‘You are an ignorant, smelly, toothless, drunk, Black person that is incapable of caring for your children. Thank you. – This has been a Public Service Announcement from Black Entertainment Television, because we care.’
That is not an actual PSA, and I will remind readers I have nothing to do with BET. Yet that is the feeling I think BET is trying to convey with its recent PSA Read A Book. I have already commented on the initial reactions I had from viewing the PSA, and time for reflection has not improved my outlook.
But I decided that perhaps I was too old to understand the PSA. I wondered if my friend who saw the PSA when I did was perhaps viewing the video with eyes of nearly my same age and also a mother of 3 children. So I have sought out a couple of different individuals of different ages and sex. I even made sure to ask non-Black people to see their thoughts. In each case I got the first thoughts right after viewing the supposed PSA.
In order of age:
16 year old Black male –
I was very insulted, and it sucks. I think that most regular people already do these things, and it was towards the negative. I don’t like rap anyway, it’s useless and annoying. It’s all about drugs or having sex.
19 year old Black male –
Before I knew it was a PSA I thought it was unique, but I thought it sucks. For anyone that’s ghettofabulous and not intelligent – it may mean something to them. You just can’t tell them [a person into ghettofabulous lifestyle] something. If you said ‘read a book’, they would say ‘Stop being so White’.
The PSA is targeting inner city Black people it looks like. I wouldn’t let my kid watch that, the language. But I know people with kids that have grown up listening to [gangsta] rap all the time, all day. I can see them letting their kid hear it.
19 year old White female –
I want to kill someone. It’s ridiculous and racist. It’s horrible. The swearing is the worst part, all the N-word. I would never let my son see this.
Continued in part 2...
3 comments:
I'm 28 years old and a graduate student.
When I first saw the video I thought it was a joke. I saw it on someone's blog and it seemed like the blogger really liked it. Is it actually a public service announcement??? What a disgrace. Some people might laugh and think its funny, like if it was a skit on a comedy show, but it should definitely not be a serious public service announcement!!! It uses the n-word all over the place referring to Black people as n*****! I thought to myself, is this really what has to be done to get to the younger generation?
Yes I agree reading books is good, I don't condone drinking alcohol, and parents need to be taking better care of their children, but for me it is just overshadowed by the cursing. The same thing happens to me with hip hop. If the n-word is used and there is a lot of swearing then it overshadows whatever message the artist is trying to put out.
Hello Bronzetrinity,
Good to see you back on the site.
No I wish this was a joke. BET has really done this. I just can't understand how they can put out this kind of trash and expect to not insult us. What part of BLACK ENTERTAINMENT do they not understand?
The excuse that this is the only way to reach the younger generation is just a cop-out. Speaking to the youth with respect and honest on important issues makes more of an effect than trying to pander to them in the most crass and bottom-of-the-barrell manner. They aren't stupid, but this PSA hardly provides them with an impetus to make better choices.
Reading books are essential to improving a person's life, regardless of age. I still read everyday, and learn because of it. I'm not too old, or successful to get more informed. Every successful person I know does the same. The statement is just that simple, and never requires the N-word.
Maybe BET forgot that the NAACP just made a huge effort to kill off that term.
Well I'm sure you and my other readers will help to improve the situation, each in our own way.
I would love to hear if anyone thinks this is a good format though. Is there anyone who thinks that besides the person that made the video and BET?
It would be interesting if it was put out by a gangsta rapper because they love to use the n-word and curse anyway. But no one (like myself) who wants to distance themselves from gangsta rap would put out something like this or like it. A public service announcement should be put out against this type of public service announcement!
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