Want to know what happened to College Hill? Some of you may have been fans of the BET’s hit show College Hill which was like a Black “Real World” with college students from a different HBCU every year. College Hill received huge amounts of criticism from the black community; Alumni and parents sent e-mails and called the various universities disappointed over the way HBCU’s were portrayed. It has been rumored that the show will not be continued because of the negative stereotype the show gives Black students and schools.
According to the BET network during the shows second season Langston University along with some other HBCU’s complained over the negative attention the show was producing. They stated “We are not denying this type of thing goes on," David Stevens, national president of the Langston University Alumni Association said, "but we are questioning what are the motives behind presenting many of the negative aspects without showing the good that goes on." “Hudspeth said the show presents stereotypical images of black people. "BET represents the merchandising and exploitation of stereotypical and oftentimes destructive behavior of black people for the benefit of profit", he said. Cast member Idesha Browne from the Virgin Island season stated that "everyone has to take into consideration that this is TV."” Wikipedia
I don’t know how you guys feel but I’m actually disappointed that the show is off air. I know I say a lot of negative things about reality TV shows and the message it sends to viewers but regardless of the way I feel these shows are still thriving. Why is it that the one Black television show gets canceled because of the drama and partying but its okay for people on other shows to look like idiots? Reality television itself is a negative interpretation and distorted view of how people in actual society live, so why all of a sudden is this a big deal? What do you think? Does college hill give viewers the wrong interpretation of HBCU’s?
I always found myself asking that question. Why is it okay for people of other races to go onto reality shows and act a fool, but the minute it specifically calls attention to the black community, it's a wrap. I believe that it's time to stop pulling the race card and become responsible for your own actions. If a person does something stupid it is because of their own thought process, not because their black and everything they do shines back on the black community. The only reason why people are allowed to say, "look at those black people acting a fool" is because of this type of stuff. We are so worried about one of our own making us look bad that we forget that we have the power to do something positive. Take what you discourage about their actions and enforce a program in the community. Find a way to pull children from the TV watching and feeding into these shows and teach them how to make their own successful shows. We are not a helpless race, but we sure do show signs of weaknesses when someone gets out of place. I encourage one to stop putting a negative statement out with everything they see bad and look at it as an opportunistic advantage. Take these reality stars that are so popular for being controversial and show them helping the community. It is not impossible to turn a sour situation sweet.
ReplyDeleteI agree however to a certain extent. As a college student attending an HBCU, I can attest to the fact that this is what goes on with college students; however, yes, it can be debated whether or not is should be shown on television, but if i can recall each season there was an aspect of the show when they cast would do something to give back to the commuity.
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