Washington Post TV writer Lisa de Moraes reported from the latest summer press tour for TV Critics in Hollywood that the TV One cable channel that caters to African-Americans has unorthodox convention-coverage plans:
Critics also did not seem altogether pleased that TV One plans to cover the Democratic convention but not the Republican convention.
"This is a huge deal for TV One, as it is for the African American community," [CEO Johnathan] Rodgers said of Sen. Barack Obama's impending nomination on the Democratic ticket. "African Americans have fallen in love with Barack Obama's...candidacy....We will be covering the Democratic convention all the time."
When asked why TV One wasn't covering the GOP convention as well, Rodgers said, "We are not a news organization. We are a television network designed to celebrate African American achievement. If Hillary...was the nominee, we would not be covering this year's Democratic convention."
Many viewers have found TV One the most reliable place to find Martin Lawrence's old sitcom, but whether that show is an "achievement" is open to question. TV One's website does have a campaign page. It's also another venue for unofficial Obama campaign spokesman (and CNN analyst) Roland Martin.
Rodgers noted the FCC's equal-time rule for presidential candidates is only for broadcast networks, not cable:
"And you think that's okay, though?" one critic pressed.
"My audience is 93 percent black. I serve my audience," Rodgers said.
Comedian Sheryl Underwood, a contributor to "TV One Live: DNC Afterparty," said she was that show's only Republican bit of on-air talent, and that she's voting for Obama. When one critic asked whether African American Republicans should feel slighted by the decision to cover just the Democrats' confab, Underwood shot back, "I speak for all eight of us -- we are not slighted."
—Tim Graham is Director of Media Analysis at the Media Research Center
Comments Policy
MTV, the other network
July 9, 2008 - 07:23 ET by SickofLibsMTV, the other network designed to celebrate African American achievement, will also diss the Rep. convention.
what a joke
July 9, 2008 - 07:28 ET by pagg30Nobody will have the balls to call this what it really is.
Racism, pure and simple.
racisim
July 9, 2008 - 08:07 ET by dronetekThis is what diversity and multiculturalisim has brought us. A country where racisim is actually celebrated and encouracheg, as long as you arent white. Its a VERY sad state of affairs.
Like I always say:
July 9, 2008 - 09:58 ET by YahooWatcherOnly white, Christian, heterosexual Republican males can be racists; All others have a free pass.
Let's have the White Folks
July 9, 2008 - 13:21 ET by TruthMongerLet's have the White Folks Channel boycott the DNC then, dammit
European-Americans have fallen in love with John McCain!
Racists.
July 9, 2008 - 07:32 ET by PurdueMattPlain and simple.
Why don't we just color-code
July 9, 2008 - 07:37 ET by KillgraveWhy don't we just color-code the switches in election booths according to race, since it's a primary determinate in this cycle?
Typical racist 'African
July 9, 2008 - 07:36 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsTypical racist 'African American' behavior. I happen to run into a number of Africans who recently emigrated here (they love (LOVE!) America and can't say enough about being here) and they tell me that American blacks look down on them, call them names, and mistreat them almost to a man. Funny how that hatred thing works.
D
Keep the ILLEGALS out, join NumbersUSA to send free faxes to your reps.
Yep.
July 9, 2008 - 08:32 ET by Mark_for_SenateAnd it can be reliably traced directly to the Democrat Party. Great people, eh?
To know and not do, is to not yet know
It's Been Said
July 9, 2008 - 07:37 ET by taterBut this is more of an example of racism than the supposed whitey keeping the black man down.
www.theholyrosary.org
"There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we can not resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary." -Sister Lucia
→ TV One
July 9, 2008 - 07:37 ET by Cool ArrowI have no problem with them refusing to cover the GOP convention for the reason given.
I'd just as soon Code Pink stayed away also.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
It is what it is.
July 9, 2008 - 07:40 ET by expatriotRACISM in a pure and unadulterated form. However for pointing out that fact I am now a bigot, racist, homophobe, global warming denier and overall nasty person.
Actually the way the libs
July 9, 2008 - 07:43 ET by taterActually the way the libs toss out those terms, I consider it more of a compliment than an insult. It means I won the argument.
www.theholyrosary.org
"There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we can not resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary." -Sister Lucia
Of course you're right on that
July 9, 2008 - 07:59 ET by expatriotHit it on the head. They do tend to name calling when you discredit their arguments.
you know what? i'd love to
July 9, 2008 - 07:43 ET by mister josephyou know what? i'd love to ask that CEO what he happens to think of the Fairness Doctorine!
It's a total Black Wash!
July 9, 2008 - 07:46 ET by Jack BauerDoes this mean Obama's campaign has gone from its grandiose claims of being "post-racial" to being most-racial?
Right, Jack, so much for
July 9, 2008 - 07:58 ET by motherbeltRight, Jack, so much for Obama's "post racial" race-no-longer-matters candidacy. Except it matters for blacks.
I hope all the non-typical white people who have fallen in love with Obama realize that to blacks, they don't matter at all.
Because it IS a racial thing, after all.
Shoot 'em all; let God sort 'em out! - Marge Simpson
Time to put an end to black colleges and tv channels
July 9, 2008 - 07:46 ET by pearlWhy do we still have black colleges, black TV channels, black caususes, black churches, etc.?
I thought segregation ended in the 60s?
Amen!!
July 9, 2008 - 07:53 ET by mytwocentsSpot on!
180 degrees From Reality
July 9, 2008 - 07:56 ET by Smartypants"My audience is 93 percent black. I serve my audience,"
No, your audience is 93 percent black because you want it that way. In fact, you appear to be shooting for 100%. If you covered the Republican convention as well as the Democrat, there is a good chance your audience would be expanded and more diverse. You do not want diversity, however, not when it doesn't suit your interests.
I think this is a non issue
July 9, 2008 - 07:58 ET by OldSailor88"We are not a news organization. We are a television network designed to celebrate African American achievement. If Hillary...was the nominee, we would not be covering this year's Democratic convention."
I don't have any reason not to take them for their word on this.
Postatem obscuri lateris nescitis
Well, at least they are
July 9, 2008 - 08:02 ET by motherbeltWell, at least they are honest.
Obama only matters because he is black.
As Vince Lombardi said about winning: It's the only thing.
Shoot 'em all; let God sort 'em out! - Marge Simpson
I guess the Oxygen channel
July 9, 2008 - 09:34 ET by Hero SquadI guess the Oxygen channel won't be covering the Democratic convention this year after all.
I think the Military Channel should step forward and provide 24 hour coverage of the Republican convention.
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
Thank you all
July 9, 2008 - 08:02 ET by pagg30Thank you all for having the balls to call this what it really is.
→ pagg30
July 9, 2008 - 08:16 ET by Cool ArrowOf course it's easy under cover of anonynimity.
Not likely we'd be making these comments at our places of employment. Even though some of us went to Diversity seminars and were encouraged to discuss race relations with our coworkers.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
Just goes to PROVE
July 9, 2008 - 08:07 ET by DelsaWho the racists are AND who the AMERICANS are!
"If Hillary was not the nominee we would not cover the Democrat convention"?
THIS IS THE FACE OF BLACK AMERICA!
(not all of black America) and
UNFORTUNATLY FOR ALL OF U.S. THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE COME TO.
John Edwards is right. There are TWO Americas.
In FACT there are, and you count the groups, multiple Americas.
And there are two Black Americas
July 9, 2008 - 08:26 ET by IgnatzJFahrquarI work with a Black professional who gets irate when he reads/hears about this kind of cr@p.
He said he purposely turned down any college scholarship $ linked to the AA community because he wanted to educate himself on his own for 6 years knowing that he did not acccept any "social favors".
It's refreshing to hear him talk about how Blacks will never move up until they break the welfare/handout cycle and eliminate things that separate them as a group (ala TV One, BET, etc.).
And don't even mention Rev. Al or Jesse to him. That's good for an hour long rant.
"All generalizations are false, including this one.” Mark Twain
I've had the pleasure of
July 9, 2008 - 09:44 ET by KillgraveI've had the pleasure of working with a gentelman "man of color" (he called himself). He was about as button-down, old-school conservative as it gets. He told me several times he didn't want people giving him guff for being black, but didn't want any special favors, either. He simply wanted to be "left alone".
The man also went on a rant one time about black people giving their children made-up names like "Shaquanna" and "Dontell", etc. He asserted that, like it or not, people are going to make assumptions when they see these names printed on documents such as resumes, without even meeting the subjects in question. He told me he would never screw with his children's future by giving them a made-up name and permanently hindering their social/economic mobility.
It's too bad the left has such a stranglehold on certain groups of people. The man I'm talking about could never speak openly about his beliefs, because he would be shouted down. This is the single biggest perpetuation to racism in this country.
All names are made, at one
July 9, 2008 - 11:06 ET by Dan The Man 2All names are made, at one time or another some yahoo had to make a name for his kid or someone elses kid. Most of teh time it had a meaning like Dan the judge of people or some such. I agree tho names as you mentioned immediately bring up the image of blacks. We are creatures of method and habit. So where do you place Dwezel or Moon Unit?
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
What's really strange about
July 9, 2008 - 11:46 ET by KillgraveWhat's really strange about that is that Frank was anti-drug. So he was totally clear-headed when he came up with those goofy names??
I will never question Zappa's intelligence. But you have to wonder about these other celebrities naming their kids. "Apple"? "Sunday"? Please.
I understand what you're getting at. Naming conventions are rather subjective. And we would be in a bad state if everyone conformed to the name "Joe".
But I also think using your kid's name as way to thumb your nose at the prevailing culture is only a pointless exercise of ego. And the kid has to live with the name, not you.
And we would be in a
July 9, 2008 - 17:58 ET by red_dragon311And we would be in a bad state if everyone conformed to the name "Joe".
Abso-effing-lutly not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would have to say that Joe is the BEST name EVER!!!!!!!!!!!
EVER I TELL YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have.
-Gerald Ford
Underwood, Republican?
July 9, 2008 - 08:16 ET by Tim GrahamShe smacks Hillary here.
These guys
July 9, 2008 - 08:41 ET by Delsawho run this channel have an absolute right to choose their programming and I don't want to change their programming
BUT
Presidential races are Historical evevts by their nature.
The first Black man to be nominated, OK
BUT
There are TWO main parties with two nominated candidates and they should be presented to ALL voters regardless of COLOR!
Nothing wrong with exposing their target audiance to other events going on within the country their audiance lives in?
Just sayin
Sounds fair
July 9, 2008 - 08:18 ET by 10ksnookerLet the white cable channels only cover the white guy.
You gotta see this. Eerie
July 9, 2008 - 08:28 ET by Cool ArrowSpeaking of Halos. This must be a sign from Heaven.
Election day is Nov 4th?
Check out the Feast Day for Nov. 3rd.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
The Media and Obama
July 9, 2008 - 08:40 ET by NKurucI don't know about everyone else, but this Obama "thing" is really beginning to concern me. It's one thing to want a change of direction, to want a fresh new candidate, after the country has gone through tough times. However, the so called mystique that surrounds this guy, and the way that the media portrays him as almost "godlike" should become a serious concern to all of those who actually plan to vote in the upcoming election. With the help of the MSM, he has been able to shrug off any negatives put forth to this point. His wife, no more or less successful than Cindy McCain, can do no wrong, despite her very obvious chip on the shoulder demeanor. Watching the cable news networks with few exceptions, has become a boost Obama, bash McCain marathon. MSNBC stands out from the rest. Chris Matthews and Olbermann are unwatchable. The direction of these shows has changed from negative reporting about Hillary Clinton to trashing McCain as the pre election season has progressed.
Maybe it's just me....but has this country lost its mind? I too, would like a change, but I don't think a lot of people understand what we're getting in to.
Bill O. and Laura on FOX, too
July 9, 2008 - 08:58 ET by IgnatzJFahrquarBill is sickening with his shmoosing to get B Hussein on and as far as Laura goes ... we get it Laura, you don't like McCain.
If it wasn't for Brit Hume, I'd stop watching FN all together.
"All generalizations are false, including this one.” Mark Twain
Freedom!
July 9, 2008 - 08:41 ET by Copperhead RidgeIt's his channel. It's his business. He should be able to broadcast what he wants. It's a free market, and if his ratings would take a hit because he broadcast the GOP convention, then he shouldn't broadcast it. If he's going to make money broadcasting the Democratic convention, then more power to him.
He's the one who has risked his capital, and he should be allowed to seek a return on it the way he sees fit.
With those thoughts in mind, consider the alleged "Fairness Doctrine" being touted by the left and the Speaker of the House.
Copperhead Ridge
July 9, 2008 - 08:47 ET by DelsaI agree with your point completely.
They can do what they wan to do, Rush and others can do what they want to do
AND
I CAN COMMENT !
THAT IS FAIRNESS!
I may not like what they do but I would not take away their right to do it.
QUESTION: Is this station subsidized with TAX PAYER MONEY??
I don't think these "race"
July 9, 2008 - 09:54 ET by KillgraveI don't think these "race" channels are taxpayer-funded, but they are propped up artificially.
Notice that you can't make your cable channel selections "a la carte"? You can only subscribe to them in bulk, which include these blatant leftist offerings. Basically, you are forced to subsidize them.
This is the primary reason why I don't get cable or satellite. I'm not going to participate in this social engineering. Thank God we now have broadcast HD, where I can set up an HD antenna and get free TV like the old days...
Yes, it is his channel and
July 9, 2008 - 12:50 ET by SmartypantsYes, it is his channel and he is free to do as he wishes. I don't see anyone here who has said anything differently. That doesn't mean we have to accept what he says and does or even respect it. His comment is hyprocritical and borderline racist, and his logic is off-base. He defended his position by saying that he is just providing what his audience wants, but his audience is what it is because of what he provides. If he covered both the Dem and Republican conventions, would not his audience be larger and more diverse? Of course it would. So it makes no sense to say that he is just providing what his audience wants.
Don't believe the MSM hype!!!
July 9, 2008 - 08:48 ET by HeavyChevyThe MSM wants you to believe were all Demon-crats and we only care for democrats and their cause which is further from the truth! Were Republicans (myself), Conservatives, and Independents who love America with all our hearts. Were for protecting our borders (I am talking Great Wall of China type fencing), protecting our sovereignty, anti-abortion, educated and god fearing people.
I know it seems from watching television that 99.9 of all blacks are democratic lemmings who always blame the “man” for whatever ails us and are always looking for a freebee but that is false! The MSM pushes that stereotype to keep the divide between all honest hardworking Black/White Americans and grab whatever ratings they can cling to!
That is why I and many many other African Americans gave up being democrats we see them as spineless cowards who are five times as racist and bigoted as any Republican we ever knew.
As insane as it sounds we too are called racist (we just get different names tossed our way) like; anti-black, self hater, heritage hater, and ashamed of our race because we don’t believe the hype and play victim for whichever way the wind blows. That is the liberal African American’s way of keeping us in check and to never question their authority.
America is a wonderful country and I thank God every day to be born an American. Its’ so easy to make it in this country its almost silly so I don’t need no stinking hand out like some in the MSM wants everyone to believe. I feel if you want it you need to get off your backside and work for it and if you cannot get it you were not meant to have it!
Oh and when my friends ask me what have the Republicans ever produce for us I simply say; Martin Luther King. Harriet Tubman; and Gorge Washington Carver to name a few because they were all REPUBLICANS!!!!!!
There is another station that is being started by black Republicans and conservatives starting by the end of the year. That is the only way our voice can be heard because the BET, MTV and TVone crowd will not give us a voice out of fear of opening the eyes of the ignorant to the true monsters which is the liberals and MSM.
We are out there guys so the next time you see Al –cry wolf-Sharpton or Jessie –are you my baby’s daddy-Jackson protesting some petty nonsense just say “glad not all African Americans are like that.”
My rant is complete and I apologize for any bad grammar I’m pissed right now and have to get to work.
-Later.
I Like You "Some
July 9, 2008 - 09:04 ET by SemperrightI Like You
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference.
The MARINES don't have that problem."
President Ronald Reagan - 1985
Well said, Heavy C! Hope
July 9, 2008 - 09:39 ET by Hero SquadWell said, Heavy C!
Hope we'll be hearing more from you on Newsbusters!
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
Kudos
July 9, 2008 - 10:14 ET by mytwocentsKudos to you HC! I mean it. HeavyChevy for President!!
What If...?
July 9, 2008 - 08:52 ET by Bill W.For the sake of argument, let's say that the Republican nominee was, oh, Michael Steele and the Dems choice was to be Hillary.
What do you think TV One would do then?
Bill W.
July 9, 2008 - 09:11 ET by DelsaCan't prove it but I'd bet on Hillary! Does anyone know if TV ONE is Government subsidized? Where is their funding coming form? They may be a success through the selling of advertising but I am thinking NOT!
Hello HChevy
July 9, 2008 - 08:57 ET by DelsaI agree with you.
Not all Black Americans think or vote alike.
And the same can be said for Whites, Hispanics, and Asians etcetera.
The MSM has done well to suppliment the education system in this country. They are making sure we ALL think the way they want us to think about each other.
Most who post here, you and me included, are Americans First.
That is what makes this site so unique. We see what is going on and comment on it.
We here keep each other sane.
Racists
July 9, 2008 - 09:08 ET by Blogger Guy00001If a channel had decided to cover only the GOP convention, they would be yelling and screaming "racism".
I'm sick of the double standard.
Bunch of friggin
July 9, 2008 - 09:16 ET by liberal_bug_zapperBunch of friggin racists!!!
____________________________________________________
"A society that puts equality...ahead of freedom will end up with neither equality nor freedom." ~ Milton Friedman
No problem, I'll just watch White Entertainment Television
July 9, 2008 - 09:57 ET by jefflebowskioh yeah, that would be racist.
One good thing about this election, it is showing the normally sleeping white people who the true racists are in America. The majority of blacks.
Whenever white people make any criticism of anyone black, most blacks run to that person's defense and accuse the whites of being racists. Don't believe me? Think OJ. The Muslims have learned well from the blacks and are now doing the same.
At least now, more white people realize the situation that political correctness has brought us.
Jeff Lebowski
www.angrywhitedude.c...
How tolerant
July 9, 2008 - 09:52 ET by capitolguyHow nice and tolerant of "TV One" to admit their blatant racism. Just imagine if any other network were to only cover the Republican National Convention? It is obvious that TV One is operated by a bunch of racists. Thanks for confirming what many of us already believed to be true.
TV One
July 9, 2008 - 10:11 ET by americaneagleTV One is a privately owned cable channel, and as far as I can find they do not recieve any government money to operate. So that should answer a question that seems to be making the rounds here.
If TV One does not want to cover the GOP convention, so what? Odds are the owners of the channel are liberals, as can be seen from the on air talent they use (Rolan Martin, Mike Baisden) and their commentary; so why is it so shocking to you that they are going to cater to the tastes of their audience? If I don't want to watch their coverage, then that is why God invented the TV clicker...so I can choose to watch something else.
One thing that bothers me about some of the posters here is their quickness to start slinging the label "racist" around when blacks do anything they don't like. Since a great number of blacks support Obama, that makes all blacks racists but when white Republicans support McCain they're not. Personally I think that most blacks would have done what they do if Hillary had won the nomination...supported the Democratic candidate. Would that have cleared them of the racist label in your minds?
Another thing that bothers me is the hostility so many people here seem to have for predominantly black institutions. What is it about the existence of HBCU's or predominantly black churches that burns you so badly? It would be different if the HBCU's or churches had some type of racial restrictions in place, then you would have an argument, but that circumstance does not exist. A person can choose what church he/she goes to, just like college students can choose their colleges for the most part. I go to a HBCU, Winston-Salem State University and I love it there, as do the Latinos/Hispanics, Asians, and whites who attend the school. I chose WSSU because it is close to my home, the class sizes are small, and the instruction is excellent. Talking to some of my white classmates, they chose the school for the same reasons...and they were able to get extra financial aid help because they are "minority" students on campus. Yet we should have to disband our schools and churches to spare your tender sensibilities? Puh-leeze!
And please, spare me the constant whining about how every time you say something negative about any black person you are accused of racism. I have been a member here at NB for quite sometime now, and rarely have I seen anyone here accused of racism by anyone that posts here. What I have read is plenty of members here putting on the cloak of victimhood after they have accused all blacks of being racists because of something one black person or organization has done.
I am a proud conservative, but like I have said at my blog in the past, if you want to see why conservatism has such trouble gaining a foothold with blacks look no further than some of the things being written here. When conservatives react to the actions of some blacks by attacking all blacks, they lose any traction they may have gained. It is as if conservatives look at blacks and don't see individuals to be brought into the conservative fold, but see members of a hostile group to be put off. It seems to me that way too may conservatives have fallen for the liberal tactic of assigning people to groups instead of seeing individuals.
AE...personally HBCU and
July 9, 2008 - 10:25 ET by taterAE...personally HBCU and black churches don't burn me, an all black television channel doesn't burn me...it's the hypocricy. Why don't you hear anything about HW(for white)CU, or all white television station, or all white churches? Because if any of these existed you would hear nothing but 'racist whites' from here till the cows come home. And when a tv station says it will run the DNC just beause Obama is black and we call it racist...would it be the same if a tv station said it would run the RNC just because McCain is white.
www.theholyrosary.org
"There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we can not resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary." -Sister Lucia
You have got to be kidding me!
July 9, 2008 - 11:33 ET by americaneagleDude, I live about two miles from a church that is 100% white in their membership and where I would probably be looked at funny if I darkened their doorway on a Sunday morning, and the other colleges and universities in my area like Wake Forest, Salem College, Guilford College, UNC-Greensboro, and Greensboro College are all predominantly white. Just because they aren't called "predominantly white" doesn't mean that they aren't just that! I don't care about the semantics of the situation, I care about the reality.
BTW: WSSU has the same percentage of blacks students, 81%, that WFU has white students, 81%...so if WSSU is predominantly black then WFU is predominantly white. Again, the realities are the same while the semantics are different.
You're not getting what I
July 9, 2008 - 11:45 ET by taterYou're not getting what I said...what if the church decided to say they are an all white church, or WFU says they are a Historically White Univesity. How would the media or the general public handle it? There in lies they hypocricy.
www.theholyrosary.org
"There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we can not resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary." -Sister Lucia
Spot on! You are exactly
July 9, 2008 - 11:15 ET by Cureboy675Spot on! You are exactly right. They are catering to their audience. They are making a business decision. How smart would it be for them to spend millions of dollars covering the Republican National Convention if they didn't think anybody would actually be watching?
It just doesn't make a whole heck of a lot of sense. It would be like ESPN deciding to air the Pillsbury Bake Off because they were afraid of being called sexists.
By the way, somebody mentioned a forthcoming Black Conservative cable network. When that network does being airing, I fully expect everybody to come back here and continue to say "Why do the Blacks need their own conservative network?? I thought we were trying to prevent segragation!!"
There is not problem with
July 9, 2008 - 12:55 ET by SmartypantsThere is not problem with what they are doing. The problem stems in how this person defended it. His comments are backwards. He would have been better off stating that their goal is to build as large a black audience as possible as opposed to stating that he is just providing what his audience wants. He built his audience based on the programming he provided, not the other way around.
What gets me is the
July 9, 2008 - 11:19 ET by Dan The Man 2What gets me is the supposed exclusivity of black organizations that no other organization can get away with. I remember a white congressman who tried to get into teh black cacus and failed. There is no white congressional cacus. If we are to truely become blind to color or ethnic then are these exclusive organizations not barriers to achieving this end?
My belief is like people will band together whether it be color or family or town or nieghborhoods. It has always been and will always be.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
The CBC is a bad example
July 9, 2008 - 11:38 ET by americaneagleFYI, the CBC is a bad example because not all black politicians are accepted there. When JC Watts served in Congress the CBC refused to let him join, because he was a conservative Republican; his race did not matter one whit because he did not hold the same POLITICAL views they held.
It does matter because of
July 9, 2008 - 12:28 ET by Dan The Man 2It does matter because of teh exclusive nature of the organization. It is `very leftist and yes JC Watts did not make the grade but the white boy was very liberal with a predominate black constituency. Now if you could come up with liberal blacks they excluded it might help teh case but not much. The bottom line is exclusive organizations catrering to race promote racism. Not that I am worried, I believe all people of like minds and persuasion should be able to gather for their common good. Its called freedom.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
AE, I am of the opinion
July 9, 2008 - 11:22 ET by HermanoAE, I am of the opinion that racism is alive and well in the USA. But I also believe that it doesn't have to be. The black community, or at the very least its leadership, has invested itself in this concept. Up unitl the 60s it was no doubt a serious issue and blacks were not given the opportunities of America. I still see elements of racism in white people - my brother-in-law is a good example of someone who looks at them as less than average, yet he has friends who are black and affords them the same respect he has for his white friends. Is it people like my b-i-l who are hindering the progress of the black community or is it the black community (with the exception of you, obviously, and many others) that is simply taking the easy way out and accepting handouts and not working for their success? When most of the stories we see promote a "help me because I am black" picture, then racism is the obvious and correct call. Racism is something everyone can be guilty of. If TV One really wants to help the black community, they would show their viewers every side of the election. Objectivity in their reporting of the events will lead to the community's betterment. The viewers can begin making an educated decision for themselves. I have for many years worked with Habitat for Humanity. Their motto is "A Hand Up, not a Hand Out." By no means is this topic representative of all or perhaps even most blacks, but I am sure you can agree that a sizeable enough percentage of the black population lean more for the "A Hand Out, not a Hand Up" option.
I am very interested in your opinions on this topic. How do we as a country move past racism as an issue? Does the hiring of Barack Obama as President end racism or does it make it a more definining issue of this time? Maybe something else?
Re: Hermano
July 9, 2008 - 12:07 ET by americaneagleIMO, racism is not something that society can deal with or change, because it resides in the human heart and mind. Nothing that society does can really change the way people think, feel, or believe; what society can do (and has done) is make those racist sentiments, no matter who expresses them, unpalatable for larger consumption. People may hold racist viewpoints, but very few people are willing to air them publicly because of the public scorn they would face for doing so.
As for "black leadership", these people represent no one but themselves. People like Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, or Louis Farrakhan have no leadership role among blacks other than what the media has invested them with. Look closely and you will see that blacks are not the ones propping these men up, it is the media that gives them the megaphone and the stage to do what they do. Blacks have long realized that these men have no power, and have been granted no authority, because they have no accountability to "the black community".
On the issue of the dominant image of blacks, it amazes me how much of a pass is given to the media in presenting that image to the masses. It amazes me that people can come to NB and readily see the way the media manipulates news stories about politics or religion, and can see how they inject their biases and attitudes into those stories...yet they cannot fathom that the media does the same thing when presenting stories about race! When it comes to race too may people here at NB are willing to take the media version as gospel truth on racial matters, while they reject out of hand the media interpretation on anything political. Maybe it is because the media interpretations of racial matters reinforces their own preconcieved notions about blacks wanting a handout, and allows them to ignore the fact that the majority of blacks in this country are hard working people living the same type of middle class lives that white folks are living.
As for TV One, they are not...nor have they ever claimed to be...dedicated to improving the "black community." TV One is a business venture and is interested in the same things as CMT, MTV, Telemundo, or CBS; they want to build a strong viewership so that they can charge higher rates for advertising. In other words, they are in business to make a buck just like everyone else. They have simply decided to target blacks as their primary market, like MTV targets 18-34 year old males as their primary market.
Finally, even if Obama is elected President racism will still exist in America. Like I said before, racism is an individual thing and no election, no legislation, and no amount of wishful thinking will change it or make it disappear. All we can do is continue to make it socially unacceptable, and keep any sign of it from creeping into law. We have defeated de jure segregation and destroyed the laws that enshrined racism in this nation, but there is very little that can be done about de facto segregation and the racsim that lies in the individual hearts of men.
AE, I think most people who
July 9, 2008 - 13:11 ET by HermanoAE, I think most people who come here do realize the media has an influence in politics, religion and race, which may be the underlying reason for the vitriolic tendencies. I see posters inject a great deal of emotion into some issues, this one especially, because they are having a difficult time believing wha they see coming out of the media. After years of observing the population, I think most of have come to the conclusion that a person is smart but people are dumb. If we hear something enough times, it becomes "true" even if it is not. Unless we are in the midst of many blacks, we cannot see the message they are putting forth. The "Revs" are most white people's link to the black community and the media portray them in a certain light. I think we are starting to see the actual lack of influence they do have. In this day of instant information, it is a shame that we do not seek out the "truth" as it actually is, but rather simply accept the "truth" as it is presented to us. It is easy for a person to change, not so much for people. Here is to the day they do.
I hope to see you here more in the future. I spent four years of my life in W-S at WFU and have many fond memories of that city.
Hermano
July 9, 2008 - 16:04 ET by americaneagleI see what you're driving at, but conservatives need to be careful when taking that path. What it ends up doing is alienating a powerful voting bloc that is usually very conservative in their religious faith, basic morality, and fiscal ideas. But if some right leaning black saw this "discussion" it would send them hurrying right back into the arms of the Democrats, because at least the Democrats don't accuse them of racism at every turn! It is just ridiculous that the actions of one cable channel unleashed this torrent of abuse on blacks in general. The quicker conservatives lose the liberal influenced notion that blacks are to be treated as members of a group and start to engage them as individuals, the better the chances of swaying them to the conservative cause.
As for Winston-Salem, I live in neighboring Stokes County but I like the city. Coming from Rockingham Co., Greensboro is my preferred Triad city but proximity pulls me to Winston. Small world, isn't it? FYI, in case you are a baseball fan the city is finally building a new park for the team. It's going up on I-40 about a mile or two from Baptist Hospital, and right on the edge of downtown.
You may be right on the
July 9, 2008 - 21:16 ET by HermanoYou may be right on the "treating them like individuals" part. I think many Pols look at politics as "groupthink" to borrow from Orwell. I believe it is important for Pols to look at their constituents and listen to what they want. The best way is to talk with them one-on-one. If I ever look to office it will be this way. But there is still the larger picture, so how do you engage a voting bloc? You are right - not by alienating them.
Made it to a few Spirits game years before they renamed to Warthogs. The stadium was in pretty good shape back then. I had the opportunity to see the Durham Bulls there before the movie came out. I think I still have a Spirits seat cushion somewhere in storage!
Friend
July 9, 2008 - 10:13 ET by misterbee241I have a good friend who is black. He is also a Christian, conservative theologically as well as politically.
He is, however, supporting Barack simply because Barack is black. He knows what Barack stands for, how the enemies of the country have endorsed Barack, and he seems ok with that.
Personally, I dont understand it.
"There is none so blind as they that won’t see."
Jonathan Swift 1667-1745
misterB You mean you're
July 9, 2008 - 11:15 ET by Jack BauermisterB
You mean you're not supporting Mini MeeCain simply because he's white?
How unracist of you!
Whites are "racist" - Blacks are simply "proud"
July 9, 2008 - 11:06 ET by krendlerFunny to see the talking heads constantly wondering aloud whether "America has moved beyond racism" and fretting over things like Hillary getting 12% more of the white vote than Obama in this or that state ("The ugly specter of racism? Bradley effect?") and endlessly scrutinizing the words of white politicians - especially conservatives - to see if they can spin an inocuous statement into "subtle racism" or "he/she is using code words"
.....all while turning a blind eye to the daily, unapologetic, overt racism practiced by the black community - The very community that is constantly calling whites and America "racist".
proof positive
July 9, 2008 - 11:20 ET by texan1953Rodgers proves that a mind is a terrible thing to waste.
They're racist bigots.
July 9, 2008 - 11:41 ET by mattmThey're racist bigots.
Why? Are you implying that
July 9, 2008 - 11:47 ET by TheGingermanWhy? Are you implying that all Republians are white?
If not, then how are they being racist?
"TV One Live: DNC
July 9, 2008 - 11:55 ET by stratmanShould actually be
Fine, they aren't a news organization
July 9, 2008 - 12:12 ET by Rhymes With RightThat made me ask a question on my blog last night -- wouldn't this therefore constitute an illegal corporate campaign contribution to the Democrats and the Obama campaign?
Blogging at rhymeswithright.mu.nu
This isn't unprecedented.
July 9, 2008 - 18:49 ET by Howard_BealeThis isn't unprecedented. The GOP arranged for the 1996 Republican National Convention to be covered on the Family Channel.
The Republican party is taking a do-it-yourself approach to televising
its convention in San Diego next month. GOP TV, the party's in-house TV
arm, will cover the four-day convention (Aug. 12-16) and air the
proceedings in prime time over the The Family Channel, a cable network
controlled by evangelist and former Republican presidential candidate
Pat Robertson.
The DNC received no such coverage on the Family Channel.