VH1 might have bitten off more than it can chew with the new show “Sorority Sisters,” which follows members of historically African-American sororities living in Atlanta.
The show, which aired Monday night, was advertised by VH1 as a “rare glimpse into the unique world of ATL Greek life. ”
The channel claimed that “Sorority Sisters” would showcase the unity and sisterhood between the members of the sororities and promote positive images of the women as they travel through their lives with an “unbreakable bond.”
However, watching the show, this was not the case. The show painted sororities in a petty light, pitting them against each other at every turn. The women argued and yelled at each other in public, threw clothes on the floor and made lewd sexual comments on national television. The whole thing was more “Love and Hip Hop” than unity and sisterhood. That should be no surprise, considering “Sorority Sisters” is produced by “Love and Hip Hop” creator Mona Scott-Young.
The campaign to stop the show began during the summer, when the trailer started airing—though the trailer was then removed from the airwaves for months. Months ago, Reynoir Lewis, a member of the Greek community, posted a petition on MoveOn.org to stop the release of the television show.
“Stop the spread of ignorance and stereotyping of our beloved Black Greek letter organizations,” the petition reads. “Our founders amongst EVERY organization worked extremely hard to allow us to unite and flourish not only on college campuses, but as a people well beyond our college days, and Mona Scott-Young now threatens to demolish those aims and goals we all abide by. If this show airs, we will boycott any and all advertisers affiliated with the show through commercial advertising, product placement and/or location use. *I, Reynoir Lewis, will be personally delivering these signatures to the President Philippe Dauman and the Executive Chairman Sumner M. Redstone.* Thank you for your support.”
The petition has since gained over 50,000 signatures, with a goal of 75,000—but it didn’t stop Scott-Young from putting it on the air.
Women from all over the country have signed the petition, as well as expressed their dismay on the site.
One member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. commented, “That show is not a representation of my sisterhood!” while another young woman from Michigan wrote “This is a misrepresentation of the dignity and values of black Greek sororities. I will encourage members to boycott the program and its sponsors.”
Watch the trailer for the show here:
