Stacey Dash isn't backtracking on her controversial remarks about BET. During a broadcast of Fox & Friends Wednesday, the "Clueless" star turned Fox News contributor spoke about the Oscar diversity issue and questioned the actual significance of the BET network and Black History Month.
"We have to make up our minds. Either we want to have segregation or integration and if we don't want segregation, then we need to get rid of channels like BET, and the BET Awards and the Image Awards, where you're only awarded if you're black," Dash said. "If it were the other way around, we would be up in arms. It's a double standard."
In response to her comment, BET published a photo of Bash's recurring role on the network's original show, "The Game," and captioned the post, "Soooooo @REALStaceyDash can we get our check back... or nah? #Remember #YouWereOnTheGame #AndWeDontMeanTheRapper."
In retaliation to their response, Bash published a blog entry titled "How BET Lies to Black People" in which she accused the network of lying to its African-American audience and "throwing shade" at her.
"Ever since I said THIS on Fox yesterday, Black Entertainment Television has been throwing shade," Bash wrote on her blog. "They reminded me - and the rest of America - that I appeared on a show called 'The Game,' which appeared on BET."
Dash also called out BET's tweet about "The Game," saying she barely remembered the show, saying, "Thank you for reminding me, since most people have never heard of that show. Why? It's on BET. Quick. Name the top shows on BET. Drawing a blank? I think I've made my point."
"Apparently, Mr. [Stephen] Hill [BET executive] doesn't understand what an Oscar is," she wrote. "Oscars are awarded to the actors and actresses who excel... not the audience. What's next? Awarding $1 million to the guy sitting in his pajamas on the couch watching 'Survivor?'"
While Dash angered many people with her call to abolish of the BET network, but she clarified her comments, explaining that her issue wasn't with the idea of black people having their own space, but rather "with the folks at BET absolutely freaking out when other institutions don't match up to what they think is best."
"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," she said.
The actress concluded, "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! And they're absolutely mortified that someone like me - an independent-thinking black woman - dares call their bluff."
BET has not yet responded to these specific allegations.
