More than 2 million people tuned into the CNN "Black in America" special on the black woman and the black family, and more people in the 25-54 demographic - the big enchilada in cable TV - watched it than any other show on cable.
The ratings were all the rage at the Unity Journalists of Color convention, where many of the CNN honchos are in attendance.
Tonight, at 9 pm eastern, CNN will air part two on the black man.
Question of the day: did you see the special? If so, what did you think?
Roland S. Martin www.rolandsmartin.com CNN Contributor
Sent from Blackberry
Soledad O'Brien did a superb job. To be honest, I slternate between being pleased that there is a series about us, and saddened by all the pathology that still exists among our race. There are some real painful moments. The one that really sticks out is the young man who returned to school to finish his senior year of high school, only to drop out again. You know that his future is bleak - you can see his downward spiral right before your eyes.
The young boy being raised by his single dad. They have to move and I just wanted to somehow find that kid and find a place for the family. He has so much potential and it's heartbreaking to think what might happen to him if he doesn't stay on the right path.
Posted by: marilyn | July 24, 2008 at 10:27 PM
This piece is well-overdue. I just hope that a large number of that 2 million is White America. This is a piece that all Americans should view. It is so powerful and it educates all viewers. McCain would learn a lot from this piece.
Roland, if your boy Hannity could open up his "small mind" he could probably be enlightened by this piece.
Posted by: KIT | July 24, 2008 at 10:50 PM
This piece is well-overdue. I just hope that a large number of that 2 million is White America. This is a piece that all Americans should view. It is so powerful and it educates all viewers. McCain would learn a lot from this piece.
Roland, if your boy Hannity could open up his "small mind" he could probably be enlightened by this piece.
Posted by: KIT | July 24, 2008 at 10:51 PM
I enjoyed the show. I agree with the previous post this show was well overdue. I appreciate CNN and Soledad for their work. I just who we as a people learned something positive.
Posted by: Nesia | July 25, 2008 at 08:33 AM
I thought they should have renamed it to “Nothing New in Black America”. The negative PR machine continues to spin on black women.
From what I seen, I ended up with more questions. Why do black men understand commitment, marriage and family with their non-black mates, but not black women? AIDS is a worldwide disease that is rapidly increasing in EVERY population. When did AIDS become a black female disease? Somebody gave it to them. Why are black males able to get an education, read multiple books, write eloquent letters to family in prison, but can’t discipline himself to do it as a free man?
Black women continue to support black men, have multiple children with them, “wait for them” yet, there is little to no reciprocity when they become successful unless she behaves like a h* or bi***.
The word that comes to my mind for black women is punk’d.
Posted by: Energize | July 25, 2008 at 08:42 AM
Surprisingly, the second piece on black men was somehow less depressing than the first piece on black women and family. The statistics are just horrific. I didn't learn anything new and thought that it could have spent more time on the positives of Black America. But overall it was worth my time. I do think that Black America needs to take more action to remedy these problems. We are still not reaching those at the very bottom.
Posted by: Kim | July 25, 2008 at 08:47 AM
I applaud Soledad for her work on this project. I agree with the other posts. I would actually like to see a follow-up story every 5 years to see how everyone has progressed/regressed. I think that would interesting.
Posted by: Dancergirl63 | July 25, 2008 at 11:46 AM
I agree with Energized. When did Aids become just a black women's problem? Who are black women sleeping with? Black men? If that is the case there are tons of black men dating other races...why wouldn't these non-black women get aids? It just doesn't pan out.
Reminds me of the origin of the killer bees which were labeled Africanized Bees.....LOL!!
My understanding of Aids/HIV does not discriminate based on race. However, medical treatment and/or testing may differ based on race and wealth.
Posted by: Toni | July 25, 2008 at 11:59 AM
I hope we use this series to COME TOGETHER!! Please do not let the media and stats further continue to tear us apart as a people and comunity. The program did have some flaws but what doesnt. I hope instead of complaining we all vol./mentor/ HELP!!! AIDS and HIV is real, the lack of education is real, the lack of healthcare, number of black men in prison, number of single blk women etc its all real so now lets find soultions and peace. Reach one teach one. There is enough blame to go around. Let's turn this into a positive people. If you are already on your A game and doing your part in the community then shoutout to YOU!!!
Peace n Blessings
Posted by: Alexis | July 25, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Roland,
I watched both segments of the show, Soledad did a superb job.
What I learned from the show is that there are alot of our people who choose to still do destructive behavior, such as crime, drug dealing, not educating themselves, men having baby after baby with different women, and women having baby after baby with different men. They choose not to do what they know will provide them with a better future.
These types of behaviors have nothing to do with white supremacy, it has to do with choices. We all know that we live in a white supremacist society, we know that reality from the day we are born. Yet we also know that there are always strategies that can be used within any society, regardless of how the societal rules are against you, to thrive and be productive within that society. We mastered those strategies during slavery, Reconstruction and Jim Crow. We are a people who can take pig guts, make it a meal and then turn those same pig guts into a delicacy that other cultures will pay big bucks to eat.
So when I see our people resorting to crime and drugs as a way of making money, that is a choice. And as with all choices, there are consequences. So why be surprised that so many of our men our incarcerated? They choose to do the crime, they understood the laws of this society, they knew that the possiblity of being caught is there, yet they still continued in that lifestyle.
When I see our people educating themselves, working hard trying to do the right thing, then those are the role models that should be promoted. It is time for us to begin to protest and rebel against the negative images that the MSM portrays of us. We must begin to stand up and say,"No More"!
I have a nine-year old nephew who is being raised by two wonderful parents. This young man is being told everyday how special he is, is encouraged to be whatever his mind tells him he can be. And as God is my witness, we are going to do all we can to make sure that he will not become a negative statistic in the future!
Posted by: Michael7 | July 25, 2008 at 01:35 PM
I have the same feelings than marilyn sometimes really proud but sometimes deeply ...
remember the statistics...oh boy that is sooo painful...
Posted by: Avembe | July 25, 2008 at 02:07 PM
All of us can come up with "excuses" or "blame" for our personal dilemmas in life, but who are we fooling? Responsibility belongs to all of us as African-Americans, and that we must acknowledge. What child have we encouraged today and more importantly, our elders. Have we given our elders the reverence and respect that they so richly deserve? That is where it starts with our elders. Until we give acknowledgement and respect to our elders, how can we expect that our young generation, will reap the benefits.
Posted by: Jo Brookter | July 25, 2008 at 02:24 PM
To say "Tune in to see what it's like to be Black in America," and then to air that program made me furious.
I was thoroughly disappointed in this show. I thought Part 1 would be a story of triumphs of black women and families. Instead, we got more of the same. This show could have been made with any race in mind...just show the most troubling parts of anyone's culture and then fade to commercial.
I was expecting to see stories of triumph, and how sisters used their ingenuity and deep down resilience to make it in this country. I think of people like my Mother, who started out in the projects of North Philly. A single mom, she actually moved us to the worst apts in the suburbs so I could get a decent education (after pulling me out of school mid-year). Was it fun to be essentially integrating a school district? No. But I learned in a great environment that help me get to where I am. She raised 3 college grads (and one soon-to-be grad). My best friend's Mom was a crackhead but he got a Masters and is a sought-after teacher. Stuff like that...not this nonsense that I see.
And I'm not condemning every single segment, but I guess I'm frustrated. CNN had a chance to transform coverage of Blacks in the media, but they opted for the easy way out. With their unlimited level of reach and resources it's a damn shame that this was the result.
Posted by: Michael Davis-Dallas Progress | July 25, 2008 at 03:03 PM
I was hoping that someone finally would report on the "true black experience in America" from our point of view. Once again, all this report did was focus on the problem areas in our race, which are just fruits of the roots. In addition, Soledad, only concentrated on a small percentage of the African American race. She never reported on the root(s) of the problem(s) or how we can achieve the same education and still not experience the American Dream. Nor did she give a true account as to what we face everyday that no other "race" will ever experience. Soledad O'Brien only continue what the "main stream media" does everyday. The report was so one sided, very negative and only served to prove what "white america already is brain wash to believe"(blacks are lazy, does not value education, the black woman only choice to marry a white man, if the black family suceed it is because a white person dna is in their blood" My family and friends were so disappointed. I always felt Soledad O'Brien was prejudice. I even expressed my surprise that she was featuring the report. After viewing part one, she proved I was right. Thanks Soledad, for reiterating the one sided stories, beliefs and myths of Blacks in America Will someone please tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help them God.
Posted by: Monica | July 25, 2008 at 03:05 PM
I thought both pieces were excellent. It wasn't anything new but it was something we needed to hear again. For a lot of women (not just Black women), we keep repeating the same mistakes over and over again. It's not his fault because we have 2, 3, or 4 children and he doesn't marry us, after number 1, there should be no more if he's not willing, capable and able to support both of us financially and emotionally. We have got to stop being passive. You don't get more if you don't command/demand more. Stop settling. There are no excuses for getting pregnant in this day. And yes, HIV and AID has become a black woman's disease in these united states. And that has a lot to do with trust and falling for those tired lines. And if you're not married, stop having sex, see how long he stays around and if he does and you got things to talk about and to do, maybe he's really the one. It may not have been the whole story and it will never be as long as we expect someone else to tell our whole story. We've got to tell it ourselves.
Posted by: Sanra | July 25, 2008 at 03:25 PM
Hey Roland
I watched both parts of the special and I feel a little disappointed.
I know you can’t sum up the Black experience in 4 hours but the editing process could have been better, more relevant topics and people would have made it a little more palatable.
The overweight elderly woman, the young single mother who can’t stop having kids, the black man giddy at the thought of having white in-laws, the somewhat arrogant successful black woman complaining about not finding a man are all stories that have been rehashed to death.
Classicism among African Americans, what does patriotism mean to African Americans, the divide between immigrants of African descent and African Americans, Racism within urban School districts, regentrification, are all topics that would have had a greater impact.
I lived in New York City for 30 of my 32 years and I have never seen the school system so out of control; I watch the police take over “School Safety” and basically make a careers out of arresting young black children for minor school infractions.
I love Soledad, but I have to admit the first part of the series seemed depressing and irrelevant and the 2nd part was much better but not in-depth enough.
I guess next time
E. Campbell
P.S.
Roland I love hearing your views on CNN keep of the good work!
Posted by: E. Campbell | July 25, 2008 at 04:16 PM
Hey Roland,
I must give Soledad credit for doing this type of program, especially on CNN. However the program was all over the place. I really wasn't expecting much...but dang, is being black that bad -- poverty, ill, violent, stuggling, etc. Could they not have found a balance and showed some African Ameericans (more) doing well -- just to give the whole spectrum of being black? I felt there was little good that came out of that -- only a few highlights.
The program should have focused more on the disparity regarding employment for African American males, the black family, higher education, and new forms of leadership within out community.
What I didn't like: The open mic poet, the piece about hip hop, and the comments from Angela of Essence.
It would have been great to include you in the piece to discuss politics, but I guess we all can't win.
CHR
Posted by: CHR | July 25, 2008 at 04:55 PM
I agree with Monica's comment. I couldn't help but notice the gratuitous camera shots of confused facial expressions, fashion faux pas, etc., It's like they're trying to clown us in all the little ways they can.
I haven't seen the first example of courageous reporting in the segment, just rehashing the same cliched stories, and dumbing them down for the lowest common denominator - like their quick segment on the two biracial families, a topic which could take up a whole series in itself - thost two families don't provide an accurate cross-cut view of all of us. And viewers were left with more questions than answers about us poor mixed (up) kids...
Why not focus on the positives?
Cause, like Gil-Scott said, the revolution will not be televised, and CNN is hardly revolutionary television.
Who is this thing supposed to benefit anyways? Basically I feel like, we can tell our own stories, thank you very much...
Posted by: nic | July 25, 2008 at 05:21 PM
@E Campbell why did the woman have to be arrogant because she is successful and proud of it? Why must black men and women constantly have to put each other down? There are alot of single black women who do wish to be married one day. Black men can and should be proud of their success as well. I defend black men to the end when some of my gfriends vent their frustations about some(I did say some) black men becoming successful and turning to white women. CNN had a 8-10 min clip on line of black men/women discussing relationship and another segment of black men discussing their fear of marriage/commitment both were very intereting. I do not want to date outside my race and thats my choice I do not care if others do as long as one doesnt put down their race in the process. As I said in my earlier post was the programmed flawed, yes but what isnt. CNN did attempt un like BET, ABC, CBS, NBC TV1 the list goes on and on. I pray that the state of black relationship/marriages continue to evolve.
I hope Soledad does a follow up show regarding all the feedback good and bad.
Posted by: Alexis | July 25, 2008 at 07:39 PM
I really enjoyed watching the special both nights. I think that the information was very valuable to me as an elementary school teacher. I work in a low income area, however I am proud to say that my school has made annual yearly progress 5 years in a row. AYP are the standards that schools must meet set by NCLB. My students work hard and score well each year on the standardized tests. Their stories must be heard also. I think if we paid more attention to those who are working hard and doing the right thing, others will follow. I feel that when it comes to education, no wants to talk to the teacher making 30k a year. We are the ones in the trenches and we can provide more insight on solutions than those who are not in the classrooms daily. Ask us we know what's really going on.
Posted by: Somers Northcutt | July 25, 2008 at 08:00 PM
The segment on black men did not depict black men in a balanced light (I missed the segment on black women but after viewing the former I have LOW expectations). Either black men are poor high school drop-outs or JD/MBAs. What about the regular Joe? I am sick and tired of these documentaries that do not show the whole picture. If I didn't know any better I would believe that most black men did not have a high school diploma or are in jail and the remainder had a very high level education and are married to white women. There are plenty of regular black guys who get up and go to work everyday and are married to black women. Where were they? I also noticed that the successes and the failures seemed to be designated along color lines. The successful black men were light-skinned and the bums were dark-skinned. Come on...let's get real here.
Oh, and I guess everyone in the black community doesn't respect education. Apparantly all black kids who are educated are accused of being white, acting white, etc. Sure, there is some truth to this but it is not true accross the board. Why is it that the family that she choose to depict as educated had moved to an all-white neighborhood? So, I guess all of our success stories grew up in all-white surroundings and date/marry white people. Sorry, that is complete nonsense. I have an MBA and many of my friends have graduate degrees (JDs, MDs, MBAs). Most of them grew up in mostly black neighborhoods. Many are married, some married caucasions but they aren't the majority.
I grew up in a mostly black neighborhood with a regular Dad who got up and went to work eveyday. Sure, when I was younger kids said "you talk white, etc." but we were kids. Kids say all sorts of stupid things. As I got older and became an adult I have been met with nothing but black people being proud of my accomplishments. The DA that Soledad interviewed seemed to have a lot of lingering scars from being called "white" and a "nerd". Seriously Dude, get over it.
I'm not suggesting that there are not problems in our community. There are plenty!! However, there are also plenty of black people doing the right thing and they were not accurately depicted.
I was so disturbed after seeing this "documentary" that I had to google Soledad O'Brien and see where she was coming from. I really wonder what makes her the authority on the "African-American" experience. Has she lived it? I don't think so. I guess she is trying to make a name for herself on our backs.
Two thumbs WAY down!
Posted by: Anonymous | July 25, 2008 at 08:17 PM
I liked it, and I am thankful to CNN for starting communication with our community and other communities. What we must do so that a year or years from now things will change. There are many stories out there to be told would have to be a regular tv show. What it did show is that we must do something. I had my daughter at the age of 18, in 1966, she was born with sickle cell disease, her father was absent from most of her life. Shortly after her birth, the birth control pill was developed and other birth control devices followed. Before that especially black women used all forms of methods to abort a child, most kept their children. When I delivered my daughter there were 4 other unwed mothers in the hospital, all white who had been in homes they had agreed to give their children up, one changed her mind but they talked her out of it. As Ed said on the show,when people asked where was Sallie, people would say she has gone down south. That happened to, but most of us stayed here. I had family back up and needed it because of my daughter's illness. I thought that with the concept of the birth control pills that there would be no more children out of wedlock. Applying for jobs were hard, I believe that acknowledging I had a child out of wedlock eliminated me from positions. My mother said not to mention it on applications. It worked, the job I got in private business was good, but my daughter got ill and had to be hospitalized. So my mother would call with an update and say my sister, so no one would know. I told everyone after 7 months. Worked there for 18 months before starting my first government job. Today, there are grandmothers in their twenty's. Recently, while waiting in medical office, 5 young women(under 17) were pregnant, and bragging about their other children. All the methods used to get kids interested in education, to get parents married must continued and improved. Maybe there will not be complaints about showing the black man in poor light. As for my daughter she married has 3 children, graduate of Maryland University. Completed her degree, had hip replacement,found employment, and began to drive again. And her son will graduate from Howard University next year with a degree in education and Afro American studies.
Posted by: Carolyn | July 25, 2008 at 08:58 PM
@Alexis
Understand that any program on television (even the news) with black people as a center will have some element of the stereotypical. In my earlier post I merely listed some of the more stereotypical roles that I saw in the program.
The young women in the peace may not be arrogant, but that’s how she “reads” to some watching that segment. I am married, and I hold an advance degree so the issues that she spoke of are not alien to me.
I stand by my comment that some other issues could have been explored with great results. I also agree with a lot of the post on this blog about needing to have more balance with the positive “non-struggle oriented” things that are unique to African American life.
P.S. I loved her movie Something New!
Posted by: E. Campbell | July 25, 2008 at 09:04 PM
As a whole, I have to say I'm somewhat disappointed. I'll grant allowance for the fact that there's just far too much weighty material of relevance to speak to what it is to be black in America. That said, I felt the coverage was imbalanced all the same for what a reputed year of interviews and following up stories.
For instance, to interview Spike Lee and hear his views on prejudice in Hollywood and how he's stigmatized as a black director but not to on the other hand address his objectification of dark skinned women in his films was just one instance of where I felt the series was portraying each subject through a very narrow filter. I agree with E Campbell who stated earlier that the first part was depressing in how it appeared to focus so heavily on quite a few old favorites among stereotypes, the "successful black woman who can't find a good black man" (obscuring where her political views, social circles and associations place her in terms of the black community). The unmarried pregnant young black woman, etc ad nauseum.
I think the greatest flaw in the coverage is they try to isolate a limited field of view of the community and portray it as the whole (intentionally or otherwise). Before even getting into subculture, demographic and a thousand other factors there exists a different set of values for black americans from hip hop listeners in their 20's to those in their 40's, from Jazz listeners in the same age groups in different coasts and although the shifts are subtle, I don't think a limited perspective of the whole can be summed up into 2 hours.
Posted by: Raymond C. | July 25, 2008 at 09:30 PM
I watched the series both nights and wish that it could be taken further as well as we all roll up our sleeves and get to work about correcting the situation on all levels.
Posted by: Cyn | July 25, 2008 at 09:46 PM