Oscar Grant - the deafening silence

Right now I can say that I can't recall a post subject that has drawn more attention on my blog than right now on the subject of Oscar Grant. Not that the major news media has been focused on this issue until there were riots in the streets of California. Yes Oakland is enraged, as well they should be.

I have watched more people comment on my own expression of rage on my youtube commentary than anything but the election of President Obama, based on the same amount of time. I have recorded more visits and views, at each and every blog that I own or write for that covered this issue.

But I am noticing a few things.

One of the first things I noticed is how quiet a large section of the internet has become. I do not believe that a single White visitor to any blog I write to or own has said a word. Normally I have commentary from around the world, people of every race, creed, ethnicity all comment on various things I say. When it comes to race relations in America I normally get feedback from various Americans across the nation. Some agree with my views, others do not. And inevitably I have some that just want to be racist.

But I'm hearing nothing right now from anyone but African Americans - apparently. The people that defend cops when I correctly point out their policies on brutality on African Americans and other minorities are quiet. People that think my comments about race in America are biased or too extreme are silent. In fact, even the racists that find fault with any comment that reveals America is racially divided have nothing to say.

Considering the number of visitors I have every month, and the huge numbers viewing my posts on Oscar Grant, I find this odd. On 5 different blogs (including Black and White Blog which is focused on race relations issues), one of which (1800blogger.com) dwarfs my own blogs in terms of visitors each month, there is nothing being said. WHY?

Is it because the only concern of the major news media is the riots that have disrupted businesses and thus they are covering the news? Is it that the videos of the event cannot be edited in any manner that brings question of the murderous guilt of officer Johannes Mehserle? Rather ex-officer as he has resigned in an attempt to pre-empt further investigation and avoid punishment as well as embarrassment on the Oakland police.

Why are people rioting in Oakland, why is the national African American community outraged? Because this murder has been brushed aside by the media and excused by the police - like the beating of Rodney King, and the murder of Sean Bell and so on. African Americans are tired of being targets, of being ignored in the news (except when a negative statement can be made), of receiving a second-class justice while being depicted as objects of fear, violence and hate.

A White man lost in the woods gets national attention. White children that are missing gets national attention. A White man stealing millions in dollars gets national attention. White stars die and they get year-long attention. Each of these have been news items in recent weeks, and each received days of news coverage and posts on these stories have gotten dozens of responses across the blogosphere. But when the victim of a crime is Black and the criminal is a White police officer it all goes quiet.

Well I am glad I have helped raise attention on this issue. And more importantly on the fact that this is not an isolated event. That this is a policy found across the nation. That the odds are overwhelmingly in favor of this ex-cop walking away from this cold-blooded murder without spending a day in jail.

The news media have acted like cowards. They hid this story from the nation, for reasons I cannot name. They have failed to draw attention to the very thing they exist to do - make the public aware, keep all levels of law and enforcement accountable to all the people, and bring justice to those who have been wronged.

If this was kept out of the major media because of ratings, then they are worse than cowards. Fear of losing viewers because it makes cruel, vile, White police officers look bad is their job. Yet they do this job poorly.

How much attention did the assault of 15 cops on 3 Philadelphia Black men receive? Do you know what has happened to the case since that video was released? Do you know what happened to the 5 officers that brutally shot some 51 times Sean Bell and his companions in their car in New York City? How about the 6 Whites arrested and on trial for the rape, torture, and kidnapping of Megan Williams? And I can go on and on.

But I bet you know what happened to OJ Simpson, every day. Or the arrest of Wesley Snipes (and far less so his victories and overly-harsh punishment on minor non-federal charges). Or the arrest and trial of Bobby Cutts.

So I am not surprised that so many people that want to argue with me about the racial bias in movies and television (in front of and behind the camera), commercials, news, at airports, and so many other places and events in America are absolutely wordless in this case. Because there is no question of guilt. There is no twist or doubt or anything but guilt. And it was racial if not racist in its motivation. And again there is no question there.

All White people are not like ex-officer Johannes Mehserle. The shocked reaction of some of the officers on the scene tells me that not all officers in Oakland are like him. But when the news media wants to avoid the entire subject because it makes them uncomfortable, or whatever is their reason, it makes it hard not to feel that they all are like Mehserle.

Obviously I am still angry. And I have every right to be. The White part of this nation was insanely upset about OJ wining in L.A. Now imagine if African Americans were to be equally as insanely upset over the multiple, repeated, unjustified, unpunished violence and murders enacted by police officers against us. If you can imagine what that would bring, the only question I can ask is why does the news media seem to want to provoke such a reaction by failing to do its job?

Oscar Grant's family deserves tens of millions for his wrongful death. Ex-officer Johannes Mehserle needs to be in jail, convicted and put to death. And the news media is obligated to cover both of these things, for days, at every step, to ensure such an outcome and preserve some semblance of justice in America. The silence as seen so far is not enough. Action and active participation needs to occur.

Just like it would if Grant had been White.

Bobby Cutts trail coverage is not what Black History Month is about - 2.11.2008.2

This was inspired by my earlier post - Grammy's versus Black History Month, and the current coverage of the Bobby Cutts trial.

As of this being written Bobby Cutts is being televised live, on trial for the murder of his pregnant girlfriend. So far this has gotten 15 minutes of non-stop coverage. Heath Ledger was discussed earlier in the day. There was about 5 minutes of coverage of a news reporters comments about Chelsea Clinton (which I did not think was so severe as to get that much attention, if any).

Compare any of these to the news coverage of Wesley Snipes being vindicated in Federal Court (with no live coverage or even film clips to my knowledge), the admissions of 3 of the rapist torturers of Megan Williams of their guilt, or the inspiring work of Will I Am geared to generate interest in getting African Americans, and the youth, to vote in November 2008.

I agree that the major media don’t care that they imbalance the portrayal of Blacks. I agree that the stereotype of African American men as violent and vicious killers is more important than any positive views.

Yes, Bobby Cutts did a terrible thing. Yes he needs to be punished to the full extent of the law. But he does not represent Black men, or the Black community. Such is not the impression that major media would provide.

Imagine that you are a European, or Japanese. You are watching the American news feeds and you see and hear the constant ‘reporting’ that focuses on American Blacks and Hispanic/Latinos murdering people. You watch American videos that feature Black and Hispanic/Latinos women gyrating in skin-tight scant clothing. You see the men brandishing weapons and intimating acts of violence. What would you think?

That is what America is sending out to the world, and our citizens. Even as Senator Obama proves each stereotype wrong. As Condoleezza Rice proves them wrong. As Colin Powell has proven them false.

This is Black History Month, and I have seen more on the exceptions of the norm, the aberrant few, than I have on actual history of the contributions of African Americans. Where are the Amber Alerts about our missing children? Where is the coverage of the Megan Williams case?

For every Scott Petersen there are 5 Bobby Cutts on major media. Yet it’s a proven documented fact that most murders are committed by White Americans. Most crimes are committed by White Americans. That most of the poor of this nation are White. But viewing the media on any given day you would never know that.

Perhaps I should not be so upset. But now into the over 30th minute of Bobby Cutts I am struck not by his guilt, but the fact that coverage of by the media is so minimalizing that the only other way to see African Americans in a positive light is as an entertainer like Beyonce Knowles or Kanye West. Not because they may be doing a positive action, like Don Cheadle and his efforts to end and open Americas eyes to 5 years of genocide in Darfur; but because they are discussing a new album or winning in a sporting competition. We are so much more than that.

This is 2008, Black History Month, and just a year ago the thought of a Black President was a joke – literally. The thought that Senator Obama could win a non-high density Black state like Idaho (where he received 80% of the vote) or Iowa was incomprehensible just 3 months ago. The fact that Whites would vote for a Black man was unnerving and irritating (to former-President Bill Clinton at least) just 30 days ago.

And according to the major media coverage this is not only all the quota of positive Black non-entertainment news they need, it needs to be countered with re-inforcing negative events in an uninterrupted manner. It’s now been 1 hour of watching Bobby Cutts, without a single commercial break or a comment by the news reporters.

Maybe I’m asking for too much, but I’d love to see the 3 remaining defendants and the 3 that have admitted guilt in the kidnapping, torture, rape and sexual abuse of Megan Williams on national television explaining what prompted them to commit these acts. I’d like to see the uninterrupted coverage of them on the stand trying to explain or excuse their actions. I’d like to see in depth analysis of why and what caused them to act like the brutal horrendous animals that they are.

But such an honest look at America seems impossible. The major news media seems to find displaying the few worst individuals of people of color as entertainment. I don’t agree. I never will.

The actions of Bobby Cutts last year is not Black history to me. It’s not entertaining. While it is news, it’s not deserving of over an hour and counting of non-stop ‘reporting’. The 12,000 that fled from their bombed homes on Friday in Darfur is. The missing Black children in America since the beginning of the year are. Coverage of the Wesley Snipes trial and Megan Williams would at least be fair.

Don’t let the Bobby Cutts case or other such news be the history you and our kids learn this Black History Month. The major media may be afraid to discuss the achievements that have been done, schools may be remiss in detailing these facts, but they are there and they are facts. Our history in America is far grander, and more important. If we only focus on these negatives that major media force feeds us, we will never attempt to attain better while we are capable of the best.

Letter to Sheppard Smith of Fox News Part 2 - 9.19.2007.2

Continued from Letter to Sheppard Smith of Fox News Part 1...

I noted that in your Studio B program of that same Friday, you spent approximately 40 minutes covering the aspects of the OJ case. Roughly half of that time was review of coverage that had been expressed consistently on Fox News since at least 10am that day. Other items of news, particularly a storm warning as I recall, received barely 30 seconds of coverage. Why did you focus so much time to this one story?

Over the past year and a half, you have consistently referred to OJ Simpson’s prior case when referring to any questionable murder involving family members or interlinked persons. I believe that you have made such references roughly 7 times a month over the last year and a half on average. In each case your usage of the OJ murder trial inferred, or outright declared as I recall, guilt on the part of OJ. But as you are aware from the coverage you did of the trial, 12 peers found Mr. Simpson innocent of the charges. What justifies your tacit implication of Mr. Simpson as a murderer?

Do you feel that your negative commentary about Mr. Simpson and the outcome of his case on national television has had a negative impact on African Americans in the nation? If not, how do you justify that belief?

On September 13th, you were the only individual in national televised news media, that I am aware of, to cover the then breaking news on the torture, rape, and abuse of Ms. Megan Williams of West Virginia. To my knowledge your roughly 3 minutes of time on television was the only televised coverage to date. Why has this story not been covered?

In your coverage, and that of Fox News and other major news media, of the Bobby Cutts case, you were able to learn of every job Mr. Cutts had ever had. You were able to report on every child and relationship he had, within the first 3 days of the breaking news as I recall. You also presumed, apparently from your words and tone, his guilt from the first day of coverage. That same presumption of guilt, in depth fact finding, and emotional responses were not provided to coverage of Mr. Christopher Vaughn who murdered his wife and 2 children at the same time. Why is that?

Do you believe that there is a bias in the media against African Americans?

Why was there no coverage, that I am aware of, on the conviction of Mr. Jonathan Riches, who murdered 2 Black men 42 years ago and has only just been brought to justice, although authorities knew at the time of the murders of his guilt?

I want to note that while I have asked hard questions here, I realize that some answers can only be your speculation and that you have no control over what is done at the corporate level. I also want to commend you on much of your reporting.

As I mentioned, only Studio B covered the news about Ms. Megan Williams, to my knowledge. I share your love of this country, and those in the Armed Forces that protect us. I agreed with your anger that you received more emails about an injured dog as opposed to homeless vets being dumped on the streets instead of receiving medical treatment. And I continue to watch Fox News and your coverage daily.

Again, my purpose is to provide you an opportunity to respond to my questions and to allow my readers and myself the chance to understand how the news is covered. Perhaps more importantly this is a chance for my readers and I to learn what determines coverage and degree of depth we see on televised national cable news.

Mr. Smith I look forward to your response, in part or in whole, and I will publish it verbatim as I stated previously. If you and/or the staff of Fox News would like to reach me directly on this matter or any post I have made, you may contact me at info@vassconsult.com or 718-344-6921.

Sincerely,

Michael Vass
President – M V Consulting, Inc.
718-344-6921
info@vassconsult.com

Letter to Sheppard Smith of Fox News - 9.19.2007.1

As my daily readers are aware, I have been commenting on aspects of the current OJ Simpson allegations for several days. Some of the more consistent items I have mentioned about this has been the presumption of guilt expressed by the media, the implied and stated expressions of joy by news commentators, and the lack of attention on items I have felt were more deserving of at least part of the time that has and continues to be dedicated to coverage of OJ. Several of these items are far more expansive than merely the OJ case, and are factors I believe have been consistently biased in the media for some time.

One individual I have directly quoted several times and discussed the emotional expressiveness about is Mr. Sheppard Smith of Fox News. His apparent glee has stuck out among most in the major news media and I have noted it. I will say that this is not the first time I have taken umbrage with the reporting of Mr. Smith, or others at Fox News. I must also note that there have been several news stories that only Mr. Smith has covered, and his emotional outrage, or joy, has been a mirror of my own feelings.

Given these facts, on reflection I felt it is only fair that I provide Mr. Sheppard Smith an opportunity to respond to some of my comments about his responses and choices, both recently and in the past. I am including a verbatim copy of my email letter to Mr. Smith, and will provide a verbatim response from him, or Fox News, when received.

My letter is as follows:

Mr. Sheppard Smith,

I am a daily viewer of Fox News and am familiar with your reporting on Studio B and in the evening report. I am also a blogger for several blogs including several that deal directly with entertainment, the news media, and current events. It is because of these blogs and my most recent comments on your reporting that I am writing this letter.

I want to make you aware that this letter will be reproduced verbatim on my Black Entertainment USA (blackentertainmentblog.com) site. My corporation, websites and blogs, and I have no affiliation with any political party or political organization. Any response from you and/or Fox News will also be published verbatim.

My purpose is to give you the opportunity to respond to the comments I have made in reference to the coverage of the OJ Simpson allegations and the lack of coverage on several other recent news events. I understand that you are not solely responsible for the news that you cover, but your apparent choices and actions have led me to quote you on several occasions and see you as a surrogate for most news media coverage of late.

I have noted that on Friday, September 15th – the first day of news about trouble for OJ in Las Vegas – you were what I would describe as gleeful, bubbly and pleased by this news. On Monday and Tuesday since, you have made several comments indicating your pleasure at the distress of OJ. I would like to understand why your reaction to that breaking news was such?

Continued in part 2...

OJ is an example, but not the root, of a problem - 8.1.2007.1

So OJ decided that he needed to open up his mouth again. As is being reported by everyone, yesterday OJ was interviewed online. Of course he needed to discuss his book If I Did It. Why in the world he would do that, I have no idea. But he has and every news media has picked up on it.

This is of course in retaliation or because of the fact that the Goldman family has gained control of the rights of the book. I’ll get in to the Goldman family in one second.


While everyone is focused on the fact that OJ continues to defend his innocence, there are aspects of the conversation that are not being spoken about. So far I have not been able to find the entire interview online. Looking at what’s been shown by the news media one of the actually interesting parts of what he has been speaking about has been completely obscured.

That commentary deals with the perception of the news media on African Americans accused of a crime. Whether it’s Mr. Michael Vick, OJ, Bobby Cutts, or the Duke Rape case victim we see that the media has the immediate reaction to assume absolute guilt. [I realize that I have commented strongly about Mr. Michael Vick. I have also mentioned that I believe he is innocent till proven guilty. But if he is not, I believe he needs to be prosecuted severely. My concerns and anger are to the nature of the crime no matter who committed them and in this instance Mr. Vick is culpable to some degree.]

As I mentioned in the Bobby Cutts case from the first day the media virtually declared that Mr. Cutts had to be the guilty party with out any knowledge of what was happening. In the Duke rape case from the first day the major news media proclaimed the absolute innocence of the three Duke Lacrosse players with out any more information than the rape had been alleged. In the case of OJ Simpson the media has been completely incredulous through out the entire case and in the ten years since, that he is the modern day Jack the Ripper.

But I wonder where is the major news media outrage about who killed Amadou Diallo, who killed Sean Bell, Abner Louima, and various other victims. Why is it I know more about any African American accused of a crime than any and every non-black suspect of a comparable crime? I presented a comparison of Mr. Cutts and the father who killed his wife and two young children in their car, which occurred at the same time. I’m willing to bet most people today can tell me how many kids Bobbie Cutts has, how many girlfriends he had, where he worked, and why he left his jobs but can’t name the gentleman I just referred to. I bet 99% of people can’t name the ages of his two children that were killed. Why is that?

Continued in Part 2...

News media and murderers Part 2 - 6.25.2007.2

Continued from News media and murderers Part 1 ...

Either issue is reprehensible. Neither victim deserved their fate, and the guilty should be punished. But I wonder why the media chose the Davis case to smother the airwaves. I agree that when there is the chance of finding Jessie Davis, attention is due. But the media was focused equally during that time to question Mr. Cutts. I know about every child of Mr. Cutts, his relationships, why he was fired, allegations of abuse, and allegations of improper actions as an officer of law. Right now, at 1:46, pundits on Fox News are declaring how they always knew there was guilt but had to maintain the pretense of innocence until proven guilty.

Conversely I ask, what do you know about Mr. Christopher Vaughn?
This man has allegedly killed his wife and 3 children in cold blood. He is in police custody and has been charged with 8 counts. Do you know where he lived? What he does for a living? His past? If you can’t answer those questions you have to ask why.

Both acts, I say again, are evil. I would never stick up for anyone capable of this. But I am questioning why the media picked one case over the other, which is what has been done. Why can anyone watching the news tell me more about Mr. Cutts, but can barely recall the name of Mr. Vaughn?

The differences are this, Mr. Vaughn was the father of 3 children, none toddlers. He is White, married to one wife (to my knowledge), a computer forensics advisor, that moved to the Chicago area about a year ago. Mr. Cutts I described in part above, but he has been cover enough that I don’t feel the need to repeat.

So far today I have heard Mr. Cutts compared to Mr. Scott Peterson and Mr.OJ Simpson. Mrs. E.D. Hill on Fox News spent about 3 minutes or so re-evaluating photos of Mr. Cutts, inferring that his guilt should have been apparent immediately. I’ve seen one photo of Mr. Vaughn, that could have been a mugshot, with no commentary on it.

If either of these men is guilty of the charges placed against them, I have no problem seeing them sped quickly to the hell they would deserve. But my point is not about guilt. I am speaking about the media, and the preferences they pose to the public. The ramifications go much farther than these alleged killers.

Stepping away from the emotion of the cases, you have to wonder why. I do at least.

This is what I think, what do you think?

News media and murderers - 6.25.2007.1

It’s a sad day when a pregnant mother is found dead, murdered, leaving a child without their mom. I give my condolences to the family and friends of Ms. Jessie Davis. Such things should never happen, and whomever is guilty should be punished harshly in this life and the next.

I want to make this abundantly clear, this post is not about whether Mr. Bobby Cutts Jr did anything. I, like most observers, don’t know nearly enough to know if he is guilty. I do not presume to know anything. Given that this post will address some aspects of that case, no offense is intended.


There has been a huge media surge on the case of Ms. Jessie Davis. From the first moments of reports that she was missing, the news media have been all over this case. While reporting this case several other items of news have been virtually ignored. My question is why?

It’s not an insipid question. I understand that a, then, missing pregnant woman whose birthing was imminent missing from her home and her 2 year old son being apparently abandoned is shocking. I’m glad the news was able to get enough attention that hundreds of volunteers came out to help search for her. Yet, virtually from the first announcement there was a bias in the news (at least according to the programs and information I observed).

During the last 10 days all media has focused on this case, and Mr. Cutts directly. But on June 14th a mother and 3 children were found dead in a SUV, reported at the time as a murder-suicide. Much like the Jessie Davis case, Mr. Christopher Vaughn (the husband and father) was not considered a suspect. Though he had been wounded, and reported that his wife shot him then he ran for help and then the police found the bodies of his family.

Let’s compare a few things, in the Vaughn case the media attention was large but not intense. Questions were in the air, but there was an assumption that the father’s story was true. There was no report or question I am aware of to the statements made by Mr. Vaughn. It was considered a tragedy and covered for a day and a half, then dropped. There was minor interest from the news media when the police became suspicious on the nature of the murders, and links to an episode of a popular television show (Law&Order: SVU I believe) seemed to appear. Again this was short lived and dropped. The arrest of Mr. Vaughn popped up on the national radar, but just barely registering as the overwhelming news was on the Jessie Davis case.

In terms of media time there was about 1-5 ratio at best on the coverage of the Vaughn case versus the Davis case. So far today I have noticed about 5 minutes of news on the Vaughn murders, versus 1 ½ hours (at least) on Mr. Cutts. This was over a 2 hour 45 minute time period. Roughly every 3rd item on cable news is referring in some aspect the Davis case. In comparison there has been 1 item on the Vaughn case in that same time.

Continued in Part 2...