Did You Watch?
bella | Jul 24, 2008 | Comments 58
We had company over, so unfortunately I missed the first installment of CNN’s Black in America. And I guess CNN also aired a segment of the program over this past weekend, because the commenters at What About Our Daughters were already deep in analysis about the program’s pros and cons. I’m hearing about a lot of cons so far.
The only segment I’ve seen in its entirety was the interview with Whoopi Goldberg — who I find completely fascinating.
As someone who’s been frequently “complimented” on my articulate nature, I feel her.
Bossip also mentioned the show and asked the question I’ve been wondering — who’s the intended audience? Is it black men and women, we who are hungry for an accurate, uplifting, intelligent portrayal of ourselves? Or is it meant for those outside of the culture, to gain insight to the quote-unquote black experience?
I plan to watch this and post a review next week, when I return from Chicago. If you watched, please let me know what you thought. Spoilers, schmoilers. I want to know!
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Filed Under: Famous Faces • Issues
I was thinking about why black women with HIV/AIDS cases are rising, could it be men don’t go to the doctor? Woman are usually good about going to their OB/GYN, but men are notorious for not going to the doctor. Men could be gay or not, we could be silent carriers because we don’t get physicals like we are supposed to. That also goes for undiagnosed cancer, diabetes, heart disease, high blood, etc.
Allrighty then.
Thanks for clearing that up! @GLEN PALMER, males avoiding the doctor is a good reason I hadn’t thought of before. B/c I hafta almost threaten bodily harm to get my dad to go…
OK Why is it Black women are still having babies out of wedlock? I am so over this single parent thing. Folks there are condoms and at least 25 methods of birth control. Stop the insanity. The women on the CNN special were particularly unsympathetic to me. REally. I am 37 educated date regularly but I ain’t havin no kids, without a husband who if the relationship ends can at least manage some sort of support and engage with his child. The HIV stuff again, CONDOMS. Just say no.
The show was embarrassing. Most of what the program touched on focused on the poor choices made by Blacks, not by racism and oppression. Who’s to blame for having children out of wedlock? Dropping out of school? Shootin a fellow African-American?
I wish they had focused on more positive notions. I’m tired of seeing stories based on the poor. Why can’t middle-class African-Americans receive more attention?
The paying students incentive isn’t just focused on black students. It’s been discussed for all students.
CNN tried their best, but I think they missed the mark. I felt the series focused too much on the negative and not enough of the positive. It seemed as though they wanted the audience to pity black folks. We all know the sob stories, but what about all of the African Americans who have overcome to make something of their lives??? I want to see a program focused on those of us who have achieved. I want to see a program about people like me, I made it out of the ghetto. I lived on the southside of Chicago for most of my life. There were nights when we would have to sleep on the floor, to avoid being shot in our sleep, but I was determined to make it out. Without a college degree I got a job at a telcom company making $8.00 an hour answering calls in the call-center, and I worked my butt off. Within four years I was promoted four times and eventually relocated to California making $120,000 a year. America needs to see examples and hear stories of people who were determined to make it against all odds. We all know racism and roadblocks exists, they will ALWAYS exist, but you can’t let that be an excuse and stop you from achieving your dreams. We need to see more stories of inspiration. Enough of the doom and gloom already!
@ Glen Palmer, you have made a good point, but the issue isn’t as simple as just going to the doctor. It’s about asking for an HIV test. Just because a woman goes for an annual pap and pelvic exam, that doesn’t guarantee her an HIV test. Believe it or not, many practicioners won’t ask. We need to be proactive about asking our providers to test us for HIV specifically. HIV testing is not a routine test. If you have blood drawn at a check-up, HIV is not automatically inlcuded in testing. Bottom line: We have to ask instead of waiting for the doctor to offer the test.
And about AIDS in our community. Why are people trying to claim AIDS as a black disease??? AIDS doesn’t care about what color of skin you have. Women need to start DEMANDING their men wear condoms!!! If he can’t put one on, he shouldn’t be allowed near you. That’s what we need to start teaching our daughters. And we need to tell young men to WRAP IT UP!!!There is no sex so good that its worth you LIFE.
I am not a particular fan of Whoopi Goldberg and I believe she should speak for herself and not African Americans as a whole because there are alot of things she says I disagree with. She does not speak for me but obviously she’s welcome to her opinions and perspective. Unfortunately, she gets a national platform to do it because apparantly Hollywood loves her. She’s profane, users the “N’ word and projects the type of role model the establishment would love for us to emulate.