As CNN gears up for their "Black in America" presentation to take place tonight and tomorrow , I can't help but feel this will be another half-hearted attempt to try to know or understand Black people. Some may applaud CNN for their efforts, but maybe its the cynic in me that sees CNN capitalizing on the popularity and historic (arguably) run of Senator Barack Obama. Some may counter by suggesting that this production has long since been in development with the earliest promotions for it coming as far back as March. However, if we think back to March, Sen. Obama had just broke even in Super Tuesday and was marching toward the nomination.
Regardless of the reason the production itself seems to be lacking. One of the first and most key points to look at is the choice of commentators. There are a few names and faces that are regularly paraded out to translate Black to many White Americans. Many of these people are the same folks who MSNBC, and FoxNews use to try to translate Black culture to White Americans. Such people include the everpresent Cornel West, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, Tom Joyner, and Dr. Eddie Glaude. Many of these men are famous precisely for being able to translate Black culture to White audiences. There are many others who would do a better job conveying the emotional, mental, physical and most important spiritual spectrum of Black life to a viewing audience. Some of the others may not be the famous academic types but people who simply call it as they see it.
Ask for example why Bill Rhoden, a sports columinst for the New York Times is never asked to speak at these type of affairs. It would only make sense that if Black Americans are the overwhelming majority of the two largest grossing sports in the United States (70% NFL, 80%NBA) that someone with a level of expertise in sports would be asked to provide their opinions. However many people don't know about Rhoden. Probably because of his suggestion that integration (in sports) did more to harm Black institutions than help. Most in the mainstream won't want to hear this because it threatens racial harmony (translate as White economic triumph). He also referenced athletes as "40 Million Dollar Slaves. He has always been critical of subtle and implied, and often times not-so-subtle and implied racism that is inherent in the United States.
Ask again why you rarely hear from Walter Williams. Williams is a conservative professor from George Mason University. He writes columns and appears as a guest on radio and television shows extolling the virtues of capitalism. He also cites real life examples of how government programs have worked to the detriment of Black Americans. Yet you don't hear from him at these types of forums possibly because he clearly exposes holes in the White Americans theory that they (exercised through the government) are Black people's only salvation. There is extremely little I agree with Dr. Williams about but I do appreciate any man who will call for Black economic independence, and at the least he provides a new viewpoint, that differs from the traditional African American school of thought (whatever that is)
These two brief examples serve only to illustrate how off the mark networks come when trying to broadcast an accurate representation of Black life. The main reason being that Black life is so diverse and all inclusive that it cannot be told through commentators and translators. The best and only teacher of Black life is lived experience. Tonight CNN will try to capture everyday people and use them as the new translators of Black culture. It may even be a valiant attempt but in the end it will fail because Black life is much more than a 30 second soundbite, or a one hour program or even a two day special. To be honest its even much greater than a 617 word Essay. Because Black culture and life cannot be translated, however for what its worth, I think it can be described in one word. BEAUTIFUL
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5 comments:
I personally agree with your feelings about CNN. Sure, there's nothing with the program on the surface, but why wait until July, why not during black history month. I feel CNN is just after a black audience for their election coverage.
Like you, I am tired of seeing Cornell West, Michael Eric Dyson, et. al. These gentlemen are so far removed from the black community. They wouldn't dare take a pay decrease to teach at an HBCU.
I would applaud CNN if:
1.) They did the program outside of Atlanta. There are a lot of African-Americans living in a lot of other places besides Atlanta.
2.) CNN reached out to the community organizer, the single mother, or the state congressman.
3.) Not try to show such an overt bias toward the Obama campaign.
Many students at our dear Howard University are going to be glued in front of their sets for this program. But what they don't realize is that these four or five "doctors" talking for two hours on television is not going to help that child starving at 9PM, or that child who can't read.
Change happens out in the field. Not in air controlled studios or lecture halls.
I respect Steven's views, but I can't help but to feel that he is a bit of a hypocrite. First, I do not understand why you feel Dr. Cornell West and Dr. Michael Eric Dyson are so far removed from the black community and, secondly, would you take that same pay cut that you have criticized them for...? I really do not think you would. As far as your "child starving at 9pm" comment, well, may I ask what you are doing to make a difference. It is so easy to criticize without checking yourself. I support ANYBODY who goes on tv to discuss or bring awareness to all social issues that especially effect the disadvantaged. Lets get more behind each other instead of expressing our self-righteous views.
There is no way possible to describe, illustrate, or depict the everything that creates a culture of any sort. The feelings, emotions, and ideals in a 4 hour special. If you think this is possible you have GOT to get a grip. The show was very general and did not touch on alot of the information that I wish it could have.
I HATE EDITORS
I found more of the online video discussion worthwhile to watch moreso than the show.
Now as skeptical as we all are of the conservative folk on CNN. Lets be real. They weren't lying about it, it was a documentary and truthful. However, I'm upset that there are so many negatives that are pointed out and the few positives are few and far-in-between occurances. I already know about the mini plagues to my people, Jail, Aids, Household issues, Lack of Socio-Economic self empowerment. Show me the 2 parents with 2.5 Children that own a home, and are involved in Church, Home and the Community.... 5 Kids? College? really? Its hard enough for any family to finance 1 child going thru college. Thanks for the positive moment but I know a bit better.....
They showed the Rand family and how they connected. Ok that gets cool points on diversity and history....cool. But I'm still not looking for a sob story nor was I expecting a completely uplifting movement.
For the educated individuals who will disect this entire documentary:
You can always take something positive out of any situation. We are the exception to the stigma. We excel and will continue to do so. The only thing we can ultimately change is how we address the issues that we face on a daily basis. No I don't have AIDS, but I'll contribute to NAPWA. I don't live in poverty, but I will help empower the young individuals who don't know about what they can do to take charge of their finances. Education....shit I'm from Baltimore......not even going to start on that messed up system that doesn't only affect black people. But I will show the eager young boys and girls that with knowledge comes power
Take it with a grain of salt....umm make that a few pinches.
In response to Randy's response to Steven about West and Dyson:
Of course those two are removed from the community, because they spend their entire lives within these media-controlled spaces giving their "expert" opinions, when literally they could be contributing their "expert" opinions to grassroots conversations about the issues that are taken place in our community. but why do they go to the capitalist-controlled media? its is conducive to their individualist ambitions of prestige and fame. While I cannot speak for brother Steven (with whom I actually agree with for once) I would definietly take a pay cut to work at an HBCU, at least there I could reach the masses of black scholars in an academic setting, if one is truly committed to the struggle he/she would not be committed to the dollar. Ray can attest to this as he informally interviewed Dyson when he was at Howard after a similar program on race. One can easily survive with an HBCU salary. What the hell is individual wealth juxtaposed to a poor community, for some (the mainstream) it is success despite the odds, for me it is detrimental.
I would like to point out to everyone who watched and those who didn't the show was separated into 2 parts: Black Woman & Family; and the Black man. This is symbolic to me of the institutionalized and inherently racist attitudes that are still present today. Jim Crow said to separate the man from the woman and family... CNN is still Listening.
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