Bartram
Brand HBCUbian
Has anyone else heard about this recent developments? I am simply stunned. Never thought I would see the day that elements of the Negro community would be aiming a boycott at Black Entertainment Television. Interesting developments.
I have mixed feelings on this, but generally I have no problems with what BET does. I would say if you don't like what BET shows/depicts, don't watch it or start a company to compete against it. Just like with groups wanting to ban HH et al and dictate what everybody else can buy. Just not in agreement with that. If HH is offensive to you, don't listen to it, don't buy it, listen to alternative radio/tv/videos. But then,,, this is America and we are a country of constant conflict, laws, law suites, persuation etc.
quote:
Received from Virginia LeBlanc, Executive Director of
National
Pan-Hellenic
Council, Inc.
November 2, 2001
Mr. Robert Johnson CEO
Black Entertainment Television
1900 W Street, NE
Washington, DC
Re: Television Programming
Dear Mr. Johnson:
We write as a follow up to the meeting held on September 27, 2001. The Council of Presidents of the African-American Greek
Letter organizations that consist of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Seta Phi Beta Sorority, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, collectively have over 1.4 Million
members. It is our intent to call for a national boycott of Black
Entertainment Television (BET).
As discussed with you and your staff, we believe that BET does not operate in the best interest of the African American community. Your responses to our concerns were not only unacceptable but were also insulting. We raised concerns with you about the type of videos shown on BET that have negative
influences on our community, particularly our youth. We believe that these videos are an exploitation of African American youth.
We discussed with you our concerns about BET's failure to advertise with and support African American businesses and institutions. BET's lack of reciprocity with the African American community is woefully sensitive and unfair. Further, we discussed with you that BET's failure to communicate with community
leaders is unacceptable.
Your response made it clear to us that your priority is to increase
profits without regard to the negative impact on the African
American community. You made it clear that the concerns we raised would not increase the profits of BET and therefore BET would not alter its business practices or programming to address these concerns.
It is our intent to communicate this boycott to all African-American
organizations and seek their support. Additionally, it is our intent to communicate this boycott to Viacom and all BET advertisers. This boycott shall remain in effect until our concerns are
satisfactorily resolved.
___________________________________
Lloyd J. Jordan, Esq.
Grand Basileus
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
__________________________________
Harry E. Johnson, Sr.
General President
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
__________________________________
Norma Solomon White
Supreme Basileus
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
___________________________________
Howard L. Tutman
Grand Polemarch
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
___________________________________
Gwendolyn E. Boyd
National President
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
__________________________________
Arthur R. Thomas, Esq.
National President
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
___________________________________
Barbara Carpenter, Ph.D.,
National President
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
___________________________________
Helen J. Owens
International Grand Basileus
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
__________________________________
Steve Birdine
Grand Polaris
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.
I have mixed feelings on this, but generally I have no problems with what BET does. I would say if you don't like what BET shows/depicts, don't watch it or start a company to compete against it. Just like with groups wanting to ban HH et al and dictate what everybody else can buy. Just not in agreement with that. If HH is offensive to you, don't listen to it, don't buy it, listen to alternative radio/tv/videos. But then,,, this is America and we are a country of constant conflict, laws, law suites, persuation etc.
quote:
Received from Virginia LeBlanc, Executive Director of
National
Pan-Hellenic
Council, Inc.
November 2, 2001
Mr. Robert Johnson CEO
Black Entertainment Television
1900 W Street, NE
Washington, DC
Re: Television Programming
Dear Mr. Johnson:
We write as a follow up to the meeting held on September 27, 2001. The Council of Presidents of the African-American Greek
Letter organizations that consist of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Seta Phi Beta Sorority, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, collectively have over 1.4 Million
members. It is our intent to call for a national boycott of Black
Entertainment Television (BET).
As discussed with you and your staff, we believe that BET does not operate in the best interest of the African American community. Your responses to our concerns were not only unacceptable but were also insulting. We raised concerns with you about the type of videos shown on BET that have negative
influences on our community, particularly our youth. We believe that these videos are an exploitation of African American youth.
We discussed with you our concerns about BET's failure to advertise with and support African American businesses and institutions. BET's lack of reciprocity with the African American community is woefully sensitive and unfair. Further, we discussed with you that BET's failure to communicate with community
leaders is unacceptable.
Your response made it clear to us that your priority is to increase
profits without regard to the negative impact on the African
American community. You made it clear that the concerns we raised would not increase the profits of BET and therefore BET would not alter its business practices or programming to address these concerns.
It is our intent to communicate this boycott to all African-American
organizations and seek their support. Additionally, it is our intent to communicate this boycott to Viacom and all BET advertisers. This boycott shall remain in effect until our concerns are
satisfactorily resolved.
___________________________________
Lloyd J. Jordan, Esq.
Grand Basileus
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
__________________________________
Harry E. Johnson, Sr.
General President
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
__________________________________
Norma Solomon White
Supreme Basileus
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
___________________________________
Howard L. Tutman
Grand Polemarch
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
___________________________________
Gwendolyn E. Boyd
National President
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
__________________________________
Arthur R. Thomas, Esq.
National President
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
___________________________________
Barbara Carpenter, Ph.D.,
National President
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
___________________________________
Helen J. Owens
International Grand Basileus
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
__________________________________
Steve Birdine
Grand Polaris
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.