Mary C. Curtis: The Usual Suspects
Posted at 6:34 pm, October 28th, 2007
So I’ve heard Al Sharpton answering Meredith Vieira’s questions on the “Today” show and Michael Eric Dyson sparring with Pat Buchanan on “Hardball.” They were all discussing whether Don Imus deserves another on-air chance after his insult of the Rutgers women’s basketball team.
I have nothing against Sharpton, Vieira, Dyson or Buchanan. Well, maybe a little against Buchanan who told Chris Matthews that “Amos and Andy” was a great TV show.
But, tell me, who’s missing from this picture?
Black women, of course.
Ironic but not surprising that the very people who were disrespected continue to get no respect. They don’t even get a voice in a debate that centers on their image and their morals.
It was the same six months ago, when Imus-gate broke. (Six months off the air and a multimillion dollar settlement from CBS – the going price for maligning black women.)
Back then, only a few black women got the chance to talk about why Imus’ comments cut so deep. Just one here or there got to explain how the assault on the femininity, the morality, the humanity of black women has been a relentless thread in the fabric of America.
Just an academic or two got to lament the image that no amount of Condoleezzas or Oprahs or Beyonces has managed to shake.
Mostly, though, the rolodexes spit out Sharpton, Jackson, rappers, pundits – the usual suspects.
Nothing has changed.
Why is it that media outlets return to the same names? It’s not as though other voices aren’t out there.
Is it that it’s easier for hectic programmers to go with the tried and true, guaranteed to deliver a sound bite on cue? Or perhaps, it’s because the Rev. Al Sharpton is sure to generate controversy (translated, ratings)?
I suspect it’s a bit of both.
But it’s shoddy journalism, not complete or completely accurate. It silences an important voice in this particular debate.
So we get to listen to Buchanan – him again – saying the insults were great for the Rutgers team because they got to be on Oprah.
Sorry Pat, but that’s disgusting. My dignity is not for sale, not even for a close-up.
In 2007, black women are still fighting for the basic right to be themselves – to be beautiful, talented and smart.
They’re still fighting for the right to be heard.
I’m black. I’m a woman. I don’t like it.
There, I said it.
Even if no one is listening.
October 29th, 2007 at 11:15 am |
I agree with Pat Bucahnan in that when it is all said and done the Rutgers Womens BB program did walk away from this with some very positive press.They got more press coverage then the Tennessee girls did and Ms. Stringer is now turned to whenever some womens issue comes up. I also think that if it weren’t for others the girls would have never known about the comment. It is analogous to you being at a party and someone says some off the cuff remark about your child,that would harm her ego considerably, and then after storming out of the party you go home and make sure that your daughter is made aware of what was said.
I very strongly agree with you that the big issue here is where are the faces of african american women in the national media. Why is it that Oprah Winfrey is the only black women of any prominance that has a forum to speak from. Why don’t we give some air time to women of color.I was amazed that when MSNBC decided on a replacement it was another white male. To say that there are not prominent women who can speak on the subject would be more then disingenious it’s a lie. Being an Imus fan I goggle alerted his name and have been following the conversation daily so I can tell you that the most reasoned most intellegent articles I have read on the subect have come from black women and men. Yet I turn on the tube and Al and the regulars are sitting there spewing the most close minded bigoted rhetoric you could imagine.
Keep talking Ms. Curtis maybe just maybe some day someone will listen and give you some air time. Don’t hold your breath, since the institutionilized white domination of broadcasting runs deep.