The "Read a Book" Controversy

Generally speaking, we feel it's not appropriate for us to comment on matters of race in this forum due to its music/entertainment/pop culture nature. But since this situation stems from a music video played on BET, we thought we'd at least mention it.

Earlier in the year, poet/recording artist Bomani "D'Mite" Armah released a satirical crunk-style tune via MySpace called "Read A Book," in which he exhorts urban listeners to be responsible parents ("raise yo kids"), buy land, be hygenic, and take heed of the song's title ("not a sports page, not a magazine"). The success of the song led its animated video--littered with black stereotypes who are directed to follow the above instructions by a crunk rapper--to air on BET and become the focus of a heated discussion not heard since Bill Cosby's most recent comments on what he views as the current shortcomings of the African-American community. Yikes!

So, what's the deal with "Read a Book"? Is it a wake up call? Perpetuation of stereotypes? Good message, bad execution?
You decide:

- The "Read A Book" video.

- CNN panel discussion on "Read A Book".