Thanks for writing this post, Ms. Poe. We need more profiles like this one. It gives our people true role models to emulate.

Thanks, Alton. What's scary is that so many people think that show represents Atlanta and black Atlanta "wealth!"

Why do you think Americans, especially African-Americans (in my opinion), put so much emphasis on appearing wealthy, even if it means having to go in debt? Share your view with us today in comments!

It is so funny to me when on the RHOA they say they are "socialites". Yea, right, ok. If you live in Atlanta, you know who the real socialites are. Great article.

Excellent Article! I hope the same people who watch the RHOA read this article as well. Thankful for my dad always having Black Enterprise in our home so we could see real wealth in our community.

One reason why flaunting should not be number 1 on their priority are those that are waiting for the opportunity to knock them in the head and steal what they can. I always thought that was what we were supposed to do. This is truly called keeping it on the down low.

Thanks, for your great comments ladies!! Maybe we will change behavior in our community with our voices! Lord knows we have a long way to go in terms of real wealth-building...

Q for the day, everyone: Why do you think Americans, especially African-Americans (in my opinion), put so much emphasis on appearing wealthy, even if it means having to go in debt? Share your view with us today in comments!

You said it, Cheryl. They think it is reality because TV says it is. Sad.

That's encouraging. I knew I didn't have to buy a Mercedes just to look wealthy.

Great article, Jan. It's unfortunate that these "reality" shows give such false hope to the younger generations. My 4th grade students who should not be watching the foolishess anyway, look up to NeNe Leakes & Sheree' Whitfield. It's unrealistic to NOT work & build a 17k sq ft home. It's unrealistic to think that because you're able to write a check to purchase a car - for your 21yo, criminal, unemployed son - for $13k that you're rich. Shows like RHoA are for entertainment purposes ONLY for those who find it entertaining and should begin with a disclaimer .. this AIN'T reality.

LOL, Ms. Berry Byrd! I was thinking the same, "why would you want the world to know your wealth, if you are truly wealthy?"
My mother and I were discussing why African-American children have become so obsessed with amassing huge amounts of money (very quickly) in order to buy fleeting materials with no appreciation value. From my observations, the parents are often even more motivated to provide their children with things, things, and even more expensive things. The parents seem to believe the more they are able to give their children, the better the entire family's lives and status will be: (i.e.) if I give them every material posssession I never had, they will have a better life. We see everyday the untruth and moreover the danger in this belief.

Keeping up with the Jones' is probably one of the biggest issues I witness in Real Estate among Blacks. They will do anything to get a loan for more than they can afford. That is one of the reasons our country is in a debt crises today. Many feel that to achieve better than their parents/friends it means obtaining the larger homes, cars, expensive clothing, ect. by maximizing their credit cards in order to appear more successful. Also, many feel it's not worthy of them unless it cost a large amount of money, and that does contribute to a loss of identity, true purpose in life, and a sense of feeling validated by society.

I have only watched the show once and I could hardly take it. How does one become a housewife without a husband is what I have always wondered about the ladies on the show? It's a monye maker for the network and the "stars",but hardly a positve representation of Atlanta's wealthy or classy! Wealthy people are busy making money,not having fist fights and verbal altercations. Thank you for pointing that out in your editorial! Good job.

A real lady does not have to remind everyone that she is a lady, nor does a wealthy person have to tell everyone that he/she is rich.----Just walk the walk and people will know.
At least they will think that they know.
Poor as a church mouse, but know how to look like a million.

I suspect on this website you are preaching to the choir, Janita. Thank you for raising this important issue.

Thanks for all these great comments! Patch is interactive media, so we want to hear your voices! Happy Thanksgiving!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to everyone. --Let your family and friends know that you love them and give thanks to God for them.
SAY THE WORDS-----I LOVE YOU and mean it.

Janita, truly appreciate this article! I was disappointed and embarrassed when Née-Née leaks thought herself to be rich. Maybe your article should be forwarded via FedX to give her a wakeup call. Yes, earthly disires are a part of living but to think you're rich because you've purchased a car is something of a delusional perspective. Thanks Again!

Thanks, Muriel! I like the FedX idea. I also hope many of our youth come across the column. Please circulate and tell them about www.cascade.patch.com. I appreciate you!!!

Thank you for this ARTICLE. Right on point. NeNe claims she's rich because she paid cash for a $13,000 car?? WTH?? That ain't rich! Most of us middle class blacks can do that. I paid for my BMW (5 series) CASH! But I don't claim I'm rich...I just don't want to pay interest to anybody. If I can't pay cash, I don't buy it. I invest my money, I live BELOW my means and make my money work for me. These women on RHOA are aweful. They are loud, tacky, rude and NOT "wives" ...and NOT "rich". First of all, rich people wouldn't ever tell someone they're "rich". They keep it quiet and they live modest. Those are true RICH people....like Bill Gates. It a shame that women want to be like them, and young girls watching this, have no idea of how a real woman (wife) should carry herself.

Great point, Tee, and I'm glad that you pointed out that you paid cash for your car. Now when you can pay cash for a nice car that will last, keep you safe and that you will enjoy, GO FOR IT!! But financing a car to the hilt just to look well-to-do, makes no sense (and, unfortunately, too many of us are doing that!!!)

Great article!! Im so glad you took on this story. It was so needed! Thank you Ms. Poe!

Wow! This article is really true and authentic to the lifestyle black people live. I'm a 20year old south african woman and the lavish living we see on tv(RHOA)seems to be almost unreal to a lot of people here in SA. We are fed that in america fame is accompanied automatic wealth(as the RHOA shows)thus we never really know what's fabricated or real! But in the same respect here in south africa,a lot of black south africans live beyond their means to purely make face for others and not to mention that fame in SA does NOT acclaim one to automatic wealth either. But the harsh reality of media is that the truth is boring,sensation sells. But Hopefully in the near future with such great articles like these we can become a generation informed and SUSTAINABLY WEALTHY enough to help and empower others in need,No matter what country you're from.

Thankx Ms Poe!:)

No righteous Black man would ever have a relationship with egotistical, self-indulgent hoes like this. This show is an insult to the entire Black Community. Time to get real.

Wow nice article

Those are not the real housewives of atlanta, zero portrayal in the truth, real country ghetto women of Atlanta...is the truth