(B.E.T) Black Entertainment Television

To:  Viacom Incorporated

We, this dying breed of decent African-Americans, submit this petition to Viacom Inc. (as well as Mr. Robert Johnson) to stop.

Stop the irrational display of our brothers, wearing "throwbacks", holding drinks, metallic teeth, cursing, and fighting amongst themselves.

Stop showing our women as nothing more than objects and play-toys, to be given the respect that an owner would give a dog.

Stop showing this to our youth, who are impressionable at such a young age. They will only dream of one day following in the footsteps of those they watch on the televison.

Stop.

Freedom was granted to the slaves by the Emancipation Proclamation, which took effect on the first of January in 1863. Since that day, it has been plotted to keep our people "in check," so to speak. The formation of the Klu Klux Klan, Jim Crow laws, segregated schools in the south; all of these were ways to go around our given freedom. These so-called "rap videos" follow the same route.

Rap is a culture, and a lifestyle of sorts, similar to being gothic, enjoying country, etc; however, when shown twelve hours a day, the message is clear: "Rap = Blacks." Why must we be represented in such a fashion six days a week? There are those of us who have dreams of college life not through basketball. There are those of us who own buisnesses that don't profit from selling plain white T-shirts. There are those of us who speak with English that could rival any man's tounge, "ya knaw wud I mean"?

Black Entertainment Television's exploitation of a powerful race of people is disgrace. This vision of us becomes impressionable to other people of other races, and it embedds itself quickly into their minds. Has Robert Johnson (founder of BET) ever walked into a board meeting wearing a sports cap, baggy pants, Miami Heat jersey, and matching silver necklace? My insincts tell me that not only has he not, but he never would, because he knows the consequences of those actions. On the same token, why isn't this lesson taught to our youth?

Is this what entertains blacks? It is subjective to say the least, but I will venture to say yes. The question is: "Is this ALL that enterains us?" Is every man, woman, and child with "black" skin entertained ONLY by rap music? The answer is "no," and for that reason, Black Entertainment Television must make a change. Either this change be in the programming blocks so that rap is not all that is displayed, this change be in the programming itself, adding more full-length shows that display the postive aspects of blacks, or a change in the name of the station to "Hip-Hop Homeboys and Blackface Comicview."

There are blacks in this country (and abroad) who do not burn the corks, put on "the face", tap-dance, and eat watermelon, and as Malcolm X once said: "We declare our right on this earth to be a man, to be a human being, to be respected as a human being, to be given the rights of a human being, in this society, on this earth, in this day, which we intend to bring into existence BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY."

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The (B.E.T) Black Entertainment Television Petition to Viacom Incorporated was created by and written by Alexander Galloway (ratking@sccoast.net).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.

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