Libergirl, my partner in truth has been to a few NABJ(National Association of Black Journalists) Conferences and her conclusion: they’re a bunch of pretentious jerks(her opinion, of course). Is this why they are upset because a certain civil rights leader has gotten a sweet gig(unofficially). Another network also has interest in this certain civil rights leader.
In the business that is the news industry, blacks as well as other ethnic groups make up a minute number of managers. That word business carries a lot of weight, it’s equivalent to the word ratings. As with any business you want ratings and plenty of them. Maybe Al Sharpton is better suited for the position because he can bring in the ratings as well as the viewers. Sure, he may not have a degree in journalism but he does have something some journalists don’t have; experience and lots of it.
Rev. Al is already in a position where he knows people who most journalists will never know. He has a pretty successful radio program–“Keeping it Real.” Wouldn’t you think he’s already cemented himself as a person who is well qualified for the position? The question that remains, why the resistance from the NABJ against this voice of the voiceless? Sure Rev. Al (as he likes to be called) has had many missteps along the way. The Tawana Brawley case will forever be synonymous with him but he’s transformed himself from an overweight jogging suit wearing agitator to a slimmer designer suit wearer. He’s a more refined individual that you know you can take seriously. Just look at the National Action Network that he runs to help people in dire straights.
Rev. Al has blazed into new territory by keeping it real. He has moved into the mainstream. The NABJ should get in line and celebrate his success. When he gets on he’s able to bring others in or at least recommend others. Hopefully MSNBC will soon make it official and make him a mainstay.
John Jones
The NON-Conformist
TheConfirmationFiles 