The period following the Civil War was a progressive era for American democracy in the South as many states began reforms like compulsory public education. But that history was obscured by the image left by a film called “The Klansman” or “Birth of a Nation” by D.W. Griffith, still considered by many whites one of the greatest films of all time.
The 2008 election will also be one of the most historic elections in American history, but the misguided decision by CNN to damage its credibility with the equally outrageous D.L. Hughley show could leave the impression that African-Americans spent this year mired in silliness and self-hate.
“This show needs to be cancelled. Sorry. I really think that the viewers need to make their opinions known,” is one of the comments to my earlier blog on this abomination. When Birth of A Nation came out, the nascent NAACP demonstrated in a hundred cities around the nation, blocking its showing in many places.
i think the best way to protest immediately is to refrain from watching CNN over this critical election weekend and on Election Day. Legions of African-Americans have become far more interested in political news than before, boosting the ratings of cable and broadcast channels.
The thanks we get are the D.L. Hughley Show and Chocolate News. In addition to filling the lines in early voting and on Election Day, make a vote about the way we are portrayed.
Do you really want to come to work and face someone who just watched D.L. Hughley on Monday morning.
Let them know any references to that show will be considered harrassment.
For more background on how black overachievers are treated in the workplace, consult my book Success Secrets of Black Executives. A new study shows people are more likely to talk about this election than ever and often minorities find themselves facing intolerant comments.
It is also a scenario affecting black entrepreneurs. Trouble in the Air: State of Black Business shows how difficult their situation has been.
My commentary “Is there an Obama play in the market?” is in the October edition of the New York Society of Security Analysts newsletter with additional background.
Posted By: John Templeton
Thursday, October 30th 2008 at 11:51AM
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