Debra Lee is Ticked Off At the Washington Post :Ignore the Critics and Watch Your Ratings

We are changing, improving and serving the needs and aspirations of our viewers -- aspirations that are more often than not ignored by other networks. Debra Lee, CEO of BET

The NAACP giving you an image award makes me laugh.If that's what BET needs to make them feel okay with continuing to be the worst thing that has happened to black people in the last 25 years then ignore the critics and watch your ratings.
Marla, a commenter on WAPO.com in response to Debra Lee

Remember that article in the Washington Post profiling Reggie Whatshisname ("Channel Changer")? Well apparently Teresa Wiltz didn't get the memo that the Washington Post is BET's mouthpiece. After monitoring news coverage for over a year, its clear that in times of crisis, BET turns to the LA Time's entertainment reporter, Gregg, and somebody at the WAPO. Even though Wiltz didn't do the usual litany of BET criticisms, apparently she left out the important BET talking points. For those who have been following BET's toxic MESS clean up over the last year, it goes something to the effect of "blah blah blah GOSPEL SHOW blah blah blah HIP HOP VS. AMERICA blah blah blah GOSPEL SHOW and repeat."

So in response to Wiltz's article, Debra Lee penned a letter to the editor. Debra Lee wants y'all to know that the NAACP gave their gospel show an Image Award:

Nor does she [Wiltz] mention that BET has won seven awards for its news programs in the past year; that BET won the NAACP Image Award for its annual "Celebration of Gospel" (the highest-rated religious program in television the past two years); that BET Networks received an Emmy Award for its long-standing "Rap-It-Up" campaign, which promotes HIV-AIDS awareness; or that the annual BET Awards show has been the No. 1 show in African American households for several years. Debra Lee

In all fairness I could have written a letter to the editor complaining as well because Wiltz left out my quote about BET being a multimedia crack dealer and all of its original programming was the low-rent version of its corporate cousins, MTV and VH1, but you didn't see me whining about that. Let me translate Debra Lee's letter:

Dear Washington Post,

Yes, we sell multimedia crack cocaine, but we also hand out frozen Thanksgiving turkeys once a year. We only sell multimedia crack between the hours of 10 and 2 and we take Sundays off. What happened to those talking points we sent over? Why didn't Teresa Wiltz plug any of our Gospel shows and our once a year Awards show and those three episodes of Hip Hop vs America where we featured some members of the Civil Rights Industrial Complex and BET Honors Recipient, Cornel West ?

Who cares if y'all got an NAACP Image Award last year? Didn't the NAACP also nominate an accused child predator for an Image Award? Didn't the NAACP give Tyler Perry and Award for his role as "Madea" in "Diary of a Mad Black Woman"?

The Rap-IT Up reference is ironic because they are running PSA's about responsible sex practices, yet turn around and feature videos glamorizing debauchery and irresponsibility. Wasn't there a a College Hill episode where the interns were humping each other on a pool table? Debbie call me when you start running PSA directed at young Black girls that say "You Are Not the Sum of Your Body Parts .... Even though we tell you otherwise every hour on the hour." Run a PSA that says "Stripping is hazardous to your health....Even though we tell you otherwise every afternoon between 3 and 6" Run a PSA that says "Drug Dealers are not Heroes, they are traitors to the race."

If I were her, I would stop mentioning "A Celebration of Gospel" before some angry church folks start targeting the gospel artists appearing on the show. I can hear some enterprising young preacher now giving a sermon about "singing in Pharaoh's Choir" or some stuff like that. "Paging Rev. Rollo Goodlove, where you at?" Because if they scare off all the gospel artists, what's left to deflect criticism? Take the Cake? Hell Date? Stop hiding behind the Lord's shirttails, you can't tell me videos talking about B*tches, Bullets and Bling are biblical.

Perhaps most unfairly, the story focused on a few programming misfires -- what network has none? Debra Lee

Um programming misfires? You gotta love Debbie's penchant for the understatement. Let's be clear, the reason you have has a year long spate of negative newspaper articles isn't because of a few programming misfires, but because of a massive public relations blunder of the EPIC variety. You let ONE show overshadow an entire season of shows. You followed that up with a
lewd cartoon you tried to pass off as a PSA which made you an even riper target. Instead of heading off critics at the pass and coming up with something to temporarily appease them, you chose to call them names in major news publications and send them condescending letters and hired a consulting firm to "monitor" them. If you were smart, which every indication is that you are not, you would have scheduled a series of meetings and formed a meaningless committee to make folks feel as if you were listening to their concerns and giving their concerns thoughtful consideration.

To be fair *cough* Debra Lee went to Viacom and asked them to reinvest the hundreds of millions of dollars that BET brings in. The whole reason Viacom purchased BET was because BET was and continues to be a CASH COW. Despite Black folks and advertisers forking over hundreds of millions of dollars, Bob Johnson bled BET dry and didn't reinvest a fraction of what he was pulling in. That is why they relied on music videos for so long. Because videos were cheap. Unfortunately for them, VH1 came along and realized that while music videos are cheap, so is reality television.

BET couldn't very well let VH1 become known as the destination for Black audiences because how would they convince advertisers that the road to Black audiences is through BET? SO what did they do? They started trying to play catch up. Only one problem, you have a DAMAGED brand. DAMAGED. Say BET to a group of regular Black folks and watch what happens. Not only are they a DAMAGED brand, but their own executives are contemptuous of their own audience or too money hungry trying to ink production deals with their buddies that even with 100 Million dollars of Viacom's money, they churned out dud after dud and defended the flops as they went down in flames. That's not bad programming, that's plain old bad business judgment. Notice that Debra Lee didn't mention a single scripted show in her letter. Everything is videos or reality television. In other words, high school seniors with HD cameras could produce most of BET's current programming.

BET does not have a programming problem. It has a cultural problem. Let's take her at her word *wheeze* that music videos only comprise 20% of their programming, that still does not account for the contempt with which they hold their audience. What irritates me most is that BET's talking points keep referring to the regime of B*tches Bullets and Bling as "Black Youth Culture." There is no WAY that an executive at MTV, CBS, ABC would ever say drug use, stripping, violence, and anti social behavior was synonymous with "Black youth culture." They would be gone! Out the door! The NAACP wouldn't be handing them an Image Award, the Hollywood Chapter would be beating down the doors demanding an apology, yet BET repeatedly says this over and over again. What is worse is that they have had advertisers like McDonalds parrot BET's garbage talking about "we're trying to reach a certain demographic." So what is McDonald's saying about Black people?

I applaud those who have have recognized that the only people BET will listen to are advertisers. You can lay siege to their homes and they will still ignore Black folks. P&G is talking about "moving" their ads from BET's soft porn in the afternoon disguised as music videos. I don't know if that means they are pulling the ads completely or just moving them elsewhere on the network, but McDonald's and GM would be hard pressed not to follow suit.

I think Teresa Wiltz was downright heroic to write this article. Somebody must not have told her that BET runs the Washington Post. I bet she knows now. Y'all feel free to write a letter to the editor in response or post comments to Debbie's letter. There are only 4 comments on the Washington Post right now. See what we can do to at least take that out to 20 comments. Most of the comments... okay ALL of the comments are critical of BET and Debbie Lee.

There are some who will get their view of black life entirely from the one station that touts itself as being for blacks. I am not impressed and I hope that other black stations that are morally sound will arise in your place and that BET no longer will be the voice of black america because it stopped representing us along time ago. The NAACP giving you an image award makes me laugh. If that what BET needs to make them feel okay with continuing to be the worst thing that has happened to black people in the last 25 years then ignore the critics and watch your ratings. Marla from the WAPO Comments in response to Debra Lee's letter.

Marla, they can't ignore the critics, the critics have finally figured out a way to to mess with their "paper." BET is a damaged brand. DAMAGED and as soon as Comcast figures out who to partner with to target African Americans between the ages of 12 and 18, BET's target audience, you will be able to sit back and marvel at the implosion. It is coming. They have already taken aim at "older" Black folks. They are about to start a 24-hour Black news network. Like I said, BET is a damaged brand.

A Message From "Enough is Enough" Regarding Sponsorship of Religious Conference

To the What About Our Daughters readers:

I have received reliable assurances that the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference has not and will not receive any financial contributions or sponsorships for its annual conference. I would like to

thank all those who have worked to bring about a resolution to this matter, particularly those who have expressed concerns about the appearance that black clergy are divided in this campaign against offensive and misogynistic lyrical content in the entertainment industry. I am confident that at this year’s Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference this issue will be further addressed.

What About Our Daughters has been and is a positive force in challenging misogyny in the entertainment industry. There is no doubt in my mind that the administrator of this site, Gina McCauley, has used the highest journalistic standards in reporting this matter. While those of us who are passionate about the exploitation of black people in the popular culture are combating this issue on a variety of fronts, it is my sincere hope that we will remain focused on the real issue, and this is, the corporations that produce, sponsor, and distribute lyrical and visual content that degrades black women, glorifies violence and criminal activity, and negatively
stereotypes black men as pimps, gangsters, and thugs.

Peace and Blessings,

Rev. Delman Coates, Ph.D., Organizer
Enough Is Enough Campaign for Corporate Responsibility in Entertainment
www.enoughisenoughcampaign.com

This blog has played its role in this religious melodrama and as far as we are concerned its curtains for "Payola in the Pulpit." The parties most intimately involved are satisfied with the outcome- We will not be addressing the matter further on this blog.

The silence is deafening

by guest contributor Tami from What Tami Said

On Friday, Jan. 25, WAOD posted the article "What would Jesus do...about BET," breaking news about a letter (press release) praising Black Entertainment Television for evolving and "standing up for freedom of expression." The communique was signed by high-profile preachers and leaders of prominent religious groups, and disseminated by Rev. Ronal Tune, a consultant affiliated with The Carroway Group, a PR firm employed by BET. In that post, and the others that followed, we asked how holy men and women devoted to the uplift of the black community--leaders like Father Michael Pfleger, who little more than six months ago purchased billboards around Chicago decrying misogyny in rap music, and Bishop Vashti Mackenzie, an advocate for black women--could in good conscience align themselves with BET.

The letter seemed like a bold slap in the face to black people and women in particular. Here were our leaders praising BET for tossing crumbs to the black community, while continuing to kill our people every day through a celebration of violence, materialism and misogyny. It couldn't be true that our community's religious leaders have such disdain for us. Could it? Rev. Tune says:

I'm shocked at the assumptions made in this post so I have e-mailed all of
clergy on the letter to make them aware of it. Perhaps they will respond to your
statements individually. I spoke to Rev. Haynes after I received a call from
Enough is Enough and it appears that he was under the impression that there was
a different letter being referred to in his conversation with whoever called
him. When I told him it was the same letter that he received from me, he said
there wasn't a problem. I assure you, that every person on this letter regarding
the BET Honor Show read it prior to release and knew their name was on it.

Meanwhile, the offending letter was stricken from Rev. Tune's Clergy Strategic Alliances Web site. (Now folks ought to know that you can't erase stuff from the Internet so quickly.Here it is.) Gina and Shecodes called and e-mailed the signatories of the BET letter.


Dr. Cynthia Hale quickly responded, assuring that we were all on the same side, that the leaders who signed the offending letter meant to congratulate BET Honors Award honorees only and that they were unaware of BET's duplicity. Dr. Hale promised to speak to all pastors involved and get back to us.


On Tuesday of this week, Dr. Iva Carruthers responded to WAOD's inquiries through the site's comments sections, saying in part:

Yes, we share the concerns about misogyny and the degrading and disempowering media images and messaging—both blatant and subtle—not just by BET, but in all American media. So yes, I signed the letter and I was not at all deceived.

It is unclear how Carruthers' "concerns about misogyny and degrading and disempowering media images" squares with lauding BET for standing up for "freedom of expression," or how praising the channel's "willingness to listen to viewers" with community activists' experience that BET is anything but willing to listen and respond.


No other leader has bothered to respond to WAOD's inquiries. Not one. And we are waiting.

It has been little more than 48 hours, excluding weekends, since WAOD broke this story. Now we know these religious bigwigs are busy, but if you were a community leader, would you let your name stand associated with BET on a site devoted to ending the war against black women--a site that receives thousands of hits a day and is listed as one of the Web's most influential sites on Technorati. I wouldn't. Unless, of course, I supported the channel and its content.

The way I see it, silence = endorsement. If by Friday--one week after WAOD's initial post--this Web site's readers have not heard from the religious leaders that signed the BET letter, then we all know where we stand. Don't we?

What would Jesus do...about BET?

written by guest contributor Tami of What Tami Said

It must be unprecedented—clergy kneeling at the altar of Viacom, shouting praise to a purveyor of bouncing booties, big pimpin’ and a bounty of bling.

In an announcement allegedly signed by representatives of major religious bodies, such as the Progressive National Baptist Convention, the New York Theological Seminary and the National Baptist Convention of America, Inc., Clergy Strategic Alliances (CSA) gushed:

We would like to congratulate BET and Debra Lee on presenting the inaugural
BET Honors Awards, dedicated to recognizing the achievements and contributions
of distinguished African-American leaders in their fields. As the leading
network for programming in the African-American community, viewers are able to
see the diversity of the Black experience expressed in various art forms ranging
from music and movies to gospel and current events. Over the years, we have seen
BET evolve and change, and while we might not always agree with every step they
make, they have always shown a willingness to listen to their viewers, and
adjust accordingly.

As religious leaders, we are encouraged by BET’s enthusiasm to engage in
dialogue with those of us who have expressed concerns over some of their
programming. BET has responded to these concerns by bringing its viewers new
shows such as Exalted and Sunday Best, but we all know that real change takes
time. We are excited about what the future holds for BET, and will continue to
nurture our relationship with the network and its leadership in their efforts to
provide new and innovative quality programming to our community. SOURCE

One new awards show and a sprinkling of gospel make BET a source of “new and innovative quality programming” that shows the diversity of the black experience?

You might argue that BET is no worse than its paler Viacom brethren—MTV and VH-1. And you might be right. But I have yet to see a group of community-minded holy men and women endorse either of those channels based on their one or two offerings of social value. But BET gets a hug and a cookie for airing Exalted and Sunday Best. I guess a little shoutin’ on Sunday morning erases a multitude of weekday sin—sin like materialistic excess, degradation of women, the sexual hijinks of the College Hill interns, the bumping and grinding of Hell Date, the g-strings and arched backs of the bet.com "B-girls," the crassness of “Read a *&%%* Book,” the celebrated violence of American Gangster 2.

The CSA Web site says:

At CSA our goal is to equip pastors and congregations with the skills necessary
to build power and improve their communities.

If that is the Clergy Strategic Alliance’s mission, then an alliance with BET ain’t so strategic.

Black women—the backbone of the church, the most faithful in the flock—are demeaned every day through BET programming, their children fed a steady diet of shucking, jiving and filth. Why aren’t these religious leaders standing with the women who pack the pews on Sunday, the church mothers who cook the repast, the ladies on the fellowship committee? Why aren’t they standing with ordinary black folks who are trying to raise their children in a world dominated by BET's values or lack thereof?

Gina asked me to remind you all that this isn't the first time a group of clergy members got together to try to stifle a movement led by ordinary people. In fact, Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous letter from the Birmingham jail was written in response to a similar alliance of clergy willing to accept crumbs instead of justice.

http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_Birmingham.html

BET is Still Delusional - Chicago Sun Times Article About the BET B-Girl-McDonalds is a PIMP!

The Chicago Sun Times article about our successful campaign to have advertisers divest from BET's B Girl page is up.

OH God bless Black Entertainment Television's delusional little hearts. They are trying to now claim that they had ALWAYS planned to remove the B-girl site.

The move was one that had been in the works and was unrelated to the blogger protests, a BET spokeswoman said. SOURCE

Uh huh. Right. Right.Well we are glad we were able to assist them in expediting the process. Too bad it wasn't before they tarnished their advertisers' good name by putting family-oriented advertising next to g-string clad women in sexually suggestive positions. Let me tell you how weak this company is. The fact that they can't even admit to making a move in response to complaints tells you how weak THEY think THEY are. Because if you are operating from a position of strength, you would have done what KRAFT did; admit that you had made an error in judgment.

Kraft Foods spokesman Basil Maglaris said Kraft last advertised on the page in October as part of a broad ad buy on the site to promote a black family-focused micro-site. But he said Kraft, which is chaired by CEO Irene Rosenfeld, should never have appeared on the pinup girl page. "We regret the unfortunate juxtaposition. The content is definitely inconsistent with what our site is about," he said.

Thank you KRAFT for having a corporate conscience. Something McDonald's does not have. Let me remind you that McDonald's loves them some misogyny. They wanted to pay hip hop artists money for each time their product was mentioned in a hip hop song AND they got into trouble last year for hiring Twista to headline a parking lot tour they organized. McDonald's is unrepentant and would be advertising on the B-girl page if it still existed:

McDonald's, though, stands by its placement with the suggestively posed beauties to grab an intended audience, said McDonald's spokeswoman Danya Proud.

"Different demographics and different audiences want to be communicated to in different ways, and we believe the content reaches the young adult audience that it is intended to reach," she said.

In other words, Black consumers can only be reached if you make Black women and girls props and prostitutes. Please stop by McDonald's corporate responsibility blog to let them know how you feel about them pimping Black women and girls to sell unHappy Meals. You will find their post about MLK ironic in light of their position that in trying to reach young adults, they have to pimp out Black women and girls.

At the end of the article, BET boasts that they still carry smutty pictures on their site. They should be soo proud.

Folks, I have always maintained that Black Entertainment Television is what it is because it was first. That's all they are is first. They aren't smart. They aren't creative. They aren't even edgy, they just got to the party first. My response to the "we're the biggest and the baddest" fascade is WOOLWORTH'S. Except BET's mindtrust isn't bright enough to transition into a niche market the way that Woolworth's did with Foot Locker. Just because they are big today does not mean they will be big forever. Especially if they keep trashing the name and reputation of advertisers like Kraft, General Mills, State Farm and Home Depot.

Until next time. There will be a next time because THAT COMPANY is and will forever be STUCK. ON. STUPID

Any advertiser that does not keep BET on a tight rain is negligent as well and we are going to stop accepting the "we didn't know BET was a misogynist smut peddling company" excuse.

Do take time to make your displeasure with Mickey D's known.

STOP FUNDING FOOLISHNESS!

Video of Protest Outside BET disHonors

You wouldn't know it by the coverage int he paper version of the Washington Post, but it wasn't all kicks and giggles at the taping of the BET Honors this weekend. WHile Cornell West, Maxine Waters, Alicia Keyes, Tyra Banks and Bill Parsons were acting as human shields for Debbie "Evil Leeville" Lee, Pastor Coates and hundreds of folks were gathered outside to make their displeasure. Y'all know I believe trying to communicate to BET is futile as you cannot appeal to the corporate conscience of an organization that doesn't have one. However, his words at the end of this video clip are powerful.


You can leave a comment about the protest and Black Exploitation Television by going to the Washington Post blog. Also do take a moment to send a note to the reporter who wrote the story that appeared in the print version of the paper to let her know you are hip to her pro BET bias. You would have though two people were protesting outside the show to hear her tell it. Her celebrity obsession is clear from the article. The reporter's name is Neely Tucker you can email her by using this form. Tell Neely Gina sent ya'!

You can also look at photos from the disHonors show. Watch as the Black Elite Establishment coo and aaah over each other. I so know what the Ze' common French people must have felt right before the revolution.

Boondocks Does Send Up of BET, Debra Lee, and Whatshisname Hudlin

Warning! It's "The Boondocks" May be NSFW (Not Safe for Work).

"The Boondocks" did a send up of Debra Lee, BET, and Reginald Hudlin. Hudlin was an executive producer of of "The Boondocks." I wonder what went down there?

Aaron McGruder and film producer/director Reginald Hudlin created a Boondocks pilot for the Fox Network, but found great difficulty in making the series acceptable for network television. Hudlin left the project after the Fox deal fell through, although McGruder and Sony Television are contractually bound to continue to credit him as an executive producer.^{[2] Wikipedia}

Anyway, I am kind of mad because I had my own "Debra Lee"-inspired art coming out in February. I can't top this though.

Warning! It's "The Boondocks" May be NSFW.

Don't forget that there is a protest scheduled on the 12th outside of the BET Honors Awards Show in Washington, DC. Enough is Enough Campaign.

I was going to reveal some new foolishness BET is engaged in involving sponsors, but after seeing this, I feel bad. Between "The Boondocks" and folks circling her lawn, I almost feel guilty for Debbie Lee and her multimedia crack peddling ways until I remember "BET Uncut" and a certain MESS.

Bonus: Who else thinks Rev. Goodlove is a composite of Sharpton and Jackson?

The Winter of our Discontent

BY: Shecodes, WAOD Contributor

YEAH, THEY’RE STILL IN FRONT ON DEBRA LEE’S LAWN…

And are showing up in front of Philippe “The Puppetmaster” Dauman’s brownstone, too

It’s going to be a battle of wills this winter, y’all. It looks like our favorite pastor and his crew are in it for the long haul.

So in case you were wondering, the ‘Enough is Enough’ protests are still going on in front of Debra Lee (president of BET)’s house in Washington, DC, and also in front of the swanky residence of Phillipe Dauman (CEO of Viacom) in Manhattan.

I went to the Big Apple two weeks ago to join in on the festivities in front of Philippe’s house. It’s a pretty modest crowd – comprised of about 60% teenagers. (Where are their parents? And why aren’t they protesting right alongside them?)

The first thing I noticed was a heartbreaking contrast between these working-class, sign-wielding African American youths, who were shivering out in the cold -- and the profound privilege and comfort of the white neighborhood children, who were peering out of the windows. It was an object lesson in Economic Disparity, 101.

Anyway, Philippe ‘The Puppetmaster’ Dauman’s neighbors didn’t seem to mind the ruckus at all. Most went about their business, but several people stopped by to take leaflets and ask about the protest. All of the residents that I spoke to expressed sympathy and support for the cause. (Or, maybe they didn’t have the guts express disapproval to an afro-wearing blogger who would take their picture and tell their business in a hot minute).

Since Viacom has been belligerently unresponsive to the pleas of the African American community to quell their lust to depict Blacks as hoes, thugs, and pimps, some strategists believe that it’s time to start hitting them where it counts – by exposing the decision makers and financers of these stereotypical and degrading images to the world.

At this point, my main concern whether the blast of winter cold will crumble the resolve of these protesters. We shall see.

For new readers, the Enough is Enough campaign is part of a comprehensive strategy designed to demand accountability and correct unequal standards concerning the stereotypical and demeaning images of African Americans and women in the media.

I might roll up there again tomorrow to see how they are doing… if it ain’t too cold.

posted by contributor SheCodes

Bizarre Weather Phenomenon Threatens to Freeze Hell Over- Evacuations Underway

HELL-- November 4, 2007- Officials in Hell began a mandatory evacuation as a bizarre weather phenomenon threatened to freeze Hell over. The Devil ordered the evacuations after the lakes of fire were reduced to simmer.
.“We haven't seen temperatures drop this quickly since there were rumors that Mary Wilson and Diana Ross would be reuniting for a tour,” the Devil said.

Most of Hell's residents were evacuated to Hell's northernmost outpost, BET Headquarters located in Washington, DC.

“We wanted our residents to be around other demon spirits during this very difficult time, said Lucifer, Hell's Director of Climate Control.

Lucifer said that the evacuations had gone smoothly with one exception, some of Hell's residents were greeted by a blogger named Attorneymom, who insisted on reprimanding the evacuees as they made their way into BET headquarters before she was dragged off by two other bloggers, BlkSeaGoat and Johnny, who were wearing shirts that said “Attorneymom, you are no one's Holy Ghost!”

Lucifer was perplexed by the heckling blogger. “ I mean they have already been condemned to eternal damnation, what else does she (Attorneymom) want?”

“I just want to make sure,” said Attorneymom via a statement she issued from her blog, Character Corner.

The cold day in Hell was apparently the result of a New York Times article that may have left the impression that Gina, from the blog, What About Our Daughters?a frequent critic of Black Entertainment Television who has been supportive of the protests outside Lee's home agreed with BET CEO, Debra Lee regarding protests by the Enough is Enough Campaign.

UPDATE 7:57CST-

Officials in Hell breathed a sigh of relief this evening as it appears that Hell has indeed NOT frozen over. Gina does not agree with Debra Lee. Officials in Hell had mixed feelings about the turn of events.

"Our demon spirits working at BET were excited by the possibility that Gina agreed with us, but we had to weigh that with the possibility of Hell freezing over."Lucifer said. "We were torn."

They were however excited that Gina vowed not to do another BET-related interview until January 2008. She was heard muttering “Come Hell or high water.”

WARNING:this post might be loaded with sarcasm, symbolism, similes, metaphors, personification or other figures of speech and is not meant to be taken literally. While many BET employees and supporters believe Gina is the spawn of Satan, they have merely confused her with Debra Lee, his bride.

*takes a seat on the WAOD stoop and enjoys a glass of freshly squeezed lemonade- sometimes you just have to laugh it off.*

If you enjoyed this post, you might also enjoy "Satan's Lawyers to Bishop Tommy "The Hit Man" Weeks..... "Stop Slandering Our Client or Else!"

News Blackout of the Protest Around the Viacom CEO's House Today

Well it is a good thing that we have a WAOD correspondent on the scene today because not a single media organization that I contacted indicated that they plan to cover to protest around the Viacom CEO's house today. Media Blackout Anybody? Take some time to donate a few anytime minutes and help them change their minds.

NY News 1 212-NY1-NEWS (212-691-6397). (They know, but aren't covering it) CNN One CNN Center, Box 105366, Atlanta, GA 30303-5366 Phone: 404-827-1500 public.information@cnn.com Fox News Channel Phone: (212) 301-3000 ABC News Phone: 212-456-7777 General e-mail: netaudr@abc.com CBS News Phone: 212-975-4321 CBS Evening News: evening@cbsnews.com NBC Phone: 212-664-4444 MSNBC Phone: (201) 583-5000

The New York Times JENNIFER ( A complete moron and idiot)at the Metro Desk of the NY TIMES says they are not going to cover it. Phone: 212-556-1234 The Wall Street Journal Phone: 212-416-2000 Newsweek Phone: 212-445-4000 Time Phone: 212-522-1212 Associated Press The AP City Desk said they will not be covering it. Phone: 212-621-1500 Reuters Telephone: 646-223-4000 United Press International Telephone: 202.898.8000

Please complain vociferously at this media blackout.

Rally on the Viacom CEO's Front Lawn - Enough is Enough Campaign Heads to New York and The Week in Review

I thought this was going to be a rough week, but it ended up being quite eventful. Quite frankly i was driving around yesterday anticipating the podcast and I thought to myself "I am having the time of my life!"

The comments section has been humming all week in the aftermath of last week's WAOD podcast where Attorneymom took on Pastor Coates from the Enough is Enough campaign. That podcast was a marathon two hours. Poor Pastor Coates may NEVER return! But it was eventful.

Enough is Enough Rally Headed to NYC Saturday at NOON EST

Attorneymom got one of her wishes, Pastor Coates is taking the Enough is Enough Campaign to NYC to the home of Viacom's CEO Phillipe Dauman. Shecodes is definitely going and hopefully she will have some video or pictures for us. I believe that one of our resident critics brotherkomrad said he might drop in as well. All you folks who have been screaming the name of Viacom on this blog for months, here is your chance. They are meeting this Saturday at noon in Manhattan. You can find out more about the rally by going to the Enough is Enough Campaign website.

Be sure to read the Protest Do's and Don'ts over at Enough is Enough before heading out.

Week in Review

Reginald Hudlin Calls Pastor Coates a "Punk"- BET Hip Hop Awards a "Controlled Disaster"

Having clearly lost the use of his mental functions, Reginald Hudlin who is supposed to be some kind of television executive said the peaceful gathering of African American churchgoers outside the home of BET CEO, Debra Lee, was "a punk move." Well I can't WAIT to hear what Hudlin has to say about folks ringing the home of the Viacom CEO. Some of you might have missed that the AJC also quoted moi in their special called "The Rap on BET." In fact, thanks to Attorneymom, I just got a look at the actual newspaper and they used my quote "Vile Disgusting Depictions" as the title of one of the articles in the series. yes, Tyler Perry isn't the only person to have mastered subtlety (sic).

Universally, the BET Hip Hop Awards and their festivities , including appearances by two members of the Jena 6, have been panned. Blogger Sandra Rose actually called them a "controlled disaster":

Now that Monday is here, I think most will agree that this weekend's BET Hip Hop Awards was a controlled disaster. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong leading up to the big show. A few events were marred by violence including a shooting at an R&B event. And of course, T.I.'s arrest on weapons violations sent shock waves through the Awards show and the industry that are still being felt this morning. Sandra Rose

Here! Here! BET is just wishing that December 31st would get here already because 2007 has been a train wreck. Good news Reggie and Debster, Walgreens already has the holiday candy out so January is right around the corner

Tyler Perry's, "Why Did I Get Married" Wasn't Awful.

I did a mini review. It was way more entertaining than his previous efforts. I still had issues with his caricatures of Black women, but at least he appears to be trying. I guess the solution is for me to write my own screenplay and produce and direct it. I think my first movie will be "Get Those Church Folks Off My Lawn: The Debra Lee Story" starring Lamman Rucker.

Bill Cosby has a Book Out

Bill Cosby has been on a publicity tear promoting his new book, Come on People! Folks on this blog can't stop talking about it. The comments section is on fire. Read in the comments on how you can get a free copy of the book in the mail.

Dunbar Village Update - Defendants Trade Letters in Jail

We also had a post on the latest in the Dunbar Village case and the release of 1,200 pages of documents in the case. WAOD Contributor, Symphony of Essential Presence has her ear to the ground. We are not letting go of this.

Have a great weekend. Shecodes, please don't get locked up at the protest on Saturday. I am too far away to bail you out. Be safe and take good pictures.

Bill Cosby on Meet the Press With Dr. Alvin Poussaint: Rejecting the Concubine Conspiracy -- Tyler Perry (mini review)

I have previously posted on the Concubine Conspiracy(c). Well Bill Cosby and Dr. Alvin Poussaint were talking about it on Meet the Press. Cosby and Poussaint have a new book out called

At about minute 12:00 he calls out BET. Bob Johnson should be firing off an angry letter any time now. *begins watching watch and tapping toe*

NBC Meet the Press Netcast

Yes, I know folks have "issues" with Cosby, but Poussaint and Cosby laid it all out. The Concubine Conspiracy has consequences. The show is Black male centered, but at least someone is talking about the disintegration of the Black family. Cosby is calling everybody out in this book. I guess I am going to go have to pay a trip to the library. Tim Russert mentions Dyson at minute 40:00 Hmm I wonder how long it will take Michael Eric Dyson, Hip Hop's Prognostitute-in-Chief will weigh in with some foolishness.

What Say You?

Why Did I get Married= Why Folks Ought to Stay Single

I saw the movie.Apparently so did everyone else since it is the top movie out this week. It is Tyler Perry's best effort. He has finally comprehended the need not to hit the audience over the head. He still thinks a gospel song medley and calling on the Almighty can cure drug addictions, raise the dead, heal broken marriages, cure domestic violence, and just about anything else in about two minutes and two seHe still takes things to the extreme and he still is hating on professional Black women ( there is a back story there), but I can't knock any movie that brings Lamman Rucker to the big screen *screams "I love him!" and reaches for the screen right before my friend elbows me in the movie *Just beautiful, and Tyler put him with Jill Scott. Whew! I wish I was "Shelia" in that General Store. Talk about wanting to "touch and agree." I digress.

The audience in my theater was multicultural about half and half Hispanic and Black. You will not believe the number of my non African American coworkers over the years that admit to watching Tyler Perry movies/plays. SCARY! No I do not want to talk about Madea with you at work! No I do not want to see you reenact a scene from a Tyler Perry movie/stage play in the workplace. NO, I do not want to know how much you love Madea standing in the hallway. No I will not explain the cultural significance of Madea, M'Dear Ma'Dear, My Dear or 'Dear

It wasn't Shakespeare, but it wasn't " Diary of a Mad Black Woman" either. Loved the scenery, loved the costumes, loved the makeup. Hated Janet Jackson's hair, the heavy handed humiliation ( I mean really at some point Shelia's story is just difficult to watch), hated all the method acting crying scenes and Tyler's insistence on the continuous camera shot ( at one point I got dizzy), hate the blue collar man always getting harranged by the "successful" Black wife. We get it Tyler, you think professional Black women are the Devil. Yes, Madea makes an appearance in the movie. I don't think it was intentional, but if you pay attention ( or close your eyes) she shows up.

What say you?

The Atlanta Journal Constitution Wants to Know What You Think About BET (TODAY)

Apparently Debra Lee is going to be meeting with the AJC Editorial Board during the BET Hip Hop Awards and the AJC wants to hear from YOU about YOUR thoughts on BET.

What do you think? BET's CEO, Debra Lee, will be in Atlanta this weekend and is scheduled to meet with the AJC editorial board. Is there anything you'd like to ask her?

Please e-mail wethepeople@ajc.com. Include your first and last names, your city or county of residence, and a daytime telephone so that we may contact you and verify your comments.

Well I can tell the AJC Editorial Board EXACTLY what Debra Lee is going to say because she is a Stepford wife-like Robot who just keeps repeating the same thing over and over. "We're Balanced" "We put on Meet the Faith" " BET has a burden because everyone wants it to be PBS" boo hoo hoo. "Original Programming" and repeat. Oh yeah and I forgot, "Please get those church folks off my front lawn" & "We listen to our audience". Really? I can't really tell.

Before you write the AJC, go take a look at MTV Tr3s. It is BET's Latino cousin within the Viacom family and yes, they have ignorant shows, but they show their balance 7 days a week and women have massive representation in the programming, especially the documentaries, and not just as props in the background on music videos. Especially take a look at Tu Pride. I have actually seen a couple of these documentaries on MTV Tr3s ( I get it as a broadcast channel). Notice the women they highlight and why? I got sucked in one Sunday watching a marathon session of Making Menudo the entire show was about family, history, and pride. The judges were talking about pride, the contestants, and the families. I mean the entire family was there for almost every contestant which actually made for good television. TV One has a similar show, Stage Black. But BET did offer the world The Ultimate Hustler.

Also look at what MTV Tr3s had to say about the goal of the channel.

"The heart beating stood for Latino culture and pride and what's in their heart and the passion they have inside of them. That's what the channel represents," said Silver. SOURCE

"MTV Tr3s will be the validation, voz and vida of young U.S. Latinos by celebrating their influence, cultures and languages," said Ballas-Traynor. "MTV Tr3s will celebrate young Latinos for being tastemakers, pioneers, gatekeepers and key influencers in their households and communities and our programming and production teams are exceptionally well qualified to create programming that Latino youth are craving - programming that honestly reflects and amplifies U.S. Latino youth culture, trends and icons." SOURCE

"I look at it as a pop culture destination because these kids have not really had their music or culture and what is really defining U.S. Latino culture on a channel 24 hours a day," said Lucia Ballas-Traynor, MTV Tr3s senior vice president and general manager. SOURCE

GASP! Did they just admit that television can define a group of people? It's just not possible. I mean I could just change the channel. Oh you mean it can define me even if i don't watch because other people watching will draw conclusions about my group based on what they see on TV?

Notice how they want to show the BEST their culture has to offer. GASP its as if they are aware that the images they put out in the world affects how they see themselves and how others see them. Is that corporate responsibility and pride I hear? But, but, what about the BURDENS? Because y'all know BET feels picked on and BURDENED by UNFAIR criticism.

So it IS possible for Viacom to produce programming based on something other than appealing to the lowest common denominator or trying to shame humiliate or teach Ze' Common Folk how to read. Knock me over with a feather.

Contact the AJC (wethepeople@ajc.com) today folks.

Is the Obama Campaign "Feeling Black Women?"-How Does the Obama campaign handle "Black Issues"?

Roland Martin whined on his Essence.com blog about Obama's support from women. Roland asked, "Are Black Women Feeling Obama." After getting off the phone with Obama For America, I have a better question, "Is Barack Obama's Campaign Feeling Black Women?"

Maybe my standards are too high. I have called both the national campaign offices of Clinton and Edwards before, but my only interaction with Obama was through his Senate office. This was the first time calling the campaign office. Maybe I expect too much out of folks, but I just had the oddest conversation with someone in the press office of Obama for America.

There are some stories in national publications that are about to some out about Dunbar Village in upcoming months so I have been revisiting everyone in the League of the Immorally Indifferent to give them another opportunity to get ahead of the media curve and give a simple statement something to the effect of "I know. I'm concerned. WPB is dysfunctional. Something needs to change"

I already contacted NAN again. So after reading a post by Roland Martin asking whether Black women would get behind Obama, I said "Hey why not call again to see if maybe someone misspoke on August 7, 2007 when the staffer answering the phone at Obama's Senate office said he was issuing a statement in two hours." Well it is two MONTHS later and still no statement, maybe the high school intern who types these statements was out of the office that day and his statement on Dunbar Village fell through the cracks.

So anyway, I called the Obama For America number, 866-675-2008. Now the VOLUNTEER who answered the phone had common sense. She listened. She let me tell the story of Dunbar Village and explain that I had been told two months ago that he would be issuing a statement. She said she hadn't heard about the story, let me tell the story in about 15 seconds and she even gasped at the appropriate places as most folks do. Her name was Janet. Nice lady, Obama should hire her for his staff because she clearly knows how to talk to people of various ethnic backgrounds on a variety of issues irrespective of race. Janet listened patiently interrupting along the way to say that she was writing all of this down. Then Janet, the VOLUNTEER with common sense transferred me over to the press office and foolishness ensued.

Now I forget the girl's name, but I hope she was a volunteer too, but as soon as I said African American mother, she was in a race to get me off the phone. She was nervous and sputtering and clearly uncomfortable talking to me. She said she was going to have their African American press secretary contact me. One small problem and I could be mistaken. I didn't give her my phone number, but I did give her the address for this blog and threw in that about 70,000 have viewed a video where I basically call out all the folks who haven't said anything about this.

I said well this is not an African American issue, its a human rights issue or something to that effect at which point she says that tasha or terra or tawra. Somebody whose name starts with a T is their African American spokesperson would know more about it. I said "YOU need know to more about it too!" I was about to give her the Dunbar Village 30 second vignette, but she interrupted to say Tasha/Tara/Tawney was their Black spokesperson. I let it go because I had an interview, but I was like okay so YOU don't want to know about a heinous crime against humanity because the victim was Black so it automatically gets farmed out to the Black spokesperson? You don't even want to know the details of the crime? Aren't you at least curious? Apparently they have segregated caring.

I don't have a problem with having various staffers assigned to various constituencies. That is smart, but you would think that all of his staffers would be as comfortable with conversing with an African American person long enough to take down pertinent information.

I mean is this what an Obama administration going to look like? All the "Black" issues assigned to Black staffers because the non Black staffers are made nervous by Black folk? Isn't that what everybody already does? So tell me, am I expecting too much out of Obama staffers?

To the girl in the press office who I apparently terrified or made extremely nervous, Black women don't bite. We do however BLOG and you seriously need to work on your telephone skills. In the future, you might not want to refer to fellow staffers as the "African American" or "Black" anything. You just should have said "I think I have someone who can help you her name is Tasha and she will call you right back." Walk down the hall and ask Janet, the VOLUNTEER for a few lessons. Thanks Janet for listening and being courteous.

FYI- Either Edwards and Clinton don't have special "Black" staffers or the people in their press offices have enough common sense not to refer to them in that manner on the telephone with a complete total stranger.

So Roland Stop Whining and explain to me exactly Why it is that Black women should be "feeling" Obama? What has he done that makes him FELT? Especially with this kinda foolishness coming out of his press office.

I don't do politics on this blog, but that interaction was just annoying. I feel like I sat down at a Woolworth's counter in Greensboro in 1955 or something. Just. Irritating.

Bob Johnson... Go Sit Down Somewhere and Count Your Billions - Bob Johnson Attacks Congressman for Telling the Truth

I know some of y'all feel as if I pick on THAT NETWORK, but believe you me, I would nothing more than to ignore them, but they keep doing STUPID STUFF. Bob Johnson, Multimedia crack dealer himself just can't sit back and count the billions. Johnson, who apparently was too busy to attend the hearings last week had the AUDACITY to try to cry racism when Congressman Markey gave a pretty accurate description of BET. All the Congressman said was :

He was encouraged by BET’s new shows, but said, “Frankly, it has a long way to go to make up for much of its previous programming.” SOURCE

Now Bob Johnson, who we already know is a control freak, responded with a disproportionate response filled with foolishness. It is hard to fake moral indignation when everybody knows that you are IMMORAL

“Your unjustified and ill-informed attack on BET’s programming . . . suggests you know what is best for Black people, and in this case what Black people want to or need to see,” Johnson wrote in the letter, according to Broadcast & Cable Magazine. “And (it) is also a vivid example of why we need to keep the government out of free and creative expression.”

Um isn't Bob Johnson describing BET's executive leadership? Aren't they the ones that ignore the pleas of Black people as a matter of course and determine what Black people want or need to see? When has BET EVER been interested in what we NEED to see? Isn't Bob Johnson's letter a vivid example of why he needs to keep counting his billions and buying up losing sports franchises. Oh but Bobby J didn't stop there, he decided to go all BLACK POWER on Markey:

BET founder Robert Johnson, who fired off a terse letter to Markey’s office, hammering the congressman’s criticism as rooted in “liberal white paternalism.”

Okay folks, I just need to you jot a quick e-mail to basically say: Bob Johnson is wrong and Markey is right. Because Bob is trying to all of a sudden be DOWN for the cause running around calling people "white liberal paternalists"Nah, that would be YOU Bob Johnson!

You can call Markey's Washington, DC office at 202.225.2836 or email

Now the hearings were a complete dog and pony show, BET had NOTHING to worry about coming out of those hearings, but Bobby J is such a megalomaniac, that he couldn't stomach a scintilla of forgotten criticism ( I mean when David Banner is on tape acting a FOOL, who cares what Markey said?). He could have just kept counting his billions instead of writing letter, nobody would have even paid attention to, but NO, he has to keep fighting to stay relevant. Don't you have another "Who's Your Caddy to Produce?"

Seriously, don't let Johnson pull this foolishness, take three minutes to drop Congressman Markey an email or call to just respectfully disagree with Bob. I will be reading my letter to Congressman Markey on the WAOD Podcast this Thursday at 8:00PM CST. Oh it's another classic in the making.

Why can't BET just ACT RIGHT for like a month or something?

Hat Tip to Essential Presence

Read the original article in the industry-friendly Broadcasting and Cable.

Do You Live in South Florida? We Need Your Assistance

Now THIS is the meeting I needed to attend, but I had to decline the Commissioner's invitation to attend.

OKAY WHO IS GOING TO SPEAK UP? I KNOW SOME OF YOU LIVE IN SOUTH FLORIDA!!!!

There will be another meeting with between the West Palm Beach Housing Authority (WPBHA) and the city commissioners. This time the Commissioners will take public comment at the meeting.

Wednesday, October 3, 2007
3:00pm
City Commission Chambers at City Hall
200 2nd Street
West Palm Beach, FL

Just remember: It doesn't take the majority to make a rebellion; it takes only a few determined leaders and a sound cause.
Don't talk about the change, be the change. I want to see a room full of Black women and men in that chambers taking those 'leaders' to task.
You can't demand people get on a plane to do what you aren't willing to get in your car and do...just sayin'. But you know I'm right.
If you are interested in attending and would like to speak contact Symphony at symphonyep@gmail.com ; I will be happy to get you in contact with a few people down there including media.
And for all you South Florida residents there is a benefit concert on behalf of the Dunbar Village victim and her son. It takes place Saturday at The World Famous Restaurant in West Palm Beach. $10/person.

Submitted by Symphony at Essential Presence

More Video From Enough is Enough Ralley on Debra Lee's Front Porch - You Saw it Here First!- Viacom CEO Speaks

Be sure to read our earlier posts on the rally.

• BET Could Learn A Lot From the Life of George Wallace
• The "Montgomery" of Our Generation Begins. The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, It Will Be Blogged. What Went Down at Debra Lee's House.

Also in case you missed the "articles" on BET in Ebony and Essence, you might not know that BET is on a PR offensive right now to convince people that they aren't Viacom's Hot Ghetto Mess. The latest is in Broadcasting and Cable called "A Decent BET"(SMH) featuring the Viacom CEO's role in all the "improvements" were seeing, but also outlining the fact that BET is experiencing some "difficulties" as well. It also highlights what TV ONE is doing right. Y'all BET is Wal-mart, TV One is Target basically in this story.

It points out that the once dominant BET has competition and TV One is surging. If I was Debra Lee, I would add a page to her strategic plan, stop doing stupid things to enrage large segments of the African American community like follow up the blazing success of the roll out of Hot Ghetto Mess with "Read a M(*&^$$@ Book!" All this talk about "Balance" is a bunch of nonsense. It's like being kinda pregnant or having a tumor that is kind of malignant.

Enjoy video from the rally.
Part One

Part Two



Part Three

The "MONTGOMERY" of Our Generation begins - The Revolution Will Not be Televised...It Will be Blogged! - What went down at Debra Lee's Castle

I heard a first hand account from a WAOD reader who went to the rally yesterday that nearly brought me to tears. If you want to see pictures of the rally., go here. Folks, this battle with Viacom is my generation's Montgomery. Did you know BET is Viacom's most profitable property? The reader who attended said Debra Lee lives in a compound surrounded by high steel walls and that they had so many marchers that they ended up wrapping all the way around the block that her home consumes. They said it was like walking around Jericho.

This Video is AMAZING! "What Do We Want? CHANGE! When Do We Want it? NOW!" Have we EVER seen something like this aimed at Viacom before? And this was the FIRST WEEK!

More video of the Enough is Enough protest.

"I believe in freedom of speech, but if you really want to have an impact, the best way is to have a conversation - not to protest in front of someone's house," Lee said. "I'm always willing to talk to our viewers."

OH REALLY? Yes she really does like to talk to viewers to tell them that she is going to do absolutely nothing because "BET is better than ever because BET is making more money than ever" the way that she talked to the Spelman students? No, the best way to have an impact is to impose economic sanctions on foolishness. If making money is all that matters to Debra Lee, according to her statements to Spelman students, then conversations are not what are needed. Folks tried talking to Debra Lee and BET, they wouldn't listen.

The AP has picked up the story.

The WAOD reader also said that Pastor Coates is the real deal and unlike some "preachers," this man is passionate about this and he and other church leaders are serious about this. There will be no back room brokered deal to hush them up. In fact, BET tried to halt the march by "agreeing" to meet with Pastor Coates on the condition that he cancel the march! NEWS FLASH DEBRA LEE AND BET- When all this is over, you are going to be begging to meet with the pastor. You aren't doing the pastor a favor by agreeing to meet with him. You better hope he's willing to meet with YOU without any crazy preconditions. I'm loving it. Keep dismissing your critics as CRAZY and detached from reality. That is why I didn't even talk to BET during the whole brou ha ha over that show. They would have brushed me off the way they brushed off the students at Spelman and their letter writing campaign. In the end, BET was the one sending back channel communications to ME, not the other way around. I'm the one that told them how to get out of the MESS over that SHOW. They didn't come up with the name change on their own.

There will be no "corporate" donation that is going to make these Pastors shut up or go away and that has to scare the HELL out of Viacom.

The reader said (I'm cloudy on this so somebody correct me if I am wrong) that a group came down form New York and in a few weeks, the group in DC is going to go to New York to march there so all of you whining about focusing on Viacom instead of BET, A) BET is just the beginning B) if BET is Viacom's most profitable network, when you focus on BET, you ARE focusing on Viacom! They said that pastors and churches that we have never heard about are beginning to organize and they are preaching about this from the pulpit. JUST LIKE THEY DID IN MONTGOMERY!

This thing is growing not shrinking. So you can expect the attacks on this blog to increase. Our little Bull Connors have been very busy, but what they don't understand is that all WAOD did was show that Goliath was not invincible. This thing is so much bigger than me. So they can take me out, but it is already too late. People have been awakened and no amount of donations or meetings with the League of the Immorally Indifferent are going to put folks back to sleep again.

Here is an early scoop from the Washington Post, one of BET's favorite papers.

I got this message from Pastor Coates yesterday from Enough is Enough. As soon as we get footage, I'll get it for y'all. To all my readers who went to the rally, GIVE US THE 411!!!

Today's rally was a tremendous success!!! We had about 500 people participate in the rally. We were joined by representatives from the National Congress of Black Women, the National Organization of Women, the Feminist Majority, local activists, and readers of the What About Our Daughters Blog. There is supposed to be an article in the Washington Post tomorrow (Sunday) about the campaign and the rally. CNN was there, and I believe they are going to air some footage as well (Paul would know more about this.)

We will have video footage of the rally on our website (hopefully) by close of business on Thursday (that's the best we can do). We will be back there next Saturday, same time. We need people to spread the word, let our voices be heard, so that we can be taken seriously. It's time for change. Enough Is Enough.

Thanks Pastor Coates! To my fellow congregants at Bedside Baptist, if you are in his area, you should take a Sunday field trip to see what he is about.

Y'all enjoy this hysterical post from over at Average Bro called Enough is Enough Better Stay Off Debra Lee's Petunias.

Read a Letter from Debra Lee to Pastor Coates prior to the Enough is Enough rally.

UPDATE: Stanley Crouch has noted a change in the "Mood" in his editorial "IT's Getting Hard Out Here For a Chump"

Protest in front of BET CEO Debra Lee's House Saturday, September 15th at NOON with 600 other folks

Folks if you live in DC, Philly, Baltimore, seriously consider taking out a few hours of you day to go chill out in front of BET CEO Debra Lee's house with about 600 other people. For more information, you can go to the Enough is Enough website.

The story has been picked up by EURWEB.

At some point, the folks at Viacom might figure out that people who criticize BET might have some legitimate concerns instead of brushing us aside as "CRAZY" or detached from reality.

Yep, anyone who disagrees with BET in any way is anti-Black and CRAZY! Reginald Hudlin said as much on his message board in response to my argument last week that BET's executives "HATE BLACK PEOPLE." In case y'all haven't figured out, for as many BET haters that read this site, I can assure you that BET employees, fans and executives monitor the tiny little site as well. paranoid much? For those wondering how I would know that Hudlin has resumed his "She's A Crazy Anti-Black Cat Lady!" routine, I noticed that ONCE again, I am getting hits from his message board. So being nosy, I had to read the latest. Now to refresh y'allz memory, Mr. Hudlin was the chief public defender of THAT SHOW and was the one who said "THAT SHOW" was "so doggone goood". The AP disagreed. I believe they called THAT SHOW, "tepid" and "tired." That is ancient history, however. Let's talk about BET's latest attempt to "teach" Black America a lesson, "Read a m)$(^#@ Book!"

Per his usual M.O., Hudlin dismisses any criticism of BET as being completely without merit or a RANT. He then trashes the CNN piece ( which I kinda have to agree with him on. Tony Harris was awful, let the guests speak. Where is Soledad when you need her?) But anyway, I want to thank BET's minions for reading this site with devotion.... Your page clicks count too. I really do want a break from y'all till January, unless you do something else stupid, which is highly likely! I waited weeks before I delved into the whole "Read a Book" foolishness just to avoid the headache. Here's what Reggie has to say about us this week:

That woman [THAT WOULD BE ME!]is disconnected from reality. One of the first things Debra Lee did when she took the reins of BET is to cancel BET UNCUT. And she won't acknowledge it because it undermines her rant.

Yes, the director of the animated short and creator of the song were intelligent and well spoken...too bad the "moderator" was anything but. That was the most biased piece of reporting I've seen in a while. The low point had to be when the director was saying how he, like a lot of kids grew up reading MAD and CRACKED, so don't presume kids don't understand satire...and "host" jumps in and threatens to cut his mike off......

Malcolm X, Richard Pryor and Jonathan Swift could have appeared in support of READ A BOOK and it would not have made a difference.

Reginald Hudlin, From the Hudlin Entertainment Message Board

Oh poor downtrodden and picked on BET? It must be so hard to be you. Boo. Hoo. Let's review the record shall we?

“It was a great show for a segment of our audience, it was always controversial because it took videos to a different level,” said BET CEO Debra Lee yesterday at the Television Critics Association press tour in Pasadena, CA. “Because of all the new programming we’re doing, my view was it was time for that show to end.”
Debra Lee Speaking About the end of Uncut.

Took videos to a different level? Hmm is that what you call BET Uncut. So Debra Lee, Black Jesus' "What Dat Smell Like?" is your idea of taking videos to another level? Or perhaps it was " I got that Drank" that you thought was taking videos to a higher plane. Or Debbie, was it "Fresh Pair of Panties?" Folks, that is who Viacom has in charge of their 3 Billion Dollar Burro.

Note a pattern here. Even when they screw up, they won't admit to it. THEy are the ones who won't "acknowledge" legitimate concerns from Black people. When students at Spelman were in an uproar about Uncut and some of BET's other programming selections, Debra Lee was the one that arrogantly flicked the students' legitimate concerns aside and said BET was doing better than ever because BET was making more money than ever. She was still touting the virtues of Uncut even as she pulled the cord. Doesn't sound convincing to me? Notice she didn't say "BET Uncut was insulting and degrading to a large number of the members of our target audience and I find it inappropriate and it will not continue under my leadership."

Hudlin's posters, seem to think that I have said that BET Uncut is still on the air. I never said that and I link to the encyclopedia article indicating that it was taken off air. What I did say was that the decision-makers that aired Uncut for SIX YEARS are still there, INCLUDING DEBRA LEE. So no, I ain't gone trust the folks that brought us Cita's World and BET Uncut to be trying to encourage Black folks to read a book. You need to do a PSA called " Throw a Brick Through Your TV! So You Can't See our Tawdry Programming!"

Anytime Mr. Hudlin wants to take on the CRAZY CAT LADY from WAOD, he is welcome. We'll have a whole Special Edition of the Black Womens' Round Table where he can take apart each and every one of my arguments. Not. Going. To. Happen. Why? Because our arguments aren't CRAZY! They're valid. You might not agree with them, but they aren't completely without any basis and he knows that. That is why he keeps dismissing public dissatisfaction. That's why his supporters and employees stoop to libel. The bigger they are.....

Maybe BET would benefit from recognizing that those who disagree with their programming decisions aren't a bunch of crazy Black folks out to"bully BET," as one of their employees has stated. Maybe folks have a legitimate belief that your channel has done and continues to do considerable harm to the Black community. Maybe at some point you'll get that every complaint isn't a "rant". Probably not because up to this point, you haven't been acting very bright( Just for clarification, I just called him stupid y'all). But that just makes things easy for the CRAZY folk. BET keeps pitching 5 mph balls over the plate. Don't be surprised if someone takes a swing.

So when can we expect the next BET PSA Reggie? What is the topic going to be? "Don't Do Drugs?" " Look Both Ways Before Crossing?" "Stop Drop and Roll" " Don't talk to Strangers?"

Keep 'em coming BET Geniuses! But could you mind holding off until January 2008? I am sooo tired of talking about your lunacy, I really need more time to "Read a m&*$^*&@ Book!"

BTW. If We're all CRAZY, apparently your sponsors are CRAZY too, because they seem to realize, unlike you, that some of your programming decisions are well past poor. As far as being anti-Black, Who was it that thought it would be a wonderful idea to parade a bunch of poor Black folks on international cable television and brand them all with a derogatory label so that in their shame and humiliation they could learn to "DO Better?" Who was it that thought a blackface cartoon would make a good punchline? That would be YOU!

Until next time....I can assure y'all there WILL be a NEXT TIME.


P.S. I keep trying to tell y'all that this is the beginning of a movement. This is not going away, it is only getting bigger and the internet is helping to connect folk for change.

If You're Not Angry Too, You Just Haven't Been Paying Attention: Friday Week in Review

Whew this week is over, but not without controversy as we are prone to wade into on occasion. We ain't "Blog of the Year for Nothing" around here. I also want to take this opportunity to announce that the WAOD Disgruntled Readers Support Group will begin meeting at 5:00PM on Sundays in the fellowship hall of the Bedside Baptist Church, where the Rev. Dr. A. Larm Clock, Sr. is Pastor.

We started off what we thought was going to be a mellow week with a post about Oprah throwing a 3 Million Dollar fund raiser for Barack Obama. I used that opportunity to point out a problem that I have with Senator Obama's Characterization of the facts of the case involving Genarlow Wilson. I then brought up that post on NPR News and Notes during my appearance on the Bloggers' Roundtable. Some folks are very unhappy that I brought up the Wilson case and what I think are Senator Obama's mis characterization of the facts of the case before a group of folks who know very little about it. Of course they threw in a few "angry black women" labels as they always do. Well we wear it as a badge of honor because if you are not angry too, you just haven't been paying attention.

I don't have a problem with the 8th amendment arguments that there was an excessive sentence in the Wilson case. What I have always said is that in making the 8th amendment argument, you don't have to sanitize the facts of what happened in that hotel room or try to make Genarlow Wilson into a saint. Well what's it to you? I'll tell you why I broke the party line and committed heresy by pointing out this problem... because somewhere there is a 17 year old girl ( I guess she is about 19 or 20 now) that says that she was raped and I believe the videotape of the events in the room corroborate that. Not prove, but corroborate. Somewhere there is a 15 year old girl who was drawn into this case and she's getting death threats. But nobody bothers to mention that. No, we have to try to make what happened in that room seem as if it is a scene out of Romeo and Juliet. Well the last time I checked Romeo didn't pass Juliet around to his five buddies.

The argument that the sentence was excessive is in no way diminished by acknowledging that two teen age girls have also had their lives turned upside down as well. What About Our Daughters? So if asking "what must those girls be feeling right now?" makes me "angry" then so be it. Y'all can read some of the responses to my appearance on NPR's News and Notes. Some of the posters didn't like the fact that I brought up Obama's sanitizing of the facts in the Wilson case. yeah, I used that forum to bring this up. I knew I was committing heresy by not sticking to the party line, but when history records this case 20 years from now, maybe a sliver of a footnote will be that somebody said "what happened to the girls in this case?" But I'm not supposed to ask that question am I because what happens to young Black girls aren't really all that important to some folks. Yeah, I said it.

Monday we talked about the Concubine Conspiracy to convince Black women that the best they can do is rent out their wombs and become a "baby mama." We pointed out Essence's role in trying to mainstream "I be concubining!" Sandra Rose has an update on the tawdriness that is Puffy Diddy dee da de' and his veritable cornucopia of babies mamas.

I thought Tuesday was going to be my 9-11 tribute day and I put up a post early asking Where Were You the Day Hell Rained Down From the Sky? If you didn't get a chance, drop a comment in the basket.

I didn't want to post about anything else on 9-11, in fact I vowed not to ( my regulars know how my vows go. I should really stop making them right?) Well as I did my early morning e-mail check an I mean like 4:00AM, three folks had already e-mailed me because they couldn't sleep after reading about this horrific case in West Virginia of a woman being tortured. Some kind of way CNN.com ended up pointing to us( probably because we were one of the earliest blogs to post about it). So of course the comments section went crazy. This blog almost went private. One button is all it takes folks. I couldn't believe folks were cutting up on 9-11. Maybe 9-11 just affects me more than other folks. It always reminds me that life is so short and that there evil folks out there that are a threat to us all.

Then we wrapped up the week posting Robert Byrd's YouTube menagerie from his infamous "barbaric" speech about Michael Vick and dog fighting. I used it as an opportunity to point out that crimes against dogs have gotten more news print than crimes such as Dunbar Village which are committed against Black women.

Don't forget that on Saturday September 15, 2007, 600 people have signed up to go demonstrate outside the home of BET CEO, Debra Lee. You can join them by going to Enough is Enough.

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