Let me sent up the scenario.Flashback... Thursday June 25-2009 the King of Pop Michael Jackson passes away. The BET Awards are scheduled for Sunday June 28-2009. Things are frantic and complete chaos. The devastation is running rampant. Michael Jackson was a universal artist. Before the world welcomed him into their hearts and home, he was welcomed by African Americans, so like it or not, HE WAS OURS first. With that said, BLACK ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION, had the proper platform to honor this legend in proper form and fashion. We always talk about how 'they' never give us credit or do us JUSTICE. Watching Sunday nights ceremony, I witnessed a INJUSTICE. The Awards ceremony looked like they wee told three minutes before air time that Michael Jackson had passed on. With exception to Ne Yo, Ciara and Jamie Foxx's opening monologue, the night was complete lackluster in terms of any 'real' kind of tribute or acknowledgement. Beyonce, Jay Z, Maxwell,Keri Nilson were clearly there to promote their own projects, and ordinarily that would've been fine, if ...... exactly.
Michael Jackson paved the way for ALL of those artists. Not so long ago, when Beyonce was a member of Destiny's Child it was a honor to be asked to be a part of a tribute to Michael Jackson. Where was Usher, and Justin Timblerlake, again not so long ago, they understood the honor, to be asked to participate in such a prestigious honor of performing for the 30th Anniversary celebration of the King of Pop, which helped propel all of their careers, as that special was seen by over 40million viewers worldwide.
Fast forward to his peers, where was Berry Gordy,Diana Ros, Elizabeth Taylor, Maculey Culkin,Whitney Houston, Madonna, George Michael, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Patti Labelle, Barbara Streisand, Bruce Springsteen,Chris Tucker, Eddie Murphy, Oprah, Dick Clark Productions,Mary J Blidge,Brook Shields, Naomi Campbell, Beverly Johnson, Iman, the Sony Chairmen, Debbie Allen, Jeffrey Daniel and countless others. I didn't need to see Debra Lee, and other artists be so damn self-aggrandizing. In the coming months, 'they' will have their chance to honor Michael Jackson, and begrudgingly it will be done CORRECTLY. We as a culture are far too talented to accept mediocrity. I'm so ashamed to have witnessed this train wreck. The tribute seemed more like a tribute to a WWF Smack down circus, than a deservedly tribute to a man who helped ANYONE and touch people all over the world. I'm so disgusted. Michael, we your core supporters believe that you deserve better.
If Janet Jackson can show up, to comfort his fans in her grief, BET couldn't you have done your part. A simple twenty minute montage would've been a more befitting honor than what I witnessed. Black Entertainment Television....STEP YOUR GAME UP!!!
The BET circus last evening was a horror. It was the worst thing I have ever witnessed and a total implosion. Why couldn’t they get this right? We all wanted BET to get this right and make this a night to remember. We wanted to celebrate the life and talent of MJ, but instead I think we all said “here we go again”. The self-absorbed egos of some of the celebrities that participated last night were shameful. What the F@*# was that?
ReplyDelete(Fred)
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteI agree whole heartedly! One day we as a people will get it together!
ReplyDelete-Erron
I'm SPEECHLESS!!! It was sooooooooooooooooooo bad.
ReplyDeleteCarmen Ray
Kevin,
ReplyDeleteI unfortunately am not really surprised by BET.
The station that we loved in our early years has definitely taken a downturn in class over the past few years.
I don't even watch it anymore. The diversity of intelligent debate and insight on issues important to the Black culture has been replaced.
I remember being able to watch up and coming black comics for an hour, then some new videos, followed by a debate on race, education or any other issue. In other words...options.
No more.
Chris
Hey Chris,
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you, but we can't stand by idle, and let it continue to sink to new lows. Sunday night was a travesty.
If we don't take a stand, who will? Bob Jones, Donnie Simpson...that was the BET that I remember, and unfortunately that was 20 years ago. We have regressed. Somewhere along the way we lost protocol. I damned and determined to help get it back.
I'm hoping that the will rectify that trifling mess that I witnessed LIVE. Sign me up for the tribute.
ReplyDeleteThank You, for saying what we all felt. My great grandparents, and grandparents are fuming in their graves. Such hard work was put forth before us, to have 'BET' reduce us to such lows. This sh*t cant continue. I agree with you "step up your game' BET. You choose to be vehicle for the people, please start showing the many layers of african american culture.
ReplyDeleteCandace Sherman
Very whack show. I'm embarrassed and Debra Lee should be too.
ReplyDeleteHmmmm!!! On that note you definately have a point that I'm sure a lot of people share. I myself did not realize your view point, which is very valid. I thought as I was reading, maybe they were all with Kathrine and the family. Maybe that should be your next project, find out where the hell were they.
ReplyDeleteLove Ya
Well Said.................
ReplyDeleteKrystal
Winstom Salem
I witnessed the joke of BET last night. I missed it Sunday, and Im "really" shocked they had to balls to re-air that mess. Debra Lee, Stephen Hill and rest of that three ring circus in production, needs to burn in hell. I'm starting to think Debra Lee might be a carpet muncher, every year MC Lyte, Latifah and Alicia Keys are always in the rotation. I don't get it. Hey Debra Lee, here's an idea, why NOT have them participate in a Michael Jackson tribute....put your thinking cap on. Act like you know what you're doing. Stunned doesn't quite sum up my feelings...
ReplyDeleteElaine Dietrich
Aspen
We must come together as a people. BET doesn't support the middle to upper class african american way. Shame on them. Shame Shame Shame. Debra Lee, you need walking papers. THE END!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDelete