Bob Johnson Strikes Again?



Bob Johnson, founder and original CEO of Black Entertainment Television(BET), said he expects to close soon on a $125 million private-equity buyout fund he started with the infamous Carlyle Group.
As a casual observer and concerned citizen, this troubles me.
I have been a longtime critic of BET for its misogyny, materialistic and general morally damaging messages, and negative stereotypes it perpetuates, but still acknowledged the significance of black ownership of a station. I had always assumed that the negative caricatures seen on most stations and in most movies would disappear if the network was black owned since a black person would frown upon the poor representation his people received, but that proved false with BET. The same violent, "angry black man" character seen every night on the evening news had become a glorified role model for black youth, and although not bearing the entire blame, BET played the catalyst for this to happen, being the only "black station". Some blamed Capitalism; others, the people. No matter the cause, all that was proven was that the bottom line carries far more weight the petty scruples of the minority of a minority. Bob Johnson further emphasized this by selling BET to Viacom in 2001, once again turning control of a major influence to black people back into the hands of white men. Nice going, Bob.
It is the above series of events that worries me about recent actions. The Carlyle Group, who own around four percent of America's wealth, and are famous for such high profile associates as George Bush Sr and the Bin Laden Family, are becoming equally infamous for questionable practices and conflicts of interest. The thought of this seemingly invincible mega corporation and Bob Johnson is unsettling, especially since their stated interest is acquiring small to medium sized businesses. I don't mean to insult Mr. Johnson since I have no insight to his intentions, but teaming up with the Carlyle Group for this buyout fund sounds like bad news for black people.
To the average man, Johnson's expertise is in business, but to the businessman, his expertise is in black people. His network, like his banks and other business, target minorities- something his financial success shows him to be good at. Now he is partaking in his biggest venture yet, combining with the Carlyle Group to buyout smaller businesses. To many small business owners,the idea of a larger corporation buying them out sounds great, but I see only negative side effects from this. I assume Johnson will follow his previous patterns and target minorities, who are in this particular case, minority owned businesses. I see this investment being as successful as his others, which means steadily, black owned businesses will become white owned businesses. Its said in business that he only color that matters is green. But in America, business ownership translates into circulated income, or lack thereof, for a poverty stricken people. Black people are earning lots in wages, but almost none of it is spent on black businesses, and the cycle of poverty continues. Less black business means less black wealth. Johnson sees the potential profit, but I only see a great disservice to Black America. Support your community first, and all the neighborhood benefits. Its a principle America has preached for years, regarding American made products and outsourcing. Yes, in business green is the only color that matters, but Life is more than business transactions, so green isn't all I see.


2 comments:

  1. Anonymous12.3.08

    You know what I learned in my speech class, that all of these stations are owned by viacom.

    MEDIA NETWORKS

    BET NETWORKS

    BET

    BET J


    MTV NETWORKS

    ATOMFILMS

    ADDICTINGGAMES

    CMT

    COMEDY CENTRAL

    GAMETRAILERS

    HARMONIX

    LOGO

    MTV

    MTV2

    MTVN INTERNATIONAL

    MTVU

    MTV TR3S

    NEOPETS

    NICKELODEON - NICK JR.

    NICK AT NITE

    NOGGIN

    PARENTSCONNECT

    QUIZILLA

    RHAPSODY

    SHOCKWAVE

    SPIKE TV

    THE N

    TV LAND

    VH1

    VH1 CLASSIC

    VH1 SOUL

    VIRTUAL WORLDS

    XFIRE



    FILMED ENTERTAINMENT

    PARAMOUNT PICTURES CORP

    PARAMOUNT PICTURES

    DREAMWORKS STUDIOS

    PARAMOUNT VANTAGE

    MTV FILMS

    NICKELODEON MOVIES

    HOME ENTERTAINMENT



    GLOBAL REACH

    BRAND INDEX



    DANCELIFE ON MTV SHREK THE THIRD

    BRAND INDEX
    A list of the unique and varied brands in the Viacom family



    MEDIA NETWORKS
    Atom Entertainment
    AddictingGames
    Shockwave
    AtomFilms


    BET Networks
    BET
    BET J
    BET Gospel
    BET Hip Hop
    BET Event Productions
    BET Pictures
    BET On Blast
    BET Mobile
    BET International


    CMT
    CMT Pure Country
    CMT Loaded
    CMT Mobile
    CMT Radio
    CMT On Demand


    COMEDY CENTRAL


    GameTrailers
    GT Marketplace


    GoCityKids


    Harmonix


    Logo
    AfterEllen.com
    AfterElton.com
    365gay.com




    MTV Networks
    MTV
    MTV Jams
    MTV Hits
    MTV Books


    MTV Tr3s


    MTV2


    MTVN International
    TMF (The Music Factory)
    Game One
    Flux
    VIVA
    QOOB
    MTV OVERDRIVE
    Lazona.com
    MTV Boombox
    MTV Revolution


    mtvU
    mtvU.com
    College Media Networks
    RateMyProfessors.com


    Neopets


    Nick at Nite
    Nick Jr.
    Noggin


    Nickelodeon
    Nick GAS
    Nicktoons Network


    Nickelodeon Consumer Products
    Nick Arcade


    ParentsConnect


    Quizilla


    Rhapsody


    Spike TV
    Spike Filmed Entertainment


    The N
    The Click


    TV Land


    VH1
    VH1 Classic
    VH1 Soul
    VHUno
    Vspot


    Virtual Worlds
    Virtual Hills
    Virtual Laguna Beach
    Virtual Pimp My Ride
    LogoWorld


    Xfire


    FILMED ENTERTAINMENT
    Paramount Pictures Corporation
    DreamWorks Studios
    MTV Films
    Nickelodeon Movies
    Paramount Home Entertainment
    Paramount Pictures
    Paramount Vantage

    (found at http://www.viacom.com/ourbrands/brandindex/Pages/default.aspx)

    and I would think that the station would share the same opinios on things as the CEO. well if every station that any person man, woman, child, teenager, white black, or mexican watches is owned by 1 company, that would make the man in charge pretty damn powerful. and noone knows who he is. Well his name is Sumner M. Redstone. and if you don't like how good old Sumner is running things then go to the next in charge and get them to overrule him and run him out who is that, none other then his daughter Shari Redstone Vice chair of the board. I know this doesnt have much to do with the topic, I just thought it was interesting but give Bob johnson a break, he is an american. We live and breath capitalism in this country. and if this man is trying to retire with his 40 acres and a mule then I don't blame him, he was never making the real decisions anyway he (and we) just thought he was.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous12.3.08

    that was posted by Farren!

    ReplyDelete