Monday, January 14, 2008

Just when I thought I had nothing to say about this political circus, Bob Johnson of BET fame goes and puts his 2 cents into the mix. Apparently, he has taken umbrage with Barack Obama's campaign.


"To me, as an African-American, I am frankly insulted the Obama campaign
would imply that we are so stupid that we would think Hillary and Bill Clinton,
who have been deeply and emotionally involved in black issues - when Barack
Obama was doing something in the neighborhood; I won't say what he was doing,
but he said it in his book - when they have been involved."


Is this man serious? Did the political arena just step into the Twilight Zone? Bob Johnson can support any political candidate he wants. That is his choice. Just because he is a Black man that doesn't mean that he can only support the one candidate that he most resembles. I don't expect every white man to back every white male candidate nor do I expect every white woman to throw their support behind Hillary just because of some race/gender allegiance.


Bob Johnson's comment is disturbing at least and laughable at most because of who he is. This is the same man who created the wasteland of TV programming, Black Entertainment Television. Dude, have you seen the crap on your former station? Since he sold the station and is no longer at the helm, I won't even hold him accountable for the recycled MTV programming that now airs on BET (ummmm College Hill = The Real World with Brown Folks; Baldwin Hills = The Hills with...you guessed it Brown Folks). But come on. Where was his outrage when shows like Uncut replaced Teen Summit? Why wasn't he offended when all of the BET News programs were replaced with infomercials or The Parkers?
Bob Johnson made his billions on the strength of the portrayal of drug use, violence, and booty clapping in the music videos of "urban culture". He has been insulting the intelligence of Black people for decades. Does HE think we are that stupid to not realize that he has pigeon holed the portrayal of Black people on TV into a billion dollar industry of minstrel shows? Now he has the audacity to be offended by Barack Obama's use of marijuana when he was younger?! Has he seen the programming or does he just cash the checks?
While re-reading the statement, and watching the footage online, not only does it not make sense grammatically but is just feels extra slimy coming from Mr. Johnson. Yes this is politics and politics tend to get more down and dirty year after year. But his statement feels like a dirty old man complimenting a teenager on how good she looks in her high school uniform. Ain't nothing right about it at all.
The next time Hillary Clinton's campaign wants to use a Black person to speak out against Barack Obama, I hope they stay away from the pot who's been talking about how black the kettle is. Next time can they just choose a different messenger. One that has done more that get paid from the shucking and jiving programming on Channel 42. One that doesn't feel like a dirty old billionaire. One who's done something positive besides making money. I'm just saying.....

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Dear Loyal Readers,
I know you've been checking my page so you know that this entry wasn't originally posted on January 14. It's the day I started the entry but because of some things going on in my life I was unable to complete it then. Please continue to check my site. I am thinking of adding a subscription link to the page so you can know instantly when I post something new, regardless of the date. LOL
Thanks for the support!
Smooches,
The Resident Butterfly

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Girl yes you need to add a subscription page so folks know when you add something new. I checked on the 12th then again on the 14th and today I said What The! Where did all these joints come from. LOL Then again, since I am not a gmail subscriber I probably would not get the subscription alert no way, so I guess I gots to continue doing what I do. Check from time to time. LOL Missed ya!