Alison Stewart was on MSNBC today filling in for Keith Olberman on Countdown.
While I enjoyed watching the sister do her thing, it was one of Stewart's topics that actually gave me reason to pause.
She talked about the upcoming show on BET called "Hot Ghetto Mess." As I listened to the discussion, something crystallized for me. I suddenly realized that this defining issue, this battle between two sides of Black consciousness, has now gone mainstream.
What was interesting, however, was that Stewart was talking about the case of whether the controversial show should go forward based on all the chatter -- not on radio or in newspapers -- but on the Internet!
So much for the digital-divide between Blacks and White.
Finally identifying a purpose to galvanize and create community, this controversy is the imprimatur of what heretofore has been a digital Black community largely ignored by everyone, including most Black folks.
But you can no longer ignore Jack and Jill Politics, Afronerd, Prometheus 6 and even this blog. Why, because each of us in our own unique way are collectively beating the drum about how we feel about an issue that has struck a nerve. And the statement each of our sites and other bloggers (see our links) are making is clear, "STOP DENIGRATING BLACK PEOPLE!"
A blog, called "What About Our Daughters" has even taken it one step further, making every attempt in order to prevent this show from hitting the air in two weeks. This blog just started in May, and yet its ranking in Technorati is impressive, considering the millions of blogs out there.Plus, an online petition, which has nearly 3,500 signatures as of 2PM on Thursday has started circulating on the web.
We've already seen State Farm Insurance and Home Depot asked BET to drop their ads from the show, which is set to air on July 25.
In this post-Imus world we live in, networks, media outlets, and society in general, are being held to higher standards of accountability when it comes to anything that is race related.
Are people overacting to 'Hot Ghetto Mess' because it's BET, a meager piece of giant Viacom's media empire? The same Viacom who owns CBS. What about VH1 you ask? Oh, we forgot, Viacom owns VH-1 too!
So why pick on BET? Because Black Entertainment Television has cache among African Americans. Although no longer Black owned, BET -- for better or worse -- continues to define who we are. At least for now.
So when the question is posed as to why there were no petitions preventing 'Flavor Flav' or 'I Love New York 2' from hitting the air, initially, the silence is awkwardly deafening.
But the reason is quite simple and straightforward. No one stepped up to the plate. And so while ratings for these "coonish" shows were off the charts, the collateral damage continues to be calculated.But life, as we know, is bittersweet. It is because of Flav and New York, Bobby Brown, Don Imus, offensive rap, and even Reverend Al Sharpton's grassroots chutzpah that has collectively served as the catalyst for many of us to "Wake Up."
Thank you Spike Lee.
Our global image, what defines us in terms of culture and purpose is no longer for sale without a fight -- at least not on our watch!
We are at a crucial point in our history folks, where everyone truly has the power to make their collective voice be heard. This is not about BET, the very funny and talented Charlie Murphy, CEO Debra Lee or BET President Reginald Hudlin.
It's bigger then them. Because it's about us!
And the revolution going on will be televised... only digitally!