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Thursday, September 2, 2010

MO and KITA


First off let me start by saying I had no mental or physical outline for this blog. This was more of an obligation to aid 2 of my sisters at a time when their names are being driven under the bus. This bus is marred with criticism, assumptions and speculation and the driver(s) rotating shifts for this bus are mostly a collection of black women.

And not just the typical black woman who's getting her pedicure while gossiping with her girlfriends and talking about everybody who passes her by. These are your rational, just, fair, ethical, and sensible black women (and not to say they're not gossiping and clowning folks neither-just on a classier, higher level lol).

I acknowledge this distinction because most times superficial and judgmental women will criticize and deconstruct any little thing or flaw. So it was to my surprise that a bulk of the criticism aimed at Mo and Kita weren't materialistic or anything to do with some bad yakki (weave my brother, weave).

To paraphrase the sentiment from my female friends at Mo and Kita is as follows: "I can't stand them; they annoy me....I can't watch a show seeing two girls obsess over a man who clearly hates himself.....they're so unprofessional." That's just a smidgin of the shots fired at the controversial publicity firm duo.

Now don't get it twist, Dice is the first person to call someone out and respond to things objectively. But something doesn't sit well with me taking shots at my sisters publically, especially when they haven't done anything to me that warrants this type of response.
What I have seen is two sisters defy the odds and become successful in a male-driven entertainment society. Yeah their methods are unconventional, but are they as wild as the Kardashians when it comes to taking care of business? You can say what the Kardashians do and what Mo/Kita do are different, but at the end of the day it's publicity, and any publicity is good publicity. With that said, they've done a good job of maintaining a professional image.

If anything they're doing damage control. Terrell Owens was once a lightning rod of controversy and suffered miserably to stabilize a consistent team (or advertisements) because Corportate America was scared to touch him. Thanks to Mo and Kita, they've helped TO become approachable and pleasant; to the point a friend of mine said "he has no personality" (ask Dallas about his personality in 2000 when he disrespectfully spiked the ball midfield on their logo, or Donovan Mc Nabb when they publically feuded).

'Who are their other clients?' is a half sarcastic question they ask? I'm sure they do have other clients, but obviously TO is their biggest one. Sure there were other artists on the Roc in '96, but who do you think Dame Dash was pushing the most? And lastly, before I get off my soapbox, I want to point something else out. Despite all the criticism they receive, you would think they'd be heroes amongst black women for riding TO for not preferring sisters and advocating he become more active in his children's lives. Though they support a colorblind love, there's been numerous times I've heard them clown TO for loving the "Beckies" or say something like ..."I just won't stand here and let him not be in his son's life." That's courageous and admirable for them to publicly take on those stances. I can't forget to mention also their selection of an assistant for him. They didn't get the hot modelesque chick (that I'd prefer). Instead they chose an older woman who has TO's best interests. And in regards to how they are perceived to be kissing TO's butt or seducing him, that's part of what the job entails.

Hell I'm nobody in the big picture, but I still like to be coddled a little here and there. You've seen Jerry Maguire and all the ass-kissing he did. That's just how it is with the client-agent/manager/publicist relationship. Sometimes I need some love from my Facebook constituents to keep it moving; even if it's condescending or pacifying! lol There's nothing evident or suggests that TO smashed any of the homies. I just see 3 people who have fun at what they do, and have fun doing it together because they know, love, and trust each other platonically. My only concern was with Mo's husband appearing to be soft and always emasculated.

Like why does your wife seem more concerned about TO then you? Or why is he doing LaMas class with your pregnant wife? But that's probably another topic of male/female roles in relationships...and that can probably be summarized as this: The Bread Winner calls the shots. Love it or Leave it.

There you have it Mo and Kita. I salute what ya'll doing. You guys are keeping it professional while still being yourselves and bringing flavor to the show. I ain't mad at ya'll!


7 comments:

  1. I am very familiar with the comments made about the duo... And I must say for me:: the show in its self is so overly scripted that all of the characters are hard to swallow...
    I think he concept of African American women in the position they are in is very different in the sense that it is a foreign concept which leaves room to compare them to a 'typical' publicist. In my opinion they are as professional as needed for their client. After all what is professionalism when so many boundaries overlap. They not only assist with his personal life, but also his professional career, which kind of cancels out the traditional sense of 'professionalism'. With overlapping interests, being a true person is far more important than 'professionalism'.
    Although I do find them and the whole scripted show to be annoying, I must say they are opening doors and charting paths not traditionally traveled... And for that I will give them respect (but that doesn't mean I have to like their characters)

    Peace

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  2. nice take on it dice, but i still personally find them irritating. i don't necessarily agree that any publicity is good publicity. just because 2 african american women are being featured prominently on the show doesn't mean the images are a good representation. i personally feel like the show portrays T.O. as an emotionally confused man who can't figure out how to make his own decisions. they portray two overbearingly controlling black women (another negative stereotype) who don't know their boundaries. the whole concept that this grown man can't even figure out how to make sound relationship decisions for himself is further aggravating. to me they are doing nothing for his image except making him look weak and juvenile. just my two cents.

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  3. I agree with Suz,they are living up to the streotype pf the overbearing black woman, which they make it easy for somebody to say about them becasue that is clearly what is coming across the tv screen

    I have not and dont plan on watching the schow again this season, I did however watch it last season (the first season) and was totally turned off by him and the show. The show profiled him, moving to a new team, and how he "balanced" his personal life and his professional life, and I just felt that there was not enough of his professional life shown
    Mo and Kita both acted like some unprofessional hoodrats-why do I say that? becasue there was NO professionalism there at all, and after watching them in action I wouldnt choose them to represent me or work for me if they were free-the bickering back and forth between the two of them (mo and kita) the disrespect that they showed for TO (who is paying them) if they are supposed to be so "up there" then why arent they acting like it?
    The show itself was a train wreck in my opinion, and I only say that beacuse this man showed his open disrespect for the black woman when he decided to clown (either mo or kita i cant remember) about wearing a head scarf to bed, eventhough we are all intitled to our own opinion he really took it too far, and without comng out and say and this is why I dont like black women it was heavliy implied.
    The show didnt focus on his family life at all maybe 10-15 mins of him visiting family, his children were not profiled which is understandable people dont always want their children on tv, but what is the concept of the show then? I was under the assumption that it was a show about him, and his family life, not him, mo and kita, and whatever chick he is having a one night stand with....
    At the end of the day shows like this are supposed to "let the fan get a better look at him, understand him more" and in my eyes, it just made me loose respect for him. Im not a sports watcher, but Im pretty sure he may be a good player, but that becomes over clouded by the way he acts off the field. Mike Vick GREAT football player but now what comes to mind when we hear his name? DOG FIGHTING...case in point

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  4. like charmaine said, there is absolutely nothing professional about these two, and how they come across to the audience watching at home. and i feel like, if you put yourself out there on national television and display certain behavior, don't be shocked or taken aback that people call out what they see. otherwise, stay off reality tv!

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  5. Great post Mike. I enjoyed your insight on this matter.
    I personally enjoy this show...and yes, a majority of the reason is seeing TO's amazing smile and perhaps a few shots of his amazing abs. With that being said, I have found myself in a love/hate relationship with Mo and Kita. I think the hate portion (not really a hate, but an irritation I guess) is really not their fault. They are horrible on screen. They come across way too scripted and try way too hard for the camera. That has nothing to do with them personally or give me a right to dig into them as professional black women. They just stink on camera. 'Nuff said on that! lol
    I do admire them as professionals because they are providing TO with the services he requires of them. As his publicist...they have changed his image into one where we are now viewing him as emotional, or soft. A complete differance from the arrogant S.O.B I recall a few years back. He now portrays the image of wanting to spend time with his kids, trying to make good relationship decisions (which we all can use some help on that I am sure)and showing concern and care for both Mo and Kita.
    Could all of this just be for show? Very well may be. If it is just for show...it is serving its purpose. We are blogging about it, watching it, hating it, loving it. That is the point of reality TV.
    Can Mo and Kita come off as irritating...yes, but I have to question how would any of us come across on TV? We have problems coming off correct on FB or Twitter...how much more if we had cameras on us all day.
    I give it to anyone that is trying to hustle and make a successful life for themselves.
    Just my opinion...

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  6. Thanks for the different perspective dice. I appreciate you for playing "Devils Advocate". I do agree that you cant knock their hustle, as they are the ones on t.v., and not all the people criticizing them. However, their behavior still reinforces an unflattering stereotype..White Women that are strong and overbearing are Savvy and Smart..Black Women are "Bitches". Thats the feedback they are getting and how they are being perceived unfortunately. I feel that they could be just as supportive(encouraging him to see his kids) and Loving and Good Friends with T.O. without having to be Overbearing and Loud and Aggresive and emasculating TO every chance they get. We see this so much with our people. I wish they could just have shown us in a different light. We set ourselves back enough..can we move forward please.
    ~Donnie

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  7. Let's see here: Nails on a chalkboard, no umbrella in the rain, a piece of hair in my food, Mo and Kita (aka Ren and Stimpy).....are ALL equally pestering to me! They are what you would call the "Sapphire" stereotype of a Black woman. This type of woman always seems to have her hands on her hips while she is running her mouth – putting down her man, making everything into a fight, never taking anything lying down. She is an overbearing, hard and an undesirable woman who drives men away –every episode is the same cackling and domineering Mo and Kita that continue to dig deeper and deeper under my skin!!!!! Now, don't get me wrong, I know that sometimes reality tv can portray individuals in a totally different light than who that person truly is (i.e. Omorosa-"The Apprentice"). However, it is up to you as the "individual" to ensure you don't come across that way (not unless you're trying to give the network some "drama" in hopes of getting your own show, i.e. New York~"Flavor of Love"). Mo & Kita have failed miserably at representing Black women. And before I go, I'm sorry to say that their accomplishments (degrees, the company they co-founded together, etc) is outshined by all the neck rolling, finger snapping, finger pointing, and lip poking!!!

    H2

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