Opinion Talk

By MissV

June 12, 2008 7:50 AM | Link to this

It’s a business. If he has the resources, it will definitely be a better outlet than BET and the incessant number of black music programs that do little to feed the mind or brain.

By Lee

June 12, 2008 8:37 AM | Link to this

Of course its not needed …. J.C. Watts is conservative … how many conservative African Americans are out there? The voting patterns say it all. Personally, I like J.C. Watts but I just don’t think the time has come yet for this kind of television station to be effective.

By Newswatcher

June 12, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this

Why??? Blacks dominate the news anyway. If they want to see themselves, just turn on regular news.

By Realist

June 12, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this

Katie Couric, your post on this blog only reiterates the point of why racism is more prevalent than ever in this country. Not every black person I know acts the way you described. I’ve seen PLENTY of white, hispanic, asian and indian folks display the same types of behavior. And white people ESPECIALLY think they’re above are above the same societal rules and laws as everybody else. Don’t you dare categorize blacks when you have never walked a day in our shoes and experience the centuries of racism, prejudice and miscarriages of justice. People like you make me sick to my stomach. I wish you would explain your logic to a black person face-to-face instead of hiding behind a blog.

Thank you.

By T

June 12, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this

Not needed. Maybe, just try to get news on all races in the channels we already have without any spin.

dear racist Katie Couric

Just to let you know when you start a negative rant addressing an entire race try to understand that you are a racist. Most black people do not think that all white people hate them. It is also embarassing when few black people blame their problems on white society. Maybe, you and Jimmy Z can talk. Perhaps he can help you expand your horizons.

By Constructive Feedback

June 12, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this

The question “is it needed” is irrelevant. Whatever the market will bear proves the point greater than anyone’s opinions.

To the Katie Couric impersonator above - While I can agree that SOME Black people act as you claim AND since I am not in the habit of pointing out the offenders in your race as a means of justifying (or more clearly pacifying) those who I find offensive in mine I do believe that you are being a bit over generalizing in your claims.

I am sure you are just waiting with baited breath for Black folks to act as you find acceptable. You would then welcome the situation when your community hits that magical 40% Black threshold and then not move away because those 40% of Blacks are now “acceptable”.

Upon seeing these “properly behaving Blacks” dominate your school - academically, socially and athletically - I am sure that you will say “the best man has won” and thus I will stay by their side and celebrate their achievements.

Finally when a well groom and well mannered Black male shows up at your door steps as your daughter’s prom date……watch out there now……….

Are you SURE that how WE act is your only problem with us?

By Jimmy

June 12, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this

We all see that racism and bigotry is alive and well through the racist rant of Katie Couric.

By Professor

June 12, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this

AJC and bloggers,

AJC, you must consider the continued wisdom of hosting blogs of this nature. This is the second day I have logged on to read about an issue about the black community only to be disgusted by the ignorant, benighted, and generally unlearned nature of the comments posted by a disconcerting number of your readers.

Of course there is room in the marketplace for a black news channel. There is room in the marketplace for more news in general considering the excessive consolidation in the industry and the tendancy of news channels to endlessly repeat the same stories and to only present a cursory examination of issues of public importance.

As a note to some fellow posters, I believe it would do you and your community a service were you to become better informed and intellectually substantive in the presentation of your thoughts.

By MAXINE

June 12, 2008 9:37 AM | Link to this

NO WE CERTAINLY DO DNOT NEED IT

By Menelik

June 12, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this

This is one time that I agree with Mr. Watts. We need our own. That way we don’t have beg anyone for permission as to who we want to interview, what the subject should be and/or how it should be done. Besides, ownership is power. Blacks need power.

By Menelik

June 12, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this

This is one time that I agree with Mr. Watts. We need our own. That way we don’t have beg anyone for permission as to who we want to interview, what the subject should be and/or how it should be done. Besides, ownership is power. Blacks need power.

By dismayed

June 12, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this

It is sad that there is still such discrimination on both sides of the color spectrum. In the 70’s & 80’s I saw a need for these things but now it is a form of discrimination. Where is the white news network, the national organization for the advancement of white people, the united white child college fund…. Black people have arrived and now these are just another way of pulling the race card. How about an American news network, a national organization for the advancement of the American people, a American childrens college fund. Until such segregating programs are gone neither will desrimination be gone.

By bigboom fromNY

June 12, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this

Realist- You hit it on the head for Kate Couric. I have never seen so many negative statments about one race. Truthfully though, we as BLACKs donot need to address the comments of KATE Couric, if she feels the need to vent , because she lost her job to a black person ho was better educated, on time and was not drinking on the job let her VENT!!!! It just allows us as BLACKS see that we have made strives that some caucasions cannot accept.

By R_U_KIDDING

June 12, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this

If we need a Black News Network, then we need a White News Network! I love how the black racist seem to get a pass. What about 100 Black men, they support only black people who need a hand, if we had 100 White people we would be called racist. Racism goes both ways and as long as people support separatist programs we will have racism. So no we do not need a BNN!

By dbow

June 12, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this

So because your people suffered racism and slavery in the past, you are allowed to act like thugs and malcontents now? Nice logic, pal. So why aren’t Jewish people acting that way? Oh, I forgot, they know the value of education and civilized behavior and decided to rise above their past. Nice try, but if it walks like a duck and sounds like a duck it must be a black person sounding of about racism again.

By Devon

June 12, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this

Why do all the racist black people on here have to post the same statement, chock-full of misspelled words and poor grammar & sentence structure, over and over and over?

Speaking of which: Kemmet from Philly - We read your lame post the first 3 times,…. Dumb@$$.

By SharonH

June 12, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this

Ya’ll already did this one.

By T

June 12, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this

By dismayed

There are certain people and leaders who want to change the discrimitory way that some college funds are handled. To give it to those is need and not issued to someone soley by the color of their skin. I still dont think this new news channel is a good idea.

By ga_tech_92

June 12, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this

Realist, I guess Katie Couric’s post was deleted before I read any of this, so I can only guess what was written. I need to reach out and have you explain something to me please. What does it mean when people post something like this, “I wish you would explain your logic to a black person face-to-face instead of hiding behind a blog”. You are suggesting that one party A would have something to say that party B didn’t agree with and that in rebuttal party B would physically assault party A? you have to know that, if you are suggesting such, that you are in fact propagating negative stereotypes of blacks as violent non-intellectuals. Be careful of talking out of both sides of your mouth, if you want ‘real change’. I’m sure I must have misunderstood, because you wouldn’t want to propagate negative stereotypes, as that would be an irony in the context of your post. Please clarify. Thank you.

By Ayo Jelani Ashanti

June 12, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this

A Black news network is plausible only if it does not take on the characteristics of our present-day example. A black network should not be a black version of what is white. Mr. Watts is a good idea. I am tired of seeing the news reported from a Caucasion slant.

By Saint Joan

June 12, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this

If you watch the first 15 minutes on Atlanta local news you get the impression that there are only blacks in Atlanta. Blue jean bandits (all fine young black men), high ranking black Atlanta police officer covers up her husbands use of kiddy porn. Then there is the comedy that passes for government in Clayton County & the City of Lithonia. Today we hear about our former mayor, Bill Campbell, who is still a cheat from jail pretending to be a champagne-oholic to get an early release. Why do blacks need their own channel when they already dominate the evening news?

By Clueless

June 12, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this

Here in lies the problem, You all watch too much TV. You have been progarmmed to think a certain way, and are to ignorant to know it.

People are people, The media just shows you the bad side of Blacks most often. lets keep them fighting it sales.. People turn off the TV and get to know people outside your race you will see there are few differences. but i see the media is successful We live in fear..

By T. Rogers

June 12, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this

Massie is missing the point. Even in the quote above Watts did not saying anything about wanting a more “positive” representation for blacks. Watts mentioned a more DIVERSE representation for blacks.

Maybe Massie is not paying attention, but the “black” community is not a monolith. There is a lot of diversity. I personally would love to see news from an African American perspective where they do not assume we all are left wing Democrats.

Also, the black population in America now includes large numbers of native born Africans and people from Carribean countries. Culturally, they are different from native born African Americans. I think Watts has the right idea.

By bigboom fromNY

June 12, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this

this is so pathetic, Just about all the news media and internet media is caucasian based. Why is it a problem for Blacks to have their own. to all of my Afro-Amer Brotha’s and Sista’s, just remeber some of these people on here blogging could possibly be your co-worker. They vent here, because they are afraid to vent in the office. Especially when you are signing their check. POWER2thePEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1luv

By Confused White Guy

June 12, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this

I agree with MissV, T and Dismayed, however if the market demands it then why not capitalize? The only problem is the potential for unintended racism the network may bring. What kind of programming would be on? What kind of spin would be involved in any news topics? Hopefully it would be used to enhance the black community, however knowing how easily corruptable the media-in-general is, there is always the potential for some agenda to be pushed.

Plus what’s the deal with naming everything “Black”? Doesn’t just mentioning race provoke ill feelings and racist comments? I mean, what if there was a White News Network, a Miss White America, a Miss White Teen Georgia, The National Association for the Advancment of White People? Don’t the names of these places incite racism directly?

The idea of a Black News Network is a fine idea… just don’t call it that. Be a little more creative and you may wind up pulling some of the white market share over to your network unintentionally. Think about it… ever see a white kid wearing Baby Phat or FUBU?

Steal the market share… don’t alienate it. If you can own the market share, you can put your competitors (CNN, CNBC, FoxNews) out of business… or at least gain some of their investors. As white as some of them may be, money is always green! (except for those purple $5 bills. WTF’s up with that?)

By Cam

June 12, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this

Yes, if it is an accurate, Reality-based African-American News Network that portrays the Black community as it really is with filtering from other groups, I would gladly support it.

Frankly, I could watch raw video of black people getting shot by law-abiding citizens during failed robbery attempts, criminal blacks being beaten up by our brave men and women in law enforcement for repeatedly resisting arrest and thugs flipping out like caged animals when trapped by automatic security doors they trip while breaking and entering 24.7.365.

Good Luck on your venture, Mr. Watts. My family and will gladly support you.

By Katie Couric

June 12, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this

BREAKING NEWS - Dear Black People,

As a whole, NOBODY hates your race for the color of your skin.

People of other races HATE YOU collectively for how so many of you choose to act in public.

People of other races HATE YOU collectively for how so many of you choose to use your “outdoor voice” while inside.

People of other races HATE YOU collectively for how so many of you choose to think you are above the same societal rules and laws as everybody else.

People of other races HATE YOU collectively for how so many of you choose to not learn how to communicate or use rational thought.

People of other races HATE YOU collectively for how so many of you choose to blame the rest of the world for your own stupidity.

Racism? Nope. Dumb@zzism? Yes!

You are HATED for your “Dumb@zzness,” not your race.

If the smart blacks would teach the rest of the race how to have at least some degree of respect for the rest of society, much like how the smart whites could better ‘white trash’ how to better behave, the world would be a better place for everyone. When the trashy sect of a race become the dominant sub-culture, it just reflects poorly on the rest of that group.

People look like idiots when they continue to cry “Racism!” when they are clearly judged solely on the ( lack of ) content of their character.

Thanks.

Peace Out.

By Ostegolectric

June 12, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this

To “Realist”

I highly doubt that If I walked “in your shoes” I would experience “centuries of racism”….you’ve got it made and should take full advantage of all the opportunities that you have in our great country without using the “R” word everyday.

By R. Murdoch

June 12, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this

If we need an all-black TV news channel, couldn’t someone programming that network just air private security camera feeds of blacks committing criminal acts from merchants, banks and business owners all over the world with commercials sprinkled throughout?

Easy as pie.

By buzzer

June 12, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this

I thought everyoone was trying to get along together - why have separate anything - if you want a seperate TV news station, why not bring back separate toilets, bus seats etc. Segregation is segregation regardless of how you want to explain it. All it is doing is creating more hidden hate and one day it will all come out.

By bronco

June 12, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this

We already have black news networks that just aren’t named that. 2-5-11

By Todd Smith

June 12, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this

We need nothing that seperates the races. Nothing for just one race..it makes no sense to do that. It puts a wall up between races and makes one feel more special than the other. People are the same all over, some good, some bad, some stupid, some smart. I don’t believe in school being just for blacks and I wouldn’t care to see a school for all whites or asians. Its not right to seperate and diffentiate between races. IT only feeds racism period.

By RCH

June 12, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this

Let the free market decide.

By barney

June 12, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this

We need more black networks. Let Hip Hop rule da world! Word…..! Holla yo.

By Centurian

June 12, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this

Realist - just how many centuries old are you? Just asking.

By ga_tech_92

June 12, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this

Most bad government has grown out of too much government.-Thomas Jefferson

By BoneHead

June 12, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this

I want an all white news network.

By sheila

June 12, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this

The new program is needed. BET has really hurt the Black community with “music” videos. BET has so helped corrupt the minds of young people that they should be held accountable for the deterioration of the community.

The shallow minds of the people who run BET is warp and sick.

I say, bring it. It’s way overdue.

By Earl

June 12, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this

I say give Watts a chance to prove himself. I have always found him to be a solid guy. Granted, I am not his target audience but I say give the man a chance.

By Alan

June 12, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this

Clueless: It’s not just the media. Go to Lenox Square, Northlake, Shannon, Southlake or Cumberland malls after 6:30 PM and you too can know fear, discomfort, the source of stereotypes, whatever you want to call it.

Heck I experienced it at my local Quicktrip today. Nice black cashier, trying to do the right thing by carding a group of black men wanting to buy cigarettes. Now as usual for whatever reason the man was carrying no forms of ID and when he tried to get a friend to make the purchase for him, she told him no because the cigs were for “him” therefore she needed “his” ID. These fine upstanding gentlemen proceeded to make a scene, cussing the cashier out and calling her a fat a* ho, get on the boat with yo ugly a* back to africa, blankity blank, etc. etc. Bad grammer, ebonics, racial slurs, gender slurs..the works. This was infront of a store full of customers. I was just waiting for the “gats” to come out.

Does that help put things in perspective?

By hrw

June 12, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this

I do think that every city needs to report the news of other races; not just the bad but the good they are doing. We have lived in this society that only half of the good things are being reported because most news stations focus on all of the bad deeds done. On the other hand; that’s all we have been seeing lately.

By Eric

June 12, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this

This blog represents everything J.C. Watts wants a BLACK news network for. White trash bloggers have a problem with it because the it will educate blacks on whats really happening in AMERIKKKA. White trash breeds hate in AMERIKKKA while getting the wool pulled over their eyes by their rich white puppet masters.

By Eric

June 12, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this

This blog represents everything J.C. Watts wants a BLACK news network for. White trash bloggers have a problem with it because the it will educate blacks on whats really happening in AMERIKKKA. White trash breeds hate in AMERIKKKA while getting the wool pulled over their eyes by their rich white puppet masters.

By Alan

June 12, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this

Bigboom: trust me it’s only because the politically correct police would come down on them hard for saying it out loud…even though most likely the P.C. police would be silently agreeing with them.

I suppose you could be insinuating violence in which case you further the stereotype.

Oh and if you think most news is “caucasian based” you apparently have your blinders on if you are watching news in Atlanta, NY and many other major cities.

I don’t watch the news because it’s depressing and most of the people they interview can’t speak plain english.

By Lee

June 12, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this

I hope the black news channel will translate everything simultaneously into Spanish and Portugese for our black Hispanic friends. And have news for the black Jews in Hebrew, as well as in Arabic for the black Moslems in America. After all, we can’t let even one minority be left out. Talk shows and newshours for black conservatives as well as for black liberals. 50-50 news coverage of rural news as well as for urban and inner-city news, which now dominates. One-half of the channel should be US news, one quarter North and South American news, and one quarter African and diaspora news from around the world. Any new black news channel should be a guide for fair and balanced reporting.

By Eric

June 12, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this

Alan

You can’t keep your lie straight. Why on earth would a black person tell another black person to go back to Africa? I know you are trying to justify your racist rant, but this time your lies unravelled right in front of you. LOL!

By Eric

June 12, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this

Alan

You can’t keep your lie straight. Why on earth would a black person tell another black person to go back to Africa? I know you are trying to justify your racist rant, but this time your lies unravelled right in front of you. LOL!

By Eric

June 12, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this

Alan

Did you wake up this morning on the wrong side of the trailer? Quit telling untruths.

By Eric

June 12, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this

Alan

Did you wake up this morning on the wrong side of the trailer? Quit telling untruths.

By Wow

June 12, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this

By Realist: “And white people ESPECIALLY think they’re above are above the same societal rules and laws as everybody else”

So you make a racist comment while calling someone else a racist. You sir or madam are a true genius!

By Captain Midnight

June 12, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this

Black news network. BNN. Great idea! Mabe now Obama will FINALLY get some face time since he’s been so ignored by all the “white” news networks.

By Otto the Obvious

June 12, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this

Eric, Just an FYI: Ghetto-Thug African-Americans RESENT and often hate polite, well-educated, well-mannered, successful Africans (straight from Africa) who treat other human beings with kindness and respect and actually use their time in this country to make something of themselves instead acting like primate hoodlums.

Bless You Africans in this Country.

By Devon

June 12, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this

Why do all the racist black people on here have to post the same lame statement over and over and over? It is like handing a keyboard over to a primate in heat.

TALKIN’ TO YOU, ERIC!

By Eric

June 12, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this

Alot white people ESPECIALLY think they are above the same societal rules and laws as everybody else. Look at the top brass at Enron, Carl Rove, Roger Clemens and George Bush.

By Eric

June 12, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this

Alot white people ESPECIALLY think they are above the same societal rules and laws as everybody else. Look at the top brass at Enron, Carl Rove, Roger Clemens and George Bush.

By rufus

June 12, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this

Don’t worry the blacks already have the AJC every time the news is slow they start up the civil war again, again, again.

By eric

June 12, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this

Devon

A Primate in heat you say. Lame Lame LAME LAME

By Publicenemynumberone

June 12, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this

I can either see the future or the ajc is running the same (race-based) topic over again. I thought I read a blog about this last week?

By Gandalf, the Grey

June 12, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this

Isn’t that what NPR is?

By Alan

June 12, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this

Eric: I just don’t know what to say to someone like you. You accuse me of lying and call me racist because I’m telling you a true story. Typical denial.

Why did the black fella call the black gal an african? I dunno…ignorance? Maybe he was embarrassed that she shot him down and he felt he lost cool points with his friends and the people in the store so he started ranting. Go ask him.

By cc

June 12, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this

No we don’t need a black news station. Just another reason to give some blacks a reason to blame whites again. Just like they can’t get a job b/c of the white man. Now you got a black man who wants to enslave us once again by making us by telling us he wants everyone to be equal except a select few b/c we don’t know how to handle our own money and the government knows what’s best for us. B. S. I know what’s best for me and that is to have my full pay check in my hand and not give it to some low life who probably gets a welfare check with my blood and sweat. I tired of some who blame their environment for why they can’t get off their fat butts and work for a living and young girls having babies with men who a. aren’t going to marry them and b. who will probably not pay child support. And I’m tired of pressing one for freakin English. Don’t know the language then leave the country.

By Alan

June 12, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this

Clarification: dunno why he told her to get back on the boat to Africa. Guess he felt that was insulting in some way.

By Post-4:20 Munchies

June 12, 2008 5:07 PM | Link to this

Anybody up for some KFC?

By eric

June 12, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this

Alan

You and I both know your post is a lie created to support racist rant. They called her a fat a* ho, get on the boat with yo ugly a* back to africa. Yeah right! It makes no sense. The “get on the boat” is what gives it away. That statement is typical racist rant spouted by racist all of the time.

By Eric the Racist

June 12, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this

You are right up there with Realist on the stupidity chart. You call other racists while being a racist yourself. What about Marion Barry, Bill Campbell, and Barry Bonds? Do they not count because they do not fit your stereotype?

By Captain Midnight

June 12, 2008 5:35 PM | Link to this

You’re right Eric,Alan must be lying because we all know that a pack of young mushmouthed black b*******$ would NEVER say anything disrespectful to a young lady would they?

By Eric

June 12, 2008 5:59 PM | Link to this

Captain Midnight and Eric the Racist

Yes you both are stupid, ignorant saltines. Yes you create drama to support your racist rants and you call me racist. What’s wrong? Can’t take a little criticism. After all that’s what you came here to do? Right. It ain’t no fun when the rabbit has the gun on you.

By Eric

June 12, 2008 6:03 PM | Link to this

Alot WHITE people ESPECIALLY think they are above the same societal rules and laws as everybody else. Look at the top brass at Enron, Carl Rove, Roger Clemens and George Bush.

Marion Barry, Bill Campbell and Barry Bonds are all black. So your point is……….

By Eric the Racist

June 12, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this

Please show me my ‘racist rant’. I see a lot of racism coming from you, but I have yet to state a single racist comment.

The point about Marion Campbell, Bill Campbell, and Barry Bonds is that the attitude of being above the law has nothing to do with race, but everything to do with economics. You notice the common thread with all named there including Bush and the Enron execs…….you got it, $$$$.

But, you keep hanging on to that racist attitude of yours (Saltines, real nice)!