It kind of assumes that all black people will like these kinds of shows, like Nickelodeon assumed that all kids would like their shows. In a world where diversity is so celebrated, I find it odd to try to show black people only other black people. Kids like kids shows because the content is more suited for kids. I know the original poster said they felt good seeing the shows with black people in the 90s, but can't those shows be found on other platforms?
Maybe some black people like to see shows with diversity, too.
In some other post someone was commenting how their wife, who is a director of advertising, got complaints for using a white female hand for an advertisement. I proposed using profile information to show people advertisements of people that matched themselves, but that was met with disdain in HN. It was argued that we need more diversity, not pigeonholes for people to be isolated in their subcultures.
Honestly when I read the title, I immediately thought, "Drinking fountains for black people."
I'm a woman and I think most of the shows on WeTV are stupid but I'm not offended by someone trying to create a channel of content geared towards women. Lots of women do enjoy their programming, I just don't happen to be one of them. I suspect there are a lot of men and NB people who happen to like WeTV, too. And even though they might not be the demographic the channel aims to please, they're more than welcome.
This isn't the same as "drinking fountains for black people" because it's targeted programming but it's not exclusionary.
Nickelodeon's success isn't predicated on all kids liking that programming, just some substantial/critical mass of them. Same for the other examples, including BlackOakTV.
Presumably black people who like to see shows with [non-black] diversity are already having their needs met. Addressing a market whose needs are not being met has business (and social) value.
> Honestly when I read the title, I immediately thought, "Drinking fountains for black people."
Wow, that is egregious. We ban accounts that stoop to vile tropes like that. I doubt that you intended it that way but you did it anyhow—seriously not cool. If you want to keep commenting on HN, please don't do anything like that again.
The gratifying thing is that the commenters who replied to you were so entirely decent. That's the sort of thoughtfulness that you ought to be practicing, even when you encounter something that rubs you the wrong way on the internet. Or rather, especially then.
Maybe some black people like to see shows with diversity, too.
In some other post someone was commenting how their wife, who is a director of advertising, got complaints for using a white female hand for an advertisement. I proposed using profile information to show people advertisements of people that matched themselves, but that was met with disdain in HN. It was argued that we need more diversity, not pigeonholes for people to be isolated in their subcultures.
Honestly when I read the title, I immediately thought, "Drinking fountains for black people."