Do u support or reject the "Read a book" video on BET?

Question

I saw it yesterday and surprising enough support it (censored of course no cussing!) But, I think it caused mass hysteria because it hit so close to home... the truth does hurt ghetto bumpkins! What do you think??

Thanks : ) The deodorant and toothpaste part could be important though... we just don't know cause we're not around it... its possible.

Thanks Rima: Good point!! Lead by example!!

Answer 1

Ht eonly people who get mad are the ones who are wearing blinders...it is sad but true...

Go around the country and ****** dont read...thats just how it is...and for those of your saying I read...well buddy ur in the small % like me...

The truth is that we need to sart educating ourselves as a people so 10 - 15 years from now...we can watch that video and laugh because the issues have been handled...

But if a ****@ is reading he is a nerd or a square....
But if he just got out of jail then he is hard?

We have to start promoting the positive activities and try to not glorify the negativity activites...but that might take awhile

Answer 2

I think that it is sad that our culture had to have a song like that. AND the term ghetto bumpkins should leave your vocabulary because it's not just towards those in the "ghetto". The truth is that some lower class people in America don't value reading and don't see how reading will help with writing and increasing their vocabulary. I've taught low income black, whites and hispanics and I've had to show them the importance of reading. The song was a way to reach them because it has a good beat, a catchy hook and it would cause controversy that would make someone want to hear it.

Answer 3

I thought it was really sad, at first; now I go around singing the chorus. It has a good message, but when he starts talking about deodorant and toothpaste, I felt that made it more on the funny side than on the PSA side. I don't see how people could be offend by it. Take any lyric out of a Rap song that's in heavy rotation on BET, and compare it to "Read A Book." I saw an interview with Bomani Armah (the person that decided to make it) and he said that people listen to music and watch videos, but reading a book is more hands on. You have to put more effort into it.

Answer 4

I think its genious! Sure, they didnt have to use bleeped out profanities but it makes sense. Many young adults are drawn to music only for the beat, the "gansta" sences in the video, or the coke bottle shaped women shaking their ***. It's a great satire- give people what they want but with a true message- read a book, drink some water- buy some land, take care of your kids! I love it.

Answer 5

I think that the overall message of that video is a great one. However the way in which the message is presented I greatly disagree with. I think that video reinforces a lot of the stereotypes and prejudices that many hold in regards to black people. Considering a black person made the video I feel betrayed, it looks as though that not only society carries these stereotypes about us, but we think that way about our own people as well. The video makes huge generalizations that most black people don't read, don't like to learn, don't take care of their kids etc. There are plenty of us out here that demonstrate the contrary such as myself and the people I associate myself with. I think there could have been a more affective way to getting this point across without self destructing the perception of blacks as a whole.

Answer 6

I Support It! Im highly upset that some people think the song is by Lil Jon though. It's actually by a Poet who uses Songs to get his point across. I saw a video where he talked about the Read A Book video and he simply said that the youth told him to have a correct "crunk song" you have to cuss. repeat stuff. yell. and cuss more. He's simply using a popular style of song to get across these important points!

Answer 7

answered this a million times, I think that this has a clear message. The only ones to get offended are the ones that need to change. Chris Rock put it clear as well a while back. ~ "theres a battle happening with black people and *** gas, and *** gas got to go!"

I am happy that i converted to black girls who are my friends into great model citizens. They have to realize that they have a problem, and i used my methods to solve it. They greatly apprieciated it, and love me for it. Btw im not racist, i date a black girl btw lol, so never that, but i am upset that a man, yesterday at my university, in the library in which i was studying, was walking towards me, and i got to the side, and said, "How are you doing, sir" and he looked at me, sighed, and looked down, and said obnoxiously, "excuse me!". But the fact of the matter is, that truth hurts, BIG TIME

Answer 8

I have to admit...i fell asleep with the tv on one day...and I woke up to this..i thought I was dreaming..then I thought it was a joke...the POINT of the song is good...but it is way too cheesy for any kid to be inspired by it, turn off bet and the tv, and go to the library.

What WOULD make sense is instead of having whores, mansions, yachts, diamonds in videos...something most kids cant relate to...make music videos that show people reading, volunteering, playing sports, that would motivate people to see jay z, snoop, akon in a library reading...not a stupid song.

Answer 9

I'm clueless as to your reference, but taking the your few words from you, I certainly support it.

Answer 10

I think some things are best left alone!