Dear Debra Lee & BET: Enough is Enough!
While driving to work one day this week, I happened to turn on the radio and came across a song that was simultaneously playing on both WERQ 92.3FM and WKYS 93.9FM. I was immediately disturbed by the lyrics of the chorus and further disgusted by the verses. The song was “Freaky Girl” by an artist called Gucci Mane. Here’s the chorus which was repeated over and over in the song:Â
“She A Very Freaky Girl / Dont Bring Her To Mamma
First You Get Her Name / Then You Get Her Number
Then You Get Some Brain (oral sex)Â In The Front Seat Of
The Hummer
Then You Get Some Brain (oral sex)Â In The Front
Seat Of The Hummer”
I have ceased to be amazed at how low corporate-backed mainstream media will go to demean, disrespect, stereotype, and objectify African people (especially women of African descent) in the name of profiteering. Further, I am convinced that no other people group on the planet would allow such dehumanization to go unchecked and unchallenged. I think we have much to do in the way of strategically combating this media injustice which I’m sure all of us have similar feelings about. I think the IMUS situation really shed light on one way in which corporate media can be held accountable for its support of such disturbing lyrics and images. (The sisters of Spelman College chose another way to hold the “artist” - Nelly - accountable back in 2004)
I wanted to bring your attention to another way that a dear brother of mine is pressuring mainstream media - and in this case BET - to produce quality content devoid of demeaning images/messages. Dr. Delman Coates, pastor of Mt. Ennon Baptist Church in Clinton, MD, has mobilized his church on this issue. He has convened a coalition of organizations called “Enough is Enough” and has begun protesting outside the home of Debra Lee - CEO of BET Networks. Dr. Coates has committed to leading protests outside the home of Debra Lee every Saturday until BET agrees to a clearly defined set of goals as outlined on the “Enough is Enough” website. In the short time that the protests have begun; Dr. Coates has received tremendous support from other organizations, churches, and community leaders. Last week, 6 charter buses pulled up in front of Debra Lee’s house filled with people ready to rally and protest. This past Saturday, September 22, 2007 - 7 buses pulledup out front Debra Lee’s home. I had meetings all morning Saturday, but I sped down to DC and arrived just in time to catch the last 10 minutes of the rally. (A priceless 10 minutes considering that I got the chance to meet and interview Dick Gregory who also is a supporter of this campaign. )
Check out the pics at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hb3/
The word about this is spreading across the country and African people from as far away as Japanare contacting the coalition in support. On Saturday, September 29, 2007 buses will roll in from New Yorkas organizations there have decided to form an “Enough is Enough-NY“ coalition. Dr. Coates makes it clear that this movement is not anti-Hip Hop and it’s really not even “anti-Debra Lee”. It’s about the larger issue of how BET (and other mainstream media outlets) abuses its access to 85 million homes by inundating the community with poisonous messages and images that no doubt adversely impact the healthy development of African youth and trivialize the humanity of African people as a whole.Â
Of course, as with all campaigns of this sort, there’s always at least one person on the sidelines who disagrees with the tactics and cast shadows of dispersion on those involved. I would only encourage those people to lend positive energy where there is agreement and if you don’t want to go with this campaign do something that puts pressure on this pipe in another area. Further, if you have such great ideas on how this could be done better - I have a thought - GET INVOLVED AND DO WHAT YOU’RE PROPOSING! This mammoth is too big - there is no one right answer/solution!
I invite you to learn more about the Enough is Enough movement by visiting: www.enoughisenoughcampaign.com. (The YouTube videos are excellent) As you review what they are doing, please consider how you and/or we may be able to support this effort.Â
BOTTOM LINE: Everyone can do something.
September 24th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
Gucci Mane just looks like an idiot. He is in the current issue of XXL that has KWest on the cover.
Could you please e-mail me your contact email as I have an interview request. I am writing an article about religion 4 my print zine [kerosene] and I would like to send you some interview questions to be answered if that’s okay. You can contact me at editor@kerosenemagazine.com
thanks!
September 24th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
Thanks Aulelia. I sent you an email and appreciate the opportunity to share my views in your publication.
Thanks for the headsup about Gucci Mane being on the cover of XXL. I’ll have to check that out.
September 25th, 2007 at 11:15 am
Brother Heb I agree with your assessment. The Imus affair was not even the tip of the iceberg concerning the issue of how the image of African-Americans are portrayed in the mainstream media. Often the major offenders are “our” black owned media outlets such as Radio One or black led like BET (which is owned by Viacom). Both of the radio stations that you mentioned in your piece are owned by the Radio One conglomerate. Gucci Mane’s label - Atlantic Records - is owned by the Warner Music Group, a subsidiary of Time Warner.
Enough is enough.
September 27th, 2007 at 8:31 am
Beautiful, homey. Beautiful work. Needs to be pulblished and viewed by myriads of audiences. –You know, holmes, the problem in my opinion, is a huge spiritual falling away. –Everything goes in that environ.
-RCB
October 6th, 2007 at 7:36 am
Dear “Ms. L.”
First, thank you for visiting my blog. I always appreciate when people take a few moments out of their busy schedules to read, reflect, and respond to anything that they find on this site.
However, after reviewing your “Open Letter to Pastor Delman Coates”, I have decided to block your letter from appearing. If you are truly a member of Mt. Ennon, I think it would serve you better to contact your pastor directly as opposed to publishing your disagreements here for the world to see. If your true intent is to share your views with Dr. Coates, then I’m sure you can call the church and/or email him to gain access to his ear.
Finally, as a third generation preacher and preacher’s kid, I have seen numerous “anonymous” letters from church members and they never sit well with me. I figure that if someone can’t sign their name next to their statements, then it says something about the motivations of the author.
I urge you to go directly to your pastor and discuss your concerns.
Peace,
Rev. Heber Brown, III