Media
Haiti and why media coverage of tragedies sucks!
Recently I have begun advocating for a new approach to media output. I would like to see a media that is focussed on looking at solutions, rather than just regurgitating scary and titillating images and statistics (or sometimes speculation, rumours and misinformation) which don’t help the people/situation being discussed and leave those watching, reading or [...]
Do we need black/ethnic media in a ‘post-racial’ age?
The answer to my own question in the headline is a resounding YES. But let me qualify that by saying that we need GOOD black media (and indeed other ethnic media). Black media that perpetuates stereotypes and limits the scope of our interests to crime and entertainment stories, and doesn’t take into consideration the changing [...]
CNN panel: Swines + Planes
Yesterday I took part in another CNN panel… 3 of us including Pete Cashmore from Mashable and Shawn Williams from Dallas South Blog talked about swine flu and the jet that flew over NY. We had some differences of opinion… have a listen.
Embedded video from CNN Video
Diversity in Newsrooms – what to do about it?
A lack of diversity in newspapers and on TV has been an ongoing problem for many years. It happens in the US, it happens in the UK and no doubt it happens in other western countries too.
I’ve written previously about the need for diverse perspectives in the media especially at a time in which America [...]
Changing Race: What was the NY Post thinking?
As the controversy over Sean Delonas’ chimp cartoon continues to grow and people have taken to the streets in protest, the NY Post has finally issued an apology. Well, kind of.
Although the Post apologized “to those who were offended by the image” the paper clearly has no desire to apologize to Al Sharpton who has led [...]
NY Post: Monkeying Around
I’ve written before about the dangers and sensitivities of using of monkey imagery when depicting black people. And the NY Post has now found itself embroiled in controversy over this cartoon:
I don’t care whether or not you think black people look like monkeys, or whether or not you think black people are being over sensitive [...]
Missing Black People In The Media
When Spike Lee asked why Clint Eastwood’s movie Flags Of Our Fathers had no black people in it, Clint Eastwood responded with anger saying that ‘a guy like him should shut his face’.
According to Clint Eastwood, there were indeed a few black people there in Iwo Jima, but they didn’t raise the flag (which is [...]
The Global African-American influence
Prior to living in America, I had already visited the country a number of times. But that’s not how I am able to sing RnB songs, or how I’m able to rap full verses from artists like Common, Jay Z, Biggie and Tupac or even much older hip hop groups. It’s not how I understand [...]
Black & White Meet: Race & Reconciliation
On Friday April 11th at 21:00 (ET), MSNBC will host the premiere of a powerful docu-movie called Meeting David Wilson. I highly recommend that you watch this incredible film, which looks at race and the legacy of slavery in an original and moving way. This really is a story of hope and reconciliation.
About the film:
David [...]
Best Of The Web This Week
The Root: Blackness Primer Revisited - Writer John McWhorter argues that it’s not stereotyping to say that religious leanings, a love of fried chicken and a penchant for dancing are black cultural traits. Well, I guess there are black people out there – me included – who do these things… But how far do you go with this type of [...]