PHOTO: YBF
BET's 106 & Park devoted its entire Thursday episode to the issue of teen bullying. British soul phenom Marsha Ambrosius was one of the guests and brought some visibility to LGBT concerns by premiering her fantastic new video for "Far Away." The beautiful ballad—preview and download at iTunes—is backed by an' amazing music video that presents two Black gay men in love, and explores homophobia in the black community, gay-bashing and LGBT youth suicide. The video has gone viral and has created major buzz.
"It means everything to me It means a lot to have it premiere on BET. '" said Marsha. '"It's important because many of these voices don't get heard and these stories are not told. ... You hear too many things on the news about teens committing suicide because of their sexuality. Or just too many people committing suicide period. Too many people just don't have a voice to speak out, to reach out."
Marsha discussed that and more this week with Rod 2.0 ...
Kudos to BET for premiering the "Far Away"music video in the special anti- bullying show. The video was well-received by the studio audience. Co-host Rosci Diaz described it as "one of the most heartfelt" videos that she's ever seen. And Terrence Jenkins, the second co-host, added that the images seen in the video had "never" appeared on the show.
Watch the interview, AFTER THE JUMP ...
Great video. I had the pleasure of meeting her at 106 & Park. She is a beautiful woman, inside and out. Marsha, THANK YOU for this video!
Posted by: Taj | 15 January 2011 at 12:11
I'm glad they showed the video on BET but wondered why they had to encapsulate it within a "very special" themed 106th episode. Almost like, "See we've shown it!! Aren't we great?" Will the video be added to the countdown and shown daily? Or was this a one time airing, so that the brass could placate us and claim inclusivity? Until I see or hear (because I don't regularly watch BET) that the video reaired during an unthemed show, I believe that a one-time bone was thrown. If it wasn't, I'll eat crow (beak and all).
Posted by: TW | 15 January 2011 at 12:29
TW, well it is a "special" video. I really didn't have an issue with the show dedicating an hour to teen bullying. It's about time BET 106 & Park did something meaningful and productive. Bravo Marsha....
Posted by: Fred | 15 January 2011 at 14:01
Marsha Ambrosius brilliant! I'm glad that BET is trying to do something responsible, but I'm cautiously optimistic like the other commenters. When issues such as this can becomes a normal part of the discussion instead of having "special' attached to it, then significant changes could be the result.
Posted by: Distant Lover | 15 January 2011 at 15:44
BET will have to do far more than this to get me to return as part of their viewer-ship..
I can't stand that damn channel!
**But I will secretly watch the All New Episodes of the Game...LOL don't tell nobody ya hear!**
Posted by: Black Pegasus | 15 January 2011 at 19:51
I'm not sure if this video will make the actual countdown, but i sure hope it does. In order for this to be played on the countdown Marsha needs your votes. Go to BET.com or text "MAR" to 79922 to vote.
Even if this show doesn't cater to your particular demographic, you don't like BET, you don't like the hosts, whatever... vote anyway. Perhaps the videos content can help someone else along. BET has its flaws but airing this video more than once can be a step in a positive direction. #thatisall.
Posted by: The Truth | 15 January 2011 at 20:47
This is an important first step. I am very happy for Marsha and continue to wish her much success. I hope that BET will continue to expand on this conversation and address how black LGBT people are apart of our diverse community and a necessary piece of the puzzle to move our community as a whole forward.
Posted by: BH3000 | 15 January 2011 at 20:55
I also saw it and was very happy. But I remember on centric or somewhere that they showed a bit Marsha Ambrosius in a program I can't remember and never recalled her speaking in a British accent!
Posted by: Kevin Perez | 16 January 2011 at 07:33
Black Pegasus...you are not the only one. I tuned in to BET last week for about 45 minutes(I switched channels during the commercials of The Game.) I am, however, disappointed in the lowering of the quality. Just because it's a black show is no excuse for them not to put as much money into the show as before, especially since Viacom owns it...but this article isn't about The Game, lol(can we get one, Rod? Please?)
I guess I'll give BET props for coming into 2011 and taking one step forward...here's hoping they don't go two steps backward, after this.
Posted by: Osiris | 16 January 2011 at 07:52
Her feet look huge in those boots!
Posted by: Rod Neville | 16 January 2011 at 14:03
If we want to see this video become part of the regular countdown we have to vote it on
Posted by: Joseph Reaves | 16 January 2011 at 17:36
If BET picks up Noah's Arc like it did "The Game" then I will be fully convinced that BET is sincere.
Posted by: Distant Lover | 16 January 2011 at 20:10
i agree with Distant Lover--Pick up Noah's Arc!!
Posted by: CC | 17 January 2011 at 16:52
The video, as every video on 106 and Park, must be VOTED ON, so let's not have a diatribe of talking. Let our fingers do the walking, since we LIVE online anyway, and MAKE IT HAPPEN! I have already voted for it like 26 times.
As for BET, I am beyond proud, having worked there in some form or another, from Sr. Producer to still doing show writing, and for them to have dedicated the entire 2nd hour to the conversation was brilliant. Marsha was a wonderful and warm interview and it was powerful that THE GUYS WHO DID THE "BULLYING" IN THE VIDEO were in the audience, supporting her.
This moment doesn't have to just be a moment. It can be a movement and a shift in consciousness but we've got to participate and not just sit back and articulate. We are being called into Doing not just Hearing and Talking, so let's work.
CC and Distant Lover, you have to remember that the talk about Noah's Arc was that THE SHOW cancelled itself, not the LOGO pulled it. So I'm not sure that "picking it up" is the issue. There was always talk that the show was doing relatively well for LOGO, with many, mini-marathons, so I don't know if there is a show to pick up. I'm still waiting on PUNKS on DVD!
Posted by: TheRevKev | 18 January 2011 at 09:16