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Carol Hunt is a
Obama Delegate
for the 16 PA Congressional District and will appear on the
primary ballot in April |
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
The Media and Our Mirror
by Carol Hunt,
Founder, Giving Bridge
Friday’s wide coverage across the major news
cable channels of the Reverend Wright’s controversial and
uncomfortable statements within various sermons was not only
disturbing in itself, but how these statements continue to be
discussed across the media. In viewing the coverage at the time, and
then stepping away to digest it, several questions came to mind; Can I
separate the story and its relevance from the sensationalistic
presentation from the MSM? Can I, as a 43 year old white woman
understand the innate cultural differences of the African American
experience in all of its presentations?
How would Edward R. Murrow navigate through
today’s 24 hour, multimedia, news cycle of today? I try to imagine
what would have happened during the McCarthy investigations with the
present media. How frightful and frenzied the state of political and
religious affiliation and “guilt by association” in the trials of
those who were viewed as a threat to what we knew as establishment.
One viewpoint may position the media as the purveyor of the McCarthy
dogma, assuming the responsibility to rout out and expose those that
fall outside the lines of the social norm as we understand it. The
power of the mainstream media to position a story and influence a
story’s interpretation can not be understated. In recent memory, there
have been instances where the coverage of the story superceded the
actual content, hence distorting what we accept as news. At what point
does a story stop being news, and become an apparition? What I see is
the worst in reporting, a modern day use of media that undermines not
only the Democratic party, but the American fabric.
Of course, the knee jerk reaction to the Rev.
Wright’s rants is shock, awe and disgust. Is it the content of the
statements or is it the actual tone of delivery? I believe it is both,
and that is where the racial divide affects how we perceive the
content. Following the 9/11 attacks, the Rev. Jerry Falwell, Pat
Robertson and other major “white” Christian ministries made sermonic
statements that the actions of the United States and its citizens and
their debauchery were at “fault” (don’t quote me, but you get my
point) and were the cause of the atrocity that struck our country. Are
we disturbed by the large number of followers of their ministries,
including Presidents? Of course not. It’s the classic biblical
argument of the “chickens have come home to roost”, “we are damned”
sermon. This analogy is used in many sermons to influence the flock to
“fly straight”. In the case of Rev. Wright, can it be a case of his
audience, a largely black, inner city, stereotypically “fire and
brimstone” type of delivery and what words to use to reach his
followers? Does it make us feel uncomfortable – yes! But that was Rev.
Wright’s objective to his congregation. What we don’t understand, as
white traditional Christians, is the cultural tonal differences in
which this message is delivered. In my reaction and taking a step
back, I sought out other sermons from Rev. Wright, and what I heard
was a calm, thoughtful message of hope, divinity, and servitude.
Obviously, like all religious leadership, it all depends on the sermon
of the day.
Do I agree with all of Rev. Wright’s statements?
No. To inject Mrs. Clinton into his sermon to make a point about
discrimination was wrong. Is there discrimination in this country?
Yes. Are we self-aware of the subversive discrimination? I think with
every conversation during this political year, we as a society are
taking a healthy look at ourselves, our neighbors, and our own social,
racial, and even religious demons. If anything to take away from this
dialogue, it is growth as citizens.
comment on this news item...
Comments:
Very thoughtful and
well-written article--my hope is that it is made available for large
viewing audience to read and ponder...it is about the character of
society. (K. Reentscler)
Written by Stephen
Crockett (co-host of Democratic Talk Radio
http://www.DemocraticTalkRadio.com ).
Mail: P.O. Box 283, Earleville, Maryland
21919. Phone: 443-907-2367. Email:
midsouthcm@aol.com .
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