Cast Members of 'Sorority Sisters' Respond to Criticism in Hour-Long Dialogue

Since the premiere of the show Sorority Sisters the cast members have had their ups and downs.

In an "impromptu" discussion with host Tanika Ray of VH1, the women discuss the death threats they've received, their motives for joining the cast, the hypocrisy they believe they are witnessing, and more. Two of the cast members have been suspended by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

Despite the criticism the women have decided to set the record straight concerning their involvement.

Themes surrounding why the women are apart of the show range and cross between: hustle, opportunity, the desire to inspire others, and the desire to tell their stories. The women recognize that they are on a reality television show and expected the normal backlash, but insist that what viewers are also seeing is normal in human relationships.

For them, the reality is all women don't get along--and even if they are in the same chapter or sorority, women clash. Mutual friends are forced to keep the peace and people will generally disagree. In a heartfelt earnest the women insist that they stand strong in their decision to join the show and that they know who they are, reminding us all that they are college educated women who have worked hard in and for their lives.

Without a doubt, it is true that reality shows featuring black women impact the masses differently, especially those of the black community. For others, the show and every other show like it is just a show, but for many POC it puts us in a place to defend, defend, and defend ourselves. Because public opinion of black people is wrapped in white supremacy, we are often forced--even when we believe we are above it, to sway negative perceptions. Sometimes, unbeknownst to us we straddle the lines of respectability politics and being ourselves. Many of us claim comfort and confidence in our own skin, but we can't deny that we have often found ourselves fighting the urge to say, "But I'm not like that!" There is no other group of people who struggle with this experience, like black people do.


Overall, the women argue that they are who they are individually as well as members of Greek organizations. However, through their dialogue and the criticism they have faced it is proven that separating the two is most difficult.



Watch the discussion.

Randie Henderson is a Gates Millennium Scholar and recent college grad. She is driven to write, read, learn, and educate about ways to dismantle oppression in America and globally because she is passionate about people and justice. You can find her on randiejourney.tumblr.com

Sorority Sisters VH1