I loathe BET — a twenty-some odd hour television station showcasing nothing more than modern-day coonery and buffoonery that is absolutely ignorant, blatant and demeaning in its approach to showcase blacks by feeding off age-old stereotypes of black people. You might expect that one of the only channels out of who knows how many geared toward a black audience would be positive in its approach; however, BET is not.

Contrary to what BET and its parent company, Viacom, would have you believe: not all black people are concerned with bling, booties and booze.

BET is one of the many causes of continued racial division in America today. While it purports to support black culture, it’s instilling the idiotic ideas that plague the black community like cancer. In fact, BET is the antithesis of black culture and negates and nullifies everything our ancestors were, and is rightfully referred to and recognized as nothing more than a minstrel show supporting stereotypical views of blacks, instilling bad grammar and, in the end, doing much more harm than good.

It is for that reason that I had no intention of checking out BET’s new show, The Truth, when I first heard about it.

In response to Bob Johnson’s remarks back in April, I wrote him a letter:

Mr. Johnson, why is it that BET never granted the black community with the opportunity to have meaningful discussion surrounding presidential elections?

Now, it seems, you want to speak your mind and tell us all how you really feel (which you have every right to do). But, why didn’t you make that happen some time ago so we all could have shared in the discussion?

Some time ago, Forbes Magazine named your company one of the “best” small businesses in America, but in my eyes, it has become one of the worst. Your communications empire could have made a difference…well, a positive one.

I don’t have an issue with you because you bash Sen. Barack Obama. My issue with you is that you’re an opportunist: Geraldine Ferraro made that statement [early March]. Why are you only now adding your two cents?

I admire a sound business mind, but Mr. Johnson I do not admire you nor do I support any of your endeavors. Some might ask, “Well, who are you, J. Dakar?” or better yet, “Who do you think you are?” And, right now, I can both respect and accept that. But one day, I will be in a position where I can and will make my voice heard and I promise you that I’ll use it for good…unlike you. Additionally, right now, many others share my sentiments regarding you, Mr. Johnson, and the company you founded.

FYI: I loathe BET and everything in which it stands because it could have been so much more. You, Mr. Johnson, could have been so much more…

Peace and blessings,
J. Dakar

I never heard from Mr. Johnson or anyone at any of the RLJ Companies, for that matter. However, I couldn’t help but think that The Truth might have been what I wanted. So I watched it this weekend.

I (somewhat) commend BET for its effort, but its delivery definitely leaves much to be desired. Why is this show only 30 minutes on a Friday night? You do want people to watch it, don’t you? Or do you? It’s as if BET is saying, “Okay, we’ll give you something worth actually watching, but we’re going to air it when we know nearly no one’s watching. Why? Because we can…and we’re all idiots.” On top of that, one half-hour of “consciousness” does not make up for years of idiocy.

I will say that I enjoyed the show, and I’ll probably check out next week’s episode. But I still loathe BET. If that is to change, you’re gonna have to continue to do better, BET. Keep trying.

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En Vogue – “Too Gone, Too Long” from EV3