Teairra Mari’s “Sponsor” video was banned by BET for glorifying gold diggers and teaching young women to get paid for sexual relations when it first came out in April. After receiving a large amount of negative press and criticism from fans, BET reconsidered and the video is now played on their station. Ciara’s “Ride” video which has been recently released has also been banned by BET. The reason being for its sexual movements and lyrics. This has yet to be confirmed and most likely BET will back down because of the reaction but there is still a lot to discuss here. When Teairra’s video got banned, many believed that it was because of a great big double standard. Is that the case? Does BET have favorites? What is going on here?
I do not wrong BET for banning those two videos. If we have to be honest we can all admit that the videos do as they say. Ciara’s video is sexual and Teairra’s talks about having a sponsor which could include a sponsor for sexual relationships. But, if BET were to ban videos for these reasons, what happens to all the other videos they show now? Rihanna’s “Rude Boy,” for example. No one can deny the sexuality of the video, the song and even Rihanna herself. Not only that but her dressing leaves little to the imagination. Ciara’s “Love, Sex, Magic” video was banned last year for the showing of butt chicks among other reasons.
BET claims to be a family friendly station but that is something that it is definitely not. Many of the videos they choose to show are sexual or ‘promote prostitution’. Male artists are fond of acting out sex scenes, having strippers and hoes in their videos and video vixens have made a name for themselves. These male artists may choose to throw money at the strippers in the video or are seen making purchases and spending money on their co stars. That, however, has not been a problem and BET continues to show their videos. Beyonce may not do a ride video but she has started a trend with her leotards and barely ever wears clothes in her videos. Nicki MInaj has become a sex symbol and has lyrics about putting her p***y on people’s sideburns but BET continues to show her videos. Lil Wayne wants to f*** every girl in the world but that’s fine, so much so that he can have his daughter and her young friends dancing on stage while he performs. Trey Songz is busy inventing sex and letting the neighbors know his name but no one is complaining. His “Invented Sex” video is probably as close to porn as any video has come but BET has no problem with that. They allow him to perform his music knowing that he has young listeners. The list goes on.
“Pimpin ain’t easy” but it is OK when the males do it and even some of the chart topping females. It is extremely clear to me that BET has favorites. There are certain artists that can say and do anything they desire and BET will allow it. Other artists, such as Ciara and Teairra, don’t have that liberty. I am waiting for the day when BET will ban a video of Lil’ Wayne, or Jay Z, or Rihanna, or Beyonce, or Nicki, or T.I, or Ludacris, or Kanye. Oh, I dare BET to ban a song of Kanye, I would love to be there for that conversation! Do a search on BET and see how many times you can find white artists such as Robin Thicke, Justin Timberlake and Lady Gaga. It is supposed to be a Black entertainment station. You know, by blacks for blacks? But that’s not the case. BET supports what’s popular, point blank. They will go over and beyond for those with the big money and ignore those trying to establish or re-establish themselves. Once Teairra and Ciara starts doing well, BET will be begging them to come and make an appearance.It’s the game of the strongest will survive. Even the creator of the program Sheila Jackson is ashamed of what it has become. Funny enough she is ashamed of the same things that BET claims to be banning. With all the free sex they are promoting, they have the nerves to ban somebody? Shame on you BET, seriously.
