500 Gather at Executive’s D.C. Home to Protest Stereotypes
 By Marissa Newhall / Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, September 16, 2007; Page C03
More than 500 people demonstrated peacefully outside the Northwest Washington home of Debra Lee, Black Entertainment Television‘s chief executive, yesterday afternoon, demanding that the network stop airing what they call demeaning and offensive portrayals of African Americans.
Led by the Rev. Delman L. Coates of Mount Ennon Baptist Church in Clinton, members of the Enough Is Enough Campaign said they will return every weekend until Lee addresses their grievances.
Lee was not home yesterday but said in a telephone interview she was disappointed that several attempts last week to arrange a meeting with the group had failed. Also, in a letter, she said BET plans to launch 16 “balanced” shows by year’s end.
The campaign, which Coates began six weeks ago, is calling on corporations to divest from popular culture that portrays black men as “pimps” and “gangsters” and sexually objectifies black women.
Joining protesters from Mount Ennon yesterday were members of the National Organization for Women, the Feminist Majority Foundation, the head of the National Congress of Black Women and Maryland Del. Justin D. Ross (D-Prince George’s).
Several security guards blocked three gates around Lee’s home in the 2800 block of McGill Terrace NW, while protesters marched and chanted for nearly two hours. Traffic on the otherwise quiet street, tucked into a stately residential area of Woodley Park, seemed largely unaffected. Police watched the protesters, who had been granted a permit, from the sidelines.
In an Aug. 23 letter to Lee, Coates requested a meeting. Lee said yesterday that she did not receive the letter until last week, after she had learned about the protest through a news release. Lee said Coates was told that if he brought the protest to BET’s corporate headquarters in Northeast Washington, she would have spoken to him there. “I believe in freedom of speech, but if you really want to have an impact, the best way is to have a conversation — not to protest in front of someone’s house,” Lee said. “I’m always willing to talk to our viewers.”
Coates, 34, said yesterday, “Her people made a meeting conditional upon canceling the rally at her house.”
In describing the campaign last week, he said he was “deeply concerned about the increasing coarseness of American popular culture. At some point, we have to ask ourselves what kind of world we want to leave to our children.”
Founded by African American businessman Robert Johnson 27 years ago, BET has an 18-to-34 demographic. It has long been criticized for airing music videos that some believe perpetuate negative stereotypes of blacks. The network, now owned by Viacom, has recently been attacked for such programs as “Hot Ghetto Mess,” which had its name changed to “We Got to Do Better” after complaints, and “Read a Book,” a satirical animated public-service announcement.
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that’s one reason we have family wholesome plays at the Clinton-Lincoln Theatre 940 W. Madison Ave, Balt, MD see: http://www.epstage.net. i guess our plan to make films will just have to be sped-up.
I applaud the members of the Enough is Enough campaign. As a child, my parents did not have cable television in our home for the sole purpose of preventing my brother and I from watching music videos and other non-educational programs on a daily basis. Back then, I can remember being so bothered by this, but now I’m grateful. I personally can’t stand BET and refuse to watch it. What boggles my mind the most is how we portray ourselves in a negative light and don’t find fault with it. Perhaps, Ms. Lee doesn’t understand that Viacom could care less about the progress of our people…they’re simply looking to get ahead for themselves. It’s about time Blacks in every arena become more proactive in determining our race’s future.
Peace.
Don’t just stop with Miss Lee. Cathy Hughes is just as guilty as her Radio One TV network does not promote CURRENT vital issues. Why in the name of Sam Hill is TV ONE running the State of the Black Union forum SEVEN MONTHS after it took place?? Is that what they are trying to pawn off as responsible journalism?? CNN Reruns?? BET and TVOne should be ashamed for not having current,relevant news divisions. Ed Gordon and Tavis Smiley were 1,000 percent blessed and correct in vacating the minstrel networks.
Bro Heber Brown,
I’ve sent an email out to the Elected officials in Baltimore. I suggested in a conversation that I had with Council woman Helen Holton that she stand up against these types of lyrics. We must be prepared to voice our concerns with 92Q and radio one.
Thank you Bro. Haki. As you and I know – only with collective work will we make the greatest impact. Again – I appreciate your willingness to help and hopefully, some of Baltimore’s elected officials will lend their support.