It is great to want equality for all. But I’m sorry without networks like BET, black artists would have never been on TV. In the 80’s, pop music was not as inclusive as it is today. MTV sure didn’t feature any black artists, other than sporadic appearances by Michael Jackson. So while there may not quite be the need for networks like BET today, back when the network started there was a great need. Personally, I remember finally being able to see the videos to my favorite R&B songs. It was very exciting.

I could get behind a call for BET to evolve, improve their content, etc., but Adrianne Curry’s rant calling for a boycott of BET is a bit uninformed:

Yes, I get it. Black people were slaves here once. You know what? That does suck some major balls, however, it is time to move the fuck on. Do we hear the Jews crying that they were made slaves for thousands of years? Do we hear them whine that they should OWN the pyramids in Egypt because THEY broke their backs making them? Do we hear them bitch and moan about Hitler, etc? (my hubby is a Jew)Nope, we dont. It’s time for us to UNITE AS ONE. I do not think that singling out one race, giving one race opportunities to go to college (I know a TON of poor white.asian, indian, american indian, etc etc that could use that too!), giving one race the EXCUSE to blame things on others for being whatever nationality they are, is a good way at making sure we NEVER kill racism. source

It was great that she dared to rant about the issue. She spoke from the heart even if she spoke without knowledge. What opportunities for Blacks is she discussing, because the last time I checked we are facing tremendous disparities. While they may be a few token handout programs, those exist for everyone. Stop making Black people the poster child of undeserving handouts. But it was really disappointing that she didn’t engage her readers who gave some fairly thoughtful responses. Instead she simply called people names and shut down. A missed opportunity to accomplish her goal of uniting.

Uniting is not easy. You can’t grandstand and tell people my way or no way. You especially can’t call them whining good-for-nothings and other unmentionable names. If you truly want to unite, listening and understanding of all perspectives is necessary.