Why BET dishonors this Black woman

amcreynolds — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 22:48:59 -0600

*Editor's Note: What About Our Daughters?, a netroots community "organizing to combat the destructive portrayals of African American women in popular culture," reports that McDonald's, Nissan, the Army and the Navy advertise on BET.com's "B-Girl" website.

"Grab it," advertises BET.com.

In the World Wide Web, BET.com dehumanizes the online identity of women by reducing centerfolds to free widgets – portable chunks of code that allow content to be displayed on any web page or social networking site.

Her profile?

"Its" bust-waist-hips measurements offer you a window into her soul.

Given the criteria of a "B-Girl," what does it actually mean to be honored by Black Entertainment Television (BET)?

"The cable network already hosts the BET Awards in L.A. and the Hip Hop Awards in Atlanta, which focus on musicians; CEO Debra Lee wanted to create a tribute show in D.C. to honor African Americans in other fields. 'People are clamoring all the time for positive images,' she told The Washington Post.

Indeed, hundreds have been clamoring at Ms. Lee's doorstep every Saturday since September 2007. The Enough is Enough campaign seeks to stop the promotion of "negative music video images and messages that degrade women and glorify violence and criminal activity."

And hundreds more are scheduled to protest outside the Warner Theater where the BET Honors awards show is scheduled to be taped on Saturday, Jan. 12, according to the Web site What About Our Daughters?

"BET can best honor Black History Month by removing those videos that do not conform to BET’s own programming guidelines," said Rev. Delman L. Coates, Enough is Enough campaign organizer.

In a letter to Rev. Coates, Ms. Lee said that "BET does not air programming that endorses or condones illegal drugs or gratuitous violence .... And we do not air music videos that contain graphic or excessive sexual activity or violence."

By the lifestyles of "LeToya," "Kaylana," and "Cutie," BET doesn't represent me.

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Why BET dishonors this Black woman

*Editor's Note: What About Our Daughters?, a netroots community "organizing to combat the destructive portrayals of African American women in popular culture," reports that McDonald's, Nissan, the Army and the Navy advertise on BET.com's "B-Girl" website.