Yesterday, between meetings and conference calls, my partners and I tuned in to the Rosa Parks funeral being broadcast live from Detroit, Michigan. In addition to paying my last respects, I was eager to watch it because I’ve known since childhood that black preaching and singing are never more inspiring and heavenly than they are on these funereal occasions. And, from what I saw of the service, this blessed phenomenon held true to form.
Rev. Jesse Jackson headlined a roster of who’s who in black America and leaders of the Democratic Party in eulogizing Rosa Parks. But given her universal humanity, acclaim and appeal, it is a lamentable indication of de facto segregation in America that so few people from who’s who in white America and no leaders of the Republican Party were featured at Mother Parks’ “homegoing” tribute
I became annoyed, however, by the untimely canned commercials that kept interrupting the solemnity of this live programme. But if you’ve ever channel surfed during a major TV event that is being simulcast on all major networks, you probably suspect – as I do – that there’s collusion amongst them to synchronize their commercial breaks. Because flipping through CNN, MSNBC and FOX for continued coverage proved entirely futile. Moreover, for some incomprehensible reason, both the House and Senate were in session; and C-SPAN and C-SPAN 2 were contractually obligated to cover their mundane and wholly uninspiring Congressional speeches.
But in homage to Mother Parks, I contained my frustration and sat quietly through these intervening indignities. Nevertheless, my resourceful mind could not be denied. So before too long, I got the inspired idea to have one of my (white) associates switch to Black Entertainment Television (BET) – thinking surely that the programmers at this station would not be so insensitive in their coverage of this historic and decidedly Afrocentric occasion (as to interrupt it with commercials).
Aretha Franklin singing a soulful farewell to the Mother of the Civil Rights Movement
Therefore, imagine my embarrassment and dismay when we got to BET and found that they were not only running commercials as well, but that, in fact, BET was not covering the funeral at all. Instead, what greeted us after the commercial break on this pioneering purveyor of black culture were scantily clad black women – shaking their big fat dimpled asses to the incomprehensible lyrics and utterly discordant sounds of a rap music video. Even worse, we were held in shocking disbelief long enough to see accused and arrested serial sexual predator R Kelly mugging for the cameras to promote his own self-indulgent music videos.
Now, what made this oversight especially egregious is the fact that this station dedicated several hours of prime time just the night before to honour BET and its founder Robert L. Johnson for their Silver (25th) Anniversary in broadcasting. And, the juxtaposition of that coverage with their failure to cover Mother Parks’ funeral dramatizes a monumental betrayal of BET’s purported mission.
It is also worth noting that I sympathized with blacks who criticised President Bush for announcing his new Supreme Court nominee on Monday morning. Because that announcement was as untimely (and contrived) as the commericals that had me so annoyed yesterday – in so far as it diverted TV coverage from the procession at the national capitol where Mother Parks was Lying in Honor. Yet I have no doubt that many of the blacks who criticised Bush are the ones who watched and celebrated that anniversary event, but who will not utter a word of condemnation against BET for running trite music videos instead of covering this special event in black history.
Note: Of course, it’s entirely possible that the reluctance to criticise BET stems from the mistaken belief amongst many black Americans that Johnson still owns this TV network. But, in fact, Johnson sold-out (for billions) to the very white Sumner Redstone of Viacom years ago; which only adds irony to this egregious oversight: Because here we have “white” networks suspending regularly scheduled programming to cover an event honouring a black iconic figure (albeit with commercial interruptions), whilst the one ostensible black network carries on with business as usual – without any regard for this momentous occasion.
(Although, I suspect finding out that Black Entertainment Television is owned by an old white man will trigger belated outrage at this oversight amongst many blacks.)
Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick sounded the recurring theme amongst those eulogizing Mother Parks by assuring her that – despite appearances – black Americans will vindicate her sacrifice and emulate her heroic example. But we clearly have a long way to go “to overcome” – especially when “black” TV stations have no compunctions about dissing Rosa Parks.
News and Politics
Anonymous says
Frankly, BET has been a disappointment to many African Americans who held out high hopes for this network. The voices of frustration have been more pronounced in recent years. Interestingly enough a couple of urban radio stations have been leading the charge in criticizing BET, before and after Mr. Johnson cashed out. Some have long criticized (Essence magazine) the lack of adult programming along with the demeaning portrayal of young black women. There has also been talk in recent years about the difficulty maintaining a credible news program on the network. So I share your frustration at this gross disconnect that has emerged once again. Yet, I feel some of the blame must fall on the shoulders of African Americans (myself included). The founder of BET, Robert Johnson, clearly had a vision to make a lot of money off the African American’s appetite for entertainment. He did not name the station Black Network Television. I am not sure even in the beginning there was any pretense about it being anything other than what we see. But as consumers, we must check ourselves. If we want more of corporate America, the only vote that counts is our dollars. If we are going to rely on the good nature of corporate leaders, we will find disappointment at every turn. We can no more blame Robert Johnson than we can blame Exxon for making $9 billion dollars in the latest quarter. Our voices need to be louder in order to fashion the type of changes we feel will improve our society. Why else is Walmart spending millions to put forth a more positive image.
Rage….
alan123 says
Rage
I agree with much of what you said. But it’s wrong to dismiss Johnson as just another businessman when he encouraged blacks to invest so much racial and cultural pride in BET.
I have many black friends and I know it is more than “entertainment” to them. Besides there’s no denying what ALH wrote as the “juxtaposition” of white stations honoring Rosa Parks while the one BET was honoring degrading rap music. If this station had any respect for African Americans, I think they would have covered that funeral.
Their failure to do so speaks volumes and I guess that is why he ended by saying African Americans have a long way to go to overcome. You should not have to rely on white stations to honor your dead.
Anonymous says
This is a really interesting article. I am African American and I never thought about BET like this before. I didn’t know some old white guy owned BET as well.
I guess we live and learn.
Ann says
This is what some of the media think about Obama.
This is our future and we need a change, for opportunities, not hate, and join together as human beings. There are too many people suffering everyday waiting for a change for better living conditions. President Bush or the Government could care less about resources that would the poor, homeless, Veterans, People with Disabilities. Even with mothers and fathers working, it’s still not enough money to run a household. We can’t afford to go home to our children after 5:00 PM, because most of us have second jobs, in order to pay bills.
I’m hoping people are listening to Obama and how he presents himself. He is very open in his speeches and I feel he is more capable of doing a good job in the White House and for the people in this country, and bonding with other countries to avoid wars. Our troops need to come home now, end this war, and concentrate on other things.
The Press is trying to attack him with everything they can. What’s wrong with the man acknowledging he’s Black, and that why we need to become as one. What wrong with expressing how you feel? It doesn’t mean you are a racial inclined. The majority of the people in this world are mixed. There’s nothing wrong with his comment. He needs support from all of us and not be cut down like a tree.
We need someone that can fulfill these dreams and stand up for this country with great strength. Give the unfortunates a chance to find jobs, feed the poor, etc. I feel Obama would be the best choice for President. This country is at War! What we need to worry about, if there will be another 4,000 of our Troops have to die for nothing. So many programs have been cut or closed completely, programs that we needed for our young people and for the older people. Obama is a young man and he will put in time and effort and energy to fight and not depend on the House of Representative to do his work for him.
Don’t forget in one Campaign, Hillary was crying, because she thought she was losing. That’s when she found her voice. Do we need strength or a crybaby at 3:00 a.m. in the morning?