Blog Post #16

Blog Post #16

Case 9-F: Sending the Wrong Message about Doing the Right Thing

The Read a Book ad aired on BET, Black Entertainment Television, on July 20, 2007 is a controversial PSA, Public Service Announcement, which brought bad press among media instead of sharing a positive message among its viewers. “Read a Book, seems to flaunt every negative stereotype in the African-American community,” The New York Times, said. The video features an animated character that bears a striking resemblance to reigning King of Crunk, Lil' Jon. He goes on to say that he used to write songs with "hooks and concepts and shit," paralleling comments from some rappers who have "dumbed down" their music to reach the masses. He says he's ditching the complicated songs in an attempt to "go platinum." What follows is a hilarious and profanity driven ode to common sense. Lines such as "read a book, read a book read a mutha fuckin book… not a sports page, not a magazine, but a book nigga, a fuckin book nigga," dominate the song.
Parenting, the value of buying land over material items, and good hygiene are also touched on. Read a Book original message is to portray ignorance, irresponsible fatherhood, financial responsibility and bad personal hygiene. In the contrary, Read a Book totally fails to portray its original message because instead it insults and ridicules African American culture