BET Protests: a little misdirected?

Check out this Monday New York Times Arts story.

What the protests were all about:

“The campaign is not anti-BET campaign nor an anti hip-hop campaign,” Mr. Coates said, but a broader attack on damaging stereotypes. Viacom has been the first target because of its visibility, he said, and because BET is the premier channel for black content.

Opposition to what they’re doing:

“Standards is a coded way of exerting control on free expression,” said Todd Boyd, a professor of critical studies at the School of Cinematic Arts at University of Southern California. “People are less interested in broad representation than in hand-picking the images they approve of.”

Julian Bond, the chairman of the N.A.A.C.P., said in an interview that he applauded Mr. Coates and defended him against critics like Courtland Milloy, a Washington Post columnist who called Enough Is Enough’s methods “Taliban-ing.”

“I believe everything is permissible in speech and imagery,” Mr. Bond said. “It doesn’t mean that I can’t object to it.” In a still-segregated society, he said, people often get their ideas about other groups from what they read, see and hear.

And now, my opinion: I think it’s a little ridiculous to protest a station because of its content. Television is a medium supported by viewers and advertisers, if people didn’t like these kinds of images, they wouldn’t watch. If nobody watches, no advertisers will give the station money. The problem lies with people’s tastes, which you obviously can’t protest.

It really says something about society when all people want to hear about is money, drugs and sex. You can decide what that means for yourself. Still, people will always protest unnecessarily. The important thing is that you yourself don’t support these images and disassociate yourself with groups that do, then it won’t be a problem.

- Stephen

It’s Almost Affordable Cavalli Day!

Broke fashionistas: the wait is almost over. H&M’s line designed by Roberto Cavalli is set to go on sale this Thursday. Make sure to wake up bright and early to get in line. Remember how quickly Stella McCartney and Karl Lagerfeld’s stuff sold out? It’s going to be that x10.

So far, it’s looking like classic Cavalli – mucho sexy with some daring safari prints. Eric Wilson’s been bitching and moaning about the line, but how could he ever truly understand the power of the leopard print on the female figure?

I have my eye on a short black leather (or pleather? Who knows!) studded jacket. Needless to say, I’m excited.