Why Aren't We Picketing BET and MTV?
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Posted By: Jehan Bunch on May 07, 2007 Why Aren't We Picketing BET and MTV? By Sharrod Patterson Black College Wire Sharrod Patterson On April 4, Don Imus, a famous radio shock jock, pulled a Michael Richards when he referred to the Rutgers University women’s basketball team as “nappy-headed ho's” during his nationally syndicated show. As expected, the usual suspects found it opportune to step back into the national spotlight and act as a liaison for the black community. Two days later, Imus made a most unimpressive apology to the Rutgers women. The Rev. Al Sharpton and other notable black leaders were also unimpressed by his apology and said they would picket his home station, WFAN-AM in New York, until Imus was fired. This is a remarkable way to get a point across to the right people. My question is, if derogatory words and gestures bother our black community so much, why we are not picketing the Black Entertainment Television headquarters in Washington? Since the 1990s, BET and Music Television (MTV) have contributed to the stereotype that black women are “nappy-headed ho's.” Both networks are owned by mega-media conglomerate Viacom. CBS was a part of Viacom before splitting off last year; the same CBS that broadcast Imus’ radio show. Was the fact that Imus’ show did not make money for or from the black community the reason he was so readily attacked? The simple fact is that BET is the only television “soapbox” that can reach black Americans young and old. This is not an attack on BET, MTV or even Don Imus. This is an observation. The only other network mostly dominated by blacks was UPN, which was also owned by Viacom and was combined with the WB network to become the CW. The once-positive black television shows of which we have grown so fond are in great danger of being cancelled. We as black people cannot be totally upset that our women are demoralized and emotionally spat upon when the image the world will see is Nelly tossing up money and pouring Crystyle down the bosom of a scantily dressed young black woman. The Imus remarks hurt so badly because they were directed toward the cream of the crop in the black community. Maybe this is the adversity —or better yet, the motivation — the black community needs to take a stand and make a change. Don’t get me wrong. Imus deserved to be removed from his syndicated radio show, which went out to nearly 70 stations. However, everyone should be held to the same criteria, even if the offense is not completely verbal. Maybe next week the president of BET will utter a racial epithet or make some racial remarks and Sharpton will picket BET headquarters. Maybe then we will finally have no choice but to take responsibility for how we are portrayed in the media. Maybe our women will get the respect they so rightfully deserve. Sharrod Patterson, a student at Winston-Salem State University, is photo editor of the News Argus. Articles in the Voices section represent the views of their authors, and not necessarily those of Black College Wire. To comment, e-mail bcwire@hotmail.com. Posted April 20, 2007 If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Jehan Bunch
From Columbus, OH Central State University class of 2005 Member Since January 2006 |
Comments
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That is a very good question,but i have a point to make also, Don Imus grew up when tose kind of comments were normal so we shouldn't be shocked at him, but at the same time BET and MTV (especially BET) show videos that go beyond his statements, so whats the problem?nd
Monday, May 7th 2007 at 3:54PM |
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Imus and rap are two different situations. One Imus victimized a young group of females that did nothing wrong and tarnished there victory with his negative comments. Rap doesn't victimized people you speak of scantly dressed woman, but they choose to do that. They put themselves out there. Now as for the networks there just putting out there what people want to see.
Tuesday, May 8th 2007 at 10:24AM |
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I agree, the networks as well as the record executives are only promoting and pushing what is selling and unfortunately a majority of what sells is derogatory, when it stops selling then we can expect the networks to make a change. But it is harder to boycott and entire network, especially when youare talking about two of the most popular networks among young consumers. I agree with Sharrod, but I doubt it will ever be taken that far...at picketing BET and MTV.
Tuesday, May 8th 2007 at 8:23PM |
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Networks and the rap industry are not at blame when you think about it. Its not like they caused things to be the way they are. If they could make more money selling bibles or gospel music then they would. You shouldn't blame the supplier for doing there job. Instead yall should start blaming the buyers. But even befor you go and do that ask us how do we feel about the situation. In my opinon thats where the problem comes in. It seems as if yall are standing on top of a hill and pointing the finger at us young. Like we all are the same. Believe it or not all young people, as myself, don't think the same. Yall confuse us with how me my dress because its easier to reconize us that way. The ones who truly wish to degrade women are in the extreme minority of us. Thats not how we think no matter how it looks. It is easy to point them out but most of us are not like that. I listen to rap but I don't think of women negitivly. Anyone does is a fool. Im curious how do young women feel about the situation. I don't think yall think yall nappy headed hos. At least I hope not. Mostly women replied but they didn't really tell how they felt about things. But in any case my point is that yall got steroeotypes about us young which aren't true. Thursday, May 10th 2007 at 8:25PM |
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