Best. Public Service Announcement. Of all. Time. - Notes From the Bookroom

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Marc Schultz

Best. Public Service Announcement. Of all. Time.
August 24, 2007

Apparently, this bizarre, foul-mouthed, catchy-as-hell PSA parody, innocuously titled "Read a Book," is running on BET, and it's stirring up a controversy. As it involves lots of cursing, egregious stereotyping and obnoxious repetition, I can't recommend it for general work viewing, but those of you with a pair of headphones and a semi-private situation should be able to get away with viewing it.

According to the L.A. Times, "The video was written and produced by Bomani Ahmer, who uses the animated rapper D-Mite to deliver the message, and was developed by BET Animation, a new division established by the network's president of entertainment, Reginald Hudlin." Also: "The video is solely a BET production and is not affiliated with any other literacy or cultural organization."

Whether you're pleased, puzzled and/or pissed off, I'd love to hear the reaction... good for the industry? Bad? Irrelevant?

Personally, I think D-Mite has every chance of replacing Harry Potter as the literary hero of the younger generation. Somebody give that character a seven-book series!

Posted by Marc Schultz on August 24, 2007 | Comments (2)

August 29, 2007
In response to: Best. Public Service Announcement. Of all. Time.
Jim Curtiss commented:

I think the video should be taken for what it is - a pretty funny parody. I doubt that it's going to have an impact on, say, whether a person wears deodorant or takes care of their kid instead of spanking some chick in a disco. I certainly can't see it impacting the publishing industry. But that's just my opinion - I could be wrong. Best regards, Jim Curtiss

September 1, 2007
In response to: Best. Public Service Announcement. Of all. Time.
Cathy Paris commented:

While this parody is bound to invoke a variety of responses, I can't see it having a positive impact on the publishing industry. I also don't believe it will have a powerful enough impact on urban kids, causing them to read any more or less than they already do. Thanks for sharing this with us.