CNN Drops a Racism / Sexism Bomb on Innocent Readers. Will Anyone Notice?
- 7
- Add a Comment
Earlier today, I saw this article over at CNN's website. I was startled by one headline in particular, which read, "Gender or race: Black women voters face tough choices in S.C." Interest piqued, I decided to read the article. After reading the following line,
For these women, a unique, and most unexpected dilemma, presents itself: Should they vote their race, or should they vote their gender?
I was particularly taken aback. Several questions started running through my mind. Did CNN, the self-proclaimed "Most Trusted Name in News", just intimate that black women will vote solely based on allegiance to their race or gender and not on the strength of the candidates' perceived ability to run this country? How in the world did any editor, let alone an editor at CNN, allow this story to be published as is? Am I the only one that sees something terribly wrong with this?I have no answer for the first two questions. The answer to the third seems, fortunately, like a resounding no. A quick look at the comments section of this story on CNN's website indicates that I wasn't the only one who was appalled by CNN's egregious mistake. In fact, while I was writing this, CNN posted a follow up story reporting that,
...readers reacted quickly and angrily.
Good. Even if black women were basing their vote solely on gender or race of the candidate (I do not believe this to be the case, however) CNN has absolutely no basis whatsoever to report its assertion of such as fact. I hope appropriate action will be taken by CNN in this matter and that all of those who feel as strongly about this as I do will make their feelings known to CNN.[Note: I very rarely, if ever, publish posts of a political nature on this blog. However, I felt very compelled to share this as its implications are broader than just a political scope.]
7 Comments
January 21st, 2008
at 10:24pm
With every effort the media is trying to create news, create controversy about candidates. It is so unfortunate that the media is lowering its journalistic matter and buying into Faux news business. But then again, the voters allowed George Bush to occupy The White House; can’t wait for January 2009, the end of the George Bush Error! I only ask that the media report information and ask the probing questions and demand the details of how. All my life I’ve heard, “if I’m elected president”, but the sentence never ends with substance, only 30 seconds on B.S. Give me the details of, provide insight on: how you plan to successfully get our troops, how you plan to help the middle-class, how you will use the Constitution as your guide, how you will make education matter, how you will foster an environment of partisanship. PLEASE!
January 21st, 2008
at 10:36pm
As an African-American women I don’t feel I’m faced with anymore of a dilemma in this election than in the others before. I don’t feel that black women have been the recipients of any work in civil or women’s rights by Hilary’s Clinton. I’m extremely disappointed in the political analyst interviewed in the story who thinks that we will stick with “Billary” just because of who they are. Not all African-Americans feel that the Clintons were our great champions and automatically get our vote. We’re going to vote like Asian women, white women, Hispanic women…any other women. For the candidate who will best represent our interests
January 21st, 2008
at 11:15pm
I am a long time CNN watcher and usually okay with their coverage but, they and the other “mainstream” media are the ones that are stirring up the trouble with race and gender. They need nastiness to sell their product. They should get back to being reporters of the news rather than promoting a candidate or postion. The “media” is becoming part of the problem.
January 22nd, 2008
at 12:13am
To CNN’s credit they posted an article called, “CNN readers respond angrily to ‘race or gender’ story”. One of the best quotes I’ve ever read was included in the story:
“Since Edwards no longer officially exists, as a white male I face the same choice - either I vote my race (Clinton) or my gender (Obama). Or I could just pick the candidate based on who I think would be best,” wrote Michael.
January 22nd, 2008
at 12:32am
Obama is trying to hurt Hillary, and is losing focus on the key issues because of it.
If this is what he does, then I do not want him in the White House.
I want a candidate who will tell me what he or she will do to make this country better, and not play dirty for his own cause.
Red flags go up around Obama every time he speaks.
He needs to stop this garbage fast.
Better Hillary than him.
George Vreeland Hill
January 22nd, 2008
at 1:27am
O.k., how many years is it going to take for the people to set aside getting fuzzed up over race or gender. When women burned their bras in the 60s, I thought they decided they had balls just like a man, in today’s world it’s hard to find a legitimate woman, who is above all the whining. The same goes for race, will it be a millinum before people will say ok, no matter what people say, or write, I will NOT stoop so low that I get mad with the issue. People listen up, all anyone needs to do is work for their living, mind their own business, and vote your conviction, and stop your crybaby whining.
I am a white man who has worked for 45 years, and both of those two, clinton and obama are playing the race gender act to the hilt. GROW UP AMERICA!!!!!!
January 22nd, 2008
at 11:23pm
@Blang, I also thought that quote was quite funny.