BET Sambos

legacypbs · #1 05-08-2002, 10:30 AM

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?

BigChill06 · #2 05-08-2002, 10:57 AM

In a way they did use us, but I feel that overall it generated a buzz for BGLO's. Thus generating a buzz for college. It's kind of like the TV show "A Different World", which certainly stimulated a desire for many young black people to want to attend college. (at least it did for me!)

I know that it had a positive effect on our youth because I am a Middle School Teacher. All of the kids talk about BET and 106 & Park all day long. I teach Computer Technology and you wouldn't believe how many students wanted to vote on BET.com. Many of these kids that have never been exposed to a stepshow or the whole Fraternity/Sorority movement may now aspire to attend college just to see it or be a part of it. Of course they don't see the true purposes of these organizations, but they saw enough to generate interest.

So, I think that we were used; but in a positive way.

PrettyKitty · #3 05-08-2002, 11:03 AM

I definitely agree BigChill

kitten03 · #4 05-09-2002, 12:58 AM

Well...AJ said it best...

I'm paraphrasing

"I know a whole lot of girls are going to want to pledge after seeing this"

What is disturbing to me about it from a non member perspective, is how little was known and how disrespectful the hosts were to the organization. I mean the above statement from AJ and I saw Free through up a sorority sign before a comercial break. They refered to membership intact as pledging, showed little interest in the historical perspectives offered on the organizations and were obviously more interested with the stepping. So with all that said, from my SF perspective BGLO's were used to raise ratings and revenue for BET. It's really sad

The Original Ape · #5 05-10-2002, 09:30 AM

Yeah it put us on tv, but who gained the most from it? They captured ratings and advertising dollars; what did WE get? The time they gave us had to be shared with over-ran videos, and this greatly reduced the time we needed to introduce our organizations to the audience. I know the purpose of our presence was to step; but ALL bglos make positive contributions to this country, and BET blew a big chance to showcase that fact. It's sad to see all the controversy and fierce competition on Greekchat and other chat forums centering who won or who shoulda won. Alot of people seem to miss the point of it all. I think you showed alot of wisdom with the title to this thread, cause all BET did was give some dogs a bone and watched 'em fight for it.

Blueknowledge · #6 05-10-2002, 04:25 PM

I want to be clear: I do not feel as though the steppers were being Sambos 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, 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

sophistAKAtion · #7 05-10-2002, 08:16 PM

I fully agree with you Blueknowledge. I watched the episodes, no doubt, to see the organizations skills that were displayed for millions to see, but when each were only given a couple of minutes to show "their best steps", I felt each organization was snubbed, especially when asked to give a "brief background" on their organization. I felt that only GDI's were the only people were entertained, that goes for my campus at least. Greeks on the yard at my scool, pretty much were upset with how the step off was set up, especially when they wanted to jude this week's step off Apollo style when most of the people in the crowd were non-greek and really don't know what criteria fulfills a true step show. Why couldn't AJ and Free have a sit down interview with each organization before the step off? Of course, our organizations are not entertainers, but we sure do do alot more for the community than most of them in their whole career. Exposure, we did not need, since the many programs, service, and events that our organizations sponsor are known by many, but for those who did not know, 106 & Park could have given our orgs that time to do so. So, exploitation it was. BET, maybe should have their hosts do their research on Greeklife before the stepoff occured. I mean I received several emails, informing me of the BGLO Step Off on 106 & Park, and one would think they would come tight with the show they were to put on. I know I was only disappointed that our television station did not come through like it should have, especially when dealing with organizations that have come to shape and mold the Black community since their founding.
Peace & Blessings

Big Poppa Ice · #8 05-12-2002, 10:39 PM

We can look at it two ways:

On one hand, we got pimped, by a fellow NPHC Brother (Massah Bob) at that. I took it as a slap in the face that rather than give the Deltas, Zetas, and SGRhos any significant talk or step time, they interviewed the most ignorant group they could find (The YinYang Twins) for like 20 minutes.

On the other hand, the exposure can't be a bad thing. I know as a 10 year old, I was watching A Different World and School Daze, two of my major inspirations to find out more about HBCUs and Alpha Phi Alpha. If we reach some kids who would have had no interest in going to college or BGLOs, we've done some good...

legacypbs · #9 05-13-2002, 02:45 PM

Knowledge made a good point. Advertisers saw what power the NPHC has. We should be able to take that and turn it into something good. We should be able to get stepcorrect aired, greekfest aired, etc. The power of the NPHC is now known by those with the money. They question is, what is our next step?

The Original Ape · #10 05-13-2002, 06:24 PM

suggest they change their focus as it pertains to programming,or,...
convince them to offer shares, and facilitate the purchase of those shares by African-Americans, or,...

finish this

Riley · #11 05-15-2002, 04:52 PM

What everyone said was true. As a sisterfriend I have done a lot of research on the organiztion that I am interested in. But for those who are just starting to explore it barley wet their lips. I agree BET did it just for the money, but what do you expect?? Big companies never do anything without them benefiting to the utmost degree. If BET felt the "stepshow" wouldn't be big they wouldn't have done it. Now it is time to flip the script on them. Go to the companies that spend $$$ to advertize on BET, especially those who sposor 106th and Park and Rap City and such. Have them support step fest and other events like that. Use them them like the healthcare industry uses pharmaceutical co. But remember those advertisers must feel that they are benefiting as well. You do not get something for nothing.

narcissist1906 · #12 07-22-2002, 07:04 PM

I dont know i could be wrong, but didnt the leaders of out BLGOs ask its members to boycott BET at the Philly Conference last year? I thought it was funny that BET hosted a "stepshow" and actually had individuals representing each organization. I would have to agree with all who felt (feel) that BET exploited black greeks when they held their "so-called" stepshow. I dont think individuals who "now" want to pledge, after seeing the 106&park performances, will be doing it for the right reasons. That 10sec history that was given couldn't fully represent our great organizations. I was really disappointed that our organizations didnt stick to what was agreed upon by our leaders.
(Please excuse any spelling or grammar errors)

The Golden Narcissist