Clueless star and Fox News contributor Stacey Dash made news this Wednesday when she appeared on the network’s Fox and Friends show to talk about the Oscar diversity controversy, and ended up calling for the end of the BET (which stands for Black Entertainment Television) network, the BET Awards and the Image Awards, all institutions that specialize in recognizing African Americans in entertainment. As most would imagine, the BET network was none too happy about her comments.
This Twitter response to Stacey Dash’s comments pokes at the fact that the actress appeared on The Game by showing a screen shot of her on the program. The Game aired on BET from 2011 until August of 2015. Their point being, of course, that Dash shouldn’t be calling for the end of something that’s helped to line her own pockets.
Stacey Dash did explain her opinion while on Fox and Friends. The actress believes that shows and networks that have their main focus on African American culture are self-segregating. She feels it’s hypocritical to continue institutions like BET and also call for more diversity at the Oscars. Dash also made a point to note that if there were channels or award shows that openly declared themselves to be for white people only “we’d be up in arms. It’s a double standard.”
BET also responded to Stacey Dash’s comments by issuing a statement from BET Networks Chairman and CEO Debra Lee. In the statement, Lee says that the channel was “created to give African Americans and lovers of black culture a place in the television landscape where they could consistently see themselves represented and celebrated.” The whole point, Lee says, is to recognize the contributions made by African Americans to American culture that frequently go unnoticed elsewhere.
And, Stacey Dash has already responded to BET’s comments, especially their snipe about her work on The Game, in a blog post. She pokes back at BET by noting that most people have never even heard of The Game precisely because it was on BET, and then goes on to explain her position further.
My problem goes back to the notion that every area of life needs to break down exactly according to demographic ratios except in those areas in which black people have decided they want to have their own space. I don’t have a problem with black people having their own space. I have a problem with the folks at BET absolutely freaking out when other institutions don’t match up to what they think is best…BET lies to American black people by telling them that the rest of America is racist, so stick close to your own kind. Anything that promotes segregation is bad!
Well, it doesn’t look like this feud will be over anytime soon. For now, you can read Stacey Dash’s full blog post and decide who’s right for yourself.
