MTV finds itself
back in the spot light this week, and it has nothing to do with the VMA’s or reality TV. Industry Ears has taken offense to the
new MTV show, Where My Dogs At? and one particular depiction of Black women.
“Viacom’s
MTV continues to justify the exploitation of African American
women by hiding behind words like satire and parody. The animated
portrayal of two African American women scurrying on all fours with leashes
around their necks, defecating on a pet shop floor goes far beyond the
pail of acceptability. It is not art, it is an assault. The justification
given by stating one of the animated dogs points out his disgust by saying, ‘I
find this a bit degrading and I’m a dog’ does not eliminate the harm.
Actually the point is countered by the other dog who states, ‘Are you
joking? What’s cooler than a two-legger who treats other two-leggers like
four-leggers?’ Emphasizing and reinforcing the treatment of black women
as dogs as tolerable behavior,” the press release states.
The statement also expresses its dissatisfaction with the
program being aired on weekend afternoons where it can be easily accessed by
children.
Industry Ears is
also urging media consumers to take action if they feel offended by the show’s
antics.
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“We call on
responsible corporate citizens to condemn the airing of this program and any
program that propagates harmful racist stereotypes and misogynistic
images. We think this is wrong and we respectfully ask the President of
MTV, Christina Norman and other Viacom executives to rethink the manner in
which they depict African Americans and women. We urge all parties
concerned to email Christina Norman (Christina.Norman@mtv.com ) and their local cable providers
and demand the removal of ‘Where My Dogs At’ and any other programs that
exploit African Americans and women.”
Industry Ears was
established in 2004 by Paul Porter and
Lisa Fager as new generation think tank to focus
on media’s impact on children and communities of color.
