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Monday, May 11, 2015

Dear Media: All The Black People


We have repeatedly been offered opportunities, as a society, to discuss race issues in America in the last couple of years. Unfortunately, every time we have a story that creates a division between races, the commentary on the news has been generic and tippy-toed around what the true story was. I hate to think that the thing that makes us wake up is a nasty comment by a school principal instead of the murder of an unarmed black man, but I am going to continue to point out your failings as they come. And maybe this time the media will have dialogue in their reporting to begin a conversation about insensitivity, at the very least.

This weekend a principal at a graduation ceremony condemned "All the black people" for leaving when she called security to escort a man out who was up front taking pictures and selfies of himself with graduates and the valedictorian in the background. She never took a moment to consider that this might be a family member who wanted to capture this accomplishment. In calling security to remove a man who she was being rude to because she thought he was being rude, many in the assembly determined to walk out for her having been disrespectful.

The principal saw the event completely differently. She said, "A man, who just happened to be black, was up there with a camera taking pictures and selfies with the kids and interrupting the valedictorian." Then, as many in attendance got up to leave because of her trying to get the "rude" man to be removed from the building, she said "Look who's leaving, all the black people." And she said she believed the assembly was insulted was because she used the word "black."

She was offended that people called her a racist and defended herself by saying,"I didn't know that 'black people' was a racist term." She genuinely doesn't seem to understand that the implication of the "term" was the racist aspect as she went on to say "Was I supposed to say African American? Were they born in Africa? No. They're Americans. I never disrespected anyone". She didn't understand that pointing out that the people in the room who were not doing what she thought would be expected at a graduation ceremony were, of course, the black people. She absolved herself because she didn't use the N* word. Apparently, in her mind, if she insults a group of people but doesn't use the most derogatory term in her condemnation of an entire race, she is not a racist.

The principal, when interviewed, said that this school was specifically for kids who wouldn't have an opportunity to graduate otherwise. If this is true, what an absolute shame that she decided to behave like trash and completely ruin their day. Its a big day for all kids when they graduate and move on in the world. But for kids who society had deemed 'disadvantaged' and unlikely to graduate, this is a remarkable accomplishment and celebration. And she ruined it. And if any American doesn't understand why that is a tragedy, that needs to be a starting point, I guess. It also means that we are a lot further behind as a nation than I thought.

It is the responsibility of the media to do more than report on her belief that she is not racist. It is the responsibility of the media to explain to those Americans, who think like she does, why it was insulting. It truly is a shame that our media should have to explain to people who can be so ignorant and selfish as to not consider the intent behind a statement to be insulting. But it is a discussion we must have. And you are the place to start the conversation. I compel you to create that dialogue tonight and explain to your audience why this woman's statement was both racist and insensitive. We really can't keep going on like this.




8 comments:

  1. Well said. Good post. The media does often editorialize and give opinions through bringing in the "experts". So, I appreciate your article because you are right on when you question why they did not bring this news story up for more discussion. These are the kinds of stories that we must "investigate". Prejudice towards people of color, the poor, sexual orientation, the young, the elderly,people with mental, physical and emotional difficulties...might be better understood if we have more dialogue through the news media, as well as around our own kitchen tables.

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    1. Amen, sister! Thank you for your support. I feel like if we cant get the media to participate in positive and thoughtful narrative, how is America supposed to know enough to make a progressive change?

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  2. Say it sister! Excellent post. You've put my thoughts into the words I could not find. Thank you for your clarity.

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    1. Oh! Well thank you for making my morning! Sometimes I wonder about people, it's nice to hear from someone who agrees!

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  3. I stumbled upon you on twitter. Followed your link to your blog ... which btw I am loving your articles.

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    1. I can't say how wonderful that is to hear. Sincerely, thank you.

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    1. I am :) My page there is also called The Mean Progressive. Thank you for asking :)

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