Ishmael Reed: Learning About Racism, Live on NPR and CNN
The Furor Over the “Colored Mind Doubles”
…Ms. Martin’s interview with Cynthia McKinney came to my attention originally after I received an email from the brilliant young social and media critic, Joseph Anderson, one of those who was offended by it. After viewing the interview at the ABC website, I agreed with Anderson that Ms. Martin was curt, rude and sarcastic to Ms. McKinney. I sent him an email saying that if she had used this tone during an interview with a white male congressman she would have received the Connie Chung treatment. Fortunately, readers may consult the show online and decide whether they agree. Ignored during this interview was the fact that it’s Ms. McKinney’s political views, not the hair or her minor altercation with a capitol policeman that has earned her persecution from one of Washington’s most powerful lobbies and her round the clock ridicule from places like CNN, whose president views dissing blacks as a way of raising the fledgling ratings of the network. Had It not been for the O.J. trial, CNN would have tanked long ago, and they’ve spent much time since then, searching for an O.J. or a Michael Jackson, or Clarence Thomas, Kobe Bryant or another black male who would attract a viewer lynch mob to their product.
They celebrated their 25th anniversary with a visual montage, which I have saved. This montage was supposed to include photos of the most important events of the last twenty-five years. A photo of Anita Hill was larger than the rest.
Does CNN believe that the Anita Hill Controversy, however significant, was the most important event of 25 years- years that included natural disasters, wars and an attack on the American homeland and the impeachment of a president? Does this mean that the morbid excessive fascination with blacks involved in scandals borders on a sickness, something that needs to be examined in a clinic room? Are those who furnish the public with this material, sick, or the market that craves this junk?
Why, asked the late Rick James, during an interview with a CNN bimbo, was the Michael Jackson trial more interesting to the public than the war in Iraqi? Good question.
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