Memoirs of a couch potato

In January of 1980, Robert J. Johnson became the Madam C.J. Walker of entertaining black people. With just $500,000, Johnson aired BET (Black Entertainment Television) on USA Network from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.
By November of that year, BET invested $1 million and added another hour to their programming. In June of 1981, “The Bobby Jones Gospel Show” debuted and Donnie Simpson became the host of “Video Soul.”
It was not until October 1, 1983-with the help of HBO (Home Box Office)-that BET became a 24 hour network.
Like most people in my generation, BET was the only television station to air popular groups like Public Enemy, Run DMC and MC Lyte-you know-the acts that did not make it to Soul Train.
I could count on BET to tell me the news that CBS and ABC would not tell us from anchors that looked like me.
Things were looking up for black people. We had our own television station and Johnson was publishing magazines like “Essence” and “Heart and Soul” while acquiring the publishing rights to Arabesque Books.
Then, the 90s came.
And I am not talking TLC, Fresh Prince or Brownstone 90s, I am talking the 90s which brought us “the video ho.” Doesn’t anyone find it surprising that only black people call girls in videos “hoes”?
After women started making their appearance in videos with less clothing and more sexual content, BET seemed to lose its progressive edge.
No longer did “Teen Summit,” “Lead Story” and “BET Tonight” appear. They were replaced by reruns of “The Parkers,” “College Hill” and the only three movies BET owns, “Jacksons: An American Dream,” “The Temptations” and “Juice.” How can you have a television station that it is the voice of the “black community” where there is no NEWS?!
Yet, it amazes me that there has been no public out cry on the state of BET. We, college educated people, allow a television station we pay for to stereotype us into butt wiggling “niggers” who love to dance and listen to the same 10 songs over and over again. And do not get me started on “Uncut.” Women jig to Nelly’s “Tipdrill” when the song is an insult. “Must be a** cuz it’s not your face.” He is telling you the only thing he is interested in your butt. Not your face, smile, personality or the fact that you do not have a child, he just likes your booty. And then what?
Besides, the music I listen to is not played on BET. When was the last time you saw a Slum Village of Dwele video during peak hours? How about Eyrkah Badu or India.Arie? Right. They wear clothes and talk about being in love.
That is when I turn the channel. Now, I watch MTV, VH1 and E!. Not to say white stations are better, but there is more to life than looking at the Ying Yang Twins all day. Plus, the latter offer more than just music videos. Do you know that during Black History Month, VH1 does a special on blacks in the media? And why didn’t BET sponsor the hilarious show, “Ego Trip’s Big Book of Racism” instead of VH1?
It seems like after 1995, BET stop being an innovator of pop culture but a follower. Now, the only show I watch on that station is “Comic View,” and that’s only when nothing else is on.
Since I am writing this on a Sunday morning, I am going to turn to channel 58 and see what is on now; religious infomercials. Do you know that most to the pastors on this station has a money-brings-miracles theology? That most of them have had spats with the law with the definition of “tax-exemption”?
Do not get me wrong. I have nothing against religious programming, but why only on Sunday’s and early mornings when viewing in at its lowest point? Why not have religious shows between the hours of 7 and 9 p.m.?
Talking about the problems of BET is not going to fix them. Talking about anything is not going to solve the problem. It takes mature people who actively work for change for change to happen. Their e-mail address is [email protected]. Send them an e-mail everyday until they respond. Tell them you are fed up with the lack of choices on the network. Tell them you are tired of seeing half naked women dancing around ugly men. If that does not work, call them. Their phone number is (202)608-2000. Ask they why the felt the need to fire Smiley and Reed. Ask them why they play the same music videos over and over again. And lastly, turn away from the station. We can complain to them all we want to. But when they notice the ratings going down, they will have to listen to PAYING CUSTOMERS.
BET is not doing us a favor; we are doing them the favor by watching them. We are the culture, not BET. So do not follow the example of the show, make the show follow you.