I sat this evening, watching Ed Bradley (of 60 Minutes on CBS) do a story on the "Duke Lacrosse Rape" case. This interview was very interesting. Not so much for what was said, but for the appearance it gave. The interview appeared as though 60 Minutes was hired by the Defense Attorneys. Ed Bradley (their Negro commentator) was used to interview those involved, and a Negro professor was also used as an "expert" of sorts - I assume to quell the race issue.
All in all, it was a smart tactic by whomever initiated the interview. However as a descendant of those subjected to American slavery and Jim Crow, another factor made this interview more interesting. What matters in my analysis is not the innocence or guilt of the parties involved, nor the truth or falsehood of the statements made. I have no way of judging guilt or innocence, truth or lies, and I will not attempt so to do. However, I will look at Mr. Bradley's role as a journalist and the squandered opportunity for us to have a bit of Reparations.
In the interview, you hear the defendants profess their innocence. You hear they lament how their whole lives are changed instantly by one accusation. You hear them speak of the tribulation this situation has caused in their lives, and the lives of their family.
I found myself understanding such a plight. And if these claims prove to be false, then indeed a great injustice has occurred and much damage done to the reputation of these young men. Yet, in hearing their story I found myself asking, how many of our African brothers and sisters (both deceased and living) have been faced with such a plight? I myself can remember police bulletins looking for a Black male between 5'8" and 6' tall weighing 185 lbs, wearing dark clothing. How many of us have been wrongfully accused and convicted - picked from a lineup simply because of our skin color?
They picture the Prosecutor as someone manipulating a racial situation for his own political gain. How many times have our people been victimized by the system in order to appease the sentiments of the majority?
Now I'm not asking or hoping that anyone be victimized. Victimizing someone cannot serve as Reparations for the victimization faced by our people. Yet, creating a teachable moment would have gone far in repairing the damage done.
Reparations calls for us to create teachable moments. We ought to use every opportunity to open the eyes of others that they might better understand the hardships faced by our people. Ed Bradley could have ended the interview by giving the nation some perspective. The mainstream "White American" society can empathize with these young men. It is easy to see them as victims.
Yet, when the tables are turned and young Black men are sitting in the same seat as these White men are, society at large quickly dismisses any possibility of wrongful accusation. This case is a perfect opportunity for America to be educated on racism. This is a perfect opportunity for our Country to gain further understanding of our various struggles.
We are in this Country together. For us to coexist, we must understand each other. Part of gaining our Reparations involves creating teachable moments, where we educate the society-at-large of the various nuances of being Black in America.
Our journalists have to use the platforms given to them for the benefit of us all. God gives us nothing for our own gain. But, we are given blessings that we ourselves might bless others. So let us strive to not miss opportunities to promote healing.
All in all, it was a smart tactic by whomever initiated the interview. However as a descendant of those subjected to American slavery and Jim Crow, another factor made this interview more interesting. What matters in my analysis is not the innocence or guilt of the parties involved, nor the truth or falsehood of the statements made. I have no way of judging guilt or innocence, truth or lies, and I will not attempt so to do. However, I will look at Mr. Bradley's role as a journalist and the squandered opportunity for us to have a bit of Reparations.
In the interview, you hear the defendants profess their innocence. You hear they lament how their whole lives are changed instantly by one accusation. You hear them speak of the tribulation this situation has caused in their lives, and the lives of their family.
I found myself understanding such a plight. And if these claims prove to be false, then indeed a great injustice has occurred and much damage done to the reputation of these young men. Yet, in hearing their story I found myself asking, how many of our African brothers and sisters (both deceased and living) have been faced with such a plight? I myself can remember police bulletins looking for a Black male between 5'8" and 6' tall weighing 185 lbs, wearing dark clothing. How many of us have been wrongfully accused and convicted - picked from a lineup simply because of our skin color?
They picture the Prosecutor as someone manipulating a racial situation for his own political gain. How many times have our people been victimized by the system in order to appease the sentiments of the majority?
Now I'm not asking or hoping that anyone be victimized. Victimizing someone cannot serve as Reparations for the victimization faced by our people. Yet, creating a teachable moment would have gone far in repairing the damage done.
Reparations calls for us to create teachable moments. We ought to use every opportunity to open the eyes of others that they might better understand the hardships faced by our people. Ed Bradley could have ended the interview by giving the nation some perspective. The mainstream "White American" society can empathize with these young men. It is easy to see them as victims.
Yet, when the tables are turned and young Black men are sitting in the same seat as these White men are, society at large quickly dismisses any possibility of wrongful accusation. This case is a perfect opportunity for America to be educated on racism. This is a perfect opportunity for our Country to gain further understanding of our various struggles.
We are in this Country together. For us to coexist, we must understand each other. Part of gaining our Reparations involves creating teachable moments, where we educate the society-at-large of the various nuances of being Black in America.
Our journalists have to use the platforms given to them for the benefit of us all. God gives us nothing for our own gain. But, we are given blessings that we ourselves might bless others. So let us strive to not miss opportunities to promote healing.
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