BET Sambos
 

Me and my chapter were discussing the entire Step Off thing. Do you feel we were dealt inappropriately. They highlighted us shuffling and jiving for 2 minutes each day w/ 10 seconds to tell what we're about. Do you think they used us?

I've have a thread on this topic on the Sigma board. Don't get me started.


Blueknowledge

Now after its all said and done I feel dirty, used, taken advantage of. I know I was telling people to watch. Why?
I say we demand a greek week (9 days), where they highlight orgs each day w/ a special about each. 30mins BET can spare.

Sambos??
 

As a member of the Nu Xi Zeta stepteam, I didn't feel like a SAMBO on stage last night. I'm sorry that you felt like we were "shucking and jiving" onstage. I felt like we represented the women of Zeta Phi Beta in a very positive light and not only does our stepping represent that, but so does my graduate chapter's actions back here in the Alexandria, Virginia community. Each organization was given about a minute to speak about their community service, history and signature programs. Granted this is not alot of time, and I do agree that we should demand a greek week that really goes into depth about all of our organizations.

Sisterly,
Soror Malica Ahmad

I apologize for the way my comment sounded. I was not referring to you all who performed but more to the greek community as a whole. You all did me & I'm sure everyone else proud. We had to have representation & I'm glad that you all were our representatives. Congratulations on the victory I knew you'd win from day one.

It's NOT YOU, but BET.
 

I want to be clear: I do not feel as though the steppers were being Sambo on stage; however, in the ONE time I watched the event, it was pretty clear, to me, that BET was and ARE exploiting BGLOs. They give us 2 minutes to step and yet they promote it as a large event. This was done to drive up ratings - nothing else. We were placed in a marginalized position in their broadcast and relegated to "filler" entertainment status. In other words, we were an upgraded version of their free style rap battle contest. Our organizations are better than that and we deserve more - much more.

Sorry, I feel that BET exploited the NPHC. After all, what would you call giving 5 minutes of a 90 minute broadcast for steppers? Geez, if they replaced one of those videos with the a step display, then we could have represented in a more thorough fashion. Nevertheless, this whole incident has only reinforced why I don't watch Master Charlie's BET network.

Blueknowledge

there is a comment on this same thread on the Alpha page from a middle school teacher that you all should read.

What is entertainment?
 

Speaking from my background as a producer, director, and communication professional...here are my thoughts

I don't know how much research you have done on Sambos, uncle toms, bucks, mammies and coons...suggested viewing for those interested is a piece called "Ethnic Notions". But, to infer the stepping was a form of samboism in this arena is grossly inaccurate.

Let's be fair here. 106th and Park is an entertainment program. Nothing more. Nothing less. It is not their responsibility to paint the picture of societal values for the viewing audience. That is NOT their interests. PERIOD. They had no intention of changing their programming format to accomodate the interests of the D9. Why would they? They did not drop the countdown from their programming. Where would the additional time come to have a show about greek life. ANSWER...there was no time for that, without changing the format. And that was NOT going to happen. That is the BUSINESS of television. You do not change the format of your show to accomodate a small viewing audience. BTW, the 106th and Park demographic consist of PRE-COLLEGE students.

If a sitcom shows a D9 team stepping in the natural ambience of a scene, do you think they are going to write into the storyline the orgin of stepping and the purpose behind the D9? NO, absolutely not. THATS OUR JOB...NOT theirs.

If we choose to participate, thats another story. At the end of the day, I think BET's 106th and Park did about as much as they could to allow the representatives an opportunity to highlight what the organizations felt were important, BET.com provided links on their website to D9 sites for more information about each organization. And hopefully what 106th and Park got in turn was increased viewership and online participation through what was only for their purposes added entertainment...(stepping).

And hopefully what the D9 got in turn was an opportunity to speak favorably about our organizations and put on a show that represented each organization.

PLUG...;) My Sorors of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated represented truly as Finer Women on both occasions! You made us very proud! I could not ask for anything more! :):):):):)
5 for you!

well put soror. My question is that since they had increased viewership wouldn't it be the same w/ a special. Their programming seems to rotate with specials they have.

They did n't really change the format. The only thing that made the program special was they added an additional act to their show. The acts they added are from a group of viewers(D9 and interests) who are not part of their demographic. To increase the viewership outside of your mainstay demographic is only temporarily a good thing. For us, the longterm implications are greater. We all know based on that 2 minute look at D9 life judgements will be made by our adolescent youth about Black Greek life. I personally have no intentions of watching 106th and Park after the Step Offs are over.

I have a few gripes with the way the show was structured and the way bet.com failed on the mechanics end of pulling the show together. But, those are issues that are far removed from the social implications that were made in the D9's participation.

If BET.com and BET's 106th & Park decides to revisit this project again next year, I am sure they will work out those issues.

Isn't it prosperous to enlist new viewership. I just think that they could expoit our pride by a program in a weak time slot that would be a little more informative about us. Something like cribs/how I'm living w/ a frat or sorority

well...
 

What do they gain by promoting the D9?
A business wants loyal customers...not ones who will come a few times and not return.
We are not part of their demographic and the likelihood of us returning as loyal customers (viewers) is slim at best.