If you're not familiar with the show, it's about four black women who surprise people with makeovers. It's very reminiscent of What Not To Wear, but not even a fraction of the quality. I was first set off by the opening sequence. They say, "Every white woman has a strong black woman inside." ....wait, what? Then they explain that they find a "basic woman" (read the tv friendly version of "basic bitch") and help her bring her inner black woman out.
First, I'd like to know why a woman of any color can't be strong and confident. To specifically isolate white women and say that what they think and feel isn't good enough is pretty alarming. I know lots of white women who have confidence and great fashion sense without feeling the need to summon an "inner black woman." I know lots of confident women of every color, actually. So, are black women the only ones we can look up to for guidance? Certainly not. It's also poignant to mention that white women aren't the only ones who can lack such qualities; some people (men included) of every race have confidence and body issues. Why are they making a show solely dedicated to one race?
Secondly, I'd like to know why they feel the need to put such a separation between races. Throughout each episode (I watched two), they reiterate over and over that white women need to act like black women. How exactly does a black woman act? If you're thinking of the stereotypical black woman that is portrayed in movies and tv shows, that's exactly the problem. "Stop acting like you're black" or "you're not black" are really good examples of this. I have to be black to act a certain way? I can't act in the way that I want to because I'm white? Lifetime may say that they're not racist, but what they're doing is perpetuating stereotypes and encouraging their viewers to acknowledge the difference in races. As a society, if we truly want equality and want racism to end, this show is sending us backwards with a fierce veracity. Society will never look at African Americans as equals when we're giving them their own, separate way of acting.
And then to actually call someone a "basic woman" is demeaning. What they're saying in a tv friendly version is that she's a "basic bitch." If you're unfamiliar with the term, it's negative. The definition according to Urban Dictionary is this:
"This is that white suburban girl whose prideful of laying her ass around all day and letting the genetics prevent her from being morbidly obese, or not. She takes pictures of everything, and when the miracle occurs that she leaves the house she will take pictures and snapchats of the endeavor to make sure the world knows. These journeys will include trips to Starbucks, chipotle or other appropriately 'basic' locations. She is jobless, and one wonders what exactly she does to kill so much time, but in all likelihood, you don't want to know."
If you're wary about that source, here's the definition from Wikipedia:
"Basic bitch (or simply basic) is a slang term in American popular culture used to describe bland, ordinary people – usually but not always women – whose preference for certain name-brands or products with mass appeal demonstrates their uncritical conformity, lack of originality or coolness."
That's not nice. As you can see, what they're referring to and branding the woman as is not flattering or positive. How is that productive? How does that make any woman at all feel better about themselves or about getting a makeover? A makeover should be fun, helpful and wanted; I wouldn't let anyone who called me a "basic woman" give me a makeover. It's just too judgmental and I don't want anyone who thinks that low of me to be in my life.
On top of all of that, the women aren't even qualified to be giving fashion advice. From the two episodes that I saw, they were dressing the women in clothes that were unflattering and ill-fitting. There are definitely some wins in that department because they do find some pieces that look great, but it's painful to see these women being put into clothes that don't look good and then are paraded across national tv.
I don't want to be a strong black woman. I don't want to feel like my self worth comes from a racial base. I don't want to be judged purely by my race, which is exactly what this show is asking everyone to do. I just want to be a stronger version of myself. The concept of the show in regards to helping women dress better and therefore feel better about themselves is great; it's not that I think anyone's worth should be placed on how they look, but I know that I have a lot more confidence and a greater sense of self esteem when I dress in a way that's actually flattering, rather than when I'm just in sweats and tshirts. Women should absolutely be supporting each other and helping each other deal with their issues. What we don't need to be doing is to be basing the support on racial stereotypes and negative connotations.
What do you think? Have you watched the show and do you think I'm way off base?
