Too Gone, Too Long
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.
Post Title Download
En Vogue – “Too Gone, Too Long” from EV3
nexy said:
Excellent post and I agree with your points. I have not watched BET regularly in years. A great deal of what they show is not what I want my children to see. Many stereotypes and coonery as you point out. Have not heard about that new show until now. I will read up on it.
Glad It’s Night - Where the Stars Have Soul said:
[...] JDakar hates BET! [...]
brran1 said:
BET went from Teen Summit to Hell Date. SMH
They even refused to air Little Brother’s “Lovin’ It” video a few years back because they deemed it too “intellegent” for its viewers.
Coonery indeed.
princessdominique said:
I loathe them too, but I didn’t know how bad they were until I let their book division publish 2 of my books. Needless to say their promotion of said books was and is just as bad as their programming.
moe said:
Its so funny that you did this post, my “suites” and I (at suiteoctober.com)did a show about today’s hip hop generation, and mentioned how much BET has changed dramatically..there is nothing but bling, booties, and booze, as you stated..and if stations like BET would just decided that they are not going to showcase this type of “entertainment” then the people in the music industry would HAVE to change there treatments for these videos..But stations like BET would never take that chance too much off a loss for them money wise..so let us commence with the bafoonery!!
a. said:
Yep. BET’s the worst!
Torie Michelle said:
I agree with you. I can’t regularly watch BET; it hurts me. Every now and then I check out 106 and Park and other special broadcasts.
So I watched “The Truth” and blogged about it, too. It was only, maybe, 4/10 of what I wanted. The issues of scheduling and format, among others, were just too great for me. Definitely only a “not quite” in my book.
I’d like BET to just start over from scratch…lol
“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.” <—hilarious to put that in a letter
Bre said:
Lmao! It’s not funny, but your post made me think about the Boondocks episode “Hunger Strike”. You sound just like Huey! I agree that BET does suck and I refuse to watch it at all. Even if they do have 1 decent program, I don’t even wanna add to their ratings by watching it. However, If I happen to come across someone who uploaded the show on the net somewhere, I’ll check it out, lol.
Todd Gwynn said:
Excellent. BET = Blacks Embarrassing Themselves. It is a bastion for the neocoons.
Bahama said:
Yea i agree J, BET has not lived up to all that it can and should be. But I look at it this way they are paving the way for another business peson to do it the right way and i can’t wait for that time
elle said:
Although, BET is mindless. I do enjoy Hell Date it’s a guilty pleasure
Deva said:
I agree completely about The Truth. That show came right on time because BET is possibly one of the worst networks on TV. I was pretty angry at the fact that this show is 30 minutes and on at 10pm here. Why couldn’t it be an every day thing if it’s supposed to be a news oriented show? Other news shows air every day, why not this one?
I also wanted to ask what you thought of Master P’s new black network he’s working on.
Victory Waters said:
I don’t agree that BET makes any effort to do anything else but try to promote jackass-isms with a dark face. It’s ridiculous! The people at the TOP helm are NOT black, just like black radio isn’t really black. What’s happening is that the people in charge put on WHAT THEY ASSUME black people like. They hide behind their research. I’ve been at some of these in-house meetings and it is always a struggle. And if you DO say something in a meeting, you are looked at a possible crap disturber who may cause another black panther revolution in the office. You are herded out nice and quick. Those that can make a difference would rather sit there and collect a paycheck than to buckle up and say something. It is HORRID! TV One is another issue. Better than BET but folks need money! Good grief.
Victory Waters
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