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Racy BET Show Draws Student Protest

By Taryn Burns
Black College Wire

Nelly stars in a racy music video that offended some D.C.-area students

Nelly's music video "Tip Drill" debuted on Black Entertainment Television's "Uncut" show in December, displaying half-naked women with only their privates blurred, lesbian antics in a hot tub, and a lot of thongs.

Christina Payne, a Howard University senior, was offended.

"BET is supposed to represent us, and if other people were to turn to this show, it would affirm the stereotypes [about blacks] and it would seem as though degrading and exploiting black women is OK. If a line is not drawn now, there is no telling what we will see next," Payne said.

So on Dec. 15, Payne and about 10 other students from the University of Maryland at College Park and Howard University, and members of the social fratnernity Alpha Nu Omega stood in front of the BET building in Northeast Washington. They held posters and chanted, "T & A, diamonds and cash! Is this what we fought for in the past?"

She is working on another demonstration there in April.

The racy late-night music-video show leaves some viewers offended and others staying up late just to catch it. Airing at 3 a.m., "Uncut" features videos that are not seen in prime time, including some that are adult-oriented.

"I usually watch music video programs and I've seen 'Uncut' a couple of times, but because of some of the videos they show, I wouldn't watch it all the time," said Gavin Fields, a Georgetown University sophomore.

The demonstrators said they felt the protest was a positive start. One participant, junior Justin Davis from the University of Maryland, said, "The protest back in December was a good catalyst for more things in the future. We received a positive reaction from residents driving past; some stopped to learn more about what we were doing and people were even willing to help with expenditures in the future."

BET's vice president of corporate communications, Michael Lewellen, said he knew nothing about the protest.

"We respect the students' opinion," he said, "but you would never see a show like this during prime time, when the audience is younger, which is why it is clearly identified to target a more adult audience."

Most networks assume that children are not watching TV then, so they provide a time slot for more adult-oriented shows. "It is a show designed to show music videos that have an edge, and the law allows networks to air these types of shows at these times. Several networks do the same thing," Llewelen said.

According to Payne, the protest is not focused only on "Uncut," but aims to get BET to provide better programming, with higher standards, educational programs and shows that help the black audience better itself.

"Since BET is the biggest network for black TV, they should realize their responsibility to us and enhance their programming," Payne said.

"Uncut" is not all about videos with an edge; there are also videos that air during prime time. But the videos with the shock value are receiving the criticism.

Still, some have no problem with the programming.

"I personally don't see anything wrong with 'Uncut,' said James Rice, a junior at the University of the District of Columbia.

"Shows on BET are for entertainment purposes, and that is exactly what these videos do, they entertain," he said. "It may be true that some videos exploit black women in a way that is not positive for the black community, but people should not look at it as an example of how to behave, but merely for its purpose of entertainment."

Others say the show could be seen as a reflection of African American society.

"I do feel that this program is problematic because it is a reflection of how black men feel this is how they should act toward black women. But, I also feel that it is the viewer's choice whether they want to watch the show or not," said Christopher Smith, an University of Maryland alumnus.

Payne is planning a larger-scale demonstration at the same location in April.

Until then, the group is working on letters to BET and the Federal Communications Commission and contacting such institutions as the Howard University School of Communications to get more student involvement.

Taryn Burns, a student at Howard University, writes for The District Chronicles. She can be reached at .

Posted Feb. 10, 2004