BET does it again
This week's column is an expanded version of an earlier post.
CBS's "60 minutes" rebroadcast a piece last Sunday on the tendency in some African American communities to frown on "snitching" to police.
It noted a perverse (my word) code of honor that says don't tell, even on known violent criminals — especially on known violent criminals — a code reinforced by rappers in real life and in their music.
It also recalled similar sentiments by a local school board member, Deena Hayes, who bristled last year that she didn't want students to become snitches for police — the moral presumably being that if you see someone doing something harmful or unlawful, keep your big mouth shut.
This, of course, isn't strictly a black thing. We all know what happened to snitches on "The Sopranos."
But it is particularly harmful in the black community, where relations with police already are fragile.
The "60 Minutes" piece also mentioned a reality series by Black Entertainment Television that focuses on the days leading to the incarceration of the rapper, Lil' Kim, who did time behind bars on perjury charges related to a shooting.
The tag line for the show, "Lil' Kim: Countdown to Lockdown": "She's going to prison with her mouth shut and her head held high."
BET is run by a former Greensboro resident, Debra L. Lee, a wildly successful and intelligent Harvard Law grad who was handed the reins of the network by Charlotte Bobcats owner Robert Johnson, BET's founder.
Lee has been made a millionaire and a cable TV power broker during a tenure with BET. If she only would enrich the lucrative network with the good taste and quality it deserves.
Fat chance.
The National Association of Black Journalists two weeks ago awarded BET "Thumbs-Down" recognition for "its depiction of black images in the media, lack of news and public affairs and the network's neglect to broadcast the funeral of civil rights icon Coretta Scott King in 2006."
A more recent concoction of bad taste, "Hot Ghetto Mess," did not exist when the dubious BET award was determined.
Too bad. The network might have gotten two thumbs down, eight additional fingers and a pair of toes.
In the wake of blistering criticism (ya think?) BET has changed the name of "Hot Ghetto Mess" to "We Got To Do Better."
Lipstick and a touch of mascara on a pig.
The new series, says the Hollywood Reporter, is a compilation of viewer-submitted home videos and BET-produced man-on-the-street segments that show African Americans "in unflattering situations that typically illustrate the excesses of so-called hip-hop culture."
BET contends it's a way of pointing out through comedy how destructive and foolish these excesses can be. Yeah right.
BET doesn't stop there.
Not content merely to offend, the network has chosen to shock and awe our sensibilities with an alleged PSA that encourages viewers to read a book — as in "read a mother-blankin' book, nigga."
It gets worse, with profanity and images of big-hipped women shaking their money makers, and more.
More incredibly, the video wasn't merely played by BET. BET created it, and debuted it on its afternoon video show, "106 & Park" (co-hosted, incidentally by a former student of mine at N.C. A&T, Terrence Jenkins).
BET's own animators produced the video to accompany a song and lyrics conceived by Bomani Ahmer.
In a press release, the network praises the video's positive message: " ‘Read A Book' uses an irresistible beat on which to place the catchy, overly repeated lyrics. But instead of exhorting the listener to dance as much of current hip-hop does, he takes the opportunity to suggest ways through which people can better their lives."
A BET spokeswoman goes on to say in the release: "This video a great example of how the best animation can convey complex messages with great clarity and humor."
Among the song's lyrics (with the expletives slightly veiled by me):
Read a book, read a book, read a mother-blankin' book
R-e-a-d-a-b-o-o-k
Not a sports page, not a magazine, but a book, nigga, a blankin' book nigga
Read a book, read a book, read a mother-blankin' book
BET obviously knew this would cause a stir and promotes the video on its Web site.
What is it they say about no such thing as bad publicity?
Lee, a Dudley High graduate and a mother, is not putting her considerable talent and smarts to very good use.
She and the network have promised an unprecedented wave of new original programming.
If this is any indication of what we can expect, please, don't bother.
I bet she wouldn't show this stuff to her own kids.
She's got to do better.
Comments (4)
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I agree 100 percent.
I tuned out BET a few years ago, one reason being the programming and videos. Funny — the network that peddles catchy beats, lyrics and dances now puts out a press release saying that viewers will be inspired to educate themselves through catchy beats, lyrics and dances. I'm not buying it.
I disagree with a friend of mine, who said that the only way to reach children nowadays is through music. I could be wrong, but I'm sure that "Read a mother-blankin' book" is not the answer."
Posted on August 19, 2007 3:43 PM
Cracking the 'No Snitching' Code
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=13752977
Posted on August 20, 2007 2:52 PM
I have got to agree with you on this one also. BET is passé' in the Black community. What can you say when Black Entertainment Television does not even have a news program? A few years back BET had promising programs with shows like Teen Summit and the BET News hosted by Tavis Smiley, but today it is nothing more than a 24 hour minstrel show. It focuses on music videos and "reality" TV. As a Black person I think that we have much more to offer than College Hill and 106th and Park.
Step it up or move on "BET"!
Posted on August 22, 2007 8:43 AM
Would you say that this antipathy toward dealing with the authorities has some bearing on the reaction in Atlanta's Black community to the situation with Michael Vick? I saw a columnist from the area on ESPN the other day, talking about how folks in the Black community there are upset over Vick's situation, apparently because they see it as a Black guy getting the short end of the legal stick again.
Just wondering...
Posted on August 23, 2007 8:48 AM