During Wednesday’s CBS Evening News the network chose to give a boost to Social Justice Warriors by ending the show with a poem to “white privilege.” “We end tonight with a poem, written and performed by an Atlanta teenager this past spring, but it's been getting new attention from millions after the violence that shook America last week,” stated CBS Anchor Scott Pelley.
The poem titled “White Boy Privilege” was performed at a poetry contest at a private school my Royce Mann, and a video of it made it online. “Royce Mann's message was a plea from a 14-year-old white male going to a private school in Atlanta -- let everyone share his privileges,” reported CBS’s Mark Strassmann.
The parts of Mann’s poem which were aired include these passages:
To be honest, I'm scared of what it would be like if I wasn't on the top rung, if the tables were turned and I didn't have my white boy privilege safety blanket to protect me.
…
I love it because when I see a police officer, I see someone who is on my side.
“I’m just trying to be truthful about like how I wouldn't trade places with somebody and that I think a lot of people sometimes aren't so truthful about that,” Mann explained to Strassmann.
Mann’s poem had gone viral Strassmann noted, “After Minnesota, Baton Rouge and Dallas, Mann's poem struck a nerve on line. Many loved it. Others attacked him. More than eight million people have seen it.”
The CBS segment concluded with a line from Mann’s Poem, “It's time to let go of that fear. It's time to take that ladder and turn it into a bridge.” Mann’s poem won the contest.
Transcript below:
CBS
Evening News
July 13, 2016
6:57:06 PM Eastern [1 Minute 54 Seconds]SCOTT PELLEY: We end tonight with a poem, written and performed by an Atlanta teenager this past spring, but it's been getting new attention from millions after the violence that shook America last week. Here's Mark Strassmann.
ROYCE MANN: My name is Royce. My poem is titled "White boy privilege."
MARK STRASSMANN: "White Boy Privilege" was an entry in a school poetry contest.
MANN: To be honest, I'm scared of what it would be like if I wasn't on the top rung, if the tables were turned and I didn't have my white boy privilege safety blanket to protect me.
STRASSMANN: Royce Mann's message was a plea from a 14-year-old white male going to a private school in Atlanta -- let everyone share his privileges.
MANN: I love it because when I see a police officer, I see someone who is on my side.
I’m just trying to be truthful about like how I wouldn't trade places with somebody and that I think a lot of people sometimes aren't so truthful about that.
STRASSMANN: Racial division seared America last week. After Minnesota, Baton Rouge and Dallas, Mann's poem struck a nerve on line. Many loved it. Others attacked him. More than eight million people have seen it.
MANN: Everyone should have the privileges I have. In fact they should rights instead. Everyone's story should be written so all they have to do is get it read. I get that change is scary, but equality shouldn't be.
I'm not asking anybody to give up their lives to fight for equality. I have other dreams, too. I'm just asking you to try and be an ally, to do your share. When you see something that you think is wrong, that's discrimination, speak up.
It's time to let go of that fear. It's time to take that ladder and turn it into a bridge. [Applause]
STRASSMANN: He also won that poetry contest. Mark Strassmann, CBS news, Atlanta.
