Articles Feature

When Did You First Experience Racism?

by richard04405

Reporter Poses Question After H.S. Incident

What the ‘Hamilton’ Musical Can Teach Editors

Called ‘Robbers,’ Siblings Claim Defamation

Black Former Exec Blasts CBS’ ‘White Problem’

Police Shoot, Kill Native Man During Church Service

4 Agencies Sued Over Database on Journalists

Sharpton to Host Special on Race and 2020 Election

Fire Sanders? Few Neutral on Ryan’s Suggestion

Philly Inquirer Backs Removal of Kate Smith Statue

Short Takes

The red locator on a student-made map read “Negro Hill.” The image was created by two white Chaska High School students in Minnesota. Sophomore Darius Stewart, in video, was one of the 25 pictured. He told reporter Adrienne Broaddus that the act of racism cuts deep. (Credit: KARE-TV)

Reporter Poses Question After H.S. Incident

“What was your first experience with racism?” Adrienne Broaddus a reporter at KARE-TV in Minneapolis, asked this week on Facebook.

She received a multicultural response.

“17 years old… I was sitting in my car at a traffic light when a white woman told me I look like a stupid nigger,” wrote one.

From another:

Adrienne Broaddus
Adrienne Broaddus

” In high school, we were supposed to write a paragraph on our definition of love.

“was having a problem writing it down, so I went to the teacher for help.

“He said, you can love a lot things; like food. You know like watermelon or fried chicken.”

Another:

“As a toddler getting in a community swimming pool in Tulsa Oklahoma and having the white ppl get out.”

Another:

“Working in North Minneapolis being called a cracker.”

Another:

“Most blatant:

“I was a freshman in college. I walked across the courtyard . . . to the main entrance to my dorms to pick up food that was being delivered.

“I was approached by a police officer who asked me where I was going and why I was out. When I asked why he questioned me, he stated that I ‘can’t be walking around with a hooded sweatshirt with sweatpants, because I looked like a suspect that they had received complaints about.’

“When asked of the suspect’s description, I was told that it was a black male between the ages of 18 and 32, between the height of 5 7 and 6 ft 3, and between 160 and 215 lb.”

Another:

“College. I did a study away trip my first year and this girl said to me that every year for her birthday she asked her parents to put a nigger on top of her birthday cake.”

And another:

” I was in English 100 course in delta BV location. I was the only white person in the class[.] the teacher asked us to say one thing we liked and the one thing we didn’t like. As the students told there likes and dislikes everyone of them said in there dislikes they hated racism and looked at me like i was a racist. Made me feel very uncomfortable because i love everyone.”

Broaddus messaged Journal-isms that she decided to ask the question after covering an incident at Chaska High School in the Eastern Carver County Public Schools in Minnesota.

“This time, an image of a Google map, with 25 black students, was circulating on social media,” Broaddus reported for the station.

“The red locator on the map reads Negro Hill. The image . . . was created by two white Chaska High School students. Sophomore Darius Stewart, a black male, is one of the 25 pictured. He said the blatant act of racism cuts deep. . . .

“Parents say the escalation of incidents is alarming. The district, who learned about the image last week, mentioned nothing about it to parents at an Equity meeting they hosted this week. Parents say the district leaders also didn’t allow time for comments at the meeting. The district has repeatedly said, and proudly [boasts] on its website, it is a caring and compassionate school community that embraces diversity and inclusivity. Students like Stewart feel differently.

“ ‘They don’t like black people,’ he said. ‘They want us gone. I mean, I am hopeful but I don’t think racism is going to stop.’ . . .”

In a follow-up story on Wednesday, the station’s Danny Spewak wrote, “As parents described harrowing examples of racist incidents in the Eastern Carver County Schools during a meeting earlier this week, Chaska Mayor Mark Windschitl sat appalled in the audience.

” ‘It was eye-opening,’ Windschitl said. ‘I went to that meeting and I was like, “holy cow. This is ‘happening.” ’

“Windschitl announced the city would meet with the district next week, facilitate a listening session with leaders in the community and bring an implicit bias workshop to Chaska for diversity training. . . .”

Broaddus told Journal-isms that the Facebook answers will be material for a paper she is writing for Ball State University, where she is pursuing a master’s degree, and for an op-ed that will likely be on her station’s website.

What is striking about the incidents reported on Facebook is that no matter how shocking, the actions themselves were carried out with a routineness that was even more alarming.

What would the responses be if such a question were asked in your community — or in your newsroom?

Obioma Ugoala, center, as George Washington in “Hamilton” at the Victoria Palace Theater. (Credit: Matthew Murphy)
Obioma Ugoala, center, as George Washington in “Hamilton” at the Victoria Palace Theater in London. (Credit: Matthew Murphy)

What the ‘Hamilton’ Musical Can Teach Editors

“Let me tell you what I wish I’d known
“When I was young and dreamed of glory
“You have no control
“Who lives, who dies, who tells your story” (video)

Those lyrics sung by the George Washington character in “Hamilton: An American Musical” opened a column Sunday from Michael Kilian, executive editor of the Democrat and Chronicle in Rochester, N.Y.

“Many an essay has been written about the literary themes running through ‘Hamilton,’ ” Kilian wrote. “As a journalist, the theme I continue to ponder involves historical narrative and who is (or isn’t) telling it. Why? Because it gets at the heart of the work journalists do and its relevance in our ever-more-diverse society.”

Kilian also wrote, “Journalists for most of American history were almost exclusively men. And they tended to be men writing about men in the 18th, 19th and much of the 20th century. When Elizabeth Cady Stanton and other courageous women drafted the Declaration of Sentiments at Seneca Falls in 1848, countless newspapers openly mocked their work in articles that are cringeworthy to read today. . . .

“Even today, more than a half-century after the civil rights movement, most newsrooms fail to reflect fully the diversity of our communities and nation. The factors are many, including the loss of substantial amounts of revenue over the past 15 years that have limited hiring at a time when college graduating classes are more diverse than ever. Still, we must do better, and much better.

“Here’s why: Countless women and people of color have and do ask the question ‘Who tells your story?’ and conclude it’s not the local newspaper, or television station, or national cable network. This has serious implications for our democracy, for how well different groups understand each other and for the business bottom line of the news industry.

“So the question I ask myself is how and in what instances do the D&C and the press in general make courageous or influential or oppressed figures or groups of today feel like the women in Seneca Falls were made to feel 170 years ago? Whose stories are we telling, and telling well, and whose stories are we telling poorly, or not at all?

“I’ll be writing more about this in coming months. For now, please know we are putting steps in place so we can better reach the emerging audiences in Greater Rochester we need to survive and thrive into the 2020s and beyond. . . .”

In January 2016, Columbus, Ohio, police issued a short news release to Columbus-area media regarding a Nov. 26, 2015, crime at a water park. Included with the release were two still photographs taken from security-camera video. The first photo, above, showed a parking lot and individuals too far away to be recognizable. The second was from a water park hallway, which clearly showed the faces of three people. Police issued this news release: "Following the news coverage, the individuals in the video immediately came into Columbus Police Headquarters. The individuals in the video spoke to detectives, and, after further investigation, were found to not be the suspects in the robbery. Please discontinue the use of this video for any further reporting of this crime." The WBNS-TV website report remained, but the hallway photograph depicting the three people was removed and replaced with the parking lot photograph.
In January 2016, Columbus, Ohio, police issued a short news release regarding a Nov. 26, 2015, crime at a water park. Included were two still photographs taken from security-camera video. The first photo, above, showed a parking lot and individuals too far away to be recognizable. The second was from a water park hallway, which clearly showed the faces of three people. Police issued this news release: “Following the news coverage, the individuals in the video immediately came into Columbus Police Headquarters. The individuals in the video spoke to detectives, and, after further investigation, were found to not be the suspects in the robbery. Please discontinue the use of this video for any further reporting of this crime.” The WBNS-TV website report remained, but the hallway photograph depicting the three people was removed and replaced with the parking lot photo.

Called ‘Robbers,’ Siblings Claim Defamation

A case now before the Ohio Supreme Court illustrates how important it is for news organizations not to convict suspects by the wording they choose.

Oral arguments in a defamation lawsuit were heard Wednesday, in which WBNS-TV in Columbus is alleged to have falsely labeled three siblings — African American, it turns out — as “robbers,” though race is not listed as a factor in the case.

“The lawsuit said one sibling was taunted by classmates after the WBNS story ran and another was taunted and threatened,” the Associated Press reported. “The lawsuit said the third sibling fled the city and lost job opportunities.”

In a “there but for the grace of God” defense, national news organizations are lining up behind the television station.

As summarized by Brian Haytcher of the Star Beacon in Ashtabula, Ohio, “Aaron Anderson et. al, v. WBNS-TV, involves a news station accused of defaming a family based on a police report that called the family ‘suspects.’ The suit claims WBNS called the family ‘robbers’ in [its] reporting, and the family was later cleared.”

The court says these questions are on the table:

  • “Is the standard set by the Ohio Supreme Court in a 1987 case for what constitutes defamation of a private figure by a media company still applicable? Or has it been changed by the advent of online news reporting?
  • “Must a news organization demonstrate it used ‘reasonable care’ in reporting information about a private figure that turned out to be incorrect, or does a news organization now have a ‘stronger duty’ to ensure accuracy because false statements may remain public forever on the internet?
  • “Is a news organization acting negligently when it changes words provided by public officials, which are later is found to be incorrect, without further investigation of the information?”

Black Former Exec Blasts CBS’ ‘White Problem’

“In February, I decided to part ways with CBS, the corporation where I began my media career and most recently served as director of entertainment diversity and inclusion,” Whitney Davis wrote Tuesday for Variety under the headline, ” ‘CBS Has a White Problem’: Executive Blasts Toxic Culture at Network in Explosive Letter.”

Whitney Davis and the CBS building.
Whitney Davis and the CBS building.

“Last fall, when sexual-misconduct allegations against then-CEO Leslie Moonves prompted an outside investigation into the CBS workplace culture, I assumed that all forms of discrimination would be delved into. The attorneys I spoke with did not lead me to believe otherwise.

“I was eager to tell my story and grateful that two independent law firms were brought in to conduct interviews with several hundred employees. By sharing my experience, I hoped to shed desperately needed light on the truth that CBS, sadly, doesn’t value a diverse workplace. . . .

“The company has a white problem across the board. Did you know that there’s not one black creative executive working at CBS Television Network or CBS Television Studios? Of the network’s 36 creative executives — all upper management roles that deal with content development, casting, current production, daytime and alternative programming — there are only three women of color, none black. There is not one executive of color working in casting at CBS. The one Latinx executive hired in casting last year lasted eight months. He works at Netflix now. . . .”

While Davis started her CBS career at CBS News, most of her examples involve CBS Entertainment.

In a statement Wednesday, the National Association of Black Journalists noted that it “has had recent and productive meetings with executives at CBS News regarding their diversity and inclusion efforts.

“Earlier this year, CBS News promoted Kim Godwin to executive vice president of news. NABJ recognizes her as the current highest-ranking black network news executive. NABJ applauds the network for the work being done at CBS News to further improve efforts around diversity and inclusion. [Also promoted  was Ingrid Ciprian-Matthews, who is Latina.]

“We encourage the CBS Corporation to continue examining how evolving CBS News’ diversity and inclusion practices can be utilized across the board including in its entertainment division,” the NABJ statement said. “We also encourage the corporation to continue to work toward providing mechanisms that allow all voices who may have been impacted by alleged discriminatory practices to tell their stories. . . .”

Police Shoot, Kill Native Man During Church Service

In 2014, the Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice reported that “The racial group most likely to be killed by law enforcement is Native Americans, followed by African Americans, Latinos, Whites, and Asian Americans.”

Clarence Leading Fighter
Clarence Leading Fighter

Native Americans complained that few of their fellow Americans knew that fact, and that the national news media paid these killings little attention.

Now they have another example.

“Peaceful Palm Sunday services were interrupted at Rushville’s Immaculate Conception Catholic Church when law enforcement shot a suspect who entered the church,” Kerri Rempp reported April 17 for the Rapid City (S.D.) Journal, referring to Rushville, Neb.

“ ‘It was all of a sudden,’ said Father Joseph K. Joseph, who was leading services Sunday. ‘There was a noise in the back of the church.’

“Clarence Leading Fighter, 32, was shot by Sheridan County Sheriff’s Deputies who were attempting to apprehend him in connection with an alleged assault. Deputies responded to 303 Chamberlain Street in Rushville at just before 10:30 a.m. that morning and discovered a victim with a broken arm, [according] to a Nebraska State Patrol press release. The investigation led authorities to Leading Fighter, who was shot just after 11 a.m. after entering the church.

“ ‘I was reading the Gospel,’ said Father Joseph. ‘I heard a commotion and the sound of people falling.’ . . .”

The State Patrol is investigating the shooting, and Nebraska law requires a grand jury to convene.

Catherine Garcia of KNSD-TV, known as NBC 7, reports March 22 on the Department of Homeland Security’s failure to respond to inquires about a secret database reportedly to track those involved with or following a migrant caravan. On March 27, the station held a community forum on the issue.

4 Agencies Sued Over Database on Journalists

The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, KNSD-TV in San Diego and KNSD reporter Tom Jones have filed a federal lawsuit against four government agencies for refusing to turn over records about a secret government database of journalists, activists and social media influencers, the committee said Wednesday.

The database was complied in connection with asylum and immigration issues at the U.S.-Mexico border. The committee said the refusal violates the Freedom of Information Act.

“In the complaint, filed on April 22, Reporters [Committee] attorneys state the United States Customs and Border Protection, the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Citizenship and Immigration Services have ‘improperly withheld’ information responsive to FOIA requests submitted by NBC 7 and the Reporters Committee in March.

“After NBC 7 reported that the U.S. government created a secret database of journalists, activists, and social media influencers in connection . . . with asylum and immigration issues at the U.S./Mexico border, NBC 7 investigative reporter Tom Jones submitted a FOIA request to CBP seeking a variety of records. He requested information related to Operation Secure Line — the initiative created to monitor migrant caravans — along with emails and memos related to the government database. . . .”

(Credit: CNN)
(Credit: CNN)

Sharpton to Host Special on Race and 2020 Election

MSNBC is presenting “Not Just Black and White: Race and the 2020 Election,” a one-hour special featuring leading 2020 candidates focused on topics of racial equality, the network announced Wednesday. “The program is hosted by Rev. Al Sharpton, host of MSNBC’s PoliticsNation, and airs Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on MSNBC.

“ ‘Not Just Black and White’ offers an intimate look at the important topics of the upcoming 2020 election including social and economic inequality, identity politics, and more. The special features an in-depth conversation with Stacey Abrams and one-on-one interviews” with Democratic candidates:

Sen. Cory Booker (N.J.), Pete Buttigieg (Ind.), Julián Castro (Texas), John Delaney (Md.), Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.), Sen. Kamala Harris (Calif.), John Hickenlooper (Colo.), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (Minn.).

Also, Beto O’Rourke (Texas) Rep. Tim Ryan (Ohio), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) and Andrew Yang (N.Y.)

“During the special, Rev. Sharpton will break down where the election stands and where we go next along with a roundtable of experts including Donny Deutsch, Anand Giridharadas, Alexi McCammond and Sophia Nelson.”

Fire Sanders? Few Neutral on Ryan’s Suggestion

“While the right-wing messaging machine is trying to make it sound like a personality spat, April Ryan’s call for White House press secretary Sarah Sanders to be fired is a righteous and important one bigger than either of the people involved,” television columnist David Zurawik wrote April 19 for the Baltimore Sun.

“What Ryan’s call highlights is the way lying, smearing and slander have been institutionalized by the Trump White House to an extent not even done in Washington by the senator infamous for slander and lies, the late Joe McCarthy of Wisconsin, whose career and life ended in disgrace. . . .”

The Philadelphia Flyers removed Kate Smith’s bronze statue from outside Xfinity Live! in Philadelphia. (Credit: Stefan Falk/Philadelphia Inquirer)
The Philadelphia Flyers removed Kate Smith’s bronze statue from outside Xfinity Live! in Philadelphia. (Credit: Stefan Falk/Philadelphia Inquirer)

Philly Inquirer Backs Removal of Kate Smith Statue

“Kate Smith evolved from patriotic symbol to pariah seemingly overnight after egregiously racist songs she originally performed in the 1930s made fresh headlines,” the Philadelphia Inquirer editorialized on Monday.

“The Flyers organization took about 48 hours to condemn, cover up, and cart away the statue it erected in 1987 to honor Smith, historically the team’s good luck charm, from its pedestal outside XFinity Live! in South Philadelphia.

“The controversy about a patriotic popular singer who died in 1986 adds fresh fire to the painful but necessary national conversation about confronting racism’s stubbornly enduring legacy. Those who say it’s unfair to judge a historical figure — especially someone who was otherwise admirable — by what we hope are more enlightened contemporary standards are protesting the move as political correctness run amok.

“Much also has been made of the fact that no less a social justice warrior than Paul Robeson performed one of these same songs. But the notion that the songs themselves, or Smith’s renditions, were intended as satire is wishful thinking. And those rushing to defend Smith ought to give a listen to these examples of the pervasive racism that was standard in popular entertainment during the first half of the 20th century, and beyond. No wonder the wounds are so deep, and lasting. . . .”

Short Takes

Kodak’s Multiracial Shirley Card, North America. 1995.
Kodak’s Multiracial Shirley Card, North America. 1995. “By categorizing light skin as the norm and other skin tones as needing special corrective care, photography has altered how we interact with each other without us realizing it,” James Estrin wrote in the New York Times. (Courtesy Dr. Lorna Roth, Concordia University, Montreal, via the New York Times)

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Richard Prince’s Journal-isms originates from Washington. It began in print before most of us knew what the internet was, and it would like to be referred to as a “column.” Any views expressed in the column are those of the person or organization quoted and not those of any other entity.
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