It's been over a month since word got out that MTV Networks was
dropping their MTV World (
Chi,
K,
Desi) division, basically shutting down yet another avenue for Asian American voices to get heard and seen on television. I'll say that in the short time that they were around, from what I saw, the three channels really were trying to give due exposure to Asian American musicians and artists, particularly the independent ones. MTV Chi was where I first saw Beau Sia's excellent
"an open letter to all the rosie o'donnells." Don't tell you're gonna see something like that on regular MTV. But alas, the channels were cut short before they were really able to get off the ground. Well, it seems that a last ditch effort is underway to try and save MTV World from extinction. An email has been recently circulating to get get support behind a petition to
Save MTV World. Here's what the senders are asking:
SO WHAT CAN WE DO? 5 WAYS YOU CAN TAKE ACTION
1. SIGN THE PETITION!!!
This is of utmost importance. It takes LESS than a minute. This petition will be sent to everyone at MTV and major media outlets.
GO TO: http://www.petitiononline.com/MTVWORLD/petition.html. Forward this to everyone you know!
2. DRAFT A PASSIONATE-POSITIVE LETTER TO STOP MTV FROM SHUTTING DOWN OUR VOICES!
Please write a letter expressing your disappointment and desire for the re-emergence of the channels. We want to educate MTV on the voice of our community. Letters will make a BIG Difference! Address letters to: Attn: Judy McGrath, CEO, MTV Networks, 1515 Broadway, 28th floor, New York, NY 10036
3. COVER THIS IN THE MEDIA!
If you are a journalist-- write about this. This is a bigger story than simply MTV downsizing, this is about Asian Americans being silenced without a fair chance to succeed. PRESS CONTACT: SaveMTVWorld@gmail.com. A team member will be in touch with you immediately.
4. MAKE A VIDEO ABOUT THIS AND UPLOAD TO YOUTUBE/MYSPACE
Let's get this message out in every way we can. (Beau Sia's post about Rosie O'Donnell 'ching-chong' comment received over 400,000 views--see link below)
5. STUDENTS: MOBILIZE YOUR STUDENT GROUPS! WRITE LETTERS, PETITION, PROTEST, MAKE VIDEOS...Make it happen!
Personally, I think the more voices we have out there representing and making a ruckus, the better. I've always found it a little troubling that regular MTV, vanguard of American youth culture, had to relegate Asian America to their separate ghetto-ized networks, instead of finding a place on regular MTV programming. But I do appreciate the work that Desi, Chi and K have been trying to do. So if you feel strongly about this, sign the petition, get the word out, and help MTV World (and the dedicated people who work there) have a fighting chance.
