The phrase "read a book" can either be an optimistic public service announcement
or a sharp diss to one's intelligence. Some critics say BET accomplishes the latter in their
"satirical" cartoon segment,"Read a Book."
This is no Reading Rainbow - in lieu of LeVar Burton, gently intro'ing a story, the BET cartoon has a rapper barking, Lil Jon style, "Read a mothafuckin' book!" Since the animated spot debuted in late July, it has been criticized for its procession of negative black stereotypes, from a machine gun that shoots books, to the word "book" emblazoned across bouncing animated booties. It's drawn ire from Hot 97 host Miss Jones and the Los Angeles Times alike, and has sparked a furry of dialogue and controversy online - the place where fires go to start. Monday (August 27), Denys Cowan, senior VP of animation for BET, told the New York Times, "It's meant to be very satirical, and in a real way kind of mimics
and mocks the current state of hip-hop and hip-hop videos."
Watch the unedited cartoon below. So what do you think: is it BET's special brand of offensive, or smart and humorous satire?
August 27, 2007 @ 1:05 pm
BET Cartoon: It's No Reading Rainbow
Critical call BET "Read a Book" cartoon offensive; channel reps say it's meant to be a joke.
Article tags: BET, Read A Book
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