Real World Ruins: Tonya Cooley Sues MTV for Filming Rape

I am pretty behind, and just finding out about this story. Honesty I hope that girl helps start a movement towards a more complete and human experience. What are we doing to ourselves? Why are we allowing our minds to be poisoned to the point of the crumbling of our society? If we keep up the mental pollution then soon everyone will be reduced to animals. Non thinking, filthy, creatures. But hey it'll be entertaining for someone. The question is who?

I'm old enough to remember the very first "Real World" when they brought together strangers who had dreams or life experiences they were pursuing in New York City. An artist, a rapper, a dancer, a model...In later seasons we saw yet another cast member struggle with aids and saw what happened when cultural, religious and political differences came to a head. These earlier cast members often had jobs or careers which weren't provided by MTV as "something to do", a cop, an illustrator, a bartender, a college student who was actually attending classes. I was in the same age group as the participants and I loved the show, I saw others coming to age and struggling with some of the same interpersonal conflicts I also had experienced. It made me think about the world beyond my rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

At some point the Real World changed and became less of a documentary and more of a voyeur experience looking into a sponsored twenty four hour party where everyone was attractive and in many cases seeking fame. They followed the money...higher ratings for sensationalism. I believe MTV doesn't interfere in many cases as they consider it a documentary, but let's face it, there is a difference between a documentary and hosting a party.

Good follow up. Its terrible what happened to Tonya. The definition of rape must be expanded beyond the limited scope of what it already is.

I've been following the FBI story since it was released and was blown away to learn things haven't changed much since the decade women were eligible to first vote. This change must come. My fear is in this economy there will be pressure from law enforcement to say they can't handle the larger case loads (look at what happened in Topeka!). But I will do whatever I can to support the cause.

As for MTV, I have no words. Just days following your rape clause piece, I learned that Chris Brown took the stage at the VMAs (I didn't watch). The messages we send about fame and celebrity and violence are so dangerously, horribly skewed. When do we reach the tipping point?

Thank you for reminding us all that what we watch is what we support. If you don't like MTV potentially making money off of rape, or Kim K. making a mockery of marriage for money, stop watching and let the advertisers know you have stopped. Choosing to watch something is a choice and our choices have consequences far beyond the obvious top layer ones. Thanks again for encouraging us to look a little deeper. (As a side note: I, too, worked on a crisis center hotline for years a few decades ago and doing this type of work, volunteer or otherwise, can change your perspectives on how society tolerates a number of severe ills that should be addressed.)

I'm sickened over it and glad that I've never once lingered for a nanosecond on that show...ever. I spent 6 months as a rape crisis counselor through the YWCA here in San Jose, CA and I learned a lot about the stigma and demographics of rape, which are FAR different than the media likes to portray. Great post, thanks for writing!