Thursday, July 24, 2008

Fuck CNN's Soledad O'Brien!

CNN reporter Soledad O'Brien should have her sisterhood card revoked immediately and never returned! She has damaged, betrayed, and disrespected the entire black female community with her negative, short-sighted, half-assed, stereotypical, and repetitive "investigative reporting" on black women in America.

Her program Black In America: The Black Woman And The Family was a complete and total fraud! This program did not address the lives and experiences of black women in America at all! It was two hours of of the same negative racist and sexist stereotypes that the majority of white America believes about black people, particularly black women.

Ms. O'Brien's documentary stripped black women in America down to nothing but unwed, single mothers with multiple children, they can not properly raise or control to lonely, but educated black women that can't find a man to broken down old black women that can't take care of themselves. I was never so distressed or disgusted watching an investigative news report on African American women.

Ms. O'Brien's program was so awful that it made MSNBC's past program, African-American Women: Where They Stand series look like ground-breaking and interesting television. And black women universally hated that complete series. I cannot believe that Soledad O'Brien spent 18 months investigating black women in America, only to come up with the same old tired crap that has already been covered BADLY by someone else.

Where was the expression of pride of being a a black woman in America in the 21st century? Where were the positive stories? Where were the stories that expressed the uniqueness of black womanhood? Our humor? Our passion? Our beliefs? Our dreams? Where were the black mother/daughter relationships? Where were the successful programs that changed the lives of black women for the better? Where was the celebration of black women? Where were the voices of black women period?

Please my sistas, this travesty of journalism cannot be allowed to stand. E-mail Ms. Soledad O'Brien and tell her what you think. Here is the link. If I had the choice of black women in America being completely ignored by mainstream news and "investigative" reports like CNN and MSNBC has produced, I would much rather have black women in America completely ignored!

45 comments:

Anonymous,  July 24, 2008 at 1:54 AM  

Professor-
Do you mind if I post this on my facebook page?

ana nowo July 24, 2008 at 2:07 AM  

Ms. O'Brien's documentary stripped black women in America down to nothing but unwed, single mothers with multiple children, they can not properly raise or control to lonely, but educated black women that can't find a man to broken down old black women that can't take care of themselves.

You forgot AIDS infested.

Anonymiss July 24, 2008 at 8:15 AM  

Oh my. I'm hesitant to watch the recording now. It was really that bad? *SMH*

As I've been saying for years, I'd rather the MSM pay us NO attention at all than make BS programs about our place in the US.

Like someone said over at WAOD, you'd get a more earnest look at Blk women on HBO.

roslynholcomb July 24, 2008 at 8:18 AM  

I'm glad I went to bed instead of watching this crap. This is why I didn't want Obama to run in the first place. I can't imagine anything more horrific than having the MSM decide to cover us. I'd much rather be ignored.

Gloria July 24, 2008 at 8:49 AM  

I'm not surprised that's why I refused to watch tht crap.

LostGirl#1 July 24, 2008 at 8:52 AM  

WOWWWWWWW....you weren't playing..LOL
I couldn't agree more; there was absolutely nothing positive about that piece of "journalism" last night.

"Black in America...Black Women It Sucks to Be You Part 99,9999".

LostGirl#1 July 24, 2008 at 8:53 AM  

"You forgot AIDS infested."

_____________________________________

I felt like my heart stopped when the narrator announced Black Women as the "face of AIDS."

her mother July 24, 2008 at 9:07 AM  

In my blog I referred to this special "Why You Should Hate Black Women and Their Children."

How can you talk about the predicament of Black women without any context whatsoever. The pathologizing was over the top!

Dr. Tracey Salisbury July 24, 2008 at 9:22 AM  

@Chanman

I published your comment, but it did not appear. I am sorry about that because your comment proved my point about the danger of painting black women so negatively and inaccurately.

You stated the stat about 70% of black babies being born with no husband. This is a misleading stat that too many folks fall for, including yourself. How many black women are having these babies? THEY NEVER TELL THAT NUMBER, but folks like you interpret that as 70% of ALL black women are having babies out of wedlock.

If that 70% figure is only 20% of all black women in America, it's not as shocking a stat as it is always portrayed. And considering the nearly 43% of black women are unmarried, how is the fact that some black babies are born without fathers a shock?

Even that 43% unmarried rate stat should be more deeply questioned, since NO ONE ever discusses how many of black women are gay or uninterested in marriage period!

And if you are going to quote stats, do it correctly. From the Slate magazine article you listed, the ACTUAL fact is that black women are 13 times more likely to DIE of the HIV/AIDS than their white female counterparts, not 13 times more likely to CONTRACT HIV/AIDS.

You clearly need to meet some black women and read a bit more. Some believing the white man's stats about black women!

LaShelle July 24, 2008 at 10:29 AM  

Professor Tracey,

My sentiments exactly. In my opinion, this one of the best time in history to be a black woman. Look at what we have accomplished. We are traveling, getting educated, opening up our dating choices and expanding our horizons. Like I said before on another blog, 'when are they gonna put some sistas like me on TV who is enjoying her life and looking forward to the possibilites.
It's like we have the market cornered on being miserable old maids and baby mamas.

Monique July 24, 2008 at 10:48 AM  

We cannot rely on "mainstream media" to tell our stories. PBS would have done a better job, I can't believe that they spent 18 months making this. I am sorry but I see a lot of black folks like Soledad bragging that they went to Harvard & Yale but I am not seeing any critical thinking skills being used. Our "talented tenth" is not so talented, they are part of the problem too and not just unwed mothers.

tasha212 July 24, 2008 at 11:11 AM  

I was totally pissed and depressed after watching the "investigative report" about black women last night. First of all, where were the black females who could've spoken about our experiences? They could've gotten any number of black female activists, academics, doctors, lawyers, college students, mothers, daughters, wives, grandmothers,aunts to speak about our issues. Again, the black female voice was totally absent from the discussion. How did a special that was supposed to be about us become about everyone else? They spent maybe 20 minutes in the whole 2 hour program talking exclusively about the sistas and that was negative. The only females I remember them talking to besides the subjects were Whoopi and Julianne Malveaux. Oh and the editor-in-chief of Essence, a magazine that continues to disgrace us monthly. What about Sister Souljah, or bell hooks, or Queen Latifah, or Danyel Smith, or Cyntia McKinney? Or anybody besides the people they always talk to. Deciding to give people a voice who normally don't have one would have been the first step towards making the program innovative and thought-provoking. Instead, Soledad took the easy route and put out the same bullshit that is always put out. Sometimes I wonder does it even matter to have black women reporters and producers because we always seem to go along with the status quo, even when it is to our detriment. I don't even know if I'll watch part 2, which is supposed to focus on the brothas. I don't think they even need to focus on the brothas seeing as alot of the discussion on last night's program focused on them. Not to say that they are not important but if the program was supposed to focus on black women it should've done just that.

the_shulammite July 24, 2008 at 11:17 AM  

Lord, Prof. Tracey, you don't mince words. You youngins. You youngins. You youngins. LOL

Kit (Keep It Trill) July 24, 2008 at 12:02 PM  

I couldn't suffer thru Soldad's special last night. I got bored silly and a tad pissed when she focused the Rand family and how one of the old-timers traced their family back to a white guy and the plantation.

I'm frankly tired of the media's latest thing in talking about our 'slave roots'. It's like they get pleasure from this shit and started obsessing over it since Obama has been running - despite his father being is from Kenya.

Anonymous,  July 24, 2008 at 12:21 PM  

People, here's the problem in my opinion. It's called Hater-ade! And racism once again rearing its unoriginal head. There is a lot of JEALOUSY towards black women. You have Oprah standing on top in the media game, Condoleeza Rice in a strong position of power, Michelle Obama in position to possibly become First Lady (a lot of people would've been happier and had their egos stroked if Barack was with a non-black women), and a slew of other average, ever-day black women doing fairly well, becoming educated, or - even if poor - are trying hard to do better and be well.

This offends a lot of people - definitely those in the mainstream media, which is why they cut us out of everything except the most negative (including junk like the CNN and MSNBC specials). I believe a lot of people want black women to become those so-called statistics they keep quoting because we have had the audacity to buck that trend and actually work towards our improvement.

Now folks are mad - how dare black women do well or try to do well??? So now, everything is being done to break us down, IMHO, and make us start to believe and act out all of their stereotypes. It's racism thru and thru (notice no other group of women in the U.S. ever get dissected and lied on everyday)

Hate is a sad thing, but I always ignore the junk, don't believe the hype, and keep on pushing. The end of these lies are nowhere in sight, but we'll always be OK anyway. No matter what lies are continuously spewed about us.

Anonymous,  July 24, 2008 at 12:23 PM  

Also, prof. tracey, i would also like to repost if you're OK with it.

mrshadow33 July 24, 2008 at 1:42 PM  

Well Professor Tracey tell me how you really feel. I was hoping for something different but instead got shown the same regurgitated crap. Our women deserve to be shown in a more positive light.

Shadybird Johnson July 24, 2008 at 2:33 PM  

What I love is the fact that CNN and other news sources paint her as an iconic black woman who 'knows what it's like'. At the same time she's "Groundbreaking Latina of the Year" in Catalina magazine. Well, which one is it, Maria de la Soledad O'Brien? Judging from her full name, you'd guess she speaks Spanish. Guess again. And how many black folks in this country are 50% Irish? Give me a break. You don't know what you're reporting about. Sit the hell down and let a real black American do the talking.

Anonymous,  July 24, 2008 at 2:34 PM  

Wow. All it takes to get your sisterhood card revoked is to toe the company line?

I found the show typical of a CNN production. shallow and cliche laden...with curious perspective and editing choices.

Now I wouldn't necessarily go so far as to call it a travesty.

I thought the subjects were given slightly more dignity than usual.


It was what I expected. Nothing more, nothing less.

Don July 24, 2008 at 2:37 PM  

It was a decent show, but hardly anywhere near what I expected. It appeared to have been broadcast in the name of sugarcoating. I have to admit, I was surprised concerning the lack on in-depth journalism.

They were unsure if the black woman who bore children with the white slaveowner was a slave or not. I think they knew but preferred not to say. If she wasn't a slave back in the days of slavery then what was she? LOL.

Dr. Tracey Salisbury July 24, 2008 at 3:05 PM  

@Sassy J - feel free!

@Anna - You're right!

Anonymiss -

Watch only if you have 2 hours to giveaway. I ain't forgot about your e-mail. I will get back to you!

Roslyn - Agreed! Totally!

Selena - You missed nothing!

Pinky - You are my gurl!

Her Mother - I will read your post!

Miss Issues - Well said!

Namia -

Preach! and LOL! about the talented tenth not being so talented!

Dr. Tracey Salisbury July 24, 2008 at 3:13 PM  

Tasha212 -

The Essence Boycott is coming. I promise. They are just as guilty here!

Doc. Weems -

Sorry, my inner Angela Davis just spilled out. LOL!

KIT -

I wondered why they had to go all the way back. What was wrong with just starting with right now?

Lena - Excellent points!!!!

Mr. Shadow -

Call it leftover L.A. Lakers frustration. LOL!

David -

Excellent point. Everyone is confused on where Soledad stands including Soledad.

The Ink -

Sorry, this was a bit more than toeing the company line. She lied about her report flat-out and don't tell me you spent 18 months to come up with the same trash that has already been covered.

Every sister that watched had low expectations and CNN managed to create a new low. Slanderous reporting in blackface, brownface, multi-racial-face, whatever.

Don -

Stop being nice, it wasn't decent it sucked big sweaty balls. LOL!

Anonymous,  July 24, 2008 at 4:44 PM  

I think it's safe to say the MSM doesn't know shit about shit when it comes to the Black female experience...or any WOC for that matter. Give these media-hacks some books and essays by bell hooks.

Black American Princess July 24, 2008 at 4:58 PM  

I guess I am in the absolute minority here because I didn't think the documentary was as awful as it's being painted at ALL. They only had 2 hours, of course they couldn't address everything about what it is to be a Black woman in America. The annoying poet notwithstanding, I think they did a good job of showing the positive AND negative. What about the doctor in Baltimore and the brothas and sistas in Houston going door to door trying to get high school dropouts back in school? What about the single, beautiful, successful sistas who were seeking a brotha? What about that beautiful family that owned the successful construction company who were sending ALL their children to college? What about Dr. J Malveaux or the Harvard professor or the Harlem cardiologist who were working hard for and in our community? What about the hardworking single father who was raising his children the best he could and the hardworking single mother raising her 5 kids PLUS her niece? Those were all positives in my opinion, coupled with the fact that a successful Black woman, Soledad O'Brien herself, was doing the show. Sure, there were negatives but those negative aspects, sadly, are reality.

It seems like alot of people are embarassed and I think that's sad. What's the saddest is that such negative words would be posted on this blog about another Black woman. I've had respect for Soledad every since her coverage of Hurricane Katrina was featured in Spike Lee's documentary about the subject. At least she's pushing for stories about Black people. We complain about the MSM never addressing our issues and when they do, we still complain...

her mother July 24, 2008 at 6:59 PM  

@ Prof. Tracey. You're right, Essence is not innocent. Essence hasn't been Essense in years, if you know what I mean. I stopped reading on any regular basis since my early 20s. Occassionally, when they feature someone I enjoy, I might read it, but I definitely don't go out of my way.

Time Warner/AOL now owns Essence, I believe, and from the looks of things, they've fired anyone at the table known for respecting Black women.

Yes, I am definitely down for boycotting, since I've been officially on boycott now for some years.

Faith at Acts of Faith Blog July 24, 2008 at 7:44 PM  

You know I have to seriously wonder about these so-called education professionals. They do more damage with perpetuating stereotypes when we expect them to know and do better. I wonder is Miss So-lie-dud believes in the Black inferiority complex. Did she had edit approval? I mean this is some grade school level crap. We need to take control of our media images.

Dr. Tracey Salisbury July 24, 2008 at 8:09 PM  

Black American Princess -

You are welcome to your point of view, but I have to wonder what program you actually saw. And for you to read my post and all the comments and come up with people are just "embarrassed" is ridiculous.

Black women are angry because they did not see their lives reflected in this so-called documentary. Black women wanted to hear from other black women about their lives, not want black men or white people think our lives are.

I don't know what your reality is, but most of my friends are educated and successful with or without a man. They don't have baby daddies and they don't have unprotected sex. They like many of the black women commenting here, are sick and tired of the MINORITY of black women's lives being presented as "reality." That is a damn lie!

You can accept being portrayed as a racist and sexist stereotype, but I will not. And I will call out ANYBODY that continues the negative portrayal of black women.

I don't care what color Soledad O'Brien is (and she does not claim to black by the way) and I don't care if you don't like my language directed at her. What is truly sad is that Soledad continued the sad tired stereotypes of black women instead of find new stories and even sadder is you are willing to swallow that crap and smile.

Anonymous,  July 24, 2008 at 9:32 PM  

I would like to hear from you beautiful strong and not-so-easily fooled by the hype sisters! After this fiasco, I think I have an idea for a short film, featuring the stories of women and their perceptions of MSM and BiA portays. Working title "22 minutes of truth"

Black American Princess July 24, 2008 at 9:49 PM  

Soledad O'Brien is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists. I just want to point that out firstly. She does not hide nor shy away from her Blackness.

The documentary did NOT portray all Black women as single babymaking machines. What about the sista cardiologist in Harlem? What about Dr. Malveaux? What about the successful screenwriter and the speech therapist?? There were several positive images of Black women portrayed in the documentary. Even the single mother was not portrayed in an exploitive way. It sounds like you wanted the documentary to totally neglect the problems in our community...

Dr. Tracey Salisbury July 24, 2008 at 10:13 PM  

You need to go back and watch that documentary again.

The educated women, particularly the screenwriter were not celebrated for their achievements, but made a "problem" because they didn't have a man. It is not a crime or a sadness not to have a man and I am tired of this fact being portrayed as a problem, if it is not going to be investigated beyond go find you a white man. Until someone acknowledges that some black women are gay and some black women like being single, then I don't want to hear about the black man shortage.

What about Dr. Malveaux? They didn't talk about her and she gave a few sound bites. She seemed to be the only black woman they used to comment on black women. Instead of the brother from Harvard and T.D. Jakes, they could have given her more time to say more.

And as I said before, whose community are you talking about? Not every black woman lives in the same community or has the same experiences.

And what does every show on black women or black people have to be about our problems? Ms. O'Brien said that anyone watching this program would know what it is like to be black in America. Well watching her program being black in America is hell on earth and that's not the life I'm living. I'm blessed.

Anonymous,  July 25, 2008 at 9:09 AM  

Black American Princess,

First I'd like to say that I didn't see the program on black women, but I did see other parts of the series. The problem is, the coverage of black people is all to often negative. There are so many positive things about black life that there is no need to focus on AIDS, poverty, or even racism. Her series hurt the image of black America more than it helped.

Unknown July 25, 2008 at 8:55 PM  

[I posted this on WAOD]

Ok. I tried not to have high expectations for the series. When I saw that people were downing the preview show, I thought, "Well, let's wait and see, maybe it will be better." But when I saw the episode on "black women and the family," I was highly upset. I suppose the inclusion of "and the family" on the black women's episode was used to give entree to EVERY person or topic BESIDES black women. The folks that produced this show needed to check themselves and remind themselves at every step that this show was supposed to be about bw and how these various topics impacted them, even if there is some interseection with bm, children, etc.

I was especially annoyed when they were discussing violence. There was a woman who had lost her son to violence, which is an issue that many black women are dealing with, but it its less direct. I wanted them to discuss each topic from the vantage point of bw directly. For example, how does violence affect bw? What about the high homicide rate of bw, and the many missing and murdered bw in this country? How can we increase the safety and well-being of bw? Rather than turn the convo around and make it about bm, yet again (especially when they were to have their own episode).

I was perplexed about the rapper/poet as well. They could have at least found a female poet for the show. I couldn't get what that was about.

They also featured the same voices (many of them male) over and over. I know that in 2008, bw have made enough progress that for ANY topic you want to discuss, you can find a competent, articulate, educated, black female expert who is is available and willing to discuss it. It's not necessary to have bm speak for bw, even if they bring up good points, or represent the community well. I too got sick of seeing the Harvard prof, though I appreciated his perspective.

I wonder if following one particular family for the whole series was in someway constricting or unhelpful? I too was irritated with the black woman who was just pleased as punch to meet her white relatives. What did that have to do with addressing the issues in the bc? I know this is part of our history, but I felt like, ok, this is supposed to be about us, and yet again, there's a white woman on the tv talking.

There's a lot more I could critique, but suffice it to say I was disappointed overall. I really like(d?) Soledad, but I'm not sure what happened with this. Maybe you all are right, this was not produced for us, but to provide a "glimpse" into our community. I think a group of black women should get together and produce a doc that would be better, useful, and more representative of us, and really talk about how to address the problems we have.

LeNoir Tyrannical July 27, 2008 at 1:03 AM  

Preach it!! now i wish my post on it wasnt so PC because I honestly hated it. They talked about how they would show the miriad of experiences but all i saw was us grouped into disturbing trends and statistics that didn't represent me or may I know at all. Thanks for the link. I will surely e-mail Miss Thing

Unknown July 27, 2008 at 4:03 PM  

DON'T BE DUPED!

BOYCOTT CNN

Soledad is Cuban and could care less about the Black experience. Isn't she a Republican.....

CNN's piece, Black in America, was grossly negative and completely offensive....so offensive at times it became comical.

Rather than call it 'Black in America', they should have called it 'The Problems Afflicting Blacks in America' That way we would all know it wasn't designed to be fair and balanced journalism.

1. Here's a fact - Not all black men are cracked out, crack selling, absentee dads with criminal records.
2. Another fact - Not all black women are single, poor, desperate souls looking for a mate...any mate.
3. And another fact - Not all black people who have 'made it' come from families of crack selling, cracked out absentee dads and single, poor desparate mothers.

Soledad O'Brien must be desperate for air time...or maybe she got DUPED... or maybe she doesn't care about the Black experience given she's Cuban.

After seeing the Black in America "special", I don't know if I can continue watching CNN.

And....let's face it, the timing of that piece was no coincidence... the general election is less than 100 days away.

DON'T BE DUPED!

BOYCOTT CNN!

Obama '08!

Anonymous,  August 22, 2008 at 11:40 PM  

I'm so glad you all spoke out. I was sitting here (white in Canada) and gnashing by teeth at the negativity, the stereotypes, the insistance that marriage be *the* solution. What burned me, though, was not just Soledad--but the round-table she led on the subject. The views of the participants weren't any more intelligent. Only one woman spoke out and said we shouldn't be programming women for marriage. I liked to elle's blog, and I'll follow yours for more news too.

Jess
http://osolomama.wordpress.com/

Dr. Tracey Salisbury November 22, 2008 at 11:53 AM  

Sorry Ranger 71 -

Ms. O'Brien's report did not represent me or any black women I know, so "truth" is relative. And you might do a let more study on black women before buying hook, line, and sinker a television report that needs to get high ratings.

Corruption has always been present in New Orleans - whether it was white folks or black folks running the place, so Ms. O'Brien was not breaking any new ground there.

And I don't have anything to say about "real housewives" because I don't watch trash like that and I don't relate hard-working, educated, black women to ANY woman, black or white that is willing to exploit themselves on television.

And if this show you watch so closely is full of bitches and hoes, doesn't that make you a playa-hating sucker for watching?

clabbergirl February 10, 2009 at 1:10 PM  

You people are mean-spirited. Your prejudices about Soledad are just that -PREJUDICES! Almost always wrong, misinformed, full of HATE, and just plain embarrassing as well as nauseating to read! Why would people like Spike Lee work with her if she was as "described" on this page? Soledad is the victim of so much racism from ALL sides that it's unbelievable!! Think about your words and your actions and may God give you the wisdom to see the WHOLE picture and hopefully reconsider many of your hateful comments.

Dr. Tracey Salisbury February 10, 2009 at 1:55 PM  

@ Duncan -

You have no idea what you are talking about. Don't come on this blog telling folks what is wrong with them, but provide example to back your own bullshit. Wrong about what? Misinformed about what? And how in the hell do you know if anyone is wrong or misinformed, because you said so?

Spike Lee is a filkmamker, he would work with Satan if he could get his vision on screen. And what does any racism Soledad may have faced got to do with the fact she presented a stereotypical, boring, unoriginal report on Black America.

And GOD has nothing to do with it. GOD gives the ability to form our opinions and think for ourselves. Not to give passes to journalists that produce rubbish that hurts us and makes it hard for us to live our dail lives.

If you don't like what is written here, don't read it. Otherwise, learn how to discuss and debate, not scold. We don't do that here.

clabbergirl February 11, 2009 at 3:14 AM  

The very title of this post is a SCOLD! Fuck CNN's Soledad O'Brien? Nice sentiment and so thoughtful! But let us not participate in any scolding, God forbid! However you look at it, hot air is hot air and it seems to be what dominates the comments on this blog. Issues can genuinely be debated and discussed only when we get past the HATE. I don't really see much chance of that here so you won't find me wasting my breath. There are plenty of us black folks who admire Soledad and her efforts. What I see here, however, are a lot of angry people in search of somebody to blame for many of the deeper problems in the world, not to mention deep problems in their own collective psyches.

Dr. Tracey Salisbury February 11, 2009 at 4:13 AM  

@Duncan -

As I said before, how the fuck would you know? You have offered nothing to discuss, just a bunch of hot air bullshit and insults. You're the one that sounds nuts.

Stay off my blog and go write your own ode to Soledad O'Brien some where else. Her work was lousy and numerous folks agreed with me, too fucking bad if you can't accept that.

Your comments will no longer be posted. Go away!

RainaHavock February 16, 2009 at 1:40 AM  

I was curious and now I remember. This was the first post I ever had read by you and this is what made me start reading your blog. I hated black in America series and I agreed Soledad's black license should be terminated.

Unknown July 23, 2009 at 2:06 PM  

How does everyone feel about the third series, Black in America Part 3? It's okay to use these blogs to vent our anger about Soledad O'Brien and CNN, but to really seal the deal and make an impact, Black women need to band together to boycott the entire CNN network.

grammy October 9, 2009 at 6:46 PM  

WOW! I don't usually blog. This popped up when I was searching for CNN. I will not voice my opinions on any comments. Everyone has one and has a right to have them. I can say that as a minority myself, I was disturbed with the manner that Soledad presented this series. Not that everything that was brought up was true or not true. I have lived in many places that were not safe they did not promote my physical, social, psychological well being. It was easy to be caught up in the life style that was the norm of the neighborhood. Much of my life was a struggle, depressing and surrounded by drugs and prejudice. I am hispanic, I lived in a very mixed neighborhoods with blacks, spanish and italian and some whites. Not anyone race was/is the issue here. I feel it is that barriers or disparities of all who just happen to be Black, Hispanic, Cuban etc.. The mistake many like Soledad make when doing these types of series meant to be documentaries and to educate "us" is the assumption that showing these disparities will bring about an awareness that might help reduce those disparities. The way she presented this information evoked anger and resentment.
Many of us as one of the writer on this blog said, not all of us are from families of drug addicted alcohols etc.."
If your going to tell the story of the minority, tell a variety of our stories not just the most pathetic.
I say this as a supporter of the facts and the truth.
Tell the story that creates awareness as well as gives hope to others.
I was a 19 year old Hispanic female unmarried with two children, no high school diploma and on welfare. I went to a community college to get my GED. As I was doing this I saw information on becoming a nurse while standing in the lobby waiting to see a counselor. My now husband of 27 years told me " you should do that if you want to, It sounds like fun." I didn't have a diploma from high school and didn't feel smart enough to do such a job. He said " Ok, but you will never know unless you try". So today 22 years later I am still a nurse. I graduated and continued on to Oregon Health Science University. I have worked in many areas of nursing from long term care to intensive care to the latest administrative supervisor. So lets tell the stories but give hope to those who need to hear that it is possible to over come, the socioeconomic, ethnic, educational barriers, just to name a few, that many of us face no matter who we are or where we come from.
I think Soledal needs to sit down with all of us and get the story right. I know it breaks my heart to see the young women and men fall into this societies traps of gangs, poverty and the like. It only took one person to change my life. My husband who was just a friend with no better socioeconomic status than mine at the time.I think each one of us take the time to touch someone's life like this, get involved in our communities or neighborhoods and most importantly our families. Redirect the anger to constructive criticism and start with Soledad O'Brien!

Unknown January 18, 2010 at 5:19 PM  

By the way, we Latinas had the same reaction to the bullshit she called "Latino in America". I still want to vomit when I think I wasted four hours of my life watching the two part series! We were very verbal about it on the "Latino in America" Facebook page....all we could do really.

Graciela

Unknown July 29, 2010 at 8:36 AM  

I think you're getting your panties in a twist over nothing. Everybody will find whatever they want to find. So what if that was her experience. I know plenty of successful black women and I know plenty of black women that are married. Perfhaps her search took her to a lower income area.
This is simply one search that one individual did. She is successful and did a great job. Try to let go of your rage, lets stop this hating and anger and move forward.
Lisa

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