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Wednesday, May 13, 2009 | 8:30am
Essence Teams With CNN to Air ‘What Matters’ Segments Focused On Black News
CNN’s takes “What Matters” recurring news segments where “Black In America” effort attempted to go
CNN has joined forces with Essence Communications, Inc. to develop the “What Matters” series of weekly news bits focused on African-American news. The collaborative effort comes on the heels of critically acclaimed CNN’s “Black in America” project and their recent on ongoing commitment to multicultural programming.
Inspired by the monthly “Our News” section of Essence magazine, content for the segments will be developed collaboratively. The segments will feature insight on topics ranging from 401(k) strategies to elder-care issues to pop culture. In addition, Essence.com will offer users related articles, additional commentary, blog discussions and the opportunity to view the “What Matters” segments.
The on-air and online segments will be hosted on CNN by Tony Harris and Don Lemon, anchored by Richelle Carey and feature correspondents Roland Martin, Fredricka Whitfield and T.J. Holmes.
The recurring segment are slated to run on CNN Fridays around noon and be rebroadcast later in the day on CNN sister network HLN during the 6PM hour. Online users also can view the “What Matters” segments on-demand at CNN.com beginning May 15.
FILED IN News
Let me take a deep breath, here………
In my opinion, what should matter is raising our children right: providing them with moral values, educational tools, and the necessities of life (roof overhead, heat, food on table). I’m sick and tired of millionaire producers deciding what should matter to us and putting out these white-washed products with these wannabe-white journalists (like the one pictured up there). The facts are that Black people are at the top of most negative statistical categories and at the bottom of most positive ones. But, we are just like any other people. We want the same things. So, what is wrong with so many of us and what goes wrong for so many of us? I think that of all people in this country, we have changed the way we go after meeting our needs the most. Apparently, the plan now is “a dollar and a dream.” And, for many of us, our core values have changed. “Reality” t.v. has done a number on us (and exposed the worst in many. So has the music industry. It seems like all these things are geared toward feeding our “lower” appetites. And then we get condascending programs that tell us what should be important to us, while the only avenue to success available (education) keeps getting cut in the budgets and maligned in the popular culture……….down from soapbox now.
I feel you and perhaps that’s why BET news was cut from its programming line up. But the fact is eventhough the media is determining what’s “important” that’s what they were doing anyway with their traditional programming. I think Essence who has some limited creative control is stepping in to provide via its researched content in the magazine some relevant topics and slants via this new avenue. It hasn’t really been done before so I won’t knock it yet.
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If we reject the content instead saying its spoon fed what are we watching? You bring up the education cuts…how would we know about that or become outraged by that if it weren’t for the media?
Right, we wouldn’t know. It’s a catch-22 in a lot of cases. What makes me the most angry about how we get hooked by “The system” (which the media is a part of) is that the same system that put us in this situation (through slavery, Jim Crow, Segregation, the Crack epidemic, Racial Profiling, unjust sentencing laws, like the NYS Rockefeller Laws, Institutional racism, etc) and helps to keep us there, then likes to rub it in our faces by showing programs highlighting our failures and what we are failing to do to help ourselves. Although there are many successful Black people on television, the majority of us are struggling to make ends meet. Then we hear about our wanna-be-rapper-moped-driving robber. Wanting to live a certain life and not having the tools to attain it drives many of us insane! I give you and the HN bloggers and contributors much credit for bringing up the many different topics that you bring us and for keeping it real. And thanks for the opportunity to air out our opinions.
No thank you. Highbrid Nation is YOUR blog. It doesn’t belong to us we just moderate. If we infuse to much control please let us know.
Slow down, Emerson. You can’t make a judgment abuot a journalist until you have been in their shoes. While I didn’t take offense to your statement (because you can’t be offended by something you don’t take seriously) I will give a quick statement. It’s amazing how we complain that the media does nothing for blacks in America, but when it does, we complain. Where are your reports? While I wait for them, maybe I’ll spend 3 years working on another Master’s degree.
*about (my keyboard is messed up)
I’m glad you weren’t offended, Zack, because I wasn’t talking about you personally. Maybe you should read over what I wrote because you seemed to miss the point. Oh, and I don’t waste time complaining about the media (or anything else regarding “the system”, either). I am proactive. But I won’t waste time justifying anything to you: I don’t take you seriously either.
Yikes…lets be easy lol. I think the bottom line is we’re not near where we want to be or should be. The question THAT IS DEBATABLE is if the media is helping.
I love the idea! we could use more programming geared towards african-americans get us talking about issues more and passionately. I think if the programming highlights the things we feel would be better off not televised, some of us will be embarrassed and will want to change because lets be real a lot of our people’s ways are down right shameful and a lot of us see nothing wrong with it. And the one person that chooses to live their life different they are said to be acting white.
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The overall problem in the black comminity is the lack of unity and the want to better the community as a whole and not for just oneself. Everyone never wants to help one another because we all feel we are in competition with one another, there is already a division in the community, black men are starting to hate black women and vice versa, correct me if i’m wrong. once there is unity as it was when the civil rights movement was in tact than eveything else will fall into place, it’s really just that simple. And what exactly makes the journalist in the pic a “wannabe white”?
I agree the attack on Soledad O’brien (the journalist in the picture) is a little unwarranted and misplaced. I just used her because she’s a CNN correspondent and was anchoring the entire “Black In America” project. However this is something different and she’s not even involved in it.
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I for one think the programming IS productive, its proactive how can it not be. I think Emerson’s point was allowing the media to control what we think, especially when as black folks we’re vulnerable and easily influenced is a dangerous proposition. Maybe that’s true but that doesn’t mean we should sit on our hands in my opinion.
that’s what I’m saying. I happen to like Soledad.
hopefully the thought will travel. You would think BET would, but they dropped the ball a long time ago
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Emerson, If people have problems with how the media portrays african-americans maybe there needs to be more african-americans striving to be journalist, program or network creators instead of being infactuated with being in front of the camera as performers and actors. There is a shortage of black journalist and advertisers in america, how do people expect to be seen in a positive light if there is only one perspective being given? I’m still waiting on someone to create a channel devoted to providing nothing but specials on black history figures and events like the history channel does for their history. I’ve been thinking about doing that for a while but the funds aren’t at it’s best yet
would a channel like that, lets be honest, be viable, entertaining? I might watch occasionally but I doubt I’m pre-empting the Mets game or Law & Order for it. You’re talking about a niche of a niche. I feel you, I think the problem is we need to condition ourselves to the point where that BECOMES important to us.
People can claim anything they want on blogs, so I choose to not disclose certain personal things. I’ll say this, however: I went to journalism school and wrote for a midsize newspaper for two years. I quit (in my immaturity) because I was frustrated with the racism and didn’t know how to handle it. But then I produced/directed a very successful community service program on local access for about 5 years. I’ve switched to human services and I help people with addictions, as well as doing youth groups, coaching sports, and I’m still involved in grassroots community advocacy. I grew up in NYC but live in upstate NY now. So, keep your dream alive, M.Y. and maybe start small, and nurture it so it grows. Peace.
You are right on point with your comments. That journalist is Soledad O’Brien and she is mixed, Cuban (I think) and Irish. Just like many people with parents of different ethnicities (who are in the public eye), she is tagged as an expert on “minorities”; exactly why, because she is mixed? Her degree was earned in the classroom, which qualifies her as a journalist, not a spokesperson for “minorities”. She reads copy from a teleprompter writen by her producers. It could be anybody up there. I’ll admit my comment on her being a “wannabe white” is out of line. I show my frustration because many of us who get to her level take advantage of the perks that their positions affords them, while not having the courage of recognizing/acknowledging where that opportunity really came from, or the people of color who worked and work hard today so that we can be fairly represented. But, I shouldn’t do that. Live and let live.
Then again how do we KNOW whose behind the camera?
Don’t get discouraged Emerson. You do have a VOICE! Hell, I heard it via this blog. So, don’t worry about the big names and just work on your name. No hard feelings.
Peace! Thanks for the good word.
Zack you’re absolutely right…This blog is to serve as your voice, your soap box feel free to bring it. By the way Emerson and M.Y. I’d like to get your take on the T.I. Conversation.
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good responses