Thursday, August 10, 2006

Black Entertainment Television…

I am annoyed by the entertainment industry’s negligence to stop perpetuating harmful stereo types in regards to African Americans. Last night I watched another episode of the Keisha Cole show. WHY? I know we’ve been down this road time and time again. But how can we fault other races for their racist/offensive opinions about us when all a person has to do is spend a few hours watching the BET network.

According to BET we appear to be money spending, non-articulate, ghetto, rapping/singing, buffoon acting, materialist, and not interested in any social issues group of people. This is particularly true with my generation on down. If you took a group of foreigners who have never been to American and placed them in a room to study the African American culture via BET. What would they come out knowing? Would they really have a solid understanding and appreciation of us?

What is Black Entertainment Television’s mission or purpose? To entertain by any means necessary? What are they teaching our youth? Well I looked at their website and found the following:

CORPORATE MISSION: To be the preeminent source of entertainment, music, news and information for the African-American consumer.

So obviously promoting/ displaying a positive portrayal or uplifting African Americans isn’t top priority on their list. You can be entertaining without being offensive particularly to the demographic you’re catering to. Why would another network or group of people need to poke fun at our culture when we do an excellent job on our own? Don’t get me wrong BET use to be okay. I’m just not sure what has happened in recent years… Or maybe it’s just me?

14 comments:

Black Girl Interrupted said...

I totally agree with you on this topic. I have been on a BET hiatus for several years. I did sort of break it to watch Lil' Kim's show and I have been watching Keisha Cole's show, but her show is not very entertaining. It seems like BET is trying to emulate MTV's format, but they are doing a pretty crappy job at it. The bulk of BET's programming is music videos and entertainment related shows. BET made a little leeway when they finally cancelled "Uncut," but outside of that the network doesn't seem to be progressing. The good thing is that there are alternatives to BET. I was so happy when my cable subscriber brought in TV One. And there's also the Black Family Channel. Its sad, because you want to support our networks, but the images that many of the BET shows portray do nothing to cast our people in a more positive and multifaceted light. I find myself not wanting to support something I don't agree with. Sorry for semi-blogging in your comment section, but I just wanted to get that out.

Ms. Confessions said...

Black Girl- I’m glad someone else sees the madness for what it is. I agree BET is trying to mimic the MTV format, but they’ve done a horrible job. I understand the realty trend (nothing wrong with it). But honestly can we follow the lives of some African Americans who can at least use proper English or a little less “ethnic”.

They tried to create the “real world” with College Hill, and my school was the first campus they filmed. (Holding head down slightly, LOL). They could have focused less on the campus hoes. Or asked some students/alumnus with sense what they enjoyed about being on an HBCU campus. I had a great time!

Were Keshia Cole and DMX the only celebrities willing to be taped? Oh forgot about LaToya, (and that wasn’t any better).

I don’t mind the length of your comments. This is obviously something that needs to be discussed and addresses. I do like TV One!!!

Prophetess said...

Girl, I sincerely believe that this is Generation Jigga(boo). It hurts my heart to see your young women jiggabooing and clowning for the entertainment of men. It's like they aspire to nothing higher than that buffoonery.

I recently had my cable services disconnected. I'm glad I did. Somebody needs to show Beyonce the clock and let her know that her fifteen are up now...

Ms. Confessions said...

@Insanity- Yeah it appears our morals and values are no longer of importance.

We’ll do whatever for the all mighty dollar and a taste of fame.

Sad indeed!!!

DiAmOnD hawk said...

i remember once on Oprah she talked about going to an African Country...not sure if it was S.A. and someone called her nigga...because based on them watching TV, they considered an acceptable form to refer to ppl...
it's just sad what's going no now...


please check out www.votac.com (Voices of the African Continent) It's been a long time coming and now it's finally here...take a look around...sign up...spread the word...thanx

BeautyinBaltimore said...

I think BET's mission is simply to put on what sells. The shows which look at important issues(ex. cousin Jeff) are showed on Sundays only or hardly at all. What happened to BET news? That channel has a lot of BS behind it.

Mahogany Misfit said...

I'm not a fan of BET. Once they cancelled BET News, I knew the channel was going in the toilet. How and WHY would you have a black oriented television station and NOT report news? They have NO informative shows and no commentary on anything socially relevant. They could do a lot better.

TrinaBeingTrina said...

I am also quite disgusted with BET. I can not remember the last time I sat down and watched anything on that station. It definitely is far from quality television.

Ms. Confessions said...

@Trina- I agree with you completely. So my thing is while we’re out on the internet trying to petition dumb s*** like videos, there should be a petition to boycott BET until they change their program format to shows with more substance and variety.


@ Mistress- Exactly! I would like to see a little more than videos, comic view, and bootleg independent films. I just expect more, and I truly feel they don’t give a damn. As long as the kids/teenagers are happy that’s all that matters. You aren’t even allowed the opportunity to grow with BET.

@beauty-Not sure what happened to the news. And why did it use to come on so late? All major networks air their national news at an appropriate time. Oh, I forgot 106 is on during that time. We have to have the music playing during prime time hours.


@Diamond- Thanks for the great information! I believe it’s time to initiate some MAJOR changes!!!

nikki said...

i haven't watched 'busted entertainment television' steadily for a hot minute. i think the only show i had a minor interest in was 'college hill' cuz it showcased hbcus and i'm down with that. however, that show fell into stereotypical junk too.

i'm not sure how to fix that channel. i just don't watch it.

Ms. Confessions said...

@ Nikki- See that’s how I feel too! Just don’t watch the channel. And that right there is a damn shame…

DivineLavender said...

Here is my take, BET-bad, network television-worst, and cable TV is hell. It is painful to watch the local network stations that repeat the national news that is dumbbed down for entertainment value. I truly watch BBC World and the Daily Show. Might be a strange combo but it works for me so my brain doesn't hurt and prevents me from jumping out of a 1st floor window to alevate the pain and my embarrassment for being an American because we buy this crap.

Television makes it money from the Ads. Period.

We have to gather our news, real news from other places...but I do see where the internet is giving them a run for their money. I have seen more real honest interviews of political with John Stewart than ever with Katie Couric.

Ms. Confessions said...

@Divine-I too look at BBC on TV and the internet. If you want news you have to watch several networks to get a sense of what’s true and what’s propaganda. The only network I refuse to watch is FOX News and that’s because I already know their agenda and the truth isn’t a part of it.

eclectik said...

Love it...the post NOT BET
I had a take on it a little bit ago
HERE

Damn shame between that and TV one is all we have.

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