BET TONIGHT: AMERICA ON ALERT: HIP-HOP VOICES ON THE WAR {TERRORIST ATTACKS} (TV)
Summary
One in this series of late-night news programs. This tape presents coverage of aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, as aired on BET. Anchor Ed Gordon introduces the program, and Barbara Gauthier highlights the major news stories of the day, including Pakistan's agreement that there is enough evidence to indict Osama bin Laden in the September 11 attacks and President George W. Bush's pledge of $320,000,000 in humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. A prerecorded segment covers the reopening of Reagan National Airport and the new security there. Reporter Sheri Richardson covers a story about a Virginia family that lost someone in the Pentagon attack. Next, hip-hop performers Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson, Talib Kweli, and Jimmy Cozier join Gordon. The three guests begin by discussing their personal feelings about the attacks. Thompson says that he thinks too many people now feel hate for cultures about which they know nothing. Kweli talks about the problem of what he calls "bandwagon patriotism" and explains his unease over black Americans' being called on to serve in the armed forces. Thompson echoes these statements and talks about the horrors with which many African Americans live every day in the United States. Kweli agrees and also speaks about the hip-hop generation and its origins. The dearth of black leadership in the United States is discussed, and each of the guests explains what he would do if called to fight for his country. Included in the conversation are comments about world politics and problems the performers see in the United States' foreign policy. Next, reporter Jacque Reid announces some headlines, including 150 arrests in connection with Osama bin Laden's terrorist network and a $3,000,000,000 aid package President Bush has proposed to aid the unemployed. Reid reports extensively on the explosion of a Russian charter jet that went down off the coast of the Black Sea and on the treatment of a "highly lethal case of anthrax" by doctors in Florida. Next, reporter Janell Snowden narrates a prerecorded segment on anthrax, including details about the bacteria, the disease, and the Florida man who has been diagnosed with pulmonary anthrax. Snowden notes there is no evidence that this particular case of anthrax is related to terrorism. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: BET
- DATE: October 4, 2001 11:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:44:24
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:69949
- GENRE: News
- SUBJECT HEADING: African-American musicians; Anthrax; Blacks in the performing arts; Hip hop; September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001; African-American Collection - News/Talk
- SERIES RUN: BET - TV series, 1998-
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Prenella Neely … Executive Producer
- Renee "Y" Hensen … Supervising Producer
- Jaci Clark … Producer
- L.D. Holland … Director
- Ed Gordon … Anchor
- Barbara Gauthier … Reporter
- Jacque Reid … Reporter
- Sheri Richardson … Reporter
- Janell Snowden … Reporter
- Jimmy Cozier … Guest
- Talib Kweli … Guest
- Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson … Guest
- bin Laden, Osama
- George W. Bush