The Suppression of Intelligent Black Thought: 

A legitimate concern, or a bogus claim?

by: B.J.

Posted: February 3, 2006

 

As I continue to wait until my opportunity approaches, I get more and more frustrated.  Of course, I listen to a LOT of talk radio programs, and I lose count of how many times I say, “Man, I could run rings around this guy!”  Not only am I saying it, YOU (the supporters) are saying it.  You are demanding that my program be put on the air.  So what’s left to ask is:

 

WHY AM I NOT ON THE AIR?

 

Your guess is as good as mine.  However I have developed an interesting theory:

 

It is because of the color of my skin.

 

Don’t hit the “X” on your window—hear me out.  Those that know me well are fully aware that I am one of the LAST people to “pull the race card”.  However, I can make a serious case here.  I suggest that anyone that feels the need to challenge my allegations to take a random look at talk radio station personalities.  Tons of shows have either all white-hosted programs, or maybe one or two black-hosted programs—which usually are buried on the weekends—when virtually NO ONE is listening.  It reminds me of the rash of EXCELLENT black television programs that were moved ALL OVER THE CLOCK in order to find a time slot where there were no viewers—only to develop a “convenient excuse” for canceling the show due to low ratings.  Examples of shows that weren’t afforded the opportunity that they deserved to air were:  Different World, Roc, Out All Night, and South Central, just to name a few.  These shows were cancelled FAR before they should have been cancelled, and I believe that it was for no other reason OTHER THAN the mere fact that they reflected intelligent, positive images of black Americans.  However, shows like Martin and Family Matters were allowed to poison our airwaves with irrelevant mental filth for several years to come. 

 

The correlation between what I previously described in television and talk radio today is crystal clear to me.  It is as if only middle-to-older aged white males can provide intellectual observation to the current news of the day when the TRUTH of the matter is that it is the STAFF of the talent that is providing the insight in many cases (not all of course).  It is infuriating and downright insulting to be misrepresented as incapable of facilitating intelligent dialogue that would be appealing to ALL listeners—both black and white.  However, I’m far more outraged in our OWN media outlets practicing this behavior than white media outlets.  It is totally inexcusable for black-based media outlets to suppress intelligent black thought, because they should KNOW better. 

 

Consider the Radio One talk radio project.  Their inaugural talk radio lineup consists of:  Al Sharpton, The Stews Brothers, and Michael Eric Dyson.  Politics aside, do you believe that they assembled the best black talk personalities in the country?  Not only no, but hell no.  The only person they may have gotten right is Al Sharpton.  Stay with me—yes I’m still a conservative, and I still do believe that Rev. (used loosely also) Sharpton is a blatant nutcase, however he is very funny, and the “shock” value alone will make him very addictive to listen to.  I don’t know if his show would lead to tremendous growth or not, due to the fact that he will not be able to handle callers with an opposing view, however I have no problem conceding to the fact that Rev. Sharpton is a good start for Radio One.  The Stews Brothers is also a good choice, considering their “success” (personally, I don’t know how, but that’s just me) on ESPN2, and here in Atlanta.  Honestly, I don’t believe that they are good sports broadcasters because besides “sniffing up Michael Vick’s jock strap” every show, they really have nothing to talk about—besides making themselves laugh with bits that aren’t really funny at all.  But I digress…

 

Michael Eric Dyson was the travesty that set me into an explosive dialogue with the person entrusted with managing the Radio One talk project.  This is a guy that used the ACCURATE comments of Bill Cosby to make money by selling a tremendously INACCURATE book.  He is part of the problem in the black community today—living behind lies, and refusing to address issues of relevance in that would actually solve problems.  In fact Mr. Dyson, along with the vast majority of the obsolete civil-rights conglomerates, profit from problems.  The last thing that people like this want to do is actually solve problems, and there’s NO justification for rewarding him with a national radio show, either.

 

The overall problem with black-talk radio programming is the tremendous lack of balance.  The one-sided programming wouldn’t be as bad if it were rooted around intellectually stimulating conversation.  It wouldn't hurt if the commentary was rooted around ACCURATE and FACTUAL information, either.  Of course the programming would still have to be entertaining, however, entertainment doesn’t require blatant stupidity.  This is what permeates black radio (music AND talk) today—blatant stupidity.  The biggest travesty is that it seems as if there’s no interest to change this fact at the moment.  

 

Those in Atlanta are familiar with WAOK—a CBS Radio station.  It's hard to find another station that represents stupidity more than WAOK.  I’ve written on this station before.  I’ve also expressed my concerns with an executive at CBS Radio, only to be ignored and have my intelligence insulted.  I want to share some of the correspondence with you for your review:

 

My Initial Inquiry: 

 

A few weeks ago we spoke about concerns about WAOK programming in Atlanta, GA, and I was wondering if you were able to complete your review on their programming situation?  I've also attached a copy of my latest promo CD for your review, just to give you an example of what they are neglecting in favor of all the POOR quality programs that are currently on the air.  There's NO way that any of the shows currently running on WAOK can "hold a candle" to what my show could bring to the table.  Now mind you, with the way I believe that station is running, there's no way I would want to work for that station with the way it is currently run, so please don't misinterpret my plea; however, if there is another station in your company that's run properly, then please feel free to forward my information, or provide me with the means of contacting them.  I'm willing to relocate anywhere in order to get my show on the air.  I appreciate your feedback.  Thanks in advance for your time and consideration.

 

The Executive’s Response: 

 

BJ, Yes I did review the situation at WAOK.  I am satisfied that (the program director) is programming the station the way he believes it should be programmed.  I also believe that he has a plan that should successfully move the station in the right direction.  Thanks again for checking in.

 

My Next Response: 

 

If you believe that:

 

Putting yet another SLANTED news program with hosts with no articulation or personality, followed by a morning show that's hosted by a host that adds NOTHING to the conversation, but rather facilitates a comment line for the callers (that actually make that show by the way), then followed by a decent show that's hosted by someone who can't speak English in order to save his own life, then ending the normal broadcast day with yet another Bush-bashing, misinformed host who has a still-pending lawsuit against the company, whose also an admitted recovering crack cocaine addict (as he indicates often on the air) examples of programming that's satisfactory and moving in the right direction, then there's really nothing left for me to say--this situation is beyond amazement.    However, the Arbitron ratings will serve as the true barometer, as they are right now.  I would love to find a white-based station within your company that is run in similar fashion.  I sure haven't found one as of yet.

 

The Executive: 

 

Thanks for your thoughts BJ.  I have a great deal of confidence in our Atlanta team.  Radio programming is very subjective and the fact that you are in fact looking to get on the air doesn't make you totally objective here but, nonetheless, I do appreciate your persistence and your comments.  Critique from our listeners only makes us better.

 

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I would like you to go back to the initial inquiry (highlighted) where I said, “Now mind you, with the way I believe that station is running, there's no way I would want to work for that station.”  That IMMEDIATELY thwarts his allegation that my concerns were limited to a mere request to get on the air.  He totally ignored my actual concern, thus insulting my intelligence which lead to my next response, which was forwarded to the CEO of Infinity Broadcasting, as well as Viacom (which owns Infinity Broadcasting/CBS Radio). 

 

My Final Response: 

 

The allegations I've made ARE objectively speaking, or else I wouldn't have included listener-based comments.  I'm sure that a person of your capacity knows full well that others share my comments, or else I wouldn't be as concerned as I am.  The truth of the matter is that I have a passion for the industry that is not limited to Infinity Broadcasting. 

 

I know it's in your best interest to defend your employees, however, the facts are crystal clear.  I have NO personal interest at all here.  I believe my fate was sealed with this organization long ago, and I'm extremely comfortable with that.  However, that doesn't serve as reason for me to remain silent about my concerns about the industry as a whole.  The fact also remains that there is NO white-run station within the CBS radio family, or Infinity Broadcasting organization run in this fashion.  This issue has yet to be refuted by you or proven false.  This is the issue, sir, NOT my desire to obtain employment within your organization.  However, if you want to remain short sighted, with the belief that this is no more than a spirited effort to gain employment within your organization, then there's no wonder that WAOK is run the way that it is.  You can continue to ignore my actual concerns by alleging that I'm still trying to gain employment if you wish, but the facts will still remain, and once again, the Arbitron ratings will be the proverbial "measuring stick" on which my claims are made--NOT subjectivity. 

 

Furthermore, none of these other FACTS are subjective:

If there is a recovering Crystal-Meth addict on one of the aforementioned stations, then I would gladly stand corrected.  If there is a Rock/Pop real estate show on the aforementioned stations, then I would gladly stand corrected.  If there are "personalities" on the aforementioned stations, for example, that cannot speak English, or are hideously unprepared to host their respective shows, then I would gladly stand corrected.  The truth of the matter is that the standards are different, and there is a serious racial component here.  I can only hope that some of these facts can be addressed, rather than continued inaccurate allegations about my desire to be employed within your organization.

 

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Now I ask you to review the above correspondence and form your own opinion.  There’s no doubt in my mind that there is a general intent to suppress intelligent black thought from the airwaves.  Unfortunately, nothing is going to change until you—the listening public start demand more from your local radio stations.  It doesn’t matter if the talent is black or white, as long as they meet your entertainment needs as a listener.  We as blacks should expect NO LESS intelligence from the voice of a black personality than we would from a white one.  The same rules should apply for whites.  In fact, it already does.  There’s no way in hell would white people tolerate stupidity misrepresenting them.  It’s time for us to stop tolerating it as well.  Only then will they stop passing over qualified black talents simply because they don’t fit the “image” of what a black person “should” be: stupid "victim mentality" slaves, permanently entrenched on the Democratic plantation forever.  The sooner we start demanding more, the sooner intelligent blacks will become serious candidates for open talent positions on black and white-based stations.

 

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