Does Television Continue To Discrimate Based On Race? We Report, You Decide!

From CNN To Michael Baisden's Radio Show, Read A Book Video Goes Mainstream

With almost 1 million hits, this is the video that everyone's talking about:

Although we actually showed this video some time ago on this site, it appears that folks got issures with BET producing and running it:

We found it entertaining, insightful and very true! Our community is in such denial about the state of Black America. While the marketing and execution piece may have been off, the video is completely on point!

What say you?

Why Does YouTube's Big Belly Man Have To Be Black???

SERIOUSLY, WHY?!?!

Must We Be A Hot Ghetto Mess 24/7?

(admittingly, we did laugh... promise not to tell)

BET'S HOT GHETTO MESS IS SPARKING BLACK OUTRAGE ONLINE! THE SLEEPING GIANT HAS AWAKEN!!!

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!

ARE BLACK FOLKS ACTUALLY GOING TO CO-SIGN ON B.E.T.'S HOT GHETTO MESS?

Hot Ghetto Greed?

According to Racewire, "Black" Entertainment Television is producing a show based on the popular website "Hot Ghetto Mess" which basically exploits pictures of black people looking foolish to make money.

Folks, however, are starting to grumble about it and some advertisers have begun pulling out!

Trying to quell the potential backlash, B.E.T. is spinning it this way:

"Hot Ghetto Mess" is an entertaining, tongue-in-cheek examination of the good, the bad and the ugly of Black popular culture.

Utilizing comedy, man-on-the-street interviews, video clips, pictures and music, “Hot Ghetto Mess” aims to shine a spotlight on prevalent images in pop culture and examine what role they play in American lifestyle.

“Hot Ghetto Mess” goes where most shows fear to tread.

As host Charlie Murphy guides viewers through shaking booties, thug life, baby-mama drama and pimped-out high schoolers, “Hot Ghetto Mess” will explore what these images really mean to all of us.

Jack and Jill Politics does a fine job dissecting the real reason this show is going forward?

Can you say KA-CHING?

WHY BLACK FOLK'S LOVE OF CREAM OF WHEAT JUST GOT A LITTLE STRONGER

Serving Up Recognition For The 'Cream of Wheat' Brother

Frank L. White died on February 15, 1938, his grave bearing only a tiny concrete marker with no name.

This week, a granite gravestone was placed at his burial site bearing his name and an etching taken from the man depicted on the Cream of Wheat box.

Jesse Lasorda, a family researcher, started the campaign to put the marker and etching on White's grave in Leslie, Michigan.

Lasorda discovered that White was born about 1867 in Barbados, came to the U.S. in 1875 and became a citizen in 1890.

When White died, the local newspaper described him as a ''famous chef'' who ''posed for an advertisement of a well-known breakfast food.''

White lived in Leslie, and the story of his posing for the Cream of Wheat picture was known in the city of 2,000 located between Jackson and Lansing and about 70 miles west of Detroit.

While the man depicted in the 1900 photographed did not have his name recorded, he was employed at a Chicago restaurant. White was a Black chef, traveled a lot, was about the right age as the Cheshire cat smiling brother on the box.

Given that White told neighbors he was the Cream of Wheat model, it's a safe bet that this lasting image of excellence in culinary art likely belongs to him.

CHICAGO SUN TIMES

BLACK COMIC BOOK HEROES: TO INFINITY AND BEYOND!!!

By Kathy Hanrahan

(AP) JACKSON, Miss. — Comic books have become hot again, thanks to the successes of NBC's "Heroes," the Spider-Man films and the revived Superman and Batman franchises.

But a new exhibit at Jackson State University offers a glimpse into another world of the comics.
The exhibition, "Other Heroes: African-American Comics, Creators, Characters and Archetypes," focuses on topics such as the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Hurricane Katrina and racial stereotypes.

"It is how we see ourselves as African-Americans through the medium and also how others see the 'idea of blackness' through that medium" said John Jennings, co-curator of the exhibit.

While the most well known black comic strip, "The Boondocks," has gained national attention as part of Cartoon Network's "Adult Swim" lineup, many believe black characters and black creators are still marginalized.

We agree.

To read the entire article, click here.