The Beginning
Brad Sanders & Deya Smith, the founders of Be Good to Women Day
NATIONALLY SYNDICATED RADIO PERSONALITY DEMANDS BLACK COMMUNITY ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF SEXUAL AND PHYSICAL ABUSE OF BLACK WOMEN
“Ti-Rone,” the virtual Dr. Phil of urban radio shocked listeners of his nationally syndicated radio program, ON THE PHONE WITH TI-RONE earlier this month when he called for an end to violence, both sexual and physical, and the negative objectification of Black women, not only by their own community but by much of the entertainment industry.
Ti-Rone’s impassioned plea, which brought an instant response from radio listeners coast-to-coast, comes at a time when the media and entertainment industry are embroiled in a growing controversy over language, imagery and behavior which has been perceived as demeaning and derogatory not only to Black women, but the entire female population.
Radio veteran Brad Sanders, who portrays the character of Ti-Rone, quotes alarming figures to justify his call to action that were recently released by American Jails, The Magazine of the American Jail Association, which has drawn the following dramatic conclusions:
National Correctional Institutions report dramatic rise in minority female population with histories of sexual and physical abuse, mental health problems, alcohol and drug dependency and lack of education and skills.
Sanders made a fervent plea to his listeners during his nationally syndicated radio program stating “We have got to stop seeing and treating our women as if they are just receptacles for our 30-second gratification. And stop this old pimp stuff. What the hell are we doing to ourselves? We are treating our women, who would be the precious bearers of our seed, the beloved mothers of our children, like she ain’t nothing but garbage! Now if we can’t deal with that, then we should shut the hell up! You ain’t got nothing to tell me about anything that is fair and proper when we don’t treat ourselves or our women as they ought to be treated. Okay, don’t get me wrong, I like rap music like everyone else, but I do not like anything that disrespects our women. I am tired of it! I am tired of saying nothing about it and I am tired of nobody else saying anything about it and it’s time for us to speak truth to power. Women are our lifeblood and we must stop treating them like dirt.”
Deya Smith-Starks, Sanders’ co-host for ON THE PHONE WITH TI-RONE spontaneously added her own personal affirmation to his plea, stating “Black women have been waiting for Black men and the Black community to take a stand against the corruption and debasement of all women, particularly Black women, in the entertainment industry. We are the jewels in the crown of the Black community and should be treated as such.”
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