It was my intent to ignore this whole Shirley Sherrod issue, because to me it seemed like a pretty cut and dry case. A conservative blogger (and one of the many things that's wrong about today's media) chopped and screwed a video clip, fired up he and his tea party followers, and then the mainstream media got a hold of it. Then Ms. Sherrod was wrongfully terminated by the Obama administration (which got this horribly wrong), but an apology and a new job offer were on Ms. Sherrod's lap yesterday (she only accepted one of them). I know its the media's job to stretch this like I used to stretch $10 a week a before payday, but there are just too many other things on this country's docket for me to stay bogged down with this. But...
There is a growing trend in this country that is really irking my nerves. Like I said before, there is plenty of wrong to go around in this story, and most of the people who were in the wrong have said as much. But now Ms. Sherrod, who without question was a victim in this sad saga, is now doing a world tour of media interviews, to explain to us, the American people, just how much of a victim she really was/is. Now she'll tell you that she's using this exposure as a platform to get the REAL issue out which is the plight of black farmers, rural America and people from the South. And while I am well aware of the validity of all those issues, I just can't help but think that she's milking this to get her 15 minutes of fame. Perhaps my cynicism sensors have led me awry with this one, I just would like her to shut up, meet with Obama and others privately, so that her concerns can be voiced, and then I'd like for her to fight the good fight that way. I just don't think its necessary to be on television day and night.
I really wish the members of the media would be a little smarter, not only with Sherrod, but with stories in general. This "gotcha-let-me-report-it-first-whether-it-is-factually-correct-or-not style of journalism is really irresponsible, and in the newspaper era, this happened a lot less. But with the internets and the 24 hour news cycle the way it is, this is happening more and more, and its making faux stars out of the people who report, and the people who are being reported about. The term, "don't feed the animals" comes to mind here...
On a lighter note, if you get a chance, go buy the soundtrack for the movie, "Despicable Me". I went to see the movie with my son, and it is ok, but the soundtrack, done by Mr. Pharrell Wililams, is pret-tayy, pre-ttayy good.
2 comments:
I respectfully disagree with you on this one buddy. If your name and reputation were smeared the way Shirley Sherrod's were, you would speak to anyone who wants to hear your story. She was erroneously used by the conservative media as a gotcha. I've watched a couple of her interviews and that has been the crux of clearing her name: this rush to judgement and the quest to prove that black folks are just as racist as white folks. She actually hasn't spoken about the farmers unless she's talking about the speech that was chopped and screwed. I believe that what she wants out of all of this is a return to responsible journalism and prevent someone from being humiliated and labeled something he or she is not. Yes, there are a lot of things wrong with the country right now but for once can we address an issue for longer than 15 minute soundbites?
I wouldn't actually say a word if my name were smeared like hers, I'd only write, write and write again to get my revenge. But you're right Ms Sherrod has a right to do whatever she wants, on any network. But this is now day 3 of this, and i'm sick of it. but we shall respectfully disagree my friend
Post a Comment