How Would A Black News Network Have Handled Rev. Wright?

JC Watts, the former Republican Congressman who is making news after his announcement that he plans to launch an all-black cable news network some time this year, says that issues like the Reverend Wright scandal show that such a network is sorely needed.

"I've not seen anything in his writings, in his speeches, in his books, in his public appearances, that would encourage me to believe that he views the world through the Rev. Wright's prism," said Watts, the last black Republican to serve in the U.S. House. "I'm a Republican. Barack Obama is a Democrat. I am not taking a position in the presidential race, but I can tell you this: If people vote against Barack Obama because of what the Rev. Wright said, it would be unfortunate. I don't agree with what the Rev. Wright said, but I've said to some of my Republican friends: 'Guys, it's a whole big world out there and I guarantee you, before all is said and done, there will be associations that a Republican has. You are going to be on a slippery slope."'

As for Watts' political affiliation, he said that not all blacks think alike, but most of them vote alike. He plans to show a "diversity of black opinions" on his network. Now, that could be a good thing. Or it could be a euphemism for "black Fox News." It's not necessarily the impression I get, but only time will tell.

Jun 13, 2008 · posted by Lauren Williams, Stereohyped · Link · 5 Responses

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Tagged: Barack Obama, J.C. Watts, Jeremiah Wright, Rev. Wright

Comments (5)

No. 1 · JackJohnson

I love the idea of this. Although it might work better to have a multiracial network…the idea is about diversity of views and representation. Having people who can relate to the story they're reporting on.

Posted: Jun 13, 2008 at 2:54 pm

No. 2 · brad

Can't you all wait for the Armstrong Williams Show, Juan Williams Show, and the Alan Keyes Show? I'm sure there would be room for the Rev. Ken Hutcherson's Raging Homophobic "I've got a bunch of white people behind me" Show, too!

Posted: Jun 13, 2008 at 4:40 pm

No. 3 · RhondaCoca

Has anybody read any of Wright's books, really listened to all of his sermons, saw what he did in his community? Do people know anything about Dr. Wright before they decided to judge him based on the media's manipulation?

The fact that we could judge a man who is a biblical scholar, a positive force in his community and prominent minister for 36 years based on snippets is what is unfortunate.

Posted: Jun 13, 2008 at 9:24 pm

No. 4 · RhondaCoca

I would also like to add that a black news network should point those things out- his commitment to the black community, the fact that he was a marine, a biblical scholar, a very highly educated man, play his full sermons amongst other sermons he has made throughout his life, a prominent person and not some Chicago nut would be an offset from what the mainstream white media did. Also if this network would give context to what the man was saying and mabye a history of the social gospel in black churches (a 200 year tradition) that could have been effective. If a black news network could not do that then its not worth watching.

Posted: Jun 13, 2008 at 9:29 pm

No. 5 · DivergentDana

"Can’t you all wait for the Armstrong Williams Show, Juan Williams Show, and the Alan Keyes Show? I’m sure there would be room for the Rev. Ken Hutcherson’s Raging Homophobic “I’ve got a bunch of white people behind me” Show, too!"

*rubs hands together* The Jesse Peterson Show! But if they created a "black Fox News", wouldn't their friends at "regular Fox* find it irredeemably racist for the sake of ideological consistency?

Posted: Jun 13, 2008 at 10:56 pm

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