Her Message to All African American Women? Make Me Your National Spokesperson!
When it comes to media, Misee Harris has the Midas touch. Whether she’s publicly campaigning to be ABC’s first black Bachelorette, championing issues like higher education and a better representation for women of color in the media, or giving her 600,000+ loyal social media followers advice on best beauty and fashion buys, people tune in.
With the newest season of The Bachelorette (with its trademark lack of diversity) premiering on May 23rd Misee is back, but with a slightly different message. “I want to be National Spokeswoman for African American Women! We need a voice in this country, something more accurate and reflective of who we really are,” she states.
In a recent op-ed, Misee penned, she emphatically states, “It is that time again. Each time a new season of ABC’s The Bachelorette is set to air, I get approached to comment. Three years ago, I was picked to be a candidate on that show, but I refused. Why? Because I did not want to be the token black girl that gets booted out in episode two! Also, I was not going to be the ratchet “ethnic character” that gets drunk and pulls another girl’s hair out on TV. So instead, I challenged ABC to make me the first black Bachelorette. I mean, not to brag, but I hold a doctoral degree. I am a pediatric dentist and run my own successful non-profit organization. And yes, I carry myself with class and aim to be a different example of a Black American woman.”
“Little did I know that my challenge to ABC and “Bachelorette” producer, Mike Fleiss, would turn into a major hoopla and garner national media attention. I pretty much became known overnight. But that wasn’t even the most amazing thing. You see, my challenge to ABC was never really about starring on a television show, being adored by 20 some-odd men competing for my affections, or landing a boyfriend. It was, and is, about creating a new paradigm of how we as women of color are portrayed in the media, and in the world for that matter.” – Misee Harris
Misee’s extensive media appearances include: The Hallmark Channel’s Home & Family show, HLN’s Showbiz Tonight, MSNBC, SheKnows, Miami Herald, HuffPost Live!, MadameNoire, TheRoot, NBC’s TheGrio, Crushable.com, New York Daily News, TIME, WetPaint, Jezebel, to name just a few. She is also a regular contributor to The Huffington Post and The Guardian. See some clips below to become familiar with her public platform:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pHidesF7VQ – Home & Family Show pt. 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpDQU2Ar_2E – Home & Family Show pt. 2
http://www.hlntv.com/video/2013/03/05/woman-campaigns-be-first-black-bachelorette – Showbiz Tonight
http://thegrio.com/2013/02/26/is-america-ready-for-a-black-bachelorette/ – TheGrio
http://entertainment.time.com/2013/03/01/missee-harris-wants-to-be-the-first-black-bachelorette/ – TIME
http://www.wetpaint.com/when-will-we-see-a-minority-bachelorette-misee-harris-up-for-the-job-765672/ – WetPaint.com
Misee would love to announce her intention to launch a public campaign to be National Spokeswoman for all African American women on The Steve Harvey Show and would like to come on as a guest to do so and discuss her reasons with Mr. Harvey.
Misee reasons, “Black American women need a voice. With Oprah’s show gone, Michelle Obama exiting the White House and the generations shifting, we don’t have that at the moment. I mean, who is going to speak for us? Al Sharpton? Gloria Allred? Blac Chyna? It’s not a good look.”
“I cannot tell you how many times I hear snarky talk of black women being considered angry, masculine, bitter, hot tempered, ratchet… I know I’m not the only one hearing this mess. The first thought that always comes to mind is, “Who are they talking about?!” They aren’t talking about me. I’m none of those things and neither are many of you, I am sure. So why does TV and social media make it look that way?” – Misee Harris