MsJag4Jag
Moderator
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, N.E.
Washington, D.C.
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, Zeta 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 woe ully 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 Preside nt
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.
of National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc.
November 2, 2001
Mr. Robert Johnson CEO
Black Entertainment Television
1900 W Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C.
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, Zeta 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 woe ully 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 Preside nt
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.
:redhot: if I even see him on the street I will bust his head to the white meat.