BET tries to educate children

JaJae · 08-13-2007, 01:36 PM

*NWS* Language

YouTube Video

I saw this and have to say I laughed. It was pretty absurd.

Here is a review of the video:

Innovative, groundbreaking, this record needed to be made

Mr. Armah has cleverly given black American youth the positive message they need without sounding corny or preachy. He is telling our young people what they need to hear. Quiet as its kept, Mr. Armah is simply telling us to do all the things that Bill Cosby is trying to tell us to do, only in a different more "hood-palatable" format. If our church and community leaders can get past the explicit language and take time to listen to the timely and ironically positive message, this song will do for the black community what rap was originally intended to do!!!!

What does everything think? Good for the black community or bad?

I have mixed feelings on it. The messages are good, but the format it is presented was bad. The words used and the way it was presented signifies a major problem the video failed to address.

motivez · 08-13-2007, 01:42 PM

I laughed.

I dunno that I'm in any position to say whether or not it's "good" for the black community, but I think the messages are positive and this is the type of stuff kids respond to today.

I've never had a problem with cursing, I chuckle at people who are so deeply offended by words that they freak out upon hearing them.. most kids don't think it's a big deal either.

If it gets kids to read, brush their teeth, wear deodorant, buy land, etc.. who cares about the format really?

JaJae · 08-13-2007, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by motivez

If it gets kids to read, brush their teeth, wear deodorant, buy land, etc.. who cares about the format really?

Fair point.

ballz2wallz · 08-13-2007, 02:49 PM

Originally Posted by motivez

If it gets kids to read, brush their teeth, wear deodorant, buy land, etc.. who cares about the format really?

Certainly those are the most important things or goals in trying to have someone change their lives?

What is most important is a change of heart, and that includes self-respect, self-awareness, and an overall presentation of oneself as a decent and respectable person. Good hygiene or investments will come when a person has a change of heart for the better, when they actually begin to care about their well-being, of their present and future.

That said, the format of reaching these kids should be representative of the ultimate goals of self-change they are trying to achieve, not catering to the very things that keep them in the gutter.

I think format of delivery of a message is just as important as the message...this merely suggests that htey can be decent respectable persons of society while still acting like thugs

That's just not true.

motivez · 08-13-2007, 02:53 PM

So, cursing and liking rap / hip-hop makes one a thug?

ballz2wallz · 08-13-2007, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by motivez

So, cursing and liking rap / hip-hop makes one a thug?

No. Nor did I say it makes one a thug. But if they act like a thug, one such as myself can say they are 'acting like a thug', as I did in my previous post.

Is it respectable to have such often use of foul language?

motivez · 08-13-2007, 03:03 PM

It doesn't bother me at all, I think people are conditioned to feel a certain way about it.. it's just another means of expression

Certainly if it's aimed at someone it is offensive, but that's true of any word that can be used as an insult

ballz2wallz · 08-13-2007, 03:06 PM

Originally Posted by motivez

It doesn't bother me at all, I think people are conditioned to feel a certain way about it.. it's just another means of expression

Certainly if it's aimed at someone it is offensive, but that's true of any word that can be used as an insult

In our culture, in today's society, the use of foul language on a regular basis is not smiled upon, whether it be going for an interview, in a business meeting, in the work place (unless you know the people well, but certainly not as much around your boss), etc. In Ireland, sure, it's different, but we're not talking about the Irish culture, are we?

Notice too that I specify the use of foul language often. Have I cussed in front of my boss? Sure. Is it a regular occurrence? Not even close.

motivez · 08-13-2007, 03:42 PM

I just don't view cursing as some sort of negative thing on its face. I realize the social norms that most people want everyone to conform to, I'm not denying that at all..

I'd still prefer something like this benefit kids (though I doubt its effectiveness) with the cursing than to not have anything.

ballz2wallz · 08-13-2007, 04:22 PM

Originally Posted by motivez

I just don't view cursing as some sort of negative thing on its face. I realize the social norms that most people want everyone to conform to, I'm not denying that at all..

I'd still prefer something like this benefit kids (though I doubt its effectiveness) with the cursing than to not have anything.

I just think it says 'it's ok to act like a degenerate while trying to not be one'.

Linzyhop · 08-13-2007, 04:51 PM

I cuss a lot, but I curtail it in situations that call for it to be curtailed. I don't cuss infront of kids. I think cussing infront of kids is horrible.

Sure, it's just a word, but to adults it is. to a child, it isn't, and a child not knowing the proper use of said word, and using it in other instances isn't something I would look upon favorably.

It just ads more ways for children to be disrespectful as they grow up when they hear their parents or close adults swearing around then often. in the real world, swearing is looked upon disfavorably by the majority, and you certainly want to show children how to make good impressions, not ruin a first impression by swearing and putting themselves in a bad light right off the bat.

quick story: my mom and I were just staying on a resort outside of Playa del Carmen. it has a bus that runs on the hour every hour to and from Playa. there is a specific place in Playa where the bus drops you off and picks you up. you wait in line for the bus at this place. the bus can only fit so many people so if you get there early you are guaranteed a seat on the bus. if you get there too late, you might have to take the next one.

so my mom and i were waiting, maybe 15 people back, when one woman and her husband and two kids try to push into the front from the side. people start grumbling about it, as everyone obviously has been waiting and this woman thinks she can cut in front. some people say that someone should say something to her, so i say outloud, "the end of the line is back there, we've all been waiting, thank you".... the husband proceeds to move to the back of the line, and the woman grabs him to keep him right there.

as the bus pulls up, and people start boarding, another bus pulls up behind it for the extra people. instead of the woman going to the other bus, she still tries to get on the first one, and no one lets her in. my mom has a little trouble walking, so the woman and her kids cut infront of us. I say something about her cutting infront of us and she turns around and screams at me "there's another god damn bus".

and I say calmly back to her, "that's not the point you just cut in front of us after we've all been waiting. it's very rude".

as she's boarding the bus infront of us -with her 3 yr old holding her hand-, she says back to me "and where the fuck are you from you fucking bitch?"

i say, "from somewhere where people treat eachother with respect"

she shut up pretty damned quick to that. and my mom pipes in, "way to teach your child great values"....

pretty funny I think, but sad in a way she doesn't even think about how she's putting an impression on her kid.........

RMNIXON · 08-13-2007, 07:27 PM

"hood-palatable"

Is this any better for Kids than the sugar coating on cereal?

Far worse?