TGR: BET: "Big Ass Chain"? Enough Is Enough!
By Doni Glover, www.bmorenews.com
"For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" Matthew 16:26
(BALTIMORE - July 1, 2009) - The year was 1993. I had just returned to college to complete my Bachelor’s degree. My major was English: Media Arts with a concentration in Broadcast Production. The school, located 4 blocks from my childhood home, was Coppin State. The professor in-charge was Ronn Nichols. One of our first lessons was to watch "Birth of a Nation." Why? So we would know what not to do!
I can also fondly recall going on our first field trip to Washington, DC to visit Pluria Marshall of the National Black Media Coalition. Consequently, one thing from that trip still sticks with me today: His disdain for BET founder Bob Johnson.
Why? Mr. Marshall felt that BET and Bob Johnson continually betray the struggle of the African American – plain and simple. Initially, I wondered to myself, this is a lot of hate for Bob Johnson. However, I have since come to see BET much the same way.
Understand, Professor Nichols taught us that as black media professionals in-training, we had an innate obligation to do our very best to respect our history of struggle and to also depict black people in the most positive light possible. End of story. Anything less was unacceptable and worthy of repudiation.
Fast-forward to Sunday, June 28, 2009. The family had gathered around the TV to watch the BET Awards. To say the least, I was utterly disgusted. A cornucopia of thoughts would flood my brain, including my meeting with Pluria Marshall some 16 years ago. Apparently, BET still does not get it.
I can fondly recall going on a field trip to Washington, DC to visit Pluria Marshall of the National Black Media Coalition. I can also remember the one thing that sticks with me to this day: His disdain for BET founder Bob Johnson.
Let me interject, my street education teaches that one should never be envious of a black man making money. However, I have come to a point that there are limitations to this concept. For instance, if one man’s making money means the complete annihilation of a people’s dignity and culture, then I find that man to be an enemy of the people.
While homage was indeed paid during the awards show to the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson, some truly disturbing images stay firmly planted in the forefront of my brain. A pristine example is the chain around T-Pain’s neck: “Big Ass Chain.”
In fact, there is a big ass chain around all black people’s neck – the way I see it. Anytime someone allows this man to come into our homes with such a lack of self-respect, I personally believe he needs to be banished from the village. Yes, he has money. What he does not have is a sense of history.
Question: Have you heard the lyrics to the songs that America holds so dear these days? Have you watched your child repeat lyrics too mature for many adults?
For me, I am instantly reminded of the episode of “The Boondocks” by Aaron McGruder where Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. came out of a coma after 40 years and went to the club only to see black people having lost their minds and concluded that he wasn’t going to be able to do it, that he was instead going to move to Canada.
Ladies and gentlemen, what ever happened to black people acting like we have some sense? I have said it before: Black people fresh out of slavery had more common sense than we do today. With nickels and dimes, they built HBCUs. With all of our 6-figure incomes, $300,000 houses and luxury vehicles, we are closing them. The church is quickly becoming irrelevant, low-aim is the norm, and "baby's momma drama" is too often a household term. What's worst is that Asian students at majority black high schools are walking away with the majority of the scholarships.
Granted, BET is the quintessential source for black culture. However, as it relates to the plight of black America – its moral compass is so twisted that it couldn’t find its way to the bathroom.
Hello! Have you seen the state of black America lately? We're #1 in every messed up category from HIV to childhood obesity to incarceration. Even though our President is black, our debt is red.
BET, in my best estimation, is a profit-driven entity like any other business. However, black America deserves so much more. BET depicts black people as savages with animalistic and materialistic ambitions. BET, from my perspective, condones drug dealing and orgies, popping bottles and partying, and avoids the true beauty of the black experience in America. Somewhere along the line, some industry executives have told our young and beautiful artists that in order to make money, they have to be murderous thugs, whores and prostitutes.
It's as if W.E.B. DuBois and Frederick Douglass never even existed - let alone lynchings and fire hoses and Black Panthers and S.C.L.C.
So, thanks, BET. Because of your power, we cannot imagine life any other way. We cannot even remember the legacy of a Malcolm X, a Harriet Tubman, or a Nat Turner. No, all we can relate to is a mountain of tattoos, some well-done braids, and some $250 jeans. That's it! No integrity, no honor, no respect. Nothing but sagging jeans, thongs and halter tops.
No, we cannot recall Rosa Parks or segregated seats on the bus. We can, however, truly appreciate expensive cars, cognac, and women dressed like strippers.
I am quite sure that some won’t like this assessment. I am clear that I may even lose some fans. I am also aware that I am running the risk of being considered a hater.
So be it! If making it in America means forgetting the struggle of a Fannie Lou Hamer, a David Walker, a Madame C.J. Walker, I guess I won’t make it. I guess I am unsuccessful. And I am okay with that.
For the sake of telling the truth, I’ll take all of the hate. I just believe that black America deserves better. Even more, the executives who are producing artists who perpetuate the negatives of black America deserve life in prison, from my point of view, for they have truly abused the role and purpose of black media.
For the Harvard-educated executives who run iconic black media in America, our sincerest thanks for depicting black America as hooligans in search of a buzz and an orgasm. As a parent, I am even more appreciative for your X-rated material that plays all day and night on the television. The only thing is, did you have to go to Harvard in order to produce that? I mean, honestly, all you really needed to do was to go to any urban corner where they sell chicken boxes, blue tops, 40s, and half-n-half’s. You really could have saved your money and your time.
Thanks again, BET. Don’t know what we’d do without you.
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What do you think?
55 comment(s) on this page. Add your own comment below.
Your comments are so well stated and right on target that I am moved and proud to know that a young black man in America can see the truth. As a Civil War historian and United States Colored Troops reenactor I am extremely proud of my history. Let us begin to honor the slaves who survived the dark days of American history and assured our survival. George Smith, Corporal, 13th USCT President, USCTLHA
Great Article! Thank you for the courage to think and voice your concerns and comments with us. I am moved and proud to known that a young black man in America can see the truth. As a historian and a United States Colored Troops reenactor I am extremely proud of my history. Let us begin to honor the slaves and free men and women who fought to assure our survival in this country. George Smith, 13th USCT
Thanks Doni for your courage to speak the truth. Very well put.
You spoke nothing but truth. I have been having this same discussion with several friends over the past few days. Once upon a time, BET had some intelligent programming, in addition to the foolishness. But, the decided that Tavis Smiley and Ed Gordon were not the image of 'us' they wanted to portray :-/. No need to have a place for 'out' people to gain some knowledge and truth. Remember 'The Summit'? Sadly, that forum has been replaced with 106 and Park. I just want to know, where has all the intelligent programming gone? I hate to believe that our people are doomed to demise, and no one will step forth to change the inevitable.
I think that your being a little to hard on BET. Everybody is try to find away to eat even if it's not the way you would do it or. I don't think your a hater everyone has a right to their opinions. I think that as people make more and more money and their superstars they seem to go over board with the things that they buy. To me the real problems is not what they say in songs, because if you don't like it don't listen. If your a parent and don't like it don't let your children listen to that kind of music. The real quetion is what is they dong with their riches to help the African American communities. I'm talking about people we really look up to like OPRAH, JayZ, Alicia Keys who go all the way to Africa to help when people here are homeless and hungry. Not just them other big shots in the industry that African Americans look up to also.
Although I did not watch the BET Awards I can only imagine what it looked like. I have seen them in the past and they seem to get worse every year.
In my city there is one black owned radio station. One! And do you know what song I have to hear on the radio during the day while I'm at work? Birthday Sex. Now I'm not saying that I don't listen to some inappropraite songs from time to time but this is on the radio during work hours. Where is the FTC? Where are the community figures telling them to turn it off? I don't know that they exist unless it's on a larger scale for some major issue.
I have debated the idea of writing the radio station or even getting a petition going but I hesitate. Who would sign it? So I turn the radio off and tell my boys (3 and 8) that it's not ok to sing a song called Birthday Sex and explain why. That's what my parents (mother and grandmother) did for me growing up. They took responsibility out of the media's hands and put it back in theirs.
Sincerely,
One Soldier Fighting an Army of Ignorance
"Always speaking truth..."
I am glad someone else feels the same way.
Doni, after reading your story on BET, I'm still a fan of yours. Peace
Excellent!
7/1/09
Dear Doni:
Thanks for this excellent piece on the state of Black Entertainment Television (BET). You have made an excellent assessment of how the company has chosen to portray what represents African American culture. I agree with you 100%. The choices made by BET considering who was likely to be watching on Sunday night (including those in the Shrine auditorium audience including "Rev." Al Sharpton) was appalling. From the "T-Pain" persona, to the Vingh Rhaynes expletives, and ”Michael Jackson and BET is Guns" and other TV programs is "Butter" expletives included, to the 'Li'l" Wayne low hanging pants (BVD exposed) vocal rant, to the producers and director's preoccupation with "thug life" as a metaphor for what reflects the best of our African American talent pool is just sad. And if the constant "bleeping" was not a sufficient enough indicator of the low quality of the content, then some of the unfortunate talent mixes (NE-YO and Jamie Foxx is one example) should be seen as a prime example of just how off-base the decision makers were.
So, (if the show was a tribute to Michael Jackson) where were the testimonials to his benevolence, where were the clips of his genius in adding just the right touch to particular performance, where the people who could talk about how Jackson's creative process worked? Since Michael Jackson could not read or write music, or play any instrument with any real proficiency how did he create? How did he communicate his song ideas? To whom and what organizations did he donate time, money, wardrobe, proceeds from performances, and clips of hospital visits to lift the spirits of "special needs" children?
Instead what we witnessed was a disjointed spectacle of televised "ego-drivel", sprinkled with unseasoned talent chosen for the shapes of their bodies and not the size of their voices, quality or depth of their bodies of work, or sense of decorum in life or in performance. Add to this the pronouncement of Joe Jackson's new music venture (which Jackson did not know the name of) with a former member of the Shi-Lites, the almost surreal wasted minutes during Don Cornelius's long protracted introduction of the O'Jays, which was enough time for at least two more songs from the O'Jays, or at least a place for Gladys Knight to sing "Message to Michael."
If the BET Awards was suppose to be Black America's take on Michael Jackson's worth to our collective cultural "brain trust", and body of work, we came short, not because we did not have enough time but because of our collective progressive regression. The amount of prime time we commanded for the BET Award telecast speaks to our progress, however the chosen content speaks louder of our regression as artists, media professionals, and role models.
All the best,
"We had such promise for BET. What happened? I rarely even watch it. It appears that everything BLACK is smeared or distorted. I educate where I can but most people's awarness doesn't go past yesterday' sitcom. So sad!"
I'am so glad someone in the media spoke on how embarrising and repulsive some of the BET awards was.Thank you I'm glad that someone was you .I hope our people get the picture coming from someone speaks and right the real deal.This Big Ass Chain can't hurt your career all it can do is shine some light on some real situations .That our people as a race and a nation need to make some changes on how we represent ourself. God Bless you and your family.Have a Great Day
True. To sum up many of the presenters and how they looked at the BET awards show, there was a lack of class. Even the acts were dis-jointed, seemed dis-organized and frivolous. The only good singing voices were heard on some the ballads sung by the females.
Dr. Walter Gill (The first faculty hired for the Telecommunications Program at Morgan State University in 1978)
Donie,
This is an excellent article. I am very proud of what you have written. Never mind the naysayers, they are either semi-comatose or "in it for the money only". Greed has a way of making you numb to the harsh realities of life. I knew Ron Nichols before he moved to Baltimore. Back in the day, in St. Louis, where I went to Medical School, we all "hung out" at the same places and he was always very clear in his vision and committment to African folks in the media. I only saw him twice after coming to Bmore, once when he came to my home for a visit after reconnecting and another time at a political function.
It is nice to know that his message is not lost and that the likes of you will be a torch bearer in your own right. So, kudos my brother for keeping it real. We love it and you. Peace and many blessings!
Nana
Yeah Doni!
Represent for those of us who have some sense. Use media for the good of human kind and in particular for the good of our community! Thank you for not letting this one slip on by.
Best Regards
"Outstanding article Doni. I'm sure many people share your outrage. The thing is, what do we intend to do about it? BET has been perpetuating the same Black stereotype that mainstream media has been showing for years (like the Ojays said, "for the love of money". I rarely watch the station now, other than the occasional award show, and after this last one I may even stop that. To see Lil Wayne and Drake onstage with young girls my daughter's age turned my stomach. Meanwhile the BET execs pat themselves on the back for saluting the life of Michael Jackson when all they do is facilitate the destruction of a people. Psychological genocide is the best way to describe it. Destroy the mind and spirit of a people and sit back and let them do the rest."
Praise God! Bro. Doni, Thank you for saying what needs to be said and saying it so well!!! We support you even more as you have showed true leadership and vision for what our race needs to be focused on. Our African cultural heritage and the principles that we our forefathers stood for and not what is being portrayed on BET! We as African Americans can do better! My prayer is that through the consciousness of people such as yourself and others of the same mindset we can awaken our Entertainers and Stars that they are standing on the shoulders of greatness and that they can use Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) to define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves in the Media. Also,you are the kind of man we need in public office! You would gain a lot of support form the community and the churches, for your stance to continually better our people. Keep up the good work that you are doing with your media business and web site! It is excellent! Keep on keeping it real. If there is anything Power Magazine can do to help you, please let us know? We got your back, BLACK MAN! You Got The Power!
Rev.William Wingo, President & Publisher Power Magazine
BET is a subsidiary of Viacom. Bob Johnson sold us out twice.
Doni,
Thank you for your editorial on the BET awards. I like you, was offended, hurt and so very disappointed in what I saw and what my daughters ages 13 and 12 saw until we turned it off. The big chain, the cursing, the dress were not images that I want to share with my family during our time together.
We do have to remember that BET is now owned by Viacom a publicly traded, media conglomerate. If we want more positive images of our people, then we as people must create, own and develop those shows and programs. Keep up the good work and thank you for this message and all you do.
Amen! Amen! Amen…… “Cuz!!!! You have excellently expressed the sentiments of many of us for whom Sunday’s fiasco was the “last straw”!
Barbara Murray
THANKS DONI for writing this most essential article. VERY TRUE, and it needed to have been said. I DO NOT look at BET at all. I don't care what is on it. I sure hope the readers will print this article and share with others. Anyone who will think you are exemplifying hatred is a TOTAL IDIOT! I am very pleased to see that you are above all of that nonsense. JUST KEEP UP THE EXCELLENT WORK, and continue to TELL THE TRUTH! Love Ya Much! One of your Greatest and most Admired Fans, Dr. Estella Ingram-Levy
Doni,
Your teacher would be proud. I tried to watch the "ceremony" and believe that BET did a true 'dis'-service not only to the memory of Michael Jackson, but also to the throngs of Black Entertainers upon who shoulders they stand and purport to carry the torch of. Could you imagine Ella, Duke and Sammy being in a room filled with such nonsense ? I think that Richard Pryor and Marvin Gaye would have left that bastion of ignorance immediately and without blinking an eye.
Your assessments are dead on for those of us raised when being hood was a bad thing.
Wonderful article. Unless I completely misunderstand the term, the difference between "hating on" someone and providing critique in the hopes of motiving someone to aim higher/acheive more was one is motivated by jealousy and the other is motivated by love.
As an HBCU alum, who is also the proud parent of an HBCU student who majors in communication, a catch phrase is our home is "Do no harm to the image of your God, your home, and your people".
Similar to some of the others who've posted comments I stopped watching BET some time ago. They lost me as a viewer when they stopped having a news station and instead became, at least in my view, propents of soft porn with a barrage of half dressed, young women whose ample bottoms and bossoms seeming to have an inability to remain in their clothing.
The BET Awards was a sad commentary on a segment of Black America. I was horrified by 97 % of the show. I usually do not watch BET but since it was advertised as going to include a tribute to Michael Jackson , I made sure I was front and center. From Jamie Fox's "tribute" and mention of his "anaconda" to Lil Wayne's set w/ minor girls on stage ... all I can say was I felt like a victim of shock & awe.
Many have excused BET by saying that they didn't have enough time...BULL! BET has a hefty supply of MJ clips and access to more via Viacom. With technology , splicing a videography would have been great...I was so disappointed. Many asked why...I know how BET rolls... My son is 17 and well aware of the Tomfoolery that is BET ... he was anticipating more due to MJ passing... he as a child was insulted by the show. I feel for any parents who assembled their children to watch that night... I regret advising my mother to watch...
Thank you so much, Mr. Glover. We are determined to help make young ladies and gentlemen of excellence for the future. Thank you for having the courage to stand for what is right and to say what you said the way you said it.
Doni:
Thanks for the wonderful and articulate article. I was shocked when I saw that chain around his neck. It was a disgrace to all of us. What about sanctions to BET for allowing that trash to be shown? Did they not know that millions would be watching including our young children? I asked myself why would he wear that to a tribute to Michael Jackson. I think he owes all of us an apology for the lack of respect in wearing that piece of crap of a chain around his neck. Thanks for having the Courage to Speak up about it. All of our forefathers who fought for equality and Justice must have done cart wheels in their graves.
Doni, Fellow Coppinite, great read. Man, I am in agreement with you, great article. Keep it up.
Doni: I sent this 2 days ago, but it bounced back.
Thanks so much for this essay Doni. I too gathered with my family to watch the awards on Sunday night and had a similar experience. It was just embarrassing. Enough with this. Remember from the Old Testament that not all the Israelites crossed the Jordan. Some are just gonna wander around in the desert forever! Let's keep pressing forward, speaking the truth as we march. Best, Sherrilyn
Damian “Chip” Dizard posted your article on facebook yesterday. I shouted for joy after reading it. Great Article! Thank you for the courage to think and voice your concerns. I have long given up on BET. I have been boycotting them ever since they fired Tavis Smiley. I think they are clearly about making money and NOT supporting our community. It’s clear to me their lot in life is to be all they can financially be. Their mission is not serving the community but pimping it. It’s more evidence that my stance to not be a BET viewer has not gone in vain.
I have been having this same discussion with several friends over the past few days on Facebook. The only way to change is to start at home. So we don’t allow my teenage children to watch their channel and I don’t either. We are more moved that many folks are disappointed more and more each week. So hopefully someone at Viacom will get the message. Till that day stay strong.
Blessings on you and your family,
Paula Sanders Morris Atlanta, GA
I concur with your sentiments! Actually, I just e-mailed my comments about the 2009 BET Awards to BET. Here's a copy:
I finally got the opportunity to watch the 2009 BET Awards on Tuesday evening. First, I would like to thank you for making the necessary changes to the show in order to honor the late Michael Jackson. As many have already indicated, I too (literally) grew up with the Jackson's and have followed their career closely.
I loved the sacrifice that was made by Janet Jackson to appear before the fans & audience to represent her family during their time of grief. It was a beautiful gesture to the memory of Michael because he thought the world of his fans. The tribute to the OJAYS was excellent and Maxwell was stupendous!.
Unfortunately, there were a few performances that I found totally tasteless, which is the main reason for my correspondence. As much as I like Byonce, I was greatly offended when she appeared practically naked and singing Ave Maria. It was perverse to all things considered Holy unto God. Many of your guests had the audacity to state that they will live-out Michael's legacy. Well, after watching the show and listening to some of the songs and watching some of the gestures (such as people walking on stage and drinking from large cups; images of pimps; and clowns with "Big Ass Chains") I do not believe those entertainers understand Michael's legacy at all.
Michael Jackson was a true entertainer who demonstrated a high level of respect for his viewing audience. He was able to touch the hearts of children, youth and adults. Everyone loved him and he did not have to get down and dirty to prove how good he was. In other words, Michael possessed a "God" consciousness and never did anything to perverse anything that was considered Holy unto God.
I also watched the coming attractions of the new shows that are going to be aired on your station, and felt totally appalled that a "Black-owned" TV station would stoop so low as to exploit their own people.
I plan to forward copies of this e-mail to everyone I know and suggest a Boycott, until you have been able to develop programs that depict "Black/African-Americans" in a positive image.
Thank you Doni for your BET article. I would like to read and hear a lot more truth about Michael Jackson from the Black Media. Corporate Media is already writing a negative legacy and it is our responsibility to set the record straight and keep setting it straight. Yes, BET deserves the criticism, and so does NBC, ABC, CBS, MSNBC, CNN, FOX, etc. They all insert any negative word or image they can in EVERY STORY. The boy who accused Michael recanted his story, admitted that he lied. Michael was aquitted. He was also human. Does the whole world have to answer(idiots) right now just to tell you once again, who's BAD?
Mr. Glover, the first time I saw you it something about you I felt I did not like about you. I never met you or spoke with you, but it was an aura about you I felt that you thought you were "all that!" Please forgive me judging when I had not even had the opportunity of getting to know you or at least, meeting you personally. Later, I had an opportunity of being in your presence, and immediately I felt I was wrong. Having taking the time to read this article I feel I was way off base. The aura I was picking up from you was probably your self confidence and an authoritative power of one-self. I now see you as a man of great knowledge, integrity, and courage. I applaud you for your comments and I support your point of view. GOOD JOB!
I'm from the "Black cultural revolutionary days" of the 1960s. Based upon the training, learning and practice of African centered worldview and thinking and understanding of Elder Neeley Fuller's analysis of white supremacy domination in the nine people area, of which entertainment is one of the nine, my person know better than to watch BET from day it came on the T. V., years ago. All African decendants must read and understand works of Dr. Frances Cress Welsing, Mariba Ani and Neeley Fuller relative to how white supremacy dominatin and its accompanying racism tool works in the nine people area of: Economics, Education, entertainment, Labor, Law, Politics, Religion, Sex, and War. Study and read the works of these three African-Americans and you will not get caught with BET and other events, actions, and so on.
You are so right Big Brother. Thanks for always telling the truth.
Donnie, God Bless You for having the guts to stand up for what is right and wrong in our community. You certainly captured my sentiments. I forward the article to at least 45 other persons via email. Donnie you know who I am, a woman of God. It is so evident that with an African-American/Black man in the White House-the highest office inthe land-We need a word from the Lord. Our Land needs to be healed. Our people need to be healed. Right now, your words will suffice. Be Blessed
The truth will always have haters ! Thanks for your honesty. My daughters will not know of BET.
Doni,
I agree with your sentiments and appreciate your article. I wish the show could have been a better representation of who we really are as a people.
The first two responses to the article was gratifying to me as they were from George Smith, a civil war reenactor and president of the "USCTLHA", of which I am a member as well as civil war reenactor. As such, we are amazed at how much of our rich history is unknown, especially in the African American Community. As civil war reenactors, we relive and portray our anscestors from that most pivital time in this nation's history and I have to express my life long conviction that venues like that expressed in the article has been nothing but as expressed. It is very, very sad, but so very very true.
Marvin Nicholson
Sgt. Maj., Battery "B", 2nd US Colored Light Artillery Galiants Ferry, S.C.
Doni,
Thanks for caring enough to speak out. Your commentary on BET was right on target. I hope that it has reached the ears of those in power at BET and that they are receptive and responsive to your very constructive and much needed feedback. If not, then we as a people need to cease being receptive to any more or their products or broadcasts.
Dear Doni Thank you. I too stopped watching BET when they took the news off their station in preference for feeding our children porn. Correction: It is not a Black-owned station. Bob Johnson, who maintains a management position, sold BET to VIACOM many years ago. He is not excused because he maintains an advisory/management position, the results of which we view each day if we stoop to watch the station. Please reflect back on the inappropriate comments he made about candidate Obama during the election. These comments are repressentative of his mind-set and the marketing plan that motivates BET.
I have always been proud of you , brother. Please continue to enlighten the unenlightened!
Of course I was disgusted. Matter of fact, Doni you shouldn't be suprised. Matter of fact shouldn't anyone be suprised. I guess this is like an all time low as some may say. What is interesting is that some of the same people that commented how saddened they are are some of the same people that were promoting it. It takes someone with some level of courage and integrity to address this. It seems as though the insult level never ends. Well from here then what is next 92Q, I know, I know that may bite the hands that feed some of us. What about excessive partying and irresponsible parenting of which persons allow their children to. What about this weekends AFRAM of which black women come dressed in the most flimsiest outfits. How about starting a campaign to tell the black women before they come in to put on some close and/or for the brothers to have their pants at a respectable level. How about asking Mr. Finney to require some level of social responsible behavior for his event. While we are cleaning up national media and events we need to clean up at home. Charity begins at home and many people benefit from this kind of misbehavior and we can't have it both ways. Capitalizing and exploiting the ignorance of our people on the other end preaching against it. Matter of fact what about those filthy, sleezy books called "Urban Lit"?
Man o Man, you were right on time! I love it Donny, I guess I will never be successful either if it means selling my people for a dollar! I will contact you and let know when our seminar is going to be.
I am one who is not into rap let alone to watch the BET awards but this year was the 1st year that I took the time to watch it because Michael Jackson died and I figured they would honor him. After watching it, I realized that I have not been missing anything. I thank God for wisdom. Doni, I agree with every statement that you made in this article. If we as a people do not stand up for who we truly are and what we believe, we will continue to fall for everything that is presented to us and forget about the struggle that our ancestors went through to get us this far. Keep on speaking the truth even when people do not want to hear it. Artist should never forget where they come from especially us Black. We should be helping other to reach their fullest potential and not leave them behind. Money is not the answer to everything. If people hate you it is because they are in denial and not you. It is Truth (Jesus) who will set us all free. Continue to speak the truth
Dear Brother Doni,
I thank God for you and your being willing to be a voice crying out in the wilderness. I too am sadden that BET has been blinded and is being used to enslave our people, particularly our young. We as a people must pray without ceasing for GOD to free us from this darkness so that these air waves will be used to shed the light, glorify GOD and empower HIS people.
Continue to speak up and speak out and GOD will keep your back and bless you.
Donni, thank you for standing for something, for having integrity when it appears to be in short supply among many journalist - many of whom have sold out for personal fame and a buck. I have long since stop watching anything on BET because of its low sense of responsibilty to Black America. In fact, I charge BET with the niggerization of a couple of generations of Black youth who they have mind whipped into believing that low morals and gangsterism is a qualification for cool. About 2 minutes into the awards I knew nothing had changed with them; in fact, it has gotten worse. We can't blame this on White folk; this was nigger doings - high class, well paid, supposedly educated, nigger doings. During Viet Nam the US Government instituted a program called "Vietnamization." Its goal was to get North Vietnamese to kill the Vietcong (their brothers in the South) with the same relentlessness as the Americans would while the Americans reduced their role in the war and left. BET is the Americanized version of that process. White people no longer have to portray us as watermelon eating, head scratching, sex crazed, criminal minded, baffoons. We now do it for them and are training a whole generation that wealth lies before them if they will duplicate the same pattern of self degradation. Years ago Muslim newspapers used to have a sleeping giant on its pages representing the power and the state of Black people in America. Today they could use a wide awake midget with thick gold chains and a recording contract that demands he call our women bitches and whores, and wear his pants low on his ass the way they used to force jailhouse punks to do in the joint. They wanted everyone to know that they no longer had the right to be recognized as MEN!
The political and social commentary surrounding this issue is timely, particularly for those who are looking to transform the image of African American males in this city, state, and country. Role modeling is important to the development of young males.The chain worn by T-pain is toxic to the African American male's image and development. T-Pain is a buffoon, similar to a black faced minstrel entertainer. Even when George Jefferson, of The Jefferson's, was " moving on up," we still witnessed buffoonery behavior- cash and no class. Cater G. Woodson writes about the Miseducation of the Negro. Black Entertainment Televison( BET) should be renamed BMT( Black Miseducation Television). What we witnessed from BET are images of technologically- media mastered psychological oppression. The real revolution of our people transforming themselves to higher standards is never televised. What conglomerate does Busta Rhyme sings about ? ViaCom, owners of BET. Is the word "my" referring to his "boys?" We still need our own medium through which we control the images of our people, such as BMore News. Doni- Thanks for keeping us focused. Your brother in the struggle. Kevin W. Parson, Educational Consultant Co-Founder of Bluford Drew Jemsion Male Academy
God bless you Donnie! Whether a man fails to honor his most important relationships for $1 or $100 million he imprisons our children, undermines our families, and destroys our communities. Perhaps in future articles you can highlight the work done and the work each of us can do in Baltimore to rescue our children, redeem our families, and recreate the community.
Very powerful article. I'm a 28 year old ex-drug dealer, high school drop-out, etc. Today I am a author/speaker/independent film maker. I just walked almost 400 miles from N.C to Washington, D.C on a "Moratorium on Selfishness Walk." I didn't walk to raise money, I walked to raise awareness. I left Fayetteville, N.C with $60.00 in my pocket, a laptop, and my clothes to inspire Americans to give more in their communities. Not one major media source covered my story. Every major media source knew. Young African American males are doing great things in this country. We are playing huge roles in creating a better environment, not only in our communities, but communities abroad. The question I have is, If "WE" have a broadcast medium that was built to EMPOWER us; When are we going to take responsibility to be responsible with what we air? I believe that its important to show young successful entertainers and celebrities on BET, but I also believe that its equally important to take responsibility for the empowerment of our community as well. Celebrities and entertainers aren't the only people impacting our communities, but our children are glued to them, because that's who gets press. The images on BET, can sometimes be a little too much for our youth. The parents have a responsibility to monitor whats being watched at home, but to keep it real, the structure of our households have weakened. Social networks and television are raising our children. Every business is held accountable for producing revenues, but at what expense? Sex,drugs,violence, ignorance; they sell. A company is going to capitalize on market opportunities, at any cost; especially in this economic environment. We have to be courageous enough to take responsibility for creating a better generation, that will go far beyond where we have gone. What I do, I do from my heart; and I do a lot. I can ask a major media company to completely restructure their vision; but I can ask that they have enough integrity to see what effects their programming is having on our youth/future. This article is important to the development of a stronger African American future. I appreciate you for writing it, and I commend you for your courage. I don't allow my past, nor my G.E.D keep me from speaking the truth and taking steps towards advancing our youth. I get a lot of pats on the back, but not a lot of money. You wrote this article from your heart. Trust and believe that your words have resonated in the hearts of those who read it. "They" will read it, and they may not say it, but it will make a impact. Thank you for this article
Well that was interesting...but self righteous. You are saying that we have forgotten our black figures and forefathers yet, in pointing them out to us you make clear that you have not. Thus, taking on the assumption that anyone else that tunes into BET has forgotten the ones that have paved the way and proclaiming that you are somehow immune to the "evils" of such a network. Take your pedestal down. Quite frankly I feel insulted that you believe that BET has completely erased our memory, made us thugs, taught women how to dress, and shames the black race. WE DID THAT TO OURSELVES! BET is a crappy, low budget network I would not give them that much credit. You in my opinion, in this article, are oblivious or have just plainly ruled out any other type of media that black people could be influenced by. I’m offended that you believe that BET is the forerunner in black homes and the first choice in main stream media. Please give me and all the other black people more credit and do me a favor and take your hand away from the remote and back away from the TV if you feel as if BET is that influential. Maybe that’s just what you heard on the news stations that love to report what negative categories we're in. What box did you crawl out of? And I quote, “…did you have to go to Harvard in order to produce that? I mean, honestly, all you really needed to do was to go to any urban corner where they sell chicken boxes, blue tops, 40s, and half-n-half’s. You really could have saved your money and your time”....Never judge, please it’s really not becoming.
Doni, Truer words have not been spoken about the state of the media today. I will concentrate on BET as that is the topic of discussion.I understand the writer's comment regarding making a living, but Let us refer to those ancestors that you spoke so proudly of in your article. These people have done so much in trying to move us forward and now we can only say that we do these things because we need to eat? Perhaps we need to concentrate less on eating...we might end up becoming more healthy.I beleive that we are loosing our perspective on who we are, and from where we started. We have given up control of our children because the government says that we can't dicipline them. We have babies having babies...to give them to their parents or grandparents who are tired and or too old to take care of them properly. We see every minuet that the crime rate increases and we wonder why. There are so many T V shows on that, one only has to watch to get a complete education on how to kill someone and get it right the next time...without getting caught. The games that we allow our children to purchase, watch or play are so violent, they even frighten me when looking at them only in commercials. Sex,crime and violence is all there is on BET. I thank you for having the guts to speak out on this issue. I never watch BET for the same reasons you wrote. What we don't understand is that we have the power to change it...TURN IT OFF!
Thanks
Thank you for the guts I no longer have. Identify me as a 72 years old marginally afro centric man raised in and with a career in Baltimore's urban environment. At the place in my life now I am exhausted of being ridden out on the many rails from my community when I did have the courage and energy to make the comments about similar destructive social habituals as you courageously did about BET and the Big Ass Chain. Gratefully I am that there are courageous people in the media who will use the media to give awareness to this and its possible social consequences. Two of which as mentioned in previous comments, psychological self genocide and loss of self determination in being defined by someone other than yourself.
What really hits strong are your comments about a community who once supported the historical Black Colleges with pennies to educate millions in our community and who now watch these institutions close leaving a void in Black education with their millions of dollars given to the major institutions whose concern about Black social progress and economic empowerment is secondary at the most. How of this dilemma is so much the result of the social attachment to the "Big Ass Chain" feel some much it this is directly Again thanks.
Doni You are so on point. I rarely watch BET because of the negative images that are portrayed. I did watch BET because of the tribute to Michael Jackson. In watching I felt that if they did not have the time to put on a tasteful show then they should have waited as so many of your writers have stated. Also in watching the attire of the female performers I couldn't help but reflect on the appearances of Aretha Franklin, Nancy Wilson, Carmen McCrae, The divine Sarah Vaughn these ladies had talent and did not dress as if they were in a bathing contest. When a female can't stand or sit w/o exposing everything they have gone to far. These young ladies are beautiful and should not allow themselves to be exploited. They then wonder why the songs that are being sung about them are so disrespectful. I thought when Debra Lee became president of BET there would be a change. Continue to voice your thoughts and opinions, true everyone will not agree but when you put it out there it does make people go ummm! The funeral for Michael Jackson was so tastefully done that is what I will remember as his tribute. As Adam Clayton Powell would say "Keep the faith"
Another One Bites the Dust…A Critique of the BET AWARDS MICHEAL JACKSON TRIBUTE!! by Derrick ChaseShare Monday, June 29, 2009 at 12:43am Another One Bites the Dust…A Critique of the BET AWARDS MICHEAL JACKSON TRIBUTE!! By Derrick Chase
On Behalf of the 20 million viewers at home in their living rooms who’s week was marred by the passing of Micheal Jackson aka The King Of Pop, who spent the last 3 days watching Micheal Jackson video, banging MJ Hits and fingering through old albums, news clippings and pictures, I must say BET you never cease to disappoint me.
I know! I know! Micheal Jackson died on Thursday and the show was Sunday right!! Didn’t have enough time to do fair tribute to one who’s legacy is so enormous! I mean, he’s the King of Pop, what do you expect? We don’t have the connections or the resources to do much better than we did! Yeah!! Yeah !! Yeah!!
Okay, I am not much of a show producer but here are a few pointers!!!
I could go on, but you get the drill! Hey, just needed little more consideration for the King of Pop. The world loves and adore Micheal Jackson and you had the first opportunity at a descent tribute to his legacy and you fell alot short! I hate to see what you are gonna do with the Queen of Soul!
If this is Black Entertainment Television, I don’t want to be Black anymore. Negros had more self-respect. See you at the Grammys.
With Great Sadness, Derrick Chase
Thank you for informing this 67 year old mother,grandmother, great-grandmother and wife of 52 plus years of whatis happening right before our eyes.I do not look at BET and I guess now I never will. You can add my husband to your list of supporters. You see he and I both are ministers of carrying the truth.His name is Evangelist George Carter and he recently traveled over 30,000 miles in Africa to carry the truth. He is involved in weekly prison, street, and substance abuse ministries where he teaches the truth of who we are as a people.He recently taught a book written by Joyce Andrews entitled " The Bible Legacy of the Black Race, Prophecy Fulfilled."This author was ahead of her time in writing this book.I too am a English major and it is my hope to write books that will inspire and help to lift up a people who have allowed themselves to sink to such decadent low morals.Keep up the good work in exposing the truth, because you can never go wrong doing right.
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