“The Read-A-Book Controversy”: How far should we go? by Myisha Cherry
Written by: on Sep 25 | Book Alert |I’ve chosen to embed the following videos from the controversial black “Read-A-Book” campaign (courtesy of Black Entertainment Television), to ask a simple question: how far should we go to get our community to read?
Moreover, what level of accountability does Media companies, particularly minority companies, have in presenting non-offensive messages to its viewers?
The following videos are the actual “Read- A-Book” cartoon video followed by a two part CNN story on the controversy. I apologize in advance for the vulgarity!
September 26th, 2007 at 7:39 pm
I’ve seen dude live performing this song, before the video started playing. I was with him then and I am with him now. They have taken something that was actually positive and put into the worst context possible. What kills me is the parents were mad that it was on when their kids would see it, but they didn’t mind their kids watching all of the other videos that were on at the same time…the very songs and videos Bomani was ripping.
September 26th, 2007 at 9:33 pm
of course you will say this!
but i don’t know if im offended because of the language or the message itself?
The creators just look like ren and ten to me and BET is the power house enabler.
September 26th, 2007 at 10:37 pm
I just found out today that there was any drama around this. The important thing that was lost in all the discussions I’ve seen is this: he didn’t make it to be a PSA, he made it to rip on Hip-Hop (in it’s current forms). Lil’ Jon references are just too obvious…what gets me is that the people complaining about this said nothing when Lil’ Jon was saying skeet, skeet,skeet on the radio.
September 27th, 2007 at 2:01 am
i love this joint. when bomani first did this, five years ago, i was at the open mic. it was dope then, and i think its pretty dope now. I agree with Amadeo. This was clearly commentary. The same way, aaron magruder and dave chappelle demonstrate commentary, through absurdity and turning the mirror toward us. he also used as a test. he said, i bet i could get a song on the radio, if it follows the same ridiculous formula that everything else follows. doesnt matter what you say, as long as you follow the formula, and it worked! hahaha. the fact that it got the whole black community talking about it, is enough to say that it was worth it, and not in vein. props to bomani. And as far as, how far do we go to get our kids to read, im not sure. im not a fan of them reading the ridiculous urban novel, because i dont believe that their intention is to encourage reading, where as Bomani, a teacher, is clearly making that point.
September 27th, 2007 at 3:40 am
all im saying is…
put it on adult swim if you are advertising to adults. they purposed on reaching a certain demographic at irrational timing in their broadcast.And as an adult don’t send messages to me in an offensive(language) way. geesh
September 27th, 2007 at 7:18 pm
That’s the thing…the videos that play around this have worse imagery, no message and content that’s clearly not for kids.
September 27th, 2007 at 9:04 pm
so amadeo, lets not crown this video, when the whole kingdom is jacked up. its so sad, that this is the network for african americans.
October 1st, 2007 at 3:45 pm
who said this is the network for African Americans? HA!
March 26th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Good site, admin.
March 27th, 2009 at 7:09 am
Good site, admin.