BET And Stacey Dash: Network Plays Music Videos Of Actress, Uses Hashtag #NeverForget

BET and Stacey Dash have had a tough time lately. For those of you who do not know the background of the strained relationship between BET and Stacey Dash, let us catch you up.

First, Dash — a Fox News contributor and actress — responded to calls by Jada Pinkett Smith and others to boycott the Oscars over its exclusion of African-American nominees for best actor, best actress, best supporting actor, and best supporting actress. Her response was not what many in the media and Hollywood expected. Dash, who is African-American, said networks like BET and awards shows like the Image Awards are, in fact, racist and if African-Americans desire inclusion then it was time to end media and awards shows geared to African-Americans.

As you would expect, many people have responded to her suggestion. Some of the groups targeted by Stacey Dash — namely BET — have focused criticism on the actress since her comments.

Some of the blowback from BET directed at Stacey Dash came with the network showing a photo of the actress on the network in a show called The Game. The network even asked for its money back from Dash. In response, Dash said, “Thank you for reminding me, since most people have never heard of that show.”

Now BET has upped the ante, highlighting music videos in which the actress has appeared. The network, it appears, is trying to highlight hypocrisy from Stacey Dash.

“BET Jams went on to post the music video for MJG’s ‘That Girl’ video, which featured Dash and which came out in 1997. The video was posted to their Twitter along with the hashtag #NeverForget, which basically makes BET the winner for best trolling game in this feud,” The Grio reported. “They’ve also played Kanye West’s ‘All Falls Down’ and Rick Ross’ ‘Super High,’ which also featured Dash, and the videos come with hashtags like ‘#WeStillLoveYou’ and ‘#YoureOneOfUs’ and ‘#EvenIfYouDontWantToBe.'”

The Grio added, “Well played, BET,” at the end of its report.

Stacey Dash’s original blog post responding to The Game image from BET further explains why she has taken a stand against BET and African-American awards shows.

“My problem goes back to the notion that every area of life needs to break down exactly according to demographic ratios except in those areas in which black people have decided they want to have their own space. I don’t have a problem with black people having their own space. I have a problem with the folks at BET absolutely freaking out when other institutions don’t match up to what they think is best.”

What may have got BET going after Stacey Dash with the music videos is the last sentence in her blog.

“BET lies to American black people by telling them that the rest of America is racist, so stick close to your own kind. Anything that promotes segregation is bad,” Dash wrote. “And they’re absolutely mortified that someone like me — an independent-thinking black woman — dares call their bluff.”

And if you think the back and fourth between BET and Stacey Dash is going to subside anytime soon, do not count on it. The network’s website has created a slideshow that highlights “Every Time Stacey Dash Proved She Was Clueless.” Among the items: “A self-proclaimed victim of physical abuse, you’d think Stacey would know better than to blame women for sexual assault. But that’s exactly what she did on Fox News’ Outnumbered. Speaking about the movement by sororities at University of Virginia to avoid frat parties, Dash said ‘bad girls are the ones that like to be naughty,’ and that ‘alcohol doesn’t get you drunk, you get yourself drunk.’ Yikes.”

What do you think? Is Stacey Dash correct or BET? Tell us in the comments section below.

[Featured image via Rob Kim/Getty Images]