NABJ and Jena 6

As a disclaimer before I start: I'm white and can't speak for the struggle of others. However, the last few days have been very informative in terms of finding out that things are not what they seem.

Last night, there was a forum NABJ forum on the issue of images of blacks in the media at CBS. The five panelists, who have different backgrounds, spoke about the state of black images in the media. Everything they said was true and I fall victim to noticing the stereotypes and, well, not exactly changing the channel. It's not that I have anything against anyone, but Sergio Mims said it best, "Something is funny when we know about it." As sad as that may sound, it's true. Show's like 'Flavor of Love' were among the targets of their ire. I'm victim to watching 'Flavor of Love' not because I'm looking to pour on, but because it's so bad that it actually moves into being good televison. Other panelists mentioned power and who has it to put programs on the air. Barbara Allen mentioned that producers, who are white, have troubled putting together a black show because there is no connection to what it means to be black in this country. Overall, it was great experience and now I'll be more aware of images when I see them.

Now on to a far more disturbing issue. Jena 6. Breanda Butler mentioned it last night, but I got a more in-depth perspective by watching Today. Look, anytime you have a white person hanging a rope from the "white tree", it makes me sick as a white person. What the hell was that kid thinking? I don't agree with the retaliation, but the those six kids were justified in their anger. Haven't we move on since incidents like these were a daily occurance? It is a sad state of affairs when we can't all look at each other as equals.

Okay. I'm done ranting. I hope that I haven't rubbed anyone the wrong way because of a few keystrokes.