What follows is an email response from Reginald Hudlin of BET concerning their recent “Hip Hop vs America” round-tables, specifically “Am I My Sister’s Keeper?”. Sharon Pendana makes important points about content and Black female responses to BET.
Reggie Hudlin responded immediately…
Dear Ms Pendana:
I’m glad to hear the show is having its desired effect. To be sure, we have no intention of stopping. That’s why we did a follow up to “Hip Hop vs America” in the first place.
I hope you also saw “Fashion Blackout” an news special we did in response to the absence of women of color on the runway.
We will continue to create forums for black women to discuss the triumphs and tragedies of our lives. thank you for your support.
Rh
—– Original Message —–
Sent: Tue Jul 08 14:48:25 2008
Subject: The depiction of women of color
Dear Ms. Lee and Messrs Hill, Hudlin and Brown,
By now I’m sure you’ve been inundated with responses to BET’s airing of “Am I My Sister’s Keeper?” The dialogue is continuing on post-broadcast and those who weren’t able to watch on TV are flocking to the website. Thank you for making this step. Please don’t let it end here. Just as we wait with baited breath for the arrival of Vogue Italia’s “Black” issue on American shores with hopes that it will be the impetus for change in the underrepresentation of women of color and not just a mid-summer “bone-throw,” we hope the segment is just the beginning of a revolution in the presentation of Black women in general, but certainly in our own camps.
Empowered Black women and men raise empowered Black children and build strong, emboldened communities. Your individual achievements give powerful testimony to the awesome potential that is unlocked when one is given the chance to ascend to one’s greatness rather than hover in mediocrity or worse still, resign to the lowest common
denominator.
In this exciting time of change and real possibility of our country embracing its first Black president, I look forward to bearing witness to continued progress at “our” network, BET.
Respectfully,
Sharon Pendana
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sharon pendana
stylist + costume designer
sharonpendana.com