I watched an episode of Boondocks on my boy Nasir page( http://nasiraleem.blogspot.com/). Some of you may have seen it awhile back; however, I wanted to bring the issue back up. I do not think that many people came up with any suggestions for BET. They also did not highlight any of the positive things that BET has accomplished, which we rarely do as a race. So here is my version of the post...
The episode was about one character going on a hunger strike against BET. He claimed that he would stop eating until BET was removed from television. As I continued to watch the show, there was a scene where the top executives were holding a meeting about the direction that the network was going in. A character, that appeared to be the President of BET, was yelling about how Bob Johnson had a dream that BET would ruin Black people. She went on to say that she did not think BET was currently doing a good job at living up to his dream.
As they went around the table, different executives pointed out how they were doing a good job. One guy said that since BET came on air, the number of teenage pregnancies increased and there was more violence in the community. They laughed as they continued to name ways that BET has slowly brought the Black race down. Although a little extreme, the point of the show was to highlight some of the issues and concerns many people have with BET.
Before I go into if Boondocks was correct about BET, I will highlight some of the positive accomplishments of BET.
1. Keeping Up would like to congratulate Bob Johnson for creating one of the first Black networks on television. For years we could never see an entire network dedicated to us or see nothing but Black faces.
2. They give Black up and coming actors and television personalities a chance to start a career on their network. Shout out to AJ and Free.
3. They created an award show to highlight the achievements and success of our Black entertainers.
4. They give Blacks job opportunities.
5. They created a fashion show that highlights Black clothing designers, who are rarely recognized as true fashion.
6. They syndicate some of the greatest Black television shows ever made.
I am sure that there are some more positive aspects of BET, but Boondocks made a few good points. The first time that I really became angry with BET was when they created the show UNCUT. I sat there and watched video after video of Black men disrespecting Black women. The videos often consisted of women half naked and shaking their butts all over the screen. I just could not understand who approved such a show.
Then they created College Hill. I was so excited that a show was coming out that was going to highlight Historically Black college and universities. As I watched the show, there was more negative than positive highlights. It did not do HBCUs justice.
These are just two shows that I pointed out, but the amount of quality shows BET has, is lacking. While I do not think that BET seeks to ruin Black people, the network just does not always give a positive message to its audience.
However, the real issue could be the Black entertainers and the individual negative images that they give off. BET is supposed to highlight Black entertainment. If the Black entertainers are acting a damn fool, then that is what is going to be highlighted.
Solution: As a network that has the eyes of so much of our youth, take the time to create carefully shows that have a positive influence on your viewers. Continue to play music videos, but create other shows that can be beneficial. Know that there are not too many outlets where our voice can be heard, take advantage of the power that you have.
A few ideas for shows:
1. Highlight the Young Blacks in performing arts
2. Use BET news to cover some positive news going on in the community.
3. Create a mini Black Olympics for young black athletes.
4. Create a reading campaign that includes celebrities.
Viewers that are disappointed, write letters to the network voicing your opinion. Come up with suggestions and send them in.
Black entertainers, give BET something positive to highlight!
1. What do you think about BET network?
2. What would you add or delete from its programming?
Posts
16 comments:
I think as much about BET as I do any other network. You brought out some very valid points about the positives BET as made possible for up and coming black entertainment personalities. We (my people) should stop pointing fingers for the things that are wrong in our society. Parental discretion IS ADVISED and should be enforced. It starts at home.
Blog Queen: Yeah I think its important to highlight the positive things that our people are doing. So often we point the finger, but very few times do we say congrats! The more positive we are, the more uplifting we can be. To your point about it starts at them home. I agree!!!
The only issue I have is that we have lost our Black families. Alot of people are not being parents. Do we then ignore this, and just hope that kids don't watch, or do we take the concept, "of it takes a village to raise a child", and all take action?
Oh BET [insert head shake].
Your absolutely right, we don't give BET enough credit for what they have accomplished, I know I sure as hell don't. I just can't help but be disgusted with the network.
I was APPALLED by Uncut. At the moment I really have no words, it speaks for itself. And let's not forget that the women in those videos were allowing themselves to be degraded quite willingly. When you willingly put your hand in the fire, I can't feel too bad for you (but I can feel bad for myself as a black woman who has to deal with the image that you portray of us all).
And I MUST MUST MUST point out that this is the same network that rolled quite nicely into BET Sunday Morning Inspiration. It's true Jesus was definitely needed after observing that madness, but I don't understand how any God-fearing person could allow that lineup. There is a serious issue of morality here.
College Hill was one of the biggest disappoints EVER. BET could have taken the show in a different direction than MTV's Real World but instead they chose to mimic the show and produce a mediocre product. The show has been doing well, obviously as it's in its fourth or fifth season, but it does not interest me at all (although the Virgin Islands was somewhat interesting due to the culture clash). In my opinion the show does not highlight the real college experience. Usually you just see people acting a fool and having fun. I want to know what the kids are learning in college, why they feel it's important to attend, what are some of their daily struggles with school and their family. That's what a show called College Hill should be about, not hook-ups and stabbing people in they eye with stilettos.
The bottom line is that I just don't perceive BET to be that innovative. The network is soooooooo behind.
I think BET has been a complete disgrace, personally. Although lately I have liked watching Diff'rent Strokes and A Different World... the old stuff. But as far as anything new, it's just nasty and ridiculous. College Hill is just awful. Although, I DO see a lot of similarities between my time at Howard and that show, which kind of makes me think that BET can't help the way those people act. But they could just not have that show. Furthermore, Baldwin Hills is completely childish. Most of the programming on BET is difficult to watch because I can't relate. I'm SUPPOSED to be able to relate because these are my people, yet instead I sit there embarrassed and angry at the fact that this crap is even on television. It sets our people back so much. The shows PROMOTE stereotypes instead of demolishing them. So, instead, I turn to TV One. I think BET could be better if we could do without the sex and dating stuff. Less nasty music videos (and the idolization of them), and less Hell Date. Stop acting like these videos (and the music itself for that matter) are SO profound, because they aren't. Taking "money out ya pocket then throw[ing] it and show[ing] it" is NOT profound. In addition, BET needs more shows LIKE the old shows but with a modern twist, and campaigns featuring more socially conscious Black celebrities.
OMG, Baldwin Hills... [insert smirk].
BET tries to be too many things to too many people. It tries to entertain children, preteens, and teenagers which it does exceeedinly well, but then of course, as a result, does a poor job of entertaining adults, particularly mature and sophisticated adults. At this stage in its history BET should have mastered its target audience and be a mature network trying to reach a mature audience.
philosopher: I agree that Baldwin Hills is completely childish. Once again BET has chosen not to take the road less traveled. Their is room for the show to have some substance, and the show could be used to really impact the lives of the young people participating and those of the viewers, and yet every week we are only given episodes displaying the most petty of teenage drama, simple-minded girls, and a sad case of black males.
I was I was writing this I am reminded of the show "Black White" that was produced by Ice Cube. I LOVED the show, it was amazing to see the changes and challenges that the black and white families went through. It really opened up my eyes to a few things about our culture (most of it was negative, I was quite disappointed with the behavior of the black family), and also how we are perceived by others. Of course the show is no answer to race relations, but it was an interesting experiment nonetheless. WHY isn't BET behind such shows? WHY isn't BET doing exposes on things affect the women, men, and children in our community, yet Tyra Banks can? WHY do I have to watch topics on race and culture on networks that choose to represent only a small portion of my race? Step up your game BET.
Black Entertainment? No. Black Idiocy.
I haven't really watched BET in years. I think what we have to realize is this, someone is making those decisions to have these show on the air and someone is watching. If more people wouldn't watch these shows, maybe the people who make the decisions would change the programming. It is a friendly reminder that coonery and buffonery(did i spell that right?) still exist.
Off course Im not leaving BET!!! mostly for the music, lol I can't imagine deleting it, especially when fam in other countries like the UK, & Africa want BET (i think they have part of it, not sure).
and isn't BET owned by Viacom?
Hmm it's also about ratings, so they won't put on stuff that they think will not get an audience.
Like i heard they wouldnt put Michelle's (destiny's child) new song on there cuz it wasn't "black" enough.[hope its not true]
I think the quality and overall mental stimulation from BET had dwindled. I remember when there used to be substance-filled shows such as Teen Summit, BET News, etc. Now it seems as though its filled with videos, old reruns, videos, reality shows, and videos. Where is the education? Where is the valuable information?
I would add shows that would be informative and critical for the improvement of our community in conjunction with the entertainment. I would delete College Hill b/c as an alumna of a HBCU, this crap does us NO JUSTICE. HBCUs receive enough negativity already. I wouldn't delete 106 and Park, but I would change the hosts...I watched it once since Free and J left...I'm sorry but Terrance and Rosci are annoying.
Philosopher and Catherine: Dont get me started on Baldwin Hills. Its a joke. All they show is drama. I thought they might show us how Blacks in the upperclass live and how some Blacks are actually are well off. They could show us so many positive things on that show, but instead show us girls fighting over guys. Boo to that show. Im glad to see others agree.
Foxychica: I agree as long as people are watching and they are getting their ratings, they will probably continue to stay the same.
Bombchell: Yes its owned by viacom and that probably plays a large part into what they play. Every network reflects a little, if not alot, of how the owners think.
beautifully: I remember Teen Summit! I wonder why they took that off? They should bring it back and other shows like it. Two of my friends use to be the host on Teem Summit. Not only did it cover topics that were entertaining, but you could learn something.
Well, as far as ratings are concerned I believe that there are people who want to view something of substance on BET, and the network should keep trying to bring forth such shows to its viewers. BET has tried in the past (like with that show that was kind of like The View) however, as I said earlier, they do a poor job of entertaining more mature and sophisticated individuals, whether they be teenagers or adults. And that show was directed at a demographic that doesn't frequently watch BET, especially enough to even know that such a show even existed on the network.
BET needs to revamp who its shows are directed towards. Stop being cheap and complacent and pull some strong brains together and CAMPAIGN for better shows.
And as far as not playing Michelle's song, BET has such a NARROW idea of what Black people like. I know many black people, young and old, who listen to a variety of music genres, and many of these artists and black themselves. They receive no attention because the songs don't sound "black enough." Sad.
There used to be a show on BET Jazz, like a Project Runway type of show, but with a twist. The designers did not create their own styles, but were given a theme that they had to recreate through a fashion photoshoot. The contestants had to go to a store in NY (similar to a Filene's Basement or Loehmann's) and select the clothes and accessories for the models in the shoot. They were then responsible for deciding the models hair and make-up and directing the shoot. The were judged on how well everything in the shoot flowed together to create the theme that they were given. All in all the show was really interesting, and Eva winner of one of the ANTM cycles was the host as well as a judge. I don't know why BET Jazz didn't continue with the show, and why the didn't put it on the regular BET station. The show could have been really big for the network, just as Top Model has been for The CW. But BET insists upon doing just enough instead of going above and beyond. Sigh.
Teen Summit needs to make a comeback, these kids out here need a reality check and a forum to discuss the issues that affect them.
Catherine: I wonder if the amount of the money they have to spend on programming has to do with Viacom? I wonder if they limit the amount of funds BET gets? That was just a thought.
But regardless either they need to be protesting for more money or learning how to be creative like you said. I bet a Howard student could come up with a very entertaining television show for a class, with no money at all, and it be better than some of the stuff BET is showing. Black people are some of the most creative people in this country, BET staff should be able to think of way more things than what they have.
Why is it that MTV can do the same type of show as BET and it turn out way better? Maybe its because they have more money, but its just an excuse. We have always been given the shorter end of the stick, be creative and make it happen.
I'm going to call up my friend that works for them and ask her if there is a chance that Teem Summit can come back or something like it.
true true.
well they removed BET uncut, which left some happy, and some sad.
ok now, nobody beat me up, but I loved a show they had called SOB! socially offensive behavior, it was hilarious, but they stopped it, I don't like hell date though.
I don't remember SOB! but yeah Hell Date I don't care for. I mean a few of the episodes were cool and made me laugh, but its not the best show out there. I think the best show they have and still remains strong is 106th and Park. I use to like it when AJ and Free were on, and I heard kids still like it. The host arent good, but maybe just not to our age group.
There's always gonna be an ongoing debate about this because its the nature of black people. Sadly, the negative, will always outweigh the positive.
The one thing most fail to realize, is that through assimilation, blacks tend to associate sucess with financial wealth. That being said, its to be expected that BET, in an attempt to gain said wealth they themselves buy into the idea of "dumbing down".
Lets be real. When BET was in its infancy, the programing was different. But in an attempt to "go mainstream" prior to being sold to Viacom, the programming shifted.
I'm guessing its the price to pay for economic wealth and sucess when you're black. Hell, the irony of all of this is that the majority of the money being spent in catering to our culture, is being done by white kids.
But hey...
its the same old song and dance.
I think that it is about making money, without caring about the consequenses of promoting casual and meaningless sexual relationships, or worse. "Wrap it up" is not what youth need to hear. What about promoting self control and respect for self and others? What about encouraging positive values and sexual abstinence? Ultimately, everyone has to answer to God and their own conscience. Maybe BET can promote some community programs that are helping youth avoid the pitfalls of sex outside of marriage, such as the one that my wife Stacey and I founded; ULTRA Teen Choice: http://www.ultrateenchoice.org.
Richard: I am going to check ultra teen choice out! Sex before marriage is a major issue in our society. There are so many teen parents these days, which contributes to some of the problems that we have. I thank you and your wife for coming up with a plan of action. Again I will be sure to check it out.
Post a Comment