Bob Johnson on Hot Ghetto Mess

Comments from Bob Johnson on Hot Ghetto Mess
 
This is an excerpt from an article written by Kenya M. Yarbrough dated July 26, 2007 and posted at www.eurweb.com. In it, the subject of Hot Ghetto Mess is discussed with Robert (Bob) Johnson, founder of BET:

.... Johnson took the opportunity to discuss the latest controversy at BET. The issue concerns the network's new series Hot Ghetto Mess (recently renamed We Got To Do Better), which has provoked criticism and sent advertisers running out before its debut last night.

 "As far as the 'Hot Ghetto Mess' issue, [BET President/CEO Debra Lee] has got the same problem that I had in that BET, for all practical purposes, is the only preeminent voice for African Americans in media and because of that it is given a greater responsibility and obligation by certain people that BET has to be a little bit 'holier than thou,'" Johnson said.

"We'll let Jerry Springer get away with that or we'll let Morton Downey get away with that or we'll let the people at VH1's 'Flavor of Love' get away with that. But when it's black folks making the decision to do that, all of a sudden people start saying you can't do that because you have a greater obligation. And then they go to advertisers and many white advertisers will head for the hills the moment they see themselves in the middle of a black controversial issue. They will stop, [partly] because they don't really want to be on it; don't value it; or they don't know how to handle it."

Johnson called the fallout surrounding 'Hot Ghetto Mess' a "knee-jerk reaction that has a chilling effect on creativity."

"All of a sudden, creative people who want to tell stories or produce shows like 'Hot Ghetto Mess' are saying, 'I don't want to work on BET because they can't do(ing) anything that's innovative or pushes the envelope," he said. "I think that would be detrimental to creativity. I think it would be detrimental to the black community in (not?) allowing us to mature and let a lot of voices be heard."

How much more time does BET need to mature? The network was founded in 1980! That was 27 years ago! I believe that is more than enough time to attain maturity! Segments of the community have confronted Bob Johnson for years about his programming at the network, requesting more dignified programming for years, which fell, for the most part, on deaf ears.

I certainly do hope that, “.... creative people who want to tell stories or produce shows like Hot Ghetto Mess....” decide not to do so for whatever reasons!

It's not being ".... holier than thou", Mr. Johnson. It's about responsibility and accountability. As you point out, we are beset by negative images, for the sake of the shock value of the tasteless and grotesque. Do we honestly need anymore shows like those named or similar to those named to be made by anyone?

I question the characterization that suggests that Hot Ghetto Mess represents any form of creativity. As best as I can understand it, it seems Bob Johnson's perspective is this is a skirmish for BET's ability to claim the right to be an equal opportunity debaser to make money.  

For the entire article, click here.