http://blog.commarts.wisc.edu/2012/07/06/2012-bet-awards-black-family-reunion/ Responses to Media and Culture Fri, 12 Feb 2016 19:35:04 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.7.5 http://blog.commarts.wisc.edu/2012/07/06/2012-bet-awards-black-family-reunion/comment-page-1/#comment-224018 Wed, 11 Jul 2012 16:45:52 +0000 http://blog.commarts.wisc.edu/?p=13908#comment-224018 Al, I understand the impetus to turn it off because it’s too much foolywang. It really is. But I think those moments of rupture where we can step outside of the respectability and just act like a very familiar version of ourselves is so intoxicating for me. But you’re right: the cultural heritage and lineage is what makes it work so well.

]]> http://blog.commarts.wisc.edu/2012/07/06/2012-bet-awards-black-family-reunion/comment-page-1/#comment-223412 Tue, 10 Jul 2012 13:55:49 +0000 http://blog.commarts.wisc.edu/?p=13908#comment-223412 KW, thanks for a thoughtful piece. I must admit, I never got past the foolywang to be able to assess the BET Awards as a family reunion, but it is an apt and astute observation. One other thing that strikes me is that the BET Awards, like a family reunion (most of the time) is about being supportive. How else can we explain the support generated by Cissy Houston’s, while moving, creaky rendition of Bridge Over Troubled Waters. But more to the point, the BET Awards seems to be steeped in a (particular) notion of black heritage and knowing cultural lineage in a way that I don’t think other award shows do. It is important to honor (and remember) Frankie Beverly and Maze, just as it is important to showcase Chris Brown and resurrect D’Angelo – because they are part of our cultural heritage.

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