Does BET Get a Fair Shake These Days?

Very Smart Brothas' Panama Jackson asks whether the network is finally giving us what we're looking for โ€” and whether we even know what that is. Suggested Reading Ryan Coogler, Cynthia Erivo and More Reveal Their Favorite Movies of All Time The History of Brandy and Monica’s Messy, Violent Feud This Rapper Has a Truly…

Very Smart Brothas' Panama Jackson asks whether the network is finally giving us what we're looking for โ€” and whether we even know what that is.

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Dominique Thorne Reveals Why She Almost Passed on <em>Ironheart</em>
Dominique Thorne Reveals Why She Almost Passed on <em>Ironheart</em>

A few weeks ago, I got into an argument with a friend of mine who happens to work for what I once dubbed "The Evil Empire". That company is BET. The argument was about the fact that I seemed to lack any sort of positive vibes towards BET. Basically upon mention of those three letters in order caused an impressive array of profanities that would leave a person afflicted with Tourrette's in awe.

And I cuss real good.

Her point was that I was so prepared to dislike anything associated with BET that I wouldn't even give the lineup of shows they had a chance. Perhaps โ€” the plea went โ€” if I were to give love a chance, I'd find that the programming was worth my time. Also, given how much I tend to b*tch and moan about Black programming, its possible I was doing a bigger disservice to the community by not only not supporting, but actively UNsupporting. I was like one of Aretha's bras.

Can't lie. That hurt a little. The bra parallel, not the lack of support comment. I mean, have you seen one of her boobs? Cleveland is hiding in there.

Moving on. While I could easily shoot down her latter argument using two words โ€” Tyler Perry โ€” I realized that I wasn't even sure why I hated BET so much โ€ฆ anymore (the former arguments were very strong). Hell, I watch "The Game" even though I think the show has totally devolved into dramatic f*cktasticness. I attempted to watch "Let's Stay Together" and "Reed Between The Lines" โ€ฆ

Read Panama Jackson's entire piece at Very Smart Brothas.

The Rootย aims to foster and advance conversations about issues relevant to the black Diaspora by presenting a variety of opinions from all perspectives, whether or not those opinions are shared by our editorial staff.ย 

Panama Jackson is the co-founder and senior editor of VerySmartBrothas.com. He lives in Washington, D.C., and believes the children are our future.

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