I think if a tv station was called WET..it would probably be on at 3 in the morning....only.

isn't all television WET

This is similar to having "Black History Month" and not "White History Month." All of the other channels are presumed to be WETs.

It is; it's just that white people aren't supposed to say things like that. Didn't you get the handout on that?

It is a legitimate point but it also has legitimate arguments against it. Blacks have historically been suppressed by the white media so they decided to "fight back" with the introduction of BET. I think all spokespeople for EVERY creed are annoying personally. I mean come on! Affirmative action says that if a white man and a black man are applying for the same job the and the white man is more qualified, the black man could still get the job in order for the company to meet its hiring ratio. Is that racist? HA!

Basically, all other networks are White Entertainment Television because there are so few if any quality programming with African Americans leading the cast on those networks. On networks like ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX, you might see one African American or other minority thrown into the mix just to make the program appear racially diverse. Usually, the African American character has a minor almost insignificant role. BET and BFC (Black Family Channel) are the only networks with programming consistently targeting the African American audience (as well as other audiences). Although, both networks could use some improvement in programming, I'm still thankful for them anyways.

In short "Why is something labeled "White " racist but labeled "Black" not?". Simply put, blacks in the U.S have had no other identity other than race to identify themselves as a distinct people. Whites may trace their roots to many different ethnicities which give them a variety of labels other than race. Examples like "Irish Pub","Italian resturant","Jewish holiday","Armenian TV","French cuisine" are but a few. None are considered racist, although all are exclusively white. The label "Black" reflects the difficulty in tracing specific heritage to any one of the different peoples of Africa and is also but an adopted racial category introduced by Europeans. Formally Africans identified themselves by tribe, nation or clan, not by race. Thus the creation of the term "Afro-American" that better signifies heritage and is becoming more widely spread.

http://www.abovepolitics.com/thread218689/pg1' Here is a wonderful discussion on the whole WET issue. Enjoy!

Not only would it be unacceptable but it also would have a sexual connontation to it which: CANT HAVE THAT!!!!!! GOD FORBID!!!

Well If BET wants to start a show similar to MTV's real world, featuring an all black cast, why should MTV include a black member on their cast. Doesn't EOE apply to BET? Blacks say the other programs are not aimed to entertain them and such, but look at movies, there are black actors, and cast members. Look at sports, there are many black sports casters.

Of course it is racist. When a suggestion of White entertainment station was raised in 2005, minorities were upset and ready to march. It is just pathetic. For some unknown reason it is okay to have Black entertainment awards, tv, etc, but if whites ever even thought of that, oh my God! Major protest! Gimme a break. It is simple reverse discrimination. But we just cave in to it. Have been for years. You know Martin Luther King wanted EQUAL rights. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton have screwed that one up good, though. Good ole America.

We can have Miss Black America, but not Mis White America, we can have the United Negro College Fund, but I bet if we had the United White College Fund, Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton would have a fit. Whats fair for one is fair for the other. Its time for some of the blacks to stop being racist.

Because the whole world is a catch 22!

because black america plays the race card only when it is to their advantage. if there was a WET or a united WHITE college fund or national association for the advancement of white people; Jesse Jackson would be marching in the street along with all his other buddies who have never really had to work for a living. all in all, black people are much more racist then white people

Because popular opinion is that blacks are a subjugated minority and whites aren't. Bigotry against minorities is always seen as much worse than bigotry against majorities.

No, but I think the chanal would suck and die quite quickly.

You notice that women have an entire network but men only get the man show? I'm ignoring premium channels here so dont bring those into it:P :)

It's not that being white isn't okay or racist. It's that a majority of Americans are, in fact, white; thus, the programming on most cable and mainstream television is geared towards either a general audience, or a white audience. Being completely honest, WET is basically every other channel. As a larger (growing) minority, there are going to have to be instances where changes have to be made to adapt the differences between these cultures and interests.

She's right. If a channel were "WET" And we are talking the title here, It would be lashed out at as racist.

You speak a very real truth, but many will try to deny it. Have you noticed the Miss Black America pageant? The United Negro College Fund? Quotas where less qualified black students are accepted into college over more qualified ones. It's time to put race aside, but the race card is still useful to some groups, so they will hang on to it as long as it serves a purpose that benefits them.

What the hell would we put on it? White history? Umm... killing non-whites. White culture? Ehhh, too diverse. White music? If the station wanted to alienate the half of America that hates whatever genre they chose.

How 'bout the Anglo Legislative Caucus

white is the new black. It is okay for any other race to be racist to themselves a perfect example here is the "n" word. Gangster rap is PERFECTLY accpetable to perpetuate negative black stereotypes, as long as your Black. It can be done so much so that it is common place. However the second a white kid says "Nword" they are the racist. Have you ever met whites that hate other whites based on skin color? Now go listen to Chris rocks "blacks vs N*ggers" routine.. you tell me whos racist. And this isnt just blacks. Have you ever been treated crappy at a chinese or japanese restraunt while some chinese or japanses family gets royal treatment? I dont hate anyone based on their skin color. What I hate is hypocrisy. And the message we teach is it is okay to be racist, unless you are white.

This discussion reminds me of the "Million Black Men March" event that took place in the early nineties. They were headed to Washington DC. Can you imagine if it would have been a "Million White Men March" headed for Washington DC? Al Sharpton would have screamed like crazy, blasting against those "racist white supremacists".....

You bet they would. This came from a black comedian the other night. Imagine if a white person had said it: "BET" "They had to name it that because TNN was already taken."

yeah, i know. i wonder why there are'nt mixed races on,...i hope i dont get in trouble for saying it,..but...,BET,like other channels. do people segregate themselves? i'm not white or black by the way.

Because they want sympathy and people are stupid enough to give it to them. Political correctness at it's best.

Now, WET porgaming would just suck... really badly...

Because black people have been oppressed by white people for soooo long. White people have had a 400 year head start while they made blacks their slaves. All of TV is majority white. There are not many black role models for young black men and women, so that is why there is a BET!

First of all, just because the network is named BET doesn't mean that the programing is intended for Black audiences only! ANYONE who is a fan of Urban music which includes; R&B, and Hip-Hop,or those who like Hip Hop culture, and African American culture watches BET. The only reason Robert Johnson started this network in the early 80's was because Micheal Jackson was the only African American entertainer who's videos were getting played on MTV. (The last time I checked Robin Thicke, Eminem, and Paul Wall were white!) Why is everyone getting bent out of shape over a name? This network is simply celebrating the accomplishments of Black entertainers in America today. So yes, starting "White Entertainment Television" as a means of retaliation would cause an issue because, at least 75% of television and films today are already predominately white. If I'm not mistaken, BET was sold to VIACOM not too long ago, and their Chairman is a white guy. So, if the name offends you that much tell them to change it. There are way to many other important issues going on in America today to be worried about the name of an "Urban" network. Oh yeah, the UNCF was not intended for "Blacks only" either, anyone can go to college through this organization.

Why were there almost no minorities in Friends? Wasn't that show based in New York?

I feel that as long as groups isolate or identify themselves as belonging to a particular "group" then there will always be racial issues. While groups like the NAACP and United Negro College Fund do amazing work, in the long run they are in a sense continuing to segregate a portion of the population which fans the fire of racism and inequality.

I wonder if ppl rememeber the history of this station. It started out as an answer to lack of quality programing for black ppl. In a time where blacks were not repersented on television. Back then, it was an answer to racism and a place to see positive portrayals of blacks on TV. now its gone from that to what it is now. Its more of a pop-station/ music / reality TV. Like....i dunno, like Black MTV. Why do whites need WET TV then? Are they oppressed? Are ppl surprised when they come out well rounded and highly educated? Do they live in fear or racial slurs, persecution or death? Are ppl concerned about thier educatinal, health and incarceration rates? BET is not perfect and need a major overhaul, but its not the devil here.

Probably because the only show that had black people in it a few years ago was COPS.

2 words. Race card.

Has anyone ever wondered why spanish is a requirement for our children, and english is not a requirement for spanish children? While the Blacks and Whites fight and argue about stupid crap, the mexican people are slowly migrating northward. If you have ever been in Southern CA, FL, TX AZ or NM you know what I am talking about. And they have 5 channels of LTV.

I battled with myself on the issue of whether I should answer this question or not and after reading some of the answers, I couldn't help but share my opinion... I guess that in a sense, Wolfen, BET is atleast partially considered "racist"- or otherwise this question wouldn't have been asked, right? Unfortunately, I can't explain why some would take it that way but I feel comfortable saying that for Blacks to have come so far as to have the ability to network a station directed wholly to their own race, why wouldn't they? No offense to anyone, of course, but looking beyond the surface (and being as honest with yourself as possible), there are somewhat a variety of "WET" networks- MTV being at the forefront. Whether BET needs some "shaping up" is a matter of opinion, and to answer your question, it IS considered racist by society, whether admitted or not.

Legal definition According to UN International Conventions, the term "racial discrimination" shall mean any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life.[1] In other words by excluding non black artists as the B.E.T Channels in doing they are in fact LEGALLY RACIST!. John Coughlan London UK.

I don't think it's racist or separatist. I don't see any difference between BET and the GOLF channel or NASA, or CSPAN. They are geared toward an interest.

It all has to do with the fact that slavery existed before in the past. So now certain people can get away with racism, its such a shame.

BET really doesn't address race too much. They only do it on special occasions like Black History Month and MLK day. I feel like what they mostly do is enhance stereotypes of black people rather than get rid of them. I think they should take it off the air. I would be interested to see WET though. I think it'd be funny.

mostly everything ontv is WET blacks got to have sumtn 2 call our own we got to have something we can relate to sometimes

Most television _is_ white television. To call something white television wouldn't say a whole lot. . .LOGO offers gay entertainment. There are Christian channels. There's a History channel. I agree with Galeanda; channels and shows cater to an interest, sometimes (but not always) spurred by a minority group who wants expression. And again, mainstream television is already very white. . .

I'm black and I HATE BET ,because all they do is sell crap to this country about what they think black people are supposed to be like!,I say it's all a load of shit.....Any agreements?Imean ,what about the blacks who don't want to stereotyped anymore?

Yes, it's clearly rascist.

Haven't you noticed that anything by whites for whites is racist but anything by any other ethnicity is okay and not racist. Anything that is christian is bad anything that is islamic must therefore be good. If you say anything about not liking anything black or islamic then, apparently you are a religiously motived racist bigot and should be shot at dawn. However, you can say anything you want about anything white or christian and be proud of it.

I'm a little surprised no one has mentioned The Boondocks episodes that were banned from Adult Swim and apparently on all TV in the USA. http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&um=1&tab=wn&q=boondocks+banned+OR+censored&btnG=Search+News Watching the 2 episodes will give you perspective into BET. They have been shared on the Internet thanks to some Canadians who actually have freedom to watch what they want: http://www.mininova.org/tor/1248402 http://www.mininova.org/tor/1266530

This question has been asked over and over again. The answer is really simple. Every other channel is essentially "White Entertainment Television." There is no NEED nor DEMAND for a channel "for whites" as we already have hundreds of them.

I still consider b.e.t. to be racist because it shows blacks as a one demensional people who only listen to hip hop music and use slang terms. B.e.t only shows us in our urban stereotype.The images shows on b.e.t especially in music videos reminded me of a minstrel show.

Its simple white people own mostly everything and are in charge of mostly everything, each culture wants to be acknowldge and we first have to start by acknowlege ourselves. So BET isn't racist, why would black people want to watch white videos and listen to white music everyday? I don't think so

I just watched the BET AWARDS and it is a very racist channel. The Host made 'white jokes', several presenters/recipients (including Alicia Keys) gushed about how beautiful and great Black people are, even saying 'everyone wants to be like us (black)', and several times they told the audience to vote for Obama (presumably just because he is 'black', not for any policy issue). To find out if this is racist, exchange the word 'black' for 'white' and imagine it coming from white entertainers. Can you imagine Billy Crystal hosting the 'white entertainment awards' making black jokes and Celine Dion gushing about how white people were so beautiful and great & how everyone wants to be white, and every award winner implored the audience to vote for McCain (because he is white). They all would have been arrested. People say NBC, CBS, MTV etc. are in effect 'White Networks' but this is manure. MTV & the MTV awards are teeming with black people & you NEVER hear any pro-white speech which is the norm on BET. Yeah Seinfeld didn't have any black people, but how many white people were on 'Girlfriends'? Everyone give blacks a free pass on this issue because their ancestors were treated horribly in the past. But its 2008. How can we treat each other as equals when the rules are different for some?

I work at an inner city school with all black and latinos. The worst insult one kid can say to another is to call them 'white'. Everybody laughs at whoever was called white. Blacks and latinos are every bit as racist as whites. And even more so because somehow its accepted by society. A black guy can say ANYTHING HE WANTS TO about blacks or whites and get away with it. A white guy? He gets fired. (Don Imus)

WET = CNN, MTV, VHI, ABC, CBS, NBC, TLC, E!, PBS, FX, SPIKE, BRAVO, FOX, MSNBC, USA, LIFETIME, WE, STYLE, TBS, CMT...

I'd Still do it. And if I got any racist hate mail I'd simply reply with this: It's okay you can call me a cracker but I can't call you the "N" word? (Why should I have to say "The N word"????)

might have something to do with the big wigs of the television world being white and deciding there was need for "black" entertainment television. amazes me how people find that racist towards white people i find it rather racist towards black people like oh here u go this is for "ur" ppl u will like this because it says black at the front of it pfft typical sterotyping and oh dear white people feel neglected because of this :S one small tiny thing for a different race and the white man complains (rolls her eyes) id much prefer all television stations to have diversity and im white btw

For years, TV *was* all White Entertainment Television. The group in power doesn't need its own TV or month. In America, it's always been about white people, anyway.

Perhaps we are getting closer to the time in which race will not be an issue... At all. I pray for it.

Will you please donate to the United Redneck College Fund...Protests and lawsuits would pop up very quickly!

HMMMMMMM....well what makes you think that WET is considered racist??? Do they make hateful comments about other people??

This country was founded by white or otherwise Caucasion Europeans. The foundations built on their ideals, and laws by their on form of government. The television shows, major people, the richest people, the most succesful are white persons. The idea that anyone "white" would want or need to make a show called WET White Entertainment Television is pointless. It would be considered "racist" because you do not need WET if "white" people founded the country, that would lead one to believe that the white persons who created this were not accepting the fact that "Black" people have a channel or show targeted towards blacks and informing the afro-american persons. Black people are not being treated equally now, and have not since they have been forced into this country but now they are here they should be allowed to do as well as any member of society no matter what color of their skin.

There are white channels, LIKE CMT and the that FUSE show, plain and simple BET is the only way to show most of the African American programs, because, and I mean this, What other channel shows whats going on in the African American world? yah thats what I thought. and WET wouldn't be a racist channel it would show what was going on in the Caucasian community. Personally I think that every ethnicity should have there on channel so that others can educate them selves on that ethicity I, for one, would enjoy that.

I think that the easiest " way out " for any minority is to "cry" racism any time something doesn't go thier way. I know there are true cases of racism but most of the time when I hear a minority "cry" racism, it is just to get get something they way. I think if these minorities would quit making everything about race it would stop being such a big deal, they give racism all of it's power by continually acknowledging it.

About 80% or more of any form of entertainment--in TV or otherwise--are white or centered around white point of view; so why should there be any need to overstate the obvious?

Because White Power, White Pride, etc. are phrases that have been adopted by the KKK. So White Entertainment Television would be presumed as some Aryan Nation programming. BET is not racist because Black stands for people's of the African diaspora and has no racist connotations. Also, mainstream TV is White Entertainment Television, in that it caters to and mostly features white people. A few minorities may be sprinkled in, but they are there as tokens in most cases and play minor secondary roles. So Black people need a channel that considers their perspective and has shows that showcase their experiences. Nothing racist about it. Just like there is nothing racist about RAI the Italian channel. It's just a spotlight on Italians and their culture. Same with BET.

if i hear this question one more time, i swear i'll scream. mainstream tv is pretty much "white". but people divide themselves, because that's how others do to. i mean, what about logo (gay), WE, lifetime (yes, because they even say it's for women-which is pretty much telling men, don't watch there won't be any sports or unnecessary naked women lol) the Christian/Catholic channels, the channels for men, asian, and spanish. that's the same thing. i hate bet, the shows are crap and knock-offs of regular tv lol, but still...this isn't really an issue, or it shouldn't be. it's stupid.

b/c white entertainment television already exists! Most of TV is geared towards white ppl. :-)

quite frankly this conversation is going the wrong direction. BET is not only racist in the fact that it portrays black people as ignorant, violent, and worthless . The fact is that i a 16 year old African American who is completely ashamed of the channel and i have found that my peers who freqently watch the channel are nearly as ignorant as slaves. The station indirectly defines black people's intelligence levels by what they deem as "entertaining" for blacks and by playing ignorant, disgusting, samefull trash they insult the intelligence of ever black person on the planet

LOL! WET! Think about man do you'll reallt want a company called wet

If they ever made a white entertainment channel. they should just call it White Entertainment (WE) lmao That wouldn't work out to well, because theres already a WE channel. A lot of people will think it's racist, which pisses me off. But who knows.

You're not the first to ask. Same goes for men/women. For some reason women only clubs are ok (few men want to crash a knitting circle)

because the white man is the only race that has a snese of humor yes im sorry have you noticed in alot of commercials if a wife and husband are talking the husband is a complete moron? and it JUST SO happens that the husband is white and one more thing if african americans want to be treated equaly then they shouldnt be treated specially (sorry for the spelling)

racism is only a one way street due to our awful treatment of black and red indian people in the past (i know it was a long time ago but hear me out please) it is a stigma that we as white people will have to live with for a long time.............. 200 years ago was the abolition of slavery but if you look closer in some countries around the world IT STILL GOES ON but in a slighly different way. a few examples are: child labour in India & China (and many other countries) trafficking of young teenage girls from Eastern Europe to work as prostitutes in the West. these are ALL examples of modern day slavery which will always be remembered by victims of Racism and will always be a stigma for the white race.

i think BET is just as racist as if there was a WET because blacks want equality with whites but yet they have a network biased toward African-Americans. I thought the right thing to do was to not separate or target a certain race but integrate, so if there was a W.E.T. you know there would be controversy.

What a whole TV chanel that celebrates blacks in this day and age. How do they get sponsors? Black viewers, Black consumers, Black voters. Whites ruled the airwaves for years. The only ones calling either one racist are people still clinging to that mentality. sshh don't tell anyone but I heard there is a whole country full of Indians that has an entire hold on mass media. They even have the nerve to call it BallyWood.

This is bullshit. BET is racist. The fact that they came from Africa is irrelavent. White persons acestors came from all over Europe and they don't have a "European Entertainment Television" channel. The fact that it's called "Black Entertainment" leads to the assumption that that channel may only be for "Blacks", hence "Black Entertainment". Something should be done. Notice how the channel features primarily african americans? It leads to the statement that "BET" is solely a channel for blacks to watch and be entertained.

don't quote me on this, but im pretty sure that BET was founded because MTV would not allow blacks on their channel at one point in time. however, now they have gotten better. and also blacks at one point, were not shown on television...unless it was a white male making fun of a black man by painting his face black, and giving himself oversized lips. and what about MTVtres or ESPNdeportes for the latino americans. it was made because they also didnt feel there was anything on television that could directly relate to them or to express their culture. so would you also consider those to be racist as well? im not trying to argue, i just want someones opinion.

It is simple. Blacks are more racist than whites. Keep on blaming the whites for the hard time their grandparents had. yes it was hard being a slave, but now the US is a great country. Many countries that for example were enslaved by arabs, were set back by many years. If your grandparents were not slaves, the US will not be what it is today and you will still pick bananas and run naked in Africa. It is the society's fault for tolerating racist stations like BET and feeling some kind of a guilt. What about africa. Has anyone heard of a WET of some kind, because whites are a minority there? I think not. The question is very good.

honestly i don't know but i know b.e.t is a very racist channel and i am a black person living in a black environment and it comes to my reasoning that when people think of w.e.t they think KKK. nevertheless, black people are very capable of trying to demolish the white race. some blacks are racist not only to whites but also to their own race. imagine b.e.t during their i think 2005 or 2006 robin thicke was nominated in a particular category for the b.e.t awards many blacks were frustrated that he was one of the very few white people nominated for a song on a black station. and finally to conclude everything have you ever heard of the first Caucasian something? not a lot we usually think about the first black or even the first Hispanic to do something. if you think true and hard we[blacks] are more capable of doing things than the white society due to the recommendations we've done in the past millennium alone. that may be it. however i still think b.e.t is very racist

why whites always talkin about this think about on t.v you see a variety of white people friendly,racist,slutty,and cool on every channel you turn to any channel with blacks you turn to a channel the blacks are either dumb or all on a white mans dick they make black women look slutty and black look like they'll get there ass beat by any white men that assaulted him so why not have a channel shoowin us in a positive light

Like everything else Double Standards.

one of the best questions i have come across here. i just wish i had an answer!

Many white people do not understand American History as it pertains to Blacks, and therefore don’t understand that unlike the word white, the word black in America has cultural connotations. For most people of African descent born in America being black = being African American. African Americans and or american blacks actually have their own culture, much of which has become simply American culture. For instance all the popular music we listen to originated from African American culture. Rock and Roll, The Blues, Jazz, Gospel, Hip Hop, just to name some. Now as you pointed out, white people born in America don’t really share a common ethnic culture. A network such as BET therefore is the same as Univision or RAI (The Italian network). It’s a cultural space celebrating Black American culture. It is not a racist propaganda vehicle preaching how Blacks are superior to other races. Unfortunately, white supremacists have embraced the word White or hijacked it I should say, to push an agenda of white superiority. When you hear white power! It is not the same as black power! Black power was a rallying cry to give oppressed blacks a sense of purpose and pride, but not at the expense or through hating others like the cry of white power! Besides, white people are already well represented in the major media on TV and in the movies and on magazines. Mainstream things feature white people and their point of view predominantly. If blacks, latinos, or asians wish to see their point of view or see themselves in major roles they have to make that happen. That's why many cultures, you notice, not just blacks have their own magazines, networks, movies, and so on. There is nothing racist about that.

I remember a caribana festival in Toronto where a lot of the youth had T shirts that said "You wouldn't understand. It's a black thing". . Until we ALL become truly color blind, we will continue to have problems.

The WET channel would suck. It would just be a lot of NASCAR, Golf, waltzes, and lame shit like that.

Actually, Spock's brain, all black people are originally from Africa. They ended up in the US, the Caribbean, and Europe through slavery.