Comments on: F*ck the ‘Black in America’ Haters

By: powellcoreysr

powellcoreysr — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 03:48:01 +0000

First off I want to give props to the creator of this site for sounding off with his voice, and giving others the chance to do the same. The 2 day series B.I.A was very interesting true enough, but it did only focus on mostly negative issues. People need to realize that producers and networks are all about ratings wherever the signal is broadcasted. Its a business people lets remember that, and that is the main objective. Within our world bad news sells! I truly feel that people should stay focused on taking care of their business no matter what it is, but family and positivity is a plus and main priority.

By: POWELL SR, COREY.L

POWELL SR, COREY.L — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 03:27:43 +0000

Great work midwest brother! You are very taletent and your voice and work is real and loud and clear. God bless you your family your work and your future. I respect they way you gave your opinion raw and uncutt! C.P representing CLEVELAND,OHIO/ N-W-E-S/ FROM HARVARD 2 DA CLAIR. ALSO REPRESENTING EAST CLEVELAND, OHIO R.I.P LIL JOE/ AND HIS BROTHER T-MONEY……ECT.

By: Lester Spence

Lester Spence — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 04:54:03 +0000

Fred, a few things:
1. Expand your knowledge base. Eyes on the Prize was several episodes long, as was its sequel. Even Henry Louis Gates’ special was a few days/episodes long. There are a NUMBER of other prominent examples here.

2. Soledad had a consultant credit. She wasn’t the producer. I don’t believe blacks were prominently involved in producing the show at all.

3. Piss poor product should receive piss poor comments. I don’t know how I can make this more plain. “Sticking together” does not and should not mean letting poor product slide, particularly when it promotes ideas that are inherently false (black hypertension is due to increased black salinity? you’ve got to be KIDDING me) and politically bankrupt.

You’ve got to be more critical than this.

By: Angela

Angela — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:48:45 +0000

THANKS FOR THE SHOUT OUT FRED!

And I agree we all have to stick together to be stronger. Putting negativity out brings negativity back.

By: Latonya..another again

Latonya..another again — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 14:16:31 +0000

Responding…
Yes, our experience can not be captured a few hours a week on a special produced by mainstream corporate media, during black history month, or segments of reality TV programming. However, ANY attempt to chronicle a race of people will undoubtedly be put under a microscope. I’ll speak for many of the critics by saying what we have grown tired of, particularly as YBP, is the stereohyped stereotypes. Black Americans should not be clumped into… “the black woman”…okay this is what you are, uneducated, diseased, promiscuous, unmarried…the “black man”…okay we want to show you as imprisoned, also uneducated, and a clueless baby daddy. Stereohyped stereotypes. A good documentary presents facts objectively, such as the excellent MLK piece. If the purpose was to ignite dialogue, it succeeded. I commend CNN for the website http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2008/black.in.america/ and the 360 blog, but I was disappointed in the 2 night special.

By: Rashad

Rashad — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:31:56 +0000

It seems that this entire documentary has had an effect on everyone that had the opportunity to view it, whether positive or negative. I agree, there were parts of the documentary where I felt were cliche but maybe we’re all missing the point. Obviously, this documentary has created a lot of dialogue. However, the problem is that it usually stops at dialogue. Why should we look for the solutions to our problems in the documentary? If it was that easy to solve everything that is problematic in our community, it would have been done. Detailing the “black” experience in America is complicated and of course certain aspects of that experience are going to be overlooked or missed. But would our opinions be different if one of own Black film makers missed important parts of the black experience? If you look hard enough for something negative, eventually you’ll find it. But instead of us talking until we’re blue in the face about what CNN didn’t cover, what are we doing to make sure that our true experience is being captured? Take a second and think about it. But remember, everyone’s experience is not the same so be ready for healthy helpings of disagreement if you ever decide to express your version of the black experience to someone.

By: Twanna // FUNKY BROWN CHICK

Twanna // FUNKY BROWN CHICK — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 01:08:47 +0000

You rock!!! I love it that you focused on the positive stuff about the show as well as all of the good stuff Soledad’s doing on CNN.

I’m 100% guilty of falling into the “BUT” trap (e.g. “It was alright, BUT ….” and “I watched it BUT …). Huge fan of positive energy; thanks for the “reminder” to stay positive!!

By: Amiel B. Harper

Amiel B. Harper — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 15:28:35 +0000

Oh…P.S. for a full report please see the Report to President Clinton on Affirmative Action and in particular Section 4.1 on Evidence of Continuing Discrimination.

http://clinton2.nara.gov/WH/EOP/OP/html/aa/aa-index.html

By: Amiel B. Harper

Amiel B. Harper — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 15:14:11 +0000

In response to Goodguy….the reason that we need organizations for young black males is because there is still institutional racism in America. In fact, the bulk of American institutions retain some level of race-preference in them today. That is not to say that racism and race-preference today are not dramatically different then they were in the past, but they are still present. The recent(post-Clinton welfare reform) trend is to co-mingle race issues with economic issues because a significant portion of those who are economically poor are also racial minorities. However, an economic analysis inadequately addresses our reality. I challenge you to compare the recent news including the disparity on Wall Street and the national government’s rush to provide market confidence and stability against the ongoing tragedy of those affected by Hurricane Katrina. That there are some people still living in FEMA trailers without any additional resources and our treasury and congress have now green-lighted the second corporate welfare program in 12 months (the first being Bear Sterns) smells of more than pure economics. Moreover, when compared against prior and post national disasters those hit by Katrina have been the slowest and most inadequately assisted by their government. See national response to Hurricane Hugo and the three white mountain climbers stuck in Yellow Stone National Park. It just dawned on me that there were more rescue fly-over missions conducted for those hikers and Natalie Holloway then there were for the entire city of New Orleans.

More recent news coverage includes the disparity in interest rates for homeowners based on their race. See this recent law suit and Bloomberg article for more info. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=a4ek7mjzU5zk

This is on top of recent articles showing ‘Black’ names disadvantage applicants. When the public and private sector are still controlled by the White majority which has historically not cared for Blacks, it then behooves Blacks to care for themselves. This is why we need these organizations, because relying on pure economics to change institutional racism is inadequate.

By: Goodguy

Goodguy — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 02:55:06 +0000

Why do we need organizations for young black males. My father struggled as a young white male who lived in the project. I think the organizations not by color by for the poor not the national negro fund how about the down and out fund for all intercity kids. I understand this is a little off subject but I had to throw it out there. And dont come at me like I am some white ignorant southern because thats not what I am. Truely I am embrassed by southern pride and the garbage confederate flag. Everyone is a living breathing person and the kids who are born in to families struggling with money i believe do need outside support Black White Asian Latino anyone it time to stop all this seperation