In keeping with what appears to be the theme of the week in the blogosphere, here are some of my fav reactions to CNN’s Black in America:
- Jose made the personal political, as usual.
- P.O.S.H. focused on the health disparities section, and unlike CNN, offered some suggestions about what we can do. Check it.
- Young Black Professional Guide gave everyone who didn’t enjoy the special a big “F*ck You.” *shrugs*
- Ta-Nahishi Coats flat out refused to watch it.
- Post Bougie had his doubts about how CNN could portray an entire people (it couldn’t) in 2 two-hour specials (it didn’t).
Enjoy your weekend!
peace,
e.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Wanted to check out the post from Young, Black Professional Guide due to my ancient computer, hehehe.
From looking at the comments though there was some good feedback to what he had to say. For the most part I guess I can say that this series has definitely got conversation started amongst us and I guess that is a good thing.
One last point: I must say that it was interesting to me to see how much those who are not a part of the black underclass felt that they had not been represented or have yet to be represented by the series (is this an ongoing thing/will there be other parts to the series devoted to other issues/groups of the black community?)
haha hi barbara. unfortunately, this is a two part series and no we aren’t going to be represented anywhere on CNN. whomp whomp.
Yeah see, that’s where the frustration stems from for most. Yes they can be applauded for… telling black america what black america already knows and what non-black america might be unaware of or just unwilling to pay attention, but that’s about it.
Perhaps it is felt that if america sees the black middle class people will think that blacks are actually capable of making it, lol. Perhaps they want everyone to continue to believe that black/poor is the only ratio. That’s dangerous not only because a segment of the black population was left out, but also because it works against those living in poverty. The reiterated message of THIS is what being black in america is, this is your life, its fucked up and always will be unless someone helps you out of it, and there is nothing outside of this!
In your words Eva: whomp whomp and then whomp again…
Thanks for the shouts. That is all.
Barbara said: “That’s dangerous not only because a segment of the black population was left out, but also because it works against those living in poverty.”
There are tons of segments of black America left out of these things, which is why they should always be taken with a grain of salt. That’s just as true when Essence does it as when CNN does it.
As for the lack of representation of the black middle class, I think there’s a question of newsworthiness there. It’s like when the military was complaining that the ‘good work’ in Iraq they were doing was overshadowed by the media’s coverage of the carnage there. If the number one cause of death for young black man is homicide, that has to be the story. If black women are far and away more likely to contract HIV than women of any other group, that has to be the story.
People keep complaining about balance, without defining what that looks like, or focusing on the newsworthiness of the ‘positive’ stories.
Ah, yes. My lovely friend here calling me out again, lol.
And again, your response was about you instead of actually addressing what I said, which wasn’t about you at all.
(narcissism, much?)
Excuse me while I revisit the “lol” of my previous comment.
(taking the blogging world too personally, much?)
Hello there,
Are post plugs allowed at this blog?
If so… I wrote a post titled, “CNN BOGUS REPORT”!
Check it out at http://blackwomenblowthetrumpet.blogspot.com
If it’s not allowed then I am sorry for mentioning it! I was just trying to go with the theme!
Barbara: Care to address the meat of the response?