Real Coonwives of Atlanta.

Last night, the second season of Real Housewives of Atlanta premiered on Bravo (one of my favorite cable networks). Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few years, you should be fairly familiar with the debauchery of this crew of suburban prima donnas.... from the catfights and childish bickering, to the lavish spending and grandiose lifestyles, these ladies have made their mark and offered a glimpse into a social segment of Black Atlanta that has previously (and incontestably) hovered under-the-radar.

Many of the critics of the first Atlanta season shunned the portrayal of the series’ majority black cast, displeased with the cattiness and undesirable buy-in to the archetypal “angry black woman” typecast by some of the show’s most popular cast members. Unfortunately, this new season doesn’t seem to be following a path that’s much different.

The removal of the first season’s most positive figure, Deshawn Snow, because she was “too boring” and didn’t “bring enough drama to the show,” according to Bravo executives, makes a very sad statement. Her replacement, Grammy-award winning singer and songwriter Kandi Burruss, should be an interesting addition to the show, but it doesn’t sit well with me that America would rather see successful and well-to-do black women at each others throats, instead of living commendable and exemplary lives as loving and devoted wives, mothers, and community figures.

Understanding the idea that “drama = ratings” in today’s world of reality television, it does appear that the Atlanta housewives have snatched this concept up by the horns and are riding into the sunset. The success of the franchise’s previous season, Real Housewives of New Jersey, rested upon the same concept, so it would only make sense that Bravo would continue with it’s “winning formula.” My only fear is this: at what point will these antics make the transition from “made-for-TV drama” to “shameful coonery," all at the expense of the black race?? We've already got our hands full as it is with trying to do damage control for Debra Lee and her wonderful network. I definitely plan to watch RHOA all season long, and believe you me, if and when that line is crossed, I will have more than a few words to share....