Basketball wives… You’re familiar with the show, yes? And I’m sure that by now you’re also familiar with the fact that it was created by Shaquille O’neal’s ex-wife, Shaunie. This show is a very interesting social “fixture” so to speak. I’m not really talking about the content of the show or the “who did whats” or the “why she said such and such,” I’m talking about the IDEA of the show. I’m talking about the vision and thought process behind the show long before it came to be. I’m talking about the motive and potential results of the show. In my network, I come across three types of people as it pertains to this show. The three types are below in the form of a short greeting letter. Meaning, If you could write a short letter to Shaunie what would it say? Which of the following three letters would best represent how you feel about the IDEA of Basketball Wives?#1 Indifferent/Nonchalant:
Dear Ms. O’neal…
I hope all is well with you and your family. I’ve seen a handful of episodes about these basketball wives. I personally don’t subscribe to it but there are some funny parts here and there. And it does give people some insight on what it’s like to live that life. I don’t really relate to it all and I think some of it is just a hot mess but there are glimpses of female bonding here and there as well as a “fly on the wall” point of view in regards to the lifestyle of the rich and famous so if it all works out for you then I guess you did your thing. Good Luck.
#2 Pissed/Concerned:
Dear Ms. O’neal…
Actually, I should call you Ms. Nelson since O’neal is NOT your last name anymore. But basically, I was always taught that a pimp was a person who A- lured another person in and/or appealed to their weaknesses and insecurities, B- found a way to get that person to share their most intimate and private attributes publicly, C- showed that person how to trade their “sharing” for compensation, hereby making them a prostitute and then, D- giving the prostitute a significantly smaller cut of the earnings while E- continuing this cycle as long as the prostitute can perform or remain relevant to the buyers. Can you please explain to me, based on the above definition, how you’re not pimping these sisters who obviously need more love, attention, and guidance than they do drinks, chit-chats and a TV slot. Please explain that to me how this isn’t a form of prostitution and low-level slavery, Ms. O’neal…
#3 Excited/Encouraging
Dear Ms. Shaunie O’neal…
Let me start by saying that there is nothing better than seeing a (black) woman doing her thing. I’m sure that you sit in meetings with mostly men and YOU are the shot caller. I love that! I also think that most of the women who date ball players get a bad rap, automatically. Your show allows the public to see just who these women are from the good, the bad, and the ugly. We all know your story and what happened between you and Shaq (well at least what the media has allowed us to know) and since you come from this world and have had to endure the pain of it while also tasting the fruit of its rewards, who better than you to provide the public with information & entertainment while also being compensated for it and establishing your own brand? PS… You need to get the Odom and Kardashian family involved in your show too! Keep doing your thing, girl!
After you read em, please forward this on to some friends, ask their opinion, and make sure they subscribe for free over there to the left. All you have to do is submit your e-mail address and with the events and give-aways that I’m doing over the next few weeks, it would be to your advatage if you did so. It’s that easy…
Anyway, Which letter would come from your pen… Or your keyboard…
-Kel Spencer
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