Jackson native Melishia Grayson is a graduate of Lanier High School and is currently a sophomore mass communications major at Jackson State University.
The Campaign Against BET: Is it too late for change?
Posted on May 29, 07 | 3:24 pm
There is a group of young women at Spelman College taking major steps in the right direction. They began a campaign against BET in a effort to show the network that people are no longer willing to support the negative messages portrayed on their station. I was proud to read about the work that they have been doing.
However, I am a bit concerned that we are not doing enough. Personally, I rarely tune in to BET (or any of the music channels for that matter). BET lacks originality. I get tired of watching old Jamie Foxx Show marathons and College Hill (a terrible knock-off of MTV's Real World). Furthermore, the half-naked dancing girls don't seem to hold my attention either. BET is yet to come out with anything original, uplifting, or productive.
I am all for a campaign against the network. Thei ideas and efforts are great. Fight the good fight (whatever that means).
Hopefully, the idea will soon find its way into the minds of Mississippi women and men.
I hope that people aren't getting tired of hearing the familiar stories about teenage mothers and their struggles. Statistics show that teenage pregnancy in America is higher than in any other developed nation. And while the overall rate has declined since 1990, African American females have a higher rate than other ethnic groups. As I was searching the Web for some "inspiration," I found this story helpful.
There are many differences between Alysson (the girl from the link) and myself. My child's father is a high school graduate. Although he isn't in college, he is making a decent living and saving for the arrival of our baby. He is taking a backseat to my life so that I can work on achieving my goals. It is important to have people in my life who are willing to make sacrifices for me (as well as support the sacifices that I will have to make for my child). Although our situations are somewhat different, I am glad to see that I am not the only one trying to defy odds. I was impressed by the success story, and I hope that I can have the same kind of perseverance. There is a need for awareness, prevention and dialogue so that we can get a hold on this epidemic.
Apr 13, 08 | 5:06 pm No 'Unnamed Sources,' Ledger? You sure? ladd: Interesting. Bill Skinner posted under Mitchell's story to give a fuller picture of the interview he gave Mitchell:
I was not attacking Judge Delaughter, Jerry Mitchell took a 45 minute interview about mortages, former law partners, and...
Apr 13, 08 | 2:16 pm Village Voice Media Owner Offends with Racial Slur ladd: Either we have to believe that black men are inherently criminal, or not educable, or someone has made a big mistake and something is very wrong with the system.
That statement is so, so important, will. People don't think through the...
Apr 13, 08 | 2:06 pm Village Voice Media Owner Offends with Racial Slur willdufauve: America is a racist country built on genocide and slavery. We're all imbued with racism. Even the kindest, most honorable and fair minded person is imbued with the racism that's pervasive in the culture. Nothing makes people act more crazy than...
Apr 13, 08 | 12:30 pm My Statement About Mike Lacey’s Use of Racial Slur ladd: More response yesterday by Mr. Lacey. I like this:
One week before the SPJ award, we were feted by the ACLU as civil libertarians of the year...
Apr 13, 08 | 12:28 pm Village Voice Media Owner Offends with Racial Slur ladd: More response by Mr. Lacey. I like this:
One week before the SPJ award, we were feted by the ACLU as civil libertarians of the year because of...
Apr 13, 08 | 12:14 pm Village Voice Media Owner Offends with Racial Slur Kacy: Agreed. The way he rambled, I sensed that he was searching for something to say, which is all the more reason he should have followed this age-old dictum regarding speakers affairs such as the banquet: 'be brief and be seated'. Had he done so, maybe...
Apr 13, 08 | 10:57 am No 'Unnamed Sources,' Ledger? You sure? ladd: Is this where Mitchell got the story tip about the house?
Hat tip to Folo folks for getting there first.
And...
Apr 13, 08 | 10:52 am No 'Unnamed Sources,' Ledger? You sure? ladd: Let's look at this paragraph in specific:
There has been no suggestion by any of those cooperating with federal authorities that DeLaughter accepted any money. Disbarred New Albany lawyer Tim Balducci testified in a recent hearing that...
Apr 13, 08 | 10:28 am Village Voice Media Owner Offends with Racial Slur ladd: Also note that the offending slur was said in context of telling drinking stories. You can't argue educational value of any kind....
Apr 12, 08 | 9:57 pm Village Voice Media Owner Offends with Racial Slur Kacy: Donna, I watched and listened to the video and I honestly have to wonder if the man wasn't drunk. He referred to one journalist whose name he couldn't remember as "that godda*m guy" (or something very similar). His remarks were sprinkled with other...
Apr 11, 08 | 11:25 pm My Statement About Mike Lacey’s Use of Racial Slur ladd: I don't know who would sanction him, golden. AAN is a trade association, and policing is not our role. Nor should it be.
I truly think that more speech, and getting people to think about this and then put those lessons into play, is the best...
Apr 11, 08 | 7:04 pm My Statement About Mike Lacey’s Use of Racial Slur ladd: The letter from the local Arizona chapter president (PDF at the SPJ link) addressed the First Amendment issue very well:
In your apology, you make reference to the fact that our banquet was an event to honor journalists whose work furthers the...
Apr 11, 08 | 6:59 pm Village Voice Media Owner Offends with Racial Slur ladd: So, here is a statement I sent to AAN this afternoon reflecting my personal views, as well as my take on this as the AAN diversity chair. Due to various meetings and...
Apr 11, 08 | 6:29 pm Village Voice Media Owner Offends with Racial Slur ladd: I don't care if the target was his dog. He still shouldn't have said it.
Thank you, Latasha. I'm so tired of people missing the point. Or skipping over it.
He takes it well and immediately locates a wireless hub.)...
Apr 11, 08 | 5:28 pm Village Voice Media Owner Offends with Racial Slur Lori G: I'm noticing a new white male backlash that's more vehement than anyhting I've seen in 30 years. it's coming from people who feel entitle dto it beause maybe they we're for civil rights, in theory, but now gas is $3.40, jobs are down,...
Apr 11, 08 | 5:05 pm Village Voice Media Owner Offends with Racial Slur willdufauve: "But the fact that white guys are jumping on that bandwagon is really weird and disturbing." laddie
Race in America, slavery, the genocide of native peoples, is a stain that doesn't wash out, like the original sin. It's made everyone a little...
Apr 11, 08 | 4:48 pm Village Voice Media Owner Offends with Racial Slur L.W.: Here's the most recent response, by the way, on the AAN site. This one seems to argue that it makes a big difference that the target of Lacey's slur was his white friend.
I don't care if the target was his dog. He still shouldn't have...
Apr 11, 08 | 3:46 pm Village Voice Media Owner Offends with Racial Slur ladd: I feel you, will. I'm a bit uncomfortable myself in a world that pounces more strongly on someone calling for sensitivity, or using the world "bigot," than it does on someone who uses a racial slur.
I'm also really concerned about a perceived...
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