Image is Everything: Exploring the Impact of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” on Perception of Black Women’s Communication Behaviors Julia Flemming University of South Carolina Beaufort, Communication Studies Abstract Methodology Reality television shows have become a staple in American popular culture Theoretical Framework over the past 25 years, not the least of which is the very popular “Real This study involved 20 participants, representing a non-random convenience Inspired by Karl Marx’s Marxism, Feminist Standpoint Theory aims to acknowledge the diversity of Housewives” series produced by the Bravo network, drawing millions of women by welcoming the views of oppressed groups of women. As some scholars (e.g. Patricia Collins sample of people ranging in age from 18 to 60, with a median age of 25. 13 and Dorothy Smith) would stated, women are equipped to understand some aspects of the world self-identified as women and 7 were men. Of the female participants, 65% because of women’s lives and roles are significantly different from men’s, women hold a different type of viewers and fans from far and wide. “The Real Housewives of knowledge. were Indian, African American, Asian, Hispanic, and White and of the male participants, 35% were African American, Asian, and White . Participants Atlanta” (RHOA), featuring a cast of Black women, consistently maintains the Developed by William Cupach and Tadasue Imahoru, Identity Management Theory (IMT) is an intercultural communication theory that explains the manner in which one handle “self: in different were asked to watched an assigned episode of season 12 (2020) of RHOA highest Nielson ratings across all shows in the series and is favored by Black circumstances. The theory suddests people behave according the goals they set for themselves and the and complete a survey based on their race, after which they completed a 10 person competency and identity all work together when interacting with others. viewers in particular. Past related research suggests a growing concern about item-survey designed to generate descriptive statistics about their attitudes References: and beliefs about the communication behaviors of the RHOA cast in the Cupach, W. R., & Imahori, T. T. (1993). Identity management theory: Communication the role that television has played in perpetuating unfair stereotypes of Black competence in intercultural episodes and relationships. Intercultural communication selected episode. Key questions included does RHOA show an accurate competence, 112, 13 reflection of how Black women communicate and interact, Black women are women and their communication behaviors, potentially fueling racist and sexist Hekman, S. (1997). Truth and method: Feminist standpoint theory revisited. Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society, 22(2), 341-365 represented in the media fairly and portrays positive, empowered role Imahori, T. T., & Cupach, W. R. (2005). Identity management theory. Theorizing about beliefs. The purpose of this study was to explore viewers’ perceptions of Black intercultural communication, 195-210. models, reality shows like RHOA contribute to racism towards Black women women featured in the RHOA series. A total of 20 participants were asked to and production have a role in how the housewives are being portrayed. Also, some items on the survey required additional explanation, generating watchBackground an episode andof the other RHOA infoand then pertinent complete to a survey assessing their corresponding data to enrich understanding of responses to Likert-type presentation attitudes and beliefs about those behaviors, relative to the “reality” of Black survey items. women’s lived experiences. Using Harding’s (1993) philosophy of Feminist Results & Implications Standpoint Theory and Cupach and Imahori’s (1993) Identity Management Qualitative content analysis and descriptive statistics on survey items theory as means to analyze findings, results of this study suggest a growing revealed that viewers did not believe their perceptions of Black women were shaped entirely by the media, including the RHOA, but other factors play a understanding of the stereotypes generated by such “reality” shows, but a role (e.g. producers). When asked, if they believe producers purposely racial divide in perceptions of the true lived experiences of Black women show drama scenes for higher ratings, 80 % strongly agreed. Giving explanations along the lines of ratings brings in the money and think exists. producers care more about that than the ladies representing African American women. When asked if RHOA cast portrays black women as positive empowered role models 70% of group a disagreed stating the Introduction & RQ concept of representation is there for younger black girls but it can be at times where the women on the show don't act the best. Group B when Decades of research about the power and influence of media on consumers' asked if Black women are being represented in the media as a whole, 100% perceptions, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors is well documented, including disagreed strongly, as participants explained black women are only those related to gender and racial stereotypes. The popular Bravo television portrayed to fill stereotypes in media. Lastly 60 % of group a believe shows show, "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" (RHOA), potentially represents like real housewives of Atlanta contribute to racist attitudes towards black negative stereotypes not only about women, but about Black women, and women giving the reasoning of reality shows present false identities of black has been the subject of several popular culture studies since its inception. The Real Housewives of Atlanta, a production of True Entertainment and Bravo. Starring (left to right): Cynthia Bailey, women and make other think that how African American women Critical scholars, employing feminist and identity theories, offer perspectives Kandi Burruss, Kenya Moore, Porsha Williams, and Drew Sidora communicate . An interesting pattern I picked up form both group base on by which communication behaviors enacted by the women starring in the their explanation is bring up their religious beliefs; stating God made RHOA can and should be further examined, as this television series is the Emma Amos’s “Preparing for a Face Lift” (1981) in the show “We Wanted everyone equal and we should all be kind to one another no matter the most highly rated of all the "Real Housewives" shows. To this end, the a Revolution: Black Radical Women, 1965-1985” at the Brooklyn Museum. differences. following research questions guided my inquiry: Credit... All Rights Reserved, Emma Amos/ In conclusion, the study shows communication stereotypes can affect how Licensed by VAGA, New York, NY, and Ryan Lee, New York one perceive a group and one should watch a reality show and think RQ1: To what extent does "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" television show everyone acts the same ways and it excuse for another race to think “if influence perceptions of Black women and their communication? these Black women on the show act this way, so does other black women or should be looked at that way” RQ2: Does the RHOA show contribute to inaccurate perceptions (stereotypes) of Black women and their communication behaviors and, in turn, shape Black cultural identity in unfair ways? March for Black Women' rally in DC calls for new social contract in fight for change (Photo courtesy of Black Women's Blue Print).