PSA and Bet

[Inaubryn]

Vincent, I appreciate your idealism. Seriously. But... everything in this country is black and white. Perhaps, it isn't in that way in NZ and it's certainly not ideal, but that's the way it works.

Contrary to your beliefs, black is not a skin color. Nor is white for that matter. My skin color is not black and I don't know anybody's whose skin color is. I'm a shade of brown and other blacks and Africans are shades of brown as well.

And yes, Black most definitely is a culture here. The black culture is the most imitated culture of the 20th and 21st centuries and one of the most influential durin' that time period as well. The reason Black is a culture is because Blacks in America had to form a culture of their own. Because what our ancestors held as tradition, religion, culture, etc... was stripped away from them once they arrived here.

The idea behind BET was to create somethin' that we as blacks have never had... a network of our own. A network in which we could promote, cater to, and entertain our people with positive images of blacks. American television and film has never been flattering as far as blacks are concerned. Blacks also have never been prominent figures as a whole in television and film. Has it gotten a little better in the last 30 years? Sure. But I stress "a little". So it wasn't from racism that BET developed. It was out of pride and the desire to have somethin' of our own and to be represented as we wished to represent ourselves not as whites would have us represented. Unfortunately, towards the close of the 20th century BET got away from its original roots and began canceling its positive and informative shows and began portraying negative, stereotypical images of blacks.

But you have been raised in New Zealand or at least have lived there and not here. You couldn't hope to understand the political, religious, racial, etc., complexities, and nuances of America without having lived here for a good length of time. But you most certainly could never understand what it is to be black and what it is to be black in this country. It's easy to stand back at a distance and tell somebody what's what when you haven't been there. And I'm not knocking you because I understand you don't understand.

As far as skincare products are concerned, I realize you were tryin' to make a point, but blacks have forever had to look at skincare products that weren't meant for them. In the stores, on the commercials, skin care products were always created for and geared towards whites. It wasn't until black entrepreneurs decided to create skin and hair care products specifically for blacks that these things existed.

Anyway, TV and film are not a race themselves they are a medium used to express ideas, opinions, beliefs, concepts and disseminate information, true and not so true. However, the people that control these mediums, obviously, use them for various purposes and ends. At one point you would never see a black face in television or film. You'd see whites in "black face" but never an actual black face. Blacks weren't allowed to participate in "their" mediums. But, it wasn't until whites realized they could make money off of blacks that they began to allow them into television and film. And as long as blacks remained profitable they would appear on either medium. However, the roles in which they appeared were regulated, again by these networks and studio executives who were all white.

Blacks were more readily acceptable, more palatable, if you will, in comedic form by Mainstream America. So the majority of roles blacks had were the bug-eyed, dancin' a jig, yessuh massa, type roles. Even to this day you can't name an all black drama which has appeared on television in this country. Even our comedic roles are limited to the bug-eyed, jumpin' up and down, negro bits like Martin. A show such as Frasier featuring an all black cast of characters won't be seen for a long time, if ever. These are not the images of blacks that America is use to, therefore it's not a believable scenario. Even the Cosby Show had some controversy where people, both white and black, were criticizing it as an inaccurate portrayal of black life. Because an upper middle-class, black obstetrician and his attorney wife, raising their five children in a middle-class New York neighborhood just wasn't believable. That was sarcasm from me, btw.

As I said before, it's not that the station itself is black or white, it's that the station is black-owned or white-owned. This matters greatly in the station's available content. Whites will have a tendency to place more white faces on television where blacks will have a tendency to place more blacks on television. The medium will reflect who is in charge.

Also, black is most certainly not a lifestyle. We don't choose to be black, or act black, we are black. We have developed our own culture and traditions over the last 400 years and most of us are proud of that culture and tradition and we look for more images of blacks in TV and film, positive images of blacks in TV and Film. But you are right about one thing. A station is not black, but most people refer to anything black-owned as black because we've had so little in our time in this country to call our own. So, perhaps a term you can agree on would be "Black-Owned Station".

[Inaubryn]

What Id like to know is how you think or how you know BET is now owned by some white company or person? Can you show me whos in charge now? just curious.

Dan, if you would simply read the article that I said you wouldn't read, you woulda found it unnecessary to ask that question.

[Rotku]

Vincent, what about a Children's TV Station? Is that terribly ageist? I mean, the TV isn't a child, it's an object.

All they're doing is targeting different markets, with different tastes, preferences and requirements. Such targeting occurs surprisingly often. I mean do you really think The Sun is aimed for top business leaders, or the Wall Street Journal aimed for those living in near poverty standards? Maybe the way Inaubyrn etc stated it wasn't the most PC way and involves some generalizing, but I wouldn't go as far as saying it's a terribly racist remark.

[Rotku]

But you have been raised in New Zealand or at least have lived there and not here.

New Zealand? Netherlands I believe is the country you are looking for, unless the little thing by his name that says "Location:..." lies

[Inaubryn]

Sorry. My mistake. Saw the "N" and went for it. I didn't mean to offend you kiwis.

[paazin]

Ah, I didn't know BET was now owned by Viacom (like almost everything else). Good job Sumner Redstone!

[Nekulor]

So, is it time to break out our "Vast White-wing conspiracy" tin foil hats everyone? (like my pun there??)

Seriously, this is pointless, just like half the other stuff put out by BET. Any station geared toward a single race is going to be like this, for the simple reason of its stated purpose. Its like Lifetime, which is nothing but emotional shows about the struggles of mostly fictional women. Now, granted spike covers the guys and lifetime covers women, but I dislike and racial or sexual pigeonholing by any station. If we had "white entertainment television" someone would be shot. Dead serious.

[Nyarlathotep]

WET? It'd either have to be all Martha Stewart or Porn with a name like that...or all Martha Stewart porn.

BET even before Viacom wasn't the most highbrow of programming, but these days it is almost a caricature of a television station, they even tried to put out a reality show called Hot Ghetto Mess (which by the way would also make a great name for a porno).

[Inaubryn]

Nekulor, there's a reason there's no such thing as White Entertainment Television. It's because television has always been predominantly owned by whites and has predominantly and prominently featured whites throughout its history. BET was originally formed by blacks for blacks and was designated as such. It's the same reason we needed an NAACP. Blacks have needed to stand up high and speak out loud about who they are. Those that didn't got swept away in a sea of white. I realize that's a bit overlymetaphorical but that kinda sums things up. Whites don't need to go that extra mile because the odds are not and have never been tipped against them. Many blacks on the other hand, have been born into adversity and have to do all they can just to stay afloat.

There's a line from the theme of the television show "Good Times" that says, "Keepin' yo' head above water/Makin' a wave when you can"/ This is an expression of the black fight, the black plight. Listen to songs like Sam Cooke's "It's Been A Long Time Coming". Honestly, I can't truly make you understand or think that you would. You're not black. It's like a guy understanding what it's like to be a girl.

But BET wasn't created to racially pigeon-hole anybody. It originally started with socially conscious programming that pertained to black life in America and the role of blacks in America. These are things that we as a people have always needed. We've needed to know that if nothing else, we had a voice in this country. We took solace in the fact that no matter how much we didn't have or how much was taken from us, that the opportunities existed for us to obtain our goals, our dreams and do it constructively and wholely as a people.

But, at some point Bob Johnson succumbed to the almighty dollar and began eliminating the social programming that had made BET what it was. He decided that it was better for business to air the bullshit that currently sullies the station. The "Hip Pop" videos that denigrate, and degrade black people everywhere and feeds into the stereotypes that have existed about us for far too long, are chief amongst the culprits. The above little animated video, that this whole thread started over, is a prime example of the negative images of blacks that we see of ourselves, and that whites and others in this country and, indeed around the world, see as well. As evidenced just by talking with people in chat, this is what people believe black people are. And this is simply not the entire truth. I mean, you don't see the consistent and pervasive negative images of whites that you do of blacks all over the place. Why is that? And this has been going on since blacks were allowed to appear in television and film. If you needed a pimp, a hustler, a thug, a prison inmate, a drug dealer, a butler, chauffeur, maid, or what not, blacks have always traditionally been cast in these roles. It's only recently that blacks are being cast as the hero and that's till few and far between compared to whites.

Which is why, BET was once by us, for us and about us, but when it became for the mainstream it became about somebody else. Viacom's purchase of the station only served to exacerbate the issue. Because, then it became about how white executives wanted to portray blacks because of what influenced the market and brought in money. America loves the violent negro, the funny negro and Snoop Dogg. Why bother with intelligent, deep, sensitive, realistic portrayals of blacks when it doesn't sell, right?

Unfortunately, we still exist in a world of black and white and we always will to a degree. But blacks, and others, are not on equal footing with whites in this country and around the world. Until that happens there will always be a need to let people know that we are capable of having something of our own, that we are represented and that we do have a voice. It's to remind us that there was a time in which we had and weren't allowed to have anything of our own and through diligence, perserverence, pain, suffering, and sacrifices too great to tally, we now can.

[fluffmonster]

Listen to Inaub. Up until 50 years ago, the US was virtually an apartheid state, and several of the states were in fact and practice. The legacy of division in this country is still very strong, seeping into culture, education, and work.

[NickD]

New Zealand doesn't have a lot of black (as in of African descent) people. We do have plenty of polynesian and a rapidly growing asian community though. I used to think that New Zealand wasn't a particularily racist country, but taking a step back and giving it a proper look, it can be just as bad here as anywhere else in the world.

I was having a discussion with a black american woman over the internet about racism and basically expressed my opinion that the current socio-economic plight of the black people in America (which I related to pacific island and maori people of New Zealand) isn't completely the fault of the white people and racism, but also largely because of the lack of sufficient appropriate role models in the black community. She refused to talk to me ever again because of that, which is a pity because we got on reasonably well before that conversation.

Now, the asian community here gets a lot of racism directed towards it, but they are in a higher socio-economic group. I believe this is because they do have the positive role-models, and not really all that many negative role-models. It's not going to make racism go away, but it does make life better.

Unfortunately, we still exist in a world of black and white and we always will to a degree. But blacks, and others, are not on equal footing with whites in this country and around the world.

That's very true in reverse in Zimbabwe and South Africa. After years of white rule and suppression of the black people in their own countries, when the black people have gotten into power they've gone on to do the same thing to the white people of those countries. Can't blame them for their anger, but revenge has not done a lot for those countries.

[Lusipher]

Heres something that all races in America could learn from:

Stop killing each other for no reason.

Stop bashing your own races thinking its now some lingo you can use.

Stop having tons of kids you cant afford. If your going to have kids at least be able to take care of them. Too many kids are in foster homes, fatherless, or their mother is on drugs, lives on welfare, or wont work.

Get off the drugs and alchohol. We have as a country become so entrenched in drugs and alcohol. We think its perfectly fine to do them and all we end up doing is tearing our familes apart.

Quit bitching a whining about what we are owned and start getting off our asses and take what we want. Goto school, goto college. Get involved in activities. Make something out of yourselves besides a thug or a worthless trailerpark trash. You can do better for yourselves, but YOU have to break the cycle.

Im tired of hearing about folks wanting handouts. Im tired of hearing about the past. (and im native american). Shut up and become adults and by making yourselves and your lives better you make our country better.

All this shit about being represed gets old. All of us one way or another has had to overcome obstacles in our lives and get over that hump. Some races have it tougher, yes, but you dont have to use the excuses. Get off your lazy asses and do something about it. I know many non whites who have and have great jobs, families, and lives.

Im done ranting now.

[Inaubryn]

Good post, Nick. And I hate to sound cliche' here, but you can't compare the plight of blacks in this country with any other racial or ethnic group from any other country. The circumstances which occurred here are quite unique even if somewhat similar to things which happened elsewhere. Just as the circumstances in Rwanda, Darfur, South Africa, and other places around the world, are unique to those countries.

The socio-economic plight of blacks in America has several variables which are responsible for its current state. I wrote a final paper on this very thing exactly entitled "The Economic Viability of Black America". In this paper I explored the reasons for which blacks are not economically viable as a group in America.

First of all, unless you're black and only then if you've done your research, you can't even begin to grasp the repercussions that slavery, opression, racial prejudice, and segregation had on blacks in the United States. It's a lot to get into so I won't do that right now. But those things are major causes for the socio-economic being of blacks here.

Second, you're right. It isn't entirely the fault of "the white man" that black people find themselves in the position they're in. After all, America offers, more opportunities, in more ways, for more and varied types of people than any other country in the world. Yet, many innercity blacks, impoverished blacks, etc... do not take or cannot take advantage of these opportunities. Why is that? You state a lack of positive role models in the black community. Two of our greatest leaders, Martin Luther King Jr and Malcolm X were excellent role models. And at least King was one of the world's greatest leaders, and I'd even go so far as to say Malcolm X was as well based on his post-Mecca teachings. But what happened to both of the most prominent and polarizing leaders of the Civil Rights Movement? They were both assassinated. Conspiracy theories abound as to why they were assassinated and who was responsible, nevertheless they were instrumental in uniting blacks to fight for their basic civil liberties.

We had raised a banner and rallied around these and other leaders, some of which were killed as well. But after their demises, what happened? Something was responsible for us slowly deteriorating into a culture of self-destruction. Did we lose hope? Oh. And, let me state this... I'm not talking about all blacks, I'm talking about blacks as a whole.

The fact is, people have tried to step up since then and become role models, but no one has since demonstrated the charisma of those leaders. And many blacks don't see a common threat or enemy so see no need to unite. I can't get into the black mindset here and my thoughts on that because that would take far too much time.

But to sum up, you can tell the lady you were speaking with that though the current state of Black American affairs is mostly due to the actions of white's throughout the centuries, it is in part due to our own actions or inactions as well. This especially holds true for the last 30 years of the 20th century.

If anybody wants to discuss this in more depth, I'd be happy to do so... just didn't wanna get into it too much without provocation.

[Inaubryn]

Heres something that all races in America could learn from:

Stop killing each other for no reason.

Stop bashing your own races thinking its now some lingo you can use.

Stop having tons of kids you cant afford. If your going to have kids at least be able to take care of them. Too many kids are in foster homes, fatherless, or their mother is on drugs, lives on welfare, or wont work.

Get off the drugs and alchohol. We have as a country become so entrenched in drugs and alcohol. We think its perfectly fine to do them and all we end up doing is tearing our familes apart.

Quit bitching a whining about what we are owned and start getting off our asses and take what we want. Goto school, goto college. Get involved in activities. Make something out of yourselves besides a thug or a worthless trailerpark trash. You can do better for yourselves, but YOU have to break the cycle.

Im tired of hearing about folks wanting handouts. Im tired of hearing about the past. (and im native american). Shut up and become adults and by making yourselves and your lives better you make our country better.

All this sh*t about being represed gets old. All of us one way or another has had to overcome obstacles in our lives and get over that hump. Some races have it tougher, yes, but you dont have to use the excuses. Get off your lazy asses and do something about it. I know many non whites who have and have great jobs, families, and lives.

Im done ranting now.

Ah. The classic "Real American" argument. Dan, while I agree with you in principle, you have some preconceived and misconceived notions in your post.

[Lusipher]

No Ina, its pretty "black and white"

People will get what they put into their lives. You might have some pre-determined obstacles, but you can overcome them.

You just dont wanna hear what anyone tells you. Maybe thats a big part of the problem.