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
When Williams first joined NPR in 1999 the values, morals, and beliefs were delivered and agreed upon. NPR has stated that Williams have been staggering the line for quite a while. His termination is not merely on the Muslim comment but a variety of events. An agreement was made and Williams broke it. Therefore he must pay the consequences. Plus financially and professionally he will do just fine without being a representative of the NPR.
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