TWO SNAPS UP AND A write on to Holly Bass for her commentary (“Why BET Sucks,” 3/8). I applaud her spunk and resourcefulness in getting published, but her article seems to ignore some of the realities of the marketplace. For example, she decries the inane, inept BET format as shallow and complains truly good programming is not hyped. That’s true. Too few positive black images are promoted on the cable station or media in general, including Washington City Paper, which would much rather trumpet a “Why Something Sucks” headline than explore a piece of uplifting journalism on black people. I’m not being sensitive here. I’m simply saying the same market forces that drive the publisher of your piece to feature tough-minded, kick-butt commentary are the same forces that keep BET chained to schlock that we black folks, unfortunately, eat up. The solution, however, is to lobby for better programming. Now that BET is established, it’s time it gets off whatever laurels it rests on and produce some significant programming on a regular basis. Keep writing, Ms. Holly. Yours is a valuable voice in our Diaspora. We need more communicators who are willing to rock the boat—or sink the mutha, if necessary.

Department of Journalism

Howard University

via the Internet