Friday
Jan252008
What would Jesus do...about BET?
Friday, January 25, 2008 at 2:47PM The Blogmother
written by guest contributor Tami of What Tami Said
It must be unprecedented—clergy kneeling at the altar of Viacom, shouting praise to a purveyor of bouncing booties, big pimpin’ and a bounty of bling.
In an announcement allegedly signed by representatives of major religious bodies, such as the Progressive National Baptist Convention, the New York Theological Seminary and the National Baptist Convention of America, Inc., Clergy Strategic Alliances (CSA) gushed:
You might argue that BET is no worse than its paler Viacom brethren—MTV and VH-1. And you might be right. But I have yet to see a group of community-minded holy men and women endorse either of those channels based on their one or two offerings of social value. But BET gets a hug and a cookie for airing Exalted and Sunday Best. I guess a little shoutin’ on Sunday morning erases a multitude of weekday sin—sin like materialistic excess, degradation of women, the sexual hijinks of the College Hill interns, the bumping and grinding of Hell Date, the g-strings and arched backs of the bet.com "B-girls," the crassness of “Read a *&%%* Book,” the celebrated violence of American Gangster 2.
The CSA Web site says:
Black women—the backbone of the church, the most faithful in the flock—are demeaned every day through BET programming, their children fed a steady diet of shucking, jiving and filth. Why aren’t these religious leaders standing with the women who pack the pews on Sunday, the church mothers who cook the repast, the ladies on the fellowship committee? Why aren’t they standing with ordinary black folks who are trying to raise their children in a world dominated by BET's values or lack thereof?
Gina asked me to remind you all that this isn't the first time a group of clergy members got together to try to stifle a movement led by ordinary people. In fact, Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous letter from the Birmingham jail was written in response to a similar alliance of clergy willing to accept crumbs instead of justice.
http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_Birmingham.html
It must be unprecedented—clergy kneeling at the altar of Viacom, shouting praise to a purveyor of bouncing booties, big pimpin’ and a bounty of bling.
In an announcement allegedly signed by representatives of major religious bodies, such as the Progressive National Baptist Convention, the New York Theological Seminary and the National Baptist Convention of America, Inc., Clergy Strategic Alliances (CSA) gushed:
We would like to congratulate BET and Debra Lee on presenting the inauguralOne new awards show and a sprinkling of gospel make BET a source of “new and innovative quality programming” that shows the diversity of the black experience?
BET Honors Awards, dedicated to recognizing the achievements and contributions
of distinguished African-American leaders in their fields. As the leading
network for programming in the African-American community, viewers are able to
see the diversity of the Black experience expressed in various art forms ranging
from music and movies to gospel and current events. Over the years, we have seen
BET evolve and change, and while we might not always agree with every step they
make, they have always shown a willingness to listen to their viewers, and
adjust accordingly.
As religious leaders, we are encouraged by BET’s enthusiasm to engage in
dialogue with those of us who have expressed concerns over some of their
programming. BET has responded to these concerns by bringing its viewers new
shows such as Exalted and Sunday Best, but we all know that real change takes
time. We are excited about what the future holds for BET, and will continue to
nurture our relationship with the network and its leadership in their efforts to
provide new and innovative quality programming to our community. SOURCE
You might argue that BET is no worse than its paler Viacom brethren—MTV and VH-1. And you might be right. But I have yet to see a group of community-minded holy men and women endorse either of those channels based on their one or two offerings of social value. But BET gets a hug and a cookie for airing Exalted and Sunday Best. I guess a little shoutin’ on Sunday morning erases a multitude of weekday sin—sin like materialistic excess, degradation of women, the sexual hijinks of the College Hill interns, the bumping and grinding of Hell Date, the g-strings and arched backs of the bet.com "B-girls," the crassness of “Read a *&%%* Book,” the celebrated violence of American Gangster 2.
The CSA Web site says:
At CSA our goal is to equip pastors and congregations with the skills necessaryIf that is the Clergy Strategic Alliance’s mission, then an alliance with BET ain’t so strategic.
to build power and improve their communities.
Black women—the backbone of the church, the most faithful in the flock—are demeaned every day through BET programming, their children fed a steady diet of shucking, jiving and filth. Why aren’t these religious leaders standing with the women who pack the pews on Sunday, the church mothers who cook the repast, the ladies on the fellowship committee? Why aren’t they standing with ordinary black folks who are trying to raise their children in a world dominated by BET's values or lack thereof?
Gina asked me to remind you all that this isn't the first time a group of clergy members got together to try to stifle a movement led by ordinary people. In fact, Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous letter from the Birmingham jail was written in response to a similar alliance of clergy willing to accept crumbs instead of justice.
http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_Birmingham.html
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Reader Comments (12)
I am working on a blog post about this as well. As a Christian, I am offended, but not surprised, by this unholy alliance between BET and these so-called 'men of God'.
"Whoa to you who call good evil, and evil good". These so called ministers either have their names attached to a document unawares, or have sold their souls for some cut-rate air time on Black Exploitation Television.
However, I will not take my eyes off the prize, which is correcting the Black female image. BET is beign very cunning, and wants to create a battle between Christians to take the heat off of themselves.
As for the preachers: I have decided to research each and every one of them, and to inform their congregations of exactly what their precious pastors are protecting. Somehow I don't think that their flock would like to see their Reverand Pastors' picture cozied up next to a picture of a video ho all over the internet.
ADDITIONALLY... I charge the highest measure of shame to all of the silent, cowardly ministers who will not stand up and be counted -- and will stand by and let Black women and children fight this battle on their own.
"Black women—the backbone of the church, the most faithful in the flock...."
___________________________________
More black women need to leave the "traditional" black church. It does not serve our needs, *generally* speaking.
pinky
Thanks for the post. As a Christian, the alliance these clergy and BET have formed makes me cringe.
Why on earth would any man of God want to align theirselves with a netowrk that spews such filth and infiltrates the minds of impressionable young ones, making them think that something that is wrong is actually right?
I am beyond disgusted.
THIS LETTER HAS BEEN DEBUNKED.
I admire many of the persons who supposedly signed that letter and some of them I've had personal contact with.
I just got the full scoop from Pastor Delman Coates. The letter is a fake.
Don't crucify the clergy before getting the whole story.
Read it:
www.faithinactiononline.com
I to am a Christian, and while I can't speak for Jesus, but I don't think that he would heap praise on BET. We have to keep up the pressure on this Network. They are either going to have to change, or they are going to have to go away. We cannot allow them to continue to strip Black Women of our dignity each and every day. If the Black clergy takes BET's side, then they are also against Black Women and we are not amused. Black churches need to remember that without the support of Black Women, they will not survive.
@Heber: I hope that you are right that the letter has been debunked. Because Shecodes already had it on her agenda to make a conference call between her godfather (who is a bishop) and two of those ministers to discuss this matter.
I'm still looking into it, and will contact Pastor Coates for more details.
Aside from the validity of the letter, I JUST posted a similar rant.
http://www.soulbounce.com/soul/2008/01/perpetual_headscratcher_bet_on.php
It is sad but not surprising what has happened. I personally like many of them but I will not watch or give any props to Black Enslavement.. I mean BET for just showing a few positive shows.
I have to be fair and point out that my favorite comedian Steve Harvey hosted the Celebration of gospel. I have to be fair about this even though I still admire him greatly. I believe the overwhelming good that he does such as the recent Dreamers Academy that he did over the MLK weekend with teenagers and his involvement with the Army's Planning for Life Program helps to lessen his involvement in this.
However I think we should all contact these members of the clergy and try to show them the error of their ways.
Oh shecodes, I looked into your site and loved it. Your opinions are very refreshing and I included a link to it on my blog. Tami excellent as always. I'll visit your site after this.
universalblackness.blogspot.com
I am a Christian, though I don't claim a particular denomination. God's people are supposed to live their lives with integrity and moral decency. But how can they expect to do this if the leaders don't even do it.
I'm disturbed by this but not surprised. Some leaders of the black church seem to be concerned with the "things of this world" as of late. Big houses, huge arena-size churches, fancy cars, designer clothes, you name it. I guess this unholy alliance with Blackxpoitation Television seems to fit in with this recurring theme.
That being said, I will refraim from condenming specific people since there's some confusion about who actually authorized for their names to be on the letter and who didn't.
Greetings all!
I am the the father of three young ladies 9, 11 & 16. Before I attack the media and church or whomever else has the market share of mass attention, I challenge myself.
Am I doing all that I am suppose to do to keep my girls away from wanting to participate in this vulgarity? What values am I teaching them about their bodies and minds?
Let's parent! It seems to me that these young girls and women are willing participants -- there has never been a gun, (that I am aware of) pointed at their heads to perform these explicit acts. And if anyone poses an argument that society "forces" them into this life choice, I liken that to being poverty stricken and those young people that decide to sale drugs, or rob & kill. It's a choice!
What has failed these ladies and how do we as a people fix it? Removing the desire of these ladies to want that fast dollar for sexual exposure is a more attainable goal, as long as there are willing and able BODIES to supply the demand -- the demand for raunchier smut will grow and. Shutdown the supply and you will manage the demand.
Respectfully yours,
blkirish
Hi blkirish,
I am a strong proponent of parenting, and do not disagree with your premise. However, 'good parenting' of girls will never shut down the demand to debase women, degrade the black female image, or for pornography.
The 'demand' isn't being formed by those girls. And frankly, if they insist of debasing themselves, that is their right. My point is pornography should not be MARKETED to black youth, SOLD as 'black culture', or PAID FOR with OUR MONEY.
Therefore, if McDonald's wants to go into the porn business, they are free to do so, but they also know that a whole lot of people would be eating KFC instead because of it. That is fair.
Let the video ho's be on pay-per-view, and not be attached to CNN or ESPN packages. My heart DOES go out to those women, because I know that they are being sold a fairytale story of marrying a rapper and becoming rich.
However, at the end of the day, there are people that will reject any 'teaching' that you try to provide, and they have the right to do so. They just can't parade it in front of me or mine.
"I to am a Christian, and while I can't speak for Jesus, but I don't think that he would heap praise on BET."
Jesus wouldn't praise BET's content. See this post on how much of God's Word the network has violated:
http://www.hudlinentertainment.com/smf/index.php?topic=2931.msg49225#msg49225
"Black churches need to remember that without the support of Black Women, they will not survive."
It would be more accurate to say that Black churches that don't respect Black women will will lose not only their support, but that of God Himself.