Chicago-based media personality Monique Caradine wants to put an end to the negative images that are displayed by Black female television reality stars. So she created the Black Woman’s Manifesto for 2012—a nine-point philosophy designed to empower African-American females.
“It seems like every time I turn on the TV, Black women are fighting each other, throwing drinks, cussing each other out and acting like they have completely lost their minds,” Caradine said in a statement. “I like entertainment just like anyone else but the toxic behavior that is so prevalent on the airwaves today is downright embarrassing and unacceptable.”
Caradine, who hosts the television show “Perspectives” on Chicago’s Fox-affiliate My50, unveiled the manifesto during her radio show on the city’s WVON station. She explained that she created the doctrine after realizing that young women were looking up to reality stars like those on Bravo’s “Real Housewives of Atlanta” and VH-1’s “Basketball Wives.”
“They may be nice people behind the scenes, but their claim to fame is fighting and being loud and irrational. It’s said that grown women—all of whom are mothers—are willing to compromise their true brilliance, their integrity, and our collective image for the sake of entertainment,” Caradine said in a statement.
The manifesto contains basic do’s and don’ts, starting with choosing not to have casual sex.
“We will raise our standards and level of expectation when it comes to relationships,” one vow reads. “We will only connect with men of high moral character. Show him your value goes far beyond the bedroom. Your life depends on it and he will be a better man if you do.”
Other vows deal with family life, spirituality and finances.
Caradine says she hopes the manifesto will spur a national dialogue and connect Black women with their true power.
“If we’re going to fight, let it be against the multitude of challenges we face in the world, not against each other.”