When I turn on the to BET nowadays this is what comes to mind. A modern day minstrel show full of Coons and Buffoons, and it seems that BET doesn't mind with the current lineup of new shows scheduled to air. (e.g. Tiny & Toya and Frankie & Neffie). What happen to the old BET? I remember Teen Summit with Ananda Lewis; BET is also where I also saw my first greek stepshow.
BET did not air Coretta Scott King’s funeral on it’s station. BET claimed it wanted to offer viewers a different kind of experience by posting a live webcast on it’s website of the funeral where viewers could access it "at work, at home, traveling, and at school". Likewise, the four major networks; NBC, ABC, CBS, and FOX all broadcast their own live webcasts on their respective websites. But these stations as well broadcast the funeral on television. C-SPAN and CNN also aired the funeral live.
This reason alone proves that BET is the epitome of trash on television. And not to equate the struggle of blacks with Coretta Scott King, but there would be no BET without her. BET felt that viewers would prefer to watch women shaking their rumps in music videos rather than some funeral for a beloved civil rights leader.
BET is not black entertainment television. It does not represent the views and ideals of the millions of Blacks in the United States collectively. The station has no right to such a name as it falsely identifies itself with Black people as a whole. 
BET also has a constant habit of dumbing down its viewers. In 2004 BET refused to play the music video Shopping Bags (She Got from You)", claiming that De La Soul was no longer relevant to their audience. BET remained unyielding and in 2005 gave North Carolina group Little Brother, the same dubious honor, this time citing their reason for not playing the video to "Lovin' It" as it being "too intelligent for their audience". The network, however, relented upon this decision some several months afterwards.
BET also has a constant habit of dumbing down its viewers. In 2004 BET refused to play the music video Shopping Bags (She Got from You)", claiming that De La Soul was no longer relevant to their audience. BET remained unyielding and in 2005 gave North Carolina group Little Brother, the same dubious honor, this time citing their reason for not playing the video to "Lovin' It" as it being "too intelligent for their audience". The network, however, relented upon this decision some several months afterwards.
BET supports the miseducation of the African-American. Every show that could have provided real and legitimate positive inspiration in a person’s life has been removed(unless it is a gospel show). Teen Summit which dealt with teens’ and their everyday issues was killed. ‘BET Tonight with Tavis Smiley’ was likewise murdered. BET is more interested in shows that show lite pornography.
BET is at the head of these modern day minstrel shows. There must be a demand on the part of Black-Americans for better programming on BET. We need more shows that accurately depict the state of Blacks in America. Blacks must not be complacent with the garbage that currently is broadcast daily into their homes. A network that claims to be for Blacks and reflect their lifestyles has to be something that everyone can be proud of. It has to be actively working to disprove the many negative stereotypes that currently exist against Blacks. As it stands, BET is an embarrassment to Black America. There must be a movement of Black people, and others, that lets those in charge of BET know that we are unsatisfied with the quality of programming that currently airs on their station. Until then, BET will continue to be an embarrassment to Black America.
BET is at the head of these modern day minstrel shows. There must be a demand on the part of Black-Americans for better programming on BET. We need more shows that accurately depict the state of Blacks in America. Blacks must not be complacent with the garbage that currently is broadcast daily into their homes. A network that claims to be for Blacks and reflect their lifestyles has to be something that everyone can be proud of. It has to be actively working to disprove the many negative stereotypes that currently exist against Blacks. As it stands, BET is an embarrassment to Black America. There must be a movement of Black people, and others, that lets those in charge of BET know that we are unsatisfied with the quality of programming that currently airs on their station. Until then, BET will continue to be an embarrassment to Black America.
Man lets spark up the letter writing or email campaign. If we get some names and numbers im down for it. Like you said if it uses the nomer Black Entertainment...we should have some say in it. Or at least it should reflect more avenues of the culture.
ReplyDeleteI just came from a Little Brother Show here in Chicago and there were hundreds of black folks "Lovin It" I don't think we can replace the shows all toghether because we have some people enjoy those shows but we need the good with the bad and hopefully people can make a choice.
We need to stop letting others be responsible for our education!