Stephanie Maxwell will participate in panel discussion at JSU Dec. 2nd

Throughout this semester I have been discussing the portrayals and roles of African Americans in the Media. Now that the semester is coming to an end it is only befitting to host a panel discussion that will take place December 2, 2010 at 10am in the Msecenter located at 1230 Raymond Road in Jackson. I am elated to announce that reporter/anchor at WAPT-TV in Jackson, Ms, Stephanie Maxwell will a panelist in our discussion of Blacks in Media!


Maxwell began her career in Mississippi and now co-anchors 16 WAPT News at 5 pm, 6pm and 10pm. Stephanie received an award from the North Carolina Associated Press for an Enterprise/Investigative story about illegal dumping in the Croatan National Forest. In 2007, Stephanie received a Southeast EMMY nomination for Best News Anchor.
Stephanie was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, but considers herself a Georgia Peach and a Tar Heel. She grew up in Atlanta and is a proud graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Stephanie is a member of the Southeast Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, UNC Educational Foundation (Rams Club), National Association of Black Journalists, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Black Exposure

I for one have always questioned the reason the primary face I see on the news are black faces! If crime is prevalent and no one person in the world is exempt from being classified as a criminal, then why are the only people I see on the evening news African American? I have to bring this up because it has been hurting my soul to see black exploitation. Antoine Dodson, better known as the man famous for “Hide ya kids, hide ya wife,” has gain much notarity for the song. The song was an actual incident that occurred in Lincoln Park, AL when a rapist climbed in the window of a Dodson’s apartment. The footage that was caught portrayed Dodson to be ignorant, inarticulate, and dense. Instead of the media taking serious notice to the situation and attempting to help the people in the area, they used the situation to get a laugh out of it. Apparently everyone else thought about it the same because the song is now a hit and has even become popular among iTunes.
Even in national news, African Americans are exploited and misrepresented. I can count on one hand how many times I have watched the news this week alone and heard about the humanitarian acts of a famous African American musician or how Jackson State University produces most black meteorologist in the country because for the longest, JSU was the only HBCU to have a meterology program. It is very rare that I watch the news and hear something good, especially about African Americans. I don’t understand why! There are so many young progressive African American students who would love to have some type of exposure!

Followers tell me what you think! Are blacks portrayed negatively in the media? Do you see a balance in good and bad reports given about African Americans?

Surreally,

Black Voice Recognized, but not saying much!

Rev. Jesse Jackson speaks out about Juan Williams getting fired. I’m not sure that Jackson fully understands the situation from the standpoint of one representing a company, but I do not disagree that Williams’s pigmentation does play a role in the situation. “NPR was wrong because they did not afford him freedom of speech,” Jackson said. Williams has the right to say anything he likes because the laws are made that way. However, as a journalist the rights that other people have to speak their minds freely without regard to anyone are not revoked because there are investors that are paying attention to the station. The moment a broadcaster says something out of line they will be criticized for it. “They’ve martyred Juan,” Jackson said, “taking him to another level both with his resources and his authority as a journalist.” As a journalist it is the responsibility of the reporter to remove themselves from a story because their only job is it report. It is imperative to refrain from placing any personal opinions in a story or report.

“If they did not want his point of view, they should have said, ‘When your contract is over, you do not fit into our scheme of things.’ And then (he’d) go gracefully and with dignity. NPR should not want the point of view of any person unless they are on the public relations staff and paid to represent NPR, but I do agree with the second half of this statement completely! If this is not the first time that Williams has done this and he does this on numerous occasions, then what makes this time so different? They could have easily just not rehired him instead of firing him on the spot. That makes me wonder is the offense in the comment or is it crime the color of skin? There are plenty of broadcasters who have over stepped the boundaries of reporter by giving opinions and making comments that did not coincide with the company, yet many of them have remained on air.

The article pointed out the fact that Jesse Jackson made a similar comment in 1993 “there is nothing more painful to me at this stage in my life than to walk down the street and hear footsteps and start thinking about robbery—then look around and see somebody white and feel relieved.” So if this issue is not personal then how could Jackson remain in the good graces of NPR, but treat Williams the opposite way. There is a part of the story that the public has missed, neglected, or we just don’t know about. It sounds like someone has a personal vendetta against Williams. I do not throw the notion out completely that some of this is about race, but my eyes have been opened to see that this may be a personal attack!

Followers tell me what you think! Did we have the right person step up and speak on Williams’s behalf or is he talking just to be a black voice recognized? Do you think race has factored in the firing?
He’s the article link for you to read up or check out this link!
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1010/44255.html#ixzz144swdMi7

Surreally,

Monica

Crime the Color of Skin Juan!

It was lyricist/mc the mighty Mos Def, that released a song entitled Mr. Ni***a on his album, New World Order."...and even if the never said lips stay sealed, they actions reveal how their hearts really feel....when white boys doing it well it's success If I start doing it well it suspect." This song rang heavily in my mind after I heard of the situation with Juan Williams, from NPR. As most of you may or may not know, Williams was fired for making a comment that others felt was a form of bigotry.

From a public relations standpoint, I believe that NPR had every reason to fire Williams. When representing a company or anyone other than yourself, it is imperative to always put one's best foot forward. All personal views become nonexistent because the company's views and a broadcaster's view may collide, as we have seen in this case. It is not the job of the broadcaster, but rather the public relations manager to state the views of the company. I do not disagree with the fact that the comments that were made were not in accordance with NPR.

However, I cannot help but feel that this situation has a deeper rooted issue. The comment that was made, was merely a personal opinion and not a racial slur. When 9-11 happened the entire world was on alert, esp. in the airports whenever someone who looked suspect or not entered the area. Williams voiced a personal experience that others refuse to say, but reveal with their actions. How can a man is all too familiar with being discriminated against with the crime being color of skin, be insensitive to another ethnic group's struggle. Was the comment that heinous to fire Williams? Or is he just that "Mr. Ni**a" that Mos Def wrote about in his song? There has to be some part of the story that we as the public are missing. Bill O'Reily can make racial comments all day long about rappers and the black community, but when Williams voices and experience that may have offended some sponsors then he loses his job. Why was he not fired for the comments he made about Michelle Obama? Or was that okay to let it slide because Obama slandering is at an all time high?

Something is definitely wrong with this picture! Who will be the one to speak out against it? Where are our black leaders who fight for the rights of the African American community? Or are they too afraid of the "power" the white man thinks he has to take away jobs? We have come so far, yet still so far behind. Even with the President of the United State being of African decent, having a strong educational background, and the African American male showing the world he is more than a breeder. We have proven all this, but if the successful black males are still catergorized as "Mr. Ni**a" I won't find it surprising!

Followers, readers please give me your feedback after watching the video below and hearing the song follow the links! Thanks for reading as always!

Juan Williams- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBWR31CGR54

Mos Def-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2IDWRpQRAM

Surreally,

Monica

The Males Principle

A campus of proud Jacksonians gathered around on the Gibbs Green Pedestrian Walkway to listen reverently as, the keynote speaker, Dr. Quinton L. Williams, Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Student Life, delivers a compelling address for Jackson State University’s 133rd Founders’ Day Convocation on Oct. 21st, 2010. “In this 133rd year Jackson State University is no longer a young institution, it stands with a rich history that money cannot buy, says the Indianola, MS native.

"To every one male there are two females," said the former Sonic Boom of the South band memember. During this speech, Dr. Williams addressed the issue of black males that are represented in college. "This gender gap is going to manifest itself in a very profound way when all you highly educated black females start looking at the relatively small pool of potentional black husdands."

As I took a look around most of my classroom, I cannot deny that most of them are made up of females. Women are earning undergraduate degrees and going on to earn doctorate programs. My question to this is where does it leave room for the black man to take leadership role in, not only the household, but in the community.

In the past males were known as the provider, breadwinner, and protector of the home. This being his sole purpose to the home, he was respected by his family and others who took notice of his acceptance of responsiblity. With the way society has evolved over time, it seems the roles have reversed and the male's importance to the household had dwindled. If there are more women earning undergraduate and doctoral degrees, this means that she is more than likely going to be the main source of income or the spouse bringing in the most money. This is where problems begin in the household. If the woman has assumed the males position as provider/protector, then what is the males purpose? I truly believe this is one of the results of the Willie Lynch letter. By breaking down the Black man and removing his significance to the home causes the woman to go above and beyond in order to provide for her family. If the woman is more educated and more assertive in her education, why would she need a man to take up space in the home?

Followers, help me understand! Is it wrong for the woman to feel that she has an upper hand in a marriage/relationship because she is now assuming the responsibilities that her uneducated/under educated counterpart is incapable of assuming? What is now the purpose of the black male to the household? How can the numbers of black males and female earning undergraduate and doctoral degrees balance out?

Surreally,

Monica

The Color of Numbers

As a child I remember watching commercials, sitcoms, and enjoying other forms of entertainment wondering, "Why don't I see someone who looks like me?" Is our color too striking? Do we speak too loudly? Does our color offend those who are watching? It wasn’t until I matured and learned that the media became less about the color of skin and more about the color of numbers.

Minorities have been placed in an industry that is dominated by Caucasian males who depict what they think they know about minorities. In one discussion among three Caucasian males, the men spoke about diversity and the lack there of. It seems like diversity, today, and means having that token minority just that a company or industry can claim to be eclectic. True diversity is represented when the ideas, beliefs, and interests of another culture is taken into consideration. It is also reflected in an endeavors a company or industry in order to ensure that they are respecting the minority. I will admit I have seen some progression in the area of adding minorities to the media, but it feels like it is for all the wrong reasons.

The media doesn’t want the Asian for story of perseverance after facing strong opposition following her travel to American in the 1850’s. The media does not respect the rich history of the African American woman when Queen preceded her name and she gave birth to a strong and colorful people from her fertile womb. The media will not acknowledge the Hispanic for her major contributions in the areas of the arts, especially telling her story through pastel colors and abstract images. The fact of the matter is the issue is not longer color of skin, but rather the color of numbers. To answer your question, yes the color of numbers is green. The numbers of people who watch the station increase the ratings. As ratings increase, so does the funding for a network.

Diversity in the media has become an economical desire instead of an ethical matter. My question to you, my readers, is the media truly diverse or is diversity significant only when the color of number take a role? Check out the discussion http://www.rtdna.org/pages/education/live-chat--2010-women-minorities-survey.php Until next time!

Surreally,

Monica

Courage

"Are we not more that horns and harlequins are we not more than colors and drums....give me courage so I can spread it over my face and mouth."-Sonia Sanchez

The African American and their capabilities are limitless. We have overcome some of the most challenging obstacles and broken barriers that others had not noticed. Even with these accomplishments, to some the African American remains nothing more than a source of laughter. As shown in the 1950’s sitcom Beulah, African Americans were strictly confined to the roles of care giver and dim witted. The show aired from 1950-1953 on the ABC network and starred Ethel Waters (1950-52), Hattie McDaniel (1952), Louise Beavers (1952-53), Amanda Randolph (1953) as Beulah the maid.  

There were only three African Americans in the sitcoms and one was portrayed as a dim-witted woman who couldn't keep her mouth closed, the man was just a worker in the house, and Beulah who was the main character was Beulah who was the problem fixer of her white employers. In the episode shown below, Beulah made an assumption and it led to everyone taking belief in the same idea. There was a lot of confusion about what Beulah thought she knew. In my opinon, the show illustrated African Americans as being nosey, problematic, and nothing more than maids and yard keepers. As an African American woman today and just watching my grandmother in this time, I know she was more than a dim-witted, care giver, or yardkeeper. She exudes a strength that most people (eliminate race) will not possess unless it was given through experience.  

Keep this in mind: WE ARE MORE THAN HORN AND HARLEQUINS, MORE THAN COLOR AND DRUMS!...BREATHE COURAGE SO YOU CAN SPREAD IT OVER YOUR FACE AND MOUTHS.

To all my followers, do me a favor and take a look at this video and give me your thoughts on the portrayal of African Americans in the 1950's! 



Surreal,

Monica