I Was Mad At Bob Johnson: Do It for Passion or Profit?

I was going to be mad at Robert L. Johnson for selling Black Entertainment Television. Then I had time to see Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married. I noticed Perry’s signature All-Black casting. For this movie, I saw faces I haven’t seen in YEARS…YEARS!! Michael Jai White! I haven’t seen him since Spawn, Malik Yoba- Cool Runnings and NYUndercover! Then Janet, haven’t seen her since her ok performance in Nutty Professor II. And the crazy chick… she was in House Party III playing a similar role, Tasha Smith. Whether they have been in more recent successful movies or the worst productions, I saw Perry as this great resource to display his art from paper, to stage-plays, to theatres. His success has given him and others so many opportunities.

So what does this have to do with Bob Johnson? I came to a realization that people DO IT for the passion or for the profit. Reading an article in Black Enterprise interviewing Bob Johnson and his success; he was asked why he sold BET. He responds saying that BET had many outside investors…and he had obligations to give his investors the maximum return, Viacom offered the highest. And had there been a minority company willing to pay as much, they could have made a deal. But there wasn’t.

So the end result, we have what some have called BET…Blacks Embarrassing Themselves. Did Bob Johnson bail out on us? For profit? What would have happened if he didn’t sell BET?
Lets talk about PROFIT. Lets make our decisions based on what our consumer demands…whatever is most profitable. T-Pain, Soulja Boy, Dream, Rhianna, and 50 Cent sells (not a group of the most talented performers, non-artists) are top selling. Real World, Survivor, Leguna Beach, America’s Next Top Model, The Real OC…high rated shows. We begin to see an increase in similar entertainment; superficial-reality shows, thug-computerized, leg insured music.

Back to BET…in its transition from B.J. to Viacom…Teen Summit, BET News, Caribbean Rhythms, Tavis Smiley begin to disappear. An increase in music videos, UNCUT (~3am), 106 & Park, College Hill, and this season’s Hot Ghetto Mess (later re-titled, “We have to do better…”) and Hell Date appear. All deemed profitable by Mr. Johnson and his trusty new owner, Viacom. In my opinion, this profitable decision, BLACK FACED the primary source of Black media that people like you and I desire to view.
Lets talk about PASSION. Lets make our decisions based on what we demand most gratifying. Maybe our educational system would be better. Lord knows our teachers aren’t doing this for the money, nor profit at that! Social workers, maybe our judicial, health care, and social security policies would take care of us more efficiently. Maybe Mos Def, Talib, and Common (solely examples…This is a later discussion) would be more respected and appreciated.

From my observation (I could be wrong, for once…but doubt it.) When I see T. Perry’s films, I feel like he is actually driven by passion. His passion led him to greater opportunities.*I’m assuming here, but he has not investors or ‘owners’ to tell him to make the most ‘profitable’ films/ plays.* I’m a jerk for this one, but I don’t think there is enough shoe polish and tap shoes in the world if BJ were to produce a film. And due to Perry’s passionate drive, he also opened doors….actually he PROPPED those bad-boys open! For more actors to perform…literally reviving Black Films.

I’m sure you BJ supporters are saying, ‘wait! BJ gives opportunities.’ I’m sure he does/is. Real estate, the Bobcats, gaming-entertainment business in the Caribbean (I wonder if there is cheaper labor in the islands…) are his new projects with RLJ Developments L.L.C. These are new great things to do and all, but will this passion for profit place Johnson’s new developments in the hands of the ‘top buyer’ like the BET situation. Or will Johnson find time and use some extra energy to open a door for his own Black businessmen…no matter the sacrifice!? Not necessarily discriminating to only the Black community, but giving guidance to the success that Johnson created. We see Perry and others propping doors open…and NOT opening/selling opportunities to the HIGHEST BUYER.

I will say this, I do not know what BJ or TP’s ultimate goals are. But as of now, seeing two leading, unstoppable Black men using their success for PROFIT or PASSION…I am disappointed that BET was sold to become more PROFITABLE…instead of PRICELESS. Hey, we still have TV-ONE to depend on!

So I was mad at Bob Johnson for his profitable decision with BET, but with his new $3 Billion he has opportunity to do whatever he ‘wants to do.’ I can’t be mad him for that!

Thanks Mark for not selling off FACEBOOK; that’s what MYSPACE is for…

**Denzel Washington did not want to be in Great Debaters. In order to get the financial support to create this film, he had to star in it…so he did. His response to Tavis Smiley, “Do what you have to do, to do what you want to do.”

Trite-flection:
I was at a point of stagnation. What do I want to do with my life? Money vs. Happiness. I’ve always wanted to be in more of a creative field…I ended up Advertisement Sales (irony). Choosing my happiness/passion, may not provide me with my own place, decent clothing, paying bills/saving, New Year’s Eve in NYC…a social life. So now I have decided to ‘do what I have to do, so I can do what I want to do.’
I’ve been co-hosting an online radio show recently on Sunday evenings, and have becoming interested in starting my own show. I love people, entertainment and enlightenment. This may be an avenue to pursue happiness. And I can still do what I have to do, at the same time.

QUOTE:
“Do what you have to do, to do what you want to do.”- Great Debaters