Tales from the Hood Rich part II: The Real Housewives of Atlanta Edition

Uh boy…here we go again. You know I really enjoyed this past episode. The main focus of this show centered on Deshawn’s fundraiser. Grant it Deshawn had good intentions and her efforts were very honest, but like my friend Pia would always say, “Good intended, but poorly implemented.” As it turned out, the rushed event was poorly executed: invites were distributed for free at local businesses (instead of charging a high ticket price to raise money) and there was no coat-check at the door — “What am I supposed to do with my fur, hang it over a chair?” Sheree demanded. (Or just leave it at home. It was the middle of summer — in Atlanta — after all). And worst of all, the predictions of NeNe’s gay boyfriend, celebrity stylist Dwight Eubanks, who warned about handing out invites to any random person on the street, came true: “They gonna come and eat all your food and drink all your liquor and leave and a pay for nothing.”

And that they did in true ATL style. Despite several big ticket items up for auction — including dates with NFL stars Ira Newble and Willie Whitehead — partygoers were too busy chatting among themselves, eating DeShawn’s food and drinking her liquor, to bid on any of the items.

DeShawn was upset when the auction bombed. “I felt like a failure,” she said. “I really failed the girls.” The fundraiser didn’t even break even, but her husband, Eric Snow, stood by her. “You didn’t reach the goal you set, but you still did something to help somebody,” he said. “That’s what it’s all about.” Golf clap to Eric Snow.

So here are my thoughts:

NeNe’s husband possesses a strong similarity to Ned the Whino/Black Jesus from Good Times.

The word “Big Poppa” is on my list of words to be banned.

Dallas Austin must still be on that stuff if he thinks Kim can sing.

Women in Atlanta are not going to bid on dates from guys who play in the NFL/NBA. Why? Because they know they are going to see them out at a party/lounge/restaurant in the ATL and will get the date for free.

My hat goes off to Eric Snow. When he found out how many people were going to be in his house he had that WTF look on his face. His best quote from the episode, “let me talk to you for a minute.”

The character that is growing on me is Lisa. Lisa Wu is reading from the Kimora Lee/ Tracy Edmonds play book. She is busy with her own career (a real estate firm, clothing lines, modeling) and making it happen. She gets the Webbie Award.

If I am ever in a fight, I am calling NeNe to roll with me.

Deshawn should not be allowed to plan any additional events in the ATL. Why? Because she spent $30K on the fund raiser and only cleared $10K (Profit = Revenue – Cost). Although she is still new to the ATL, she failed to remember Rule # 25 in How to survive in the ATL: One out of five individuals in the ATL thinks they are an event planner/pr/publicist.

Closing thoughts

Although this show is considered reality television, this is really a bad example and poor portrayal of women of color who are from and actually live in Atlanta. If I had my way I would send the women of the show a signed copy of In Women, Race, and Class by Angela Davis. I also would have them have a fireside chat with Shirley Franklin, Juanita Baranco, Billie Aaron, Evern Cooper Epps, Vicki Palmer, Ingrid Saunder Jones, Mary Shy Scott, Harriet Watkins, Brenda Reid, Belinda Stubblefield, Shirley Mitchell and many other outstanding African American women in the ATL who could school them about class, elegance, and real power.

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