Chima Simone Benson of Big Brother 11

CBS is airing statements that degrade persons with mental illness. If this offends you, take action now!

Are you a fan of Big Brother on CBS? Chima Simone Benson called Lydia a bipolar drama queen during the show that aired on Sunday, August 2, 2009. Lydia does not have bipolar disorder-Chima associated her actions with the disorder. Considering that she is a freelance journalist, she should know that it is unacceptable. Her reputation is important in her line of work and it is now tarnished.

I had read on the internet that she had made this statement but I assumed that CBS would not air it. Thanks, CBS, for helping to add to the stigma of bipolar disorder. I fully intend to express my anger that they did not edit this part. There are several house members that have made cracks about mental illness and while I realize that the network cannot control what the houseguests say, CBS can control what is aired during the primetime show.

Several weeks ago, Chima called Braden a bigot and a racist early in the game but now she helps to further stigmatize bipolar disorder. (Pot calling the kettle black?) CBS assisted her in doing so by airing this on prime time television. It’s a disgrace that she would call “foul” when it suited her and then commit the same type of offense. I AM offended.

If you would like to let CBS know that you are unhappy that they chose to air this statement, use this form:

http://www.cbs.com/info/user_services/fb_global_form.php

In the box labeled “Regarding”, scroll to Big Brother and then leave your comment.

Chima’s profile can be found on Google at:

http://www.google.com/profiles/chimasimone

Chima is an entertainment reporter for:

http://hollyscoop.com

You can email them at juice@hollyscoop.com to express your discontent with their reporter’s insensitive remarks about a disorder that affects approximately 5.7 million Americans.

The co-founder and CEO of DNA Group, Inc., which owns Hollyscoop, can be contacted through his LinkedIn profile at http://www.linkedin.com/pub/raymond-attipa/8/b22/299.

I intend to contact CBS and Chima’s employers to let them know that this is unacceptable. I hope you will join me and do the same. We should not sit back and take this on the chin. When those who have been given “celebrity status” make derogatory remarks about mental illness, we must take action. I am asking CBS to issue a formal apology and I hope that you will too. Perhaps if enough of us speak out, it will prevent them from airing such statements in the future.

***Update: Hollyscoop responds:

“Chima is a freelance reporter and hasn’t reported for Hollyscoop.com for over a year…I’m sorry that you were offended by her comments…she is no longer working for Hollyscoop.com and hasn’t since 2008.”

Thank you, Hollyscoop, for your quick response to this matter.

Please continue to contact CBS and let them know that this is unacceptable.

Related posts:

1. Increase awareness and reduce the stigma of mental illness–Now!

2. No Kidding, Me Too! Celebrities talk about mental illness.
3. All About Bipolar: Medical ailments linked to mental illness
4. All About Bipolar: Children and ATV’s
5. All About Bipolar: A test for bipolar disorder?