The Media & the Jena 6: Are We On Board?

The influence of bloggers and the internet has been realized again with the coverage of the Jena 6. In the past, it would have been difficult for the mainstream media to pick up a story like this in the tiny town of Jena, La. if it wasn't for internet writers informing (and many times pushing) the mainstreamers along. The case of six blacks who are (grossly over) charged in the beating of a white youth is making national headlines.

The question remains if the mainstream media "really" is on board with the coverage of this case? What does the Jena 6 mean to us in Toledo, Lafayette, Ind., and African-Americans in general. Since I'm not in Toledo, so how has The Blade, television and radio handled the Jena 6??? If you don't know what I'm talking about when I say "Jena 6," then, uh, we need to talk. LOL. NABJ national president Barbara Ciara has already sent a note to all members asking them to give coverage to what's happening there. How about you? Here is a plea from another blogger. -- Clyde Hughes

The Afrosphere Jena 6 Coalition “ask that the mainstream traditional media step forward and discharge their duty to provide coverage of this vitally important event to their viewers and readers and act as “the fourth institution" of governmental "checks and balance” that constitutional framers intended the press to be.” To further this effort the Afrosphere Jena 6 Coalition will embark on a ‘Day of Blogging for Justice’ on Thursday August 30th.

Jena, LA, August 29, 2007 --(PR.com)-- There is growing concern surrounding the Jena Six case in Jena Louisiana. Yet, inexplicably, the national media, most particularly on television, has been abysmally silent on an occurrence of grave social, political and legal importance.

The 'common folk' media of the blogosphere, has stepped up to the plate in the absence of adequate traditional media coverage. Bloggers have taken to hanging banners to blog side-bars and placing them in blog entries at an increasing rate; displaying the words 'Free the Jena 6' accompanied by the evocative symbolism of a noose hanging from a tree. On these blogs strategies that can assist in bringing awareness to these young targets of racist psychological abuse are finding willing participants in discussion, and action; but they need the media’s help.

This issue, like Katrina, highlights how some people receive deference in treatment over others. “The Jim Crow style racism and government negligence, reflected in the Jena 6 case, are both quite worrisome. Unfortunately, the case is another incident that points to the entrenched racial and socio-economic disparities in the South, which this country has yet to fully confront,” says political scientist Dr. Sekou Franklin of Middle Tennessee State University. As the Congressional Black Caucus has noted “…we must speak out against injustice and inequality. This tale of two standards depicts a pattern of gross violations.”

The Afrosphere Jena 6 Coalition “ask that the mainstream traditional media step forward and discharge their duty to provide coverage of this vitally important event to their viewers and readers and act as “the fourth institution" of governmental "checks and balance” that constitutional framers intended the press to be.”

In furtherance of this effort the Afrosphere Jena 6 Coalition will embark on a ‘Day of Blogging for Justice’ on Thursday August 30, where dozens of the coalition’s members (and all else who wish to join with them) will write entries in their blogs on behalf of these six young men who are victims of racially motivated civil rights abuses. A list of bloggers who’ve signed on to participate can be seen here: http://www.blackperspective.net/index.php/day-of-blogging-for-justice/

Along with blogger support, a united front of more than 300 concerned community members gathered at the steps of the courthouse in Jena on July 31, 2007, in a show of support for the African-American youth civil rights victims who were imprisoned after reacting to the provocation of Caucasian students who received only a school suspension of 3 days for hanging nooses from a ‘whites only’ tree in the schoolyard that all students share.

In addition to online and in-person support, those who could not travel to join others at the steps of the courthouse have added their signatures and comments, some 45,000, to petitions generated by individuals globe-wide who are appalled enough to take action.

A coalition of civic groups has formed www.freethejena6.org as a standing central location, providing solutions for those who are seeking information with intent to take action.

Afrosphere Jena 6 Coalition Advisory Group:
Wayne Hicks electronicvillage.blogspot.com
D. Yobachi Boswell www.BlackPerspective.net
Francis Holland afrospear.jconserv.net/
Daz Wilson http://purplezoe.blogspot.com/

Toledo's Don Imus?

I sporadically listen to talk radio in Toledo. I usually have talk radio on when I'm driving and since most (all) of the talk radio is conservative around here, I find myself screaming at the radio half the time. There's nothing wrong with conservative talk radio except when they claim to be mainstream. Is there a Toledo Don Imus out there? Not since the guy from WSPD-AM left (I can't even remember his name) there has been little uproar -- racially speaking -- about what's been going on in radio. I don't know if it's because talk radio here is better or fewer people are listening. I kind of think it's the latter. I hardly think Toledo talk radio has become warm and fuzzy all of the sudden.

Why don't we have more talk radio on African-American issues. Beyond Juice Talk on WJUC-FM, there is no radio outlet for African-American issues. I have to applaud WTVG-TV for making an effort in this area with the public affairs show Bridges and including Fletcher Word on Conklin and Company. It's strange that the other stations have not been as forthcoming with public affairs shows. Surely, they all need the programming. Maybe this should be the next NOBMA project, to look at TV and radio and see if we can encourage opportunities for African-American public affairs shows. I believe Buckeye CableSystem provides slots for public affairs shows, but those shows need to be produced elsewhere. Something to think about. Let me know what you think.

City's Office of Affirmative Action shutting down?

Mayor Carty Finkbeiner is proposing numerous cuts in the upcoming city budget, none more telling than the closure of the city's affirmative action/contract compliance office. Find Clyde Hughes' story here: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070302/NEWS16/703020356

What do you think? Is this a terrible loss or will we miss it at all?

Welcome!

To: Members of the Northwest Ohio Black Media Association
From: Clyde Hughes, President

RE: Toledo Black Blog: Hosted by NOBMA

This is another step in our evolution with our new Blog dedicated to members and those who wish to comment on journalism, communications, or just about anything else. I went the cheap route with blogspot.com to get this started. I figured why reinvent the wheel. A link to this blog will be on the front page of our web site once that is up and running again. This will give members and the public immediate access to comment on what's going on in Black Toledo today. I hope this will also become a vehicle for members to do what we do best, which is communicate to the public and open up the forum of ideas. Please use as you wish and I'm looking forward to hearing from all of you.