 TEXAS’ Widest Circulated and Read Newspaper with a Black Perspective |
TEXAS’ Widest Circulated and Read Newspaper with a Black Perspective |
Editorial Archives |
| We
Must Understand Black media's pawns can checkmate our Industry By Roy Malonson |
| As you know,
African-American News & Issues has no problem telling it like (we think) it is-- from
a Black perspective. Long time AAN&I readers should also know that most of what we
consider a Black perspective is simply old-fashioned common sense thinking and/or
grassroots logic. We only tell it like it is, whether we want it to be like it is or not. Admittedly, we constantly struggle with the historical "no-no" of criticizing our own publicly, or airing our dirty laundry. On the other hand, we realize that there's no way a newspaper can be creditable unless it reports all news without fear or favor, regardless of whom it hurts or helps. Surely, an uncompromised Black newspaper is in a catch-22 situation, insofar as when we fulfill our obligation to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, we're often accused of "Doing the White folks' job for them." Unfortunately, Black faces in high places expect Black newspapers to be their personal newsletters and are especially critical because AAN&I is often the only newspaper that reports issues that have been covered up. We Must Understand, however, when we allow racial loyalty to make us look the other way (or distort the facts to cover up the truth when Black politicians and community leaders are caught doing wrong), we unwittingly become pawns in political chess games that checkmate our progress. We say unwittingly, but Emerge Magazine addressed this very problem over a decade ago in its May 1992 issue, when Michael Eric Dyson wrote: "Candor is rare among Black leaders. Many have refrained from public criticism of each other, for example, because of the manipulative use to which the White media and political opponents often put such criticism." And that's a real problem for Black America, but Dyson concluded: "But unless honest and principled criticism of Black leadership is encouraged within Black communities, an unhealthy silence will be reinforced, tragically passing for communal loyalty and racial solidarity." In chess, that's called a checkmate, but in case you aren't familiar with the game's terminology let's go to the dictionary: "Checkmate, in chess, a position from which the king cannot escape; to make a move that causes a checkmate: to frustrate, a sudden stop or repulse." And let's also check out Pawn: "a small piece in chess of lowest rank and range; a person used to advance another's purpose." Okay, let's use chess terminology to describe the Black media. Naturally the king is the industry itself; therefore financially-strapped Black newspapers and radio stations often become pawns. Perhaps, before we go any further with this analogy, we should offer a disclaimer. Inasmuch as AAN&I is only a single component of Malonson Company, Inc.-- its existence isn't entirely dependent upon our success. I guess what we're saying is, if AAN&I doesn't sell enough advertising to pay our light bill, our lights won't be cut off. Consequently, being a small part of a larger operation affords us an opportunity to report news without fear or favor, rather than compromising our Black perspective editorial policy for a few advertising dollars. Surely, it doesn't take a degree in economics to understand why Black America would choose a newspaper that can't be bought with 30 pieces of silver as its editorial voice. Inasmuch as over 350,000 copies of AAN&I would still be printed weekly without a single ad in it, we can speak as loud and as long as we need to for our community. As a result, big advertisers use other Black media as a pawn to checkmate us. Unfortunately, the other media convince themselves they're competing for advertising dollars, although they're really being used as pawns. Politically- astute African-Americans are fully aware that advertising is more political than economic. We sincerely hope that you accept that revelation as an explanation, rather than us beating our own drum. Be well advised, the Malonson Company, Inc. isn't a charitable organization. However, we think it is important that the African-American community understand where we're coming from when we expose members of the Black media that are allowing themselves to be used as pawns in the future. It won't be personal. Our primary concern is for the overall Black newspaper industry. There's no doubt, whatsoever, that the Black newspaper industry is absolutely essential for Black Americans' survival. The Black newspaper industry has been greatly crippled since far too many educated African-Americans have been duped into thinking the mainstream media will speak for them. We Must Understand, however, the pen is still mightier than the sword, even if the pen uses Black ink. AAN&I has proven, that a uncompromised Black newspaper still has enough editorial clout to demand respect if not instill fear. We must not be checkmated. To make a long story short, we can't allow the Black media's pawns to thrive at the expense of the entire industry. They've become a cancer that's eroding the very heart and soul (integrity and credibility), of the Black media and must be eradicated, or put into remission. As painful as it will be to expose Black newspapers and radio stations that allow themselves to be used as pawns, we can't allow them to checkmate the industry. Having our own credible and uncompromised lines of communication is far too important to the survival of Black America. And Black leadership can no loner ignore that reality. At the top of the list are certain radio stations targeting the Black community that openly disdain Afrocentric movements. They refuse to recognize Black newspapers, while regurgitating data and information from mainstream media as if it's gospel. Such radio stations are also used as pawns to allow advertisers to establish themselves as supporters of the Black community, without having to deal with our media that negatively impact their special agendas. We are currently validating information about our radio pawns to share with Black America. It's nothing personal, because our target list also includes Black newspapers, along with civil rights advocacy groups, politicians (friends and foes), religious leaders, Black advertising/public relationship companies and even our own NNPA. In fact, we are thinking about reinstating Sambo Watch. Nothing, or nobody will be scared and no pawn will be safe. We Must Understand, when you start swinging the double-edged sword of truth, it cuts both ways. Thus, a warning to the wise is to make sure you're standing on the side of truth. |
| May Archives |