Ethnic self-awareness called pathological by affirmative action foes

Just when we deluded ourselves and thought the hoods and sheets had crawled back into the woodwork, they’re arisin’ again. It seems that there are folk who are mightily upset with a minority publishers who publish news about under-served minorities. News which mainstream media either won’t touch, or sparingly report, has been the focus of ethnic media—what little of it that exists, for centuries. When majority media failed/fails to report on issues which affect ethnic communities, it is only logical that we print and distribute news which is of interest to us, and folk like us. But, some folk consider that “racism.” Apparently it is fine for majority owned media to report on Caucasian issues, but when, in self-defense, women and minorities do the same, some folk accuse these outlets of “racism” and “bigotry.”

As long as we accept being ignored, that is fine; however, when minority people devote time and resources to reporting on our issues, issues that the mainstream media bypasses or waters down, that becomes racist.

A clearing house for ethnic news recently analyzed a newly- released research study which found that elderly ethnic individuals, black and brown folk, are often blocked from healthcare treatment, by circumstances related to the side-effects of institutional racism. This study on healthcare for ethnic seniors shows how that racism negatively affects the mental and physical health of people of color. Now that we have scientific proof that institutional racism and bigotry are affecting the health of our seniors, bigots accuse ethnic media of being bigoted for reporting on this and other issues which affect people of color.

How ironic. When we have actual scientific proof that the by-products of racism are institutional and include environmental injustice, health problems and economic atrocity, some folk are flapping their jaws, accusing ethnic journalists of promoting racism. Blame the victim, again.

The current incident was generated by an article published by newamericanmedia.org, a website devoted to news concerning ethnic people and minorities. The article in question, “Ethnic Seniors Grapple with Depression—Alone”,


According to the site’s editor:”
Serious depression is a growing problem for multicultural seniors. But unlike older whites, ethnic people 50-plus are blocked from treatment by poverty, limited or no insurance, lack of programs geared for them—and the stigma of mental problems that permeates many cultures. New America media senior editor Paul Kleyman begins his occasional series on mental challenges for ethnic seniors with this article on treatable depression. He wrote this story while participating in the California Endowment Health Journalism Fellowships, a program of the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. (http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=46673a0eb7ed9b0110ef83c040435ef4)

Apparently, everything is fine, as long as people of color suffer in silence and don’t speak out, file class action lawsuits, picket or boycott racist institutions. But let us stand up and complain, or act, and suddenly we are the racists, we are the bigots, we are “the problem.”

Remember back in the day when police rioted—cracked skulls with nightsticks, shot ethnic people because they could, and newspaper reported that “blacks…Hispanics… or whomever” was rioting. A century ago, whites could rampage through a black community, lynch the residents, burn down black-owned businesses and somehow the newspapers called it a “Negro riot.”

Today’s youth are so discouraged and angry by their living situations, the lack of opportunity, brutality and foul housing that they have now become what their ancestors were accused of: rioters, gangsters and a “menace to society.” While many ethnic news outlets report on the self-fulfilling prophecy of institutional racism, elements in majority owned media and consumers of such reporting, continue to deny the self-fulfilling problems which the institutional racism that they fuel create: angry people, crimes of opportunity, and outpourings of rage.

And when “minority” news outlets report these issues, we are accused of creating the problem, fomenting racism and failing to be “progressive.” For many, “progressive” seems to mean sticking your head in the sand and channeling Dr. Feelgood. The “don't worry, be happy” school of thought ignores problems and demonizes those who acknowledge issues. Just one more case of attacking the messenger because you don't want to hear the message.

Too many of our minority owned newspapers and media outlets are being driven out of business by lack of ad revenue and spinelessness. When our media organizations fail to report on issues that are vital to their communities, they cease to be vital to those communities. After all, why should a person of color listen to a station, or purchase a newspaper that is black owned if that entity is no different from the majority-owned new and media outlets?

The media business is becoming more volatile, as challenging economic times drive many of them out of business. Ad revenue and subscribers are often in a downward spiral, putting these media outlets at risk. Many are caught between a rock and a hard place, trying to retain subscribers, attract advertisers and keep their heads above water. And, trying to work a miracle in an age where infotainment and sleaze rule the airwaves and presses.

As our minority and ethnic media companies—radio, television, newspaper and web-based media outlets try to compete in a hostile marketplace, along comes the poisonous spiders who would destroy them. It has been said that when the economy gets a paper cut, the black community hemorrhages. Today our media is dying the death of a thousand cuts, and cloaked enemies swing the blade under the cover of “fairness”.

Monica Davis is an Indiana-based marketing specialist, author, radio personality, columnist and public speaker. She specializes in economic, history and public policy issues and has written articles on land loss, bank failure, institutional corruption/document deception, environmental justice and alternative energy. She is the author of six books and is published in Great Britain, Canada, the U.S. and India. Home schoolers in New Zealand have used her articles as teaching tools. Ms. Davis has given presentations on land lynching and the farm catastrophe at churches, museums and universities. She publishes regularly on Opednews.com, Indybay.org, Buzzflash.org, and Sfbaview.org. Her articles are used as primary research material by researchers and have been read into the Congressional Record in land loss hearings. She has been interviewed by numerous bloggers, radio and television journalists, including:
Bmstv/Blackmenscreaming.com
Dr. Wilmer J. Leon, III on XM radio
Radio stations in NYC, New Orleans


Her articles have been read into the Congressional Record and used as the basis for interviews by other reporters. She is available for speaking engagements. Her author web site is http://www.lulu.com/davis4000_2000. She may be reached at davis4000_2000 [at] yahoo.com