Does BET (Black Entertainment television) bother anyway else?

Question

I hate BET. Where's the black information? I'm so tired of seeing butt naked hoes dancing in videos, it just ridiculous. The black community is already seen as all about music, dance, and telling a good joke. I would probably start back to watch that channel if they had information for blacks like news, discussions, helpful sources. They have some half-assed news crap, but it's mainly about what entertainers are doing. Does it bother anyone else that a media outlet geared toward blacks still doesn't give helpful information? Does it bother anyone else that the station is owned by viacom and not a black person who knows what the black community needs? Hell, does it just bother you?

For some who have posted saying their shouldn't be a black media outlet. I totally disagree. I have seen channels specifically for hispanic, asian, polish, hindu, etc. I think all people should be viewed as equals, but people do have culture differences. Having a media outlet which is geared toward a specific nationality isn't racist. I mean if it was NBC, ABC, CBS would be sued constantly. How many minoority shows do you see on those channels. Maybe about 4-5 combined...If that many.

Answer 1

I hate BET. They took away every single news show on the channel. The only thing I used to watch was BET nightly news and the teen summit thing they used to show on saturdays.

Now, it's all booty shaking videos. The only good thing is someone took off Uncut cause that was a piece of real sh&t.

I think it's important to have a channel that deals with black issues. It's nice to want to have shows that cater and teach everyone, but let's face it, that rarely happens. Most shows cater to the majority. 67% of the popuulation is white. Guess who the main target audience is going to be? That's fine. I would like some good quality shows where black people abound. I think a black station well run could perform this service. Also, some issues just need to be discussed more in the black community such as AIDS, education and ways to stay out of prison and be successful. They offer very different view points then would be right for white viewers.

BET should be better because there is only ONE. There are how many news channels? You can flip for hours between ABC, NBC, CNN, FOX, MSNBC. CNBC, BBC, PBS and many others for different news options.

And entertainment doesn't mean it has to be the lowest form of entertainment. Entertainment can be intelligent and funny (The Cosby Show?).

Answer 2

Not a s much as MTV (MUSIC television), they don't even play an hour of music a day! But the idea of BET bothers me. What would happen if there was a WET (White Entertainment Television)? It would never be allowed to happen. Also, white people may own the station but it is black people that make the videos with the half naked chicks. So blame the right people for creating those stereotypes and making their own race look bad.

Answer 3

I agree with you wholeheartedly. The problem is, the new owners (who are not black, as you have stated) cannot relate to what the black community wants as a whole. At the same time, they are currently in a little bit of hot water for making comments that we don't respond to intelligent programming. It also bothers me that they play uncut, then right after that they program the Gospel Hour? Now that's just wrong (and stupid).

Recently Reginald Hudlin (director of House Party) was named President of Programming. And Debra Lee (Chief Operating Officer) has taken on bringing back more inspirational programming.

See the links below. Hopefully BET will totally revamp and go back to when the programming was cool, like WAY back when Donnie Simpson was around.

But then again, it's up to US to watch the newer programming. Because if ratings drop, it's back to shuckin' and jivin' and vide-hoes.

Answer 4

While BET is now owned by Viacom, it is still steered and controlled by Robert L. Johnson, Founder and former Chairman of BET. Mr. Johnson, as you may know is Black. So I think your point about Viacom is a non-issue. You may want to write directly to Mr. Johnson because I think that the Black community offers a lot more and is more varied than what BET broadcasts.

Once again, the media is a menace, and I firmly believe that life imitate arts, and the media is a negative influence on society. If only the media would imitate life rather than the other way around.

Answer 5

Most news outlets are crap, not just BET. And why should BET be so superior when all the others are crap too?

Stick to CNN if you want good news. Black Entertainment Television is just that - Entertainment (supposedly) for black people. Not necessarily compelling news. Sorry. It just wasn't supposed to be that.

Answer 6

I think it's racist to have a channel named Black Entertainment Television. Because you can bet your @$$ that if someone created a network named White Entertainment Television, every black person in the country would be throwing out their race card. So, yes, it does bother me.

Answer 7

Such a great question. I like my music as much as anyone but I don't think it would kill them to air something besides "Shoulder Lean". It's rediculous. It's like all we know how to do is shake _sses and flash grills. There are no kids programs, nothing educational, but then again it is called Black Entertainment so I guess they think that's all we need to be entertained. I'd rather just cut off the TV and read a damn book.

Answer 8

Right on Sister. I hate BET. I feel that it is not Black Entertainment, but more Ghetto Entertainment. BET used to give us something to aspire to, now all you see is naked butt, hoes, and nothing of any real substance. Let's start a boycott.

Answer 9

it bothers the heck out of me and I'm white. my husband is black and intelligent. bet portrays the blacks in a really bad light and i know a lot of my husband's friends and family are all as disgusted with this kind of "lack of intelligence" portrayal as i am. the black community needs to come to grips with what is being said and counter that crap with their morality, family values and intelligence. there will be no respect given to those that think shaking it up and trash talking everyone in public is going to get them respect. it's just going to degrade the whole culture.

Answer 10

I don't normally watch BET but when I have flipped the channels you're right, I see a lot of half naked women dancing in videos.