Is BET brainwashing our kids?

The source should be listed as the Griot, not Grio.

I barely watch BET, but I am in my 40s. R&B is not the culprit and shouldn't be lumped with hip hop. While I agree that there is a lot of inappropriate content in this music, it's also unmistakeable that this is what sells. But in matters of discretion, BET has made some bad choices, so I concur on that point.

I think all corporate-run music channels are perpetuating this thinking. They all put this "hip-hop" (because none of that is real hip-hip) on TV and broadcast it to the masses. As far as "brain-washing", meh, I've never bought into that argument. I grew up listening to Pac, Biggie, Ice Cube, and Snoop, but Ive grown to be a self-respecting woman who doesn't take any flack from anybody. I know that is simply an act, a persona, and that its not real, nor should it be applied in real life. Dont get me wrong, I am the first to sing along with songs about gun-toting, being a gangsta, and stacking paper to the ceiling (by people from Gucci Mane to Weezy to Rick Ross), but I know that its not appropriate to display that language or behavior in real life, and most importantly, I know that its not real hip-hop. Real artists dont get that much play on TV, if any. You have to go underground to find the real music.

I was a frequent watcher of BET back in the 90's when I felt music had a bit more substance. Now as a 34 year old, I do not watch BET nearly as much as I used to. Most of the music channels such as BET, MTV, and VH1 are now filled with shows mostly for teens. I do feel BET could be much better than it is. It seems most of their shows are spinoffs af duplicating MTVs long running shows. I did watch the BET awards and some was okay. As far as rap today, yes some is vulgar but we also have a choice in what we choose to listen to. My children are 11, 9, and 2 and all they want to hear is Hannah Montana or the Jonas Brothers and have don't have a problem with that. I listen to some edited rap songs but I do not feel they are brainwashing kids. I grew up istening to rap when I was younger and I grew up to be a mature respectable adult. But BET can be a much better channel that sends a more positive message by adding more creative shows.

It's all about the Benjamin's pure and simple. Myself I've been watching TV One more than BET.

I think the author of the article is right to be worried about all the junk portrayed on BET, but... What about all the other networks? Certainly BET is not the only one vomiting crap every transmission they have. Almost all programming directed to our teens is plagued with allusions to sex, sex, innuendo, materialism, kids living alone (which makes kids go: why do I have to listen to my parents?) stupidity, etc. Such shows, movies, music videos, etc, are everywhere; MTV, Hitlist, Nickelodeon, and the rest I just can't remember right now.

The truth is: As parents, WE are RESPONSIBLE to make sure our children know real life shouldn't be like celebrities say it is. We have to explain to our children that calling a female anything degrading is totally unacceptable (I believe that even includes the word "chick") That acting like a thug is going to get you treated like a thug, that how one carries him/her- self is what makes others see you in this or that light.

I know the influence of Lil' Wayne, Eminem, Snoop Dog, Britney Spears, Jack a$$, La Bam, Lady Gaga and the like (including that white boy who sings the super- stupid "College" song) is very strong, so I have to be an even bigger influence in my children's lives. I have the responsibility to show them the right way to act, the right way to speak, the right way to walk, and above all to have an open mind while at the same time knowing that some things you just have to leave out of your repertoire- filtering things that are not good for them... or anybody. But that's just me, everyone else is free to disagree.

I haven't watched anything on BET since about the late 90's. I'm 39 and nothing on there appeals to me.

I never watch BET anymore because a lot of its shows come across to me as degrading (to both black women and blacks in general) and I feel they insult my intelligence. I did watch the recent BET Awards for the tribute to MJ, but my admiration ended there.

During the awards show they took a few brief moments to honor some black people who have really accomplished something---like the three friends who made a pact to be doctors and the first black mayor of Philadelphia, Mississippi. But rest assured none of those folks will be getting their own shows.

Instead, BET's new lineup will include shows about chicks like Tiny and Toya, and Neffie and somebody...whose claim to fame is precisely what? Thanks to TIVO I was able to fast forward through all the commercials for those shows. I guess cousin Kiki, MiMi and 'Nem from around the way will be getting a show next.

Then when Tiny went onstage to accept T.I.'s award (since he was inconveniently indiposed IN JAIL), I was just too through. But my little brother promptly proceeded to school me on the fact that she deserved to be up there cuz she's his baby's mama. Really? Don't get me wrong...I kinda like T.I. and he seems to be reformed and trying to put out a positive message to youngsters. But I just feel like all sense of decorum and respectability is out the window.

To BET's credit, the other channels are no better. In my opinion MTV's show "16 and Preganant" is nothing but a glorification of teen pregnancy not to mention unsafe procreation.

I'm still under age 35, but none of this crud appeals to me as a somewhat younger person. And I agree that this type of entertainment is severely desensitizing our youth to the repercussions of poor life choices.

is bet brainwashing our kids? yes! but lets not stop there...is fox and abc brainwashing our kids? yes. is nickelodeon and cartoon network brainwashing our kids? yes.

and while we're at it, why stop at kids? my parents are in their 60's-70's and tv brainwashes them too. they think that whatever they see on tv that can be construed as "news" is real. the problem is that tv has ceased to be only a tool of entertainment, and has become an authority on reality, and a tool of government. if it is on tv, to most people it is legit. when the tv tells them to do it, the zombies do it. there have been generations of people raised on tv. the obesity rates in this country should be an indicator of how large a role tv is playing in american lives. kids have, for life, the habits that they are raised with(for the most part). why would sitting in front of the tv all day be any different? they see their parents sit around all day watching tv, so they are doomed for life(again, for the most part). I am 27 and came from a generation heavily indoctrinated in television. most of my life has been spent staring at the screen. it wasnt until I got older and saw how fat and unhealthy the people around me that were my age were getting. many of them were developing diabetes and other diseases that we were always told only old unhealthy people got, that I decided to spend more time outdoors, living life, and teaching my child to do the same. look at the rates of diseases like diabetes in youth and you can draw a direct correlation to the amount of time spent in front of the tv. the more generations that pass, and the more indoctrinated that they become, then the more tv will be watched, and play a central role in human life. also the more prevalent diseases like diabetes will become amongst our youth. the type of diet a person has who sits in front of tv all day is almost always unhealthy. the type of family that sped much time watching tv usually dont cook meals at home, opting to live out of boxes or off of fast food. they dont usually exercise regularly either. without going on and on, i think u get the point. not just bet, but tv as a whole is bad when we place too much importance on it.

Whatever keeps people in the dark on reality. It's not just BET, I mean.. the spanish word for entertainment is diversión.. and mtv, vh1, news media, radio, and basically every single form of corporate media outlet is just as culpable.

dunno know about bet, but the msm sure as hell is