College Hill - yet another opportunity squandered?
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Posted By: Jon C. on May 06, 2007 Since this topic is featured, I just wanted to share my thoughts... This is not yet another rant about how young Blacks are portrayed in the media. We all have a fairly decent understanding of what that problem is. The question that always remains after those discussions is "what do we do about it?" A good start would be to demand that representations of us are balanced, fair, and not simply just gimmicks to attract attention. I think that BET had the opportunity to turn many young peoples' attention to the benefits and opportunities of attending an HBCU. Just about every HBCU graduate that I know has stories about what their college life was like, and how they grew intellectually and socially. Unfortunately, this particular show was patterned after MTV's "Real World" which focuses on the relationships between the cast members, so this opportunity was lost. Entertaining, yes, but hardly a credit to our institutions. There are those who would speculate that "any exposure of HBCUs is preferable to none". This is completely untrue, because if that exposure reinforces negative stereotypes about HBCUs and their students, I would prefer nothing at all. Also, the contingent who say that programs like this are meant to be entertaining, and nothing else. I agree, and acknowledge that entertainment has its place but how long will we be content with settling for whatever impression the powers that be want to broadcast to the world? College Hill definitely met its responsibilities to BET as a successful commercial venture, but did it meet its responsibilities to us? There are always decision makers who could, at least, demand to see the finished product before it airs. To think seriously about the message that we are conveying. From what I understand, many colleges' administrations feel the same way, and would not permit the show to be filmed at their campuses for this exact reason. As do the UVI administrators who, in retrospect, see the damage that has been done and want to make things right. We are faced with the same decisions our grandparents faced with the birth of TV and cinema - do we allow ourselves to be subjected to degrading, stereotypical roles in order to break into the industry, or will we rise to the occasion as did Sidney Poitier, Bill Cosby, and so many others who saw firsthand the power and responsibility that mass media carries? If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Jon C.
Benefits Management Analyst, State of Ohio Hampton University class of 2004 Member Since July 2003 |
Comments
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You are apparently brilliant in all that you aspire to analyze! On BET- No longer owned by African Americans??? I am a proud grauate of SCSU and was elated that we held a Democratic debate on campus last month which showed an "Excellent" account of an HBCU!! WE as a hole need to have standards for our fellow ethnic brothers and sisters- wouldn't you think college would in some way change our mental and physical character but we are still struggling; even Oprah doesn't want to support us that she went to AFrica.
Tuesday, May 8th 2007 at 10:40PM |
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Dude, once again you are write and dropping wisdom... I think the way this kind of thing gets squashed is we raise our voices in displeasure and then don't tune in to BET at all... I'm hopeful that TVOne will provide us with the positive programming we need as a community
Thursday, May 10th 2007 at 9:03AM |
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Thanks for your feedback! I think the response should send a very clear message. I've always been a fan of TVOne and it's programming, it seems much more well thought out. I was suggesting to some friends that we all start publishing whatever we can individually to counteract these stereotypes. HBCUConnect is a great example. But anyone with $25 and a web cam can talk about their college experience and put it online. The more creative ones can edit and produce their own documentary series. Those who would bring us down have stolen the spotlight from people trying to raise our standards culturally. It's time for us to steal it back. Thursday, May 10th 2007 at 11:25AM |
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My question is "is it that serious?" I've seen every season of College Hill & I personal don't think the show makes HBCU's look bad. On every school campus there's ups & downs...good & bad; however, if anything it our people that repersents us when they go on the show. I take nothing away from HBCU because I attend one and I love it! Best experince I've had, but we can't blame a show for how someone act who's not an actor. And this is just my thoughts.
Monday, August 11th 2008 at 5:14PM |
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