What channel is BET? No, seriously. The last time I watched BET was when The New Edition Story came on. I really wanted to see the Soul Train story, American Soul but I was traveling and the hotel I stayed in didn’t have BET. I was semi-interested in BET’s reboot of Boomerang cause that’s my movie but even Halle Berry and Lena Waithe can’t make me feign interest in BET.
My issue with BET isn’t the lack of original programming cause I mean really, how many times must we see Baby Boy? My issue with BET is the lack of respect towards Black people, specifically Black women. Within a few weeks, BET has disrespected, mocked and ridiculed two Black women.
In the beginning of February, BET had to issue a statement apologizing to Nicki Minaj for a tweet that shaded her while simultaneously celebrating Cardi B's Grammy win for best rap album.
“Meanwhile, Nicki Minaj is being dragged by her lace front,” the since-deleted tweet that was written by a Black woman from the network’s Twitter read.
Fans took screenshots of the tweet and called out the network for its comment, calling the tweet "insensitive" and "disrespectful." Minja than announced via Twitter that she and the rest of Young Money would pull out of this year’s BET Awards and BET Experience, where she was set to perform as a headliner. “Young Money will no longer be apart of the BET Experience or award show,” she tweeted. "Summer Tour dates dropping soon."
Last week, BET.com posted an article entitled, “Dawn Richard Wears An Identical Ponytail As Ariana Grande’s Latest Lengthy Pony Slay.” Richard caught wind of the article and tweeted her disdain with BET.
Richard tweeted, “stop disrespecting Black women by making them out to be followers when they have led in most all pivotal moments in society. “
A word!
BET may be white owned but those that write those $50 articles are Black. What exactly goes through Black writers’ minds when they post tweets and articles that tear down Black women?
Self-hate is running rampant within the Black community. And the erasure and discrediting of Black women is a much bigger issue than Minaj (there are some who are okay with it happening to Minaj due to their dislike of her).
How could a Black woman ever copy a white woman when we are the trendsetters and pinnacle group of individuals who lead and pave the way for others to piggyback off of?
Richard has been a trendsetter but like most things that Black women do, it’s not popular until it gets a co-sign from a white woman.
Why is it on-brand for BET to tear down Black women and prop up other races? Black women are so popping and I refuse to let society tell me otherwise. BET should be the leading source for the Black experience. I shouldn’t have to go to Vulture to read thoughtful, opinion pieces on Black culture. It’s Black Entertainment Television but they are forever trying to knock down Black women and act like some wack stan gossip blog.
Do better, BET and if you need writers to create some dope content that goes deeper than a click-bait tweet, holla at me.
Side note: this hairstyle isn’t new.
