaulted or beaten. Every day in the US, 20,000 phone calls are placed to domestic violence help lines nationwide.

Now that is reality. And too damn deep to be considered entertainment. Nothing that is physically and emotionally draining should serve as a backdrop for our Sunday evenings.

With diversity in television only just becoming a thing (Thank you to the Shonda Rhimes and Mara Brock Akils of the world), we are very sensitive when it comes to how we are portrayed on the small screen.To see us scratching, fighting and verbally tearing into each other on a regular basis is not only damaging, it’s hurtful.

It is irresponsible for television to minimize the seriousness of this issue by painting it as entertainment or rating’s bait. These celebrities need an intervention, therapy, or jail time. Or, at the very least, to face repercussions and lose their jobs for violence against one another.

What about you beauties? Are you not yet entertained?

RELATED LINKS

Domestic Violence On RHOA

Drama On The Set: Did Cynthia Kick Porsha In The Stomach?

Did Claudia Jordan Get Fired From The RHOA?

When Reality TV Gets Too Real: The Violence On RHOA Has Gone Too Far  was originally published on hellobeautiful.com