Media's Complicity in Long Standing Stereotypical Perceptions of Blacks

Racism will continue to prevail in the U.S. due to the media's unnoticed reactions to African Americans and others of Black descent. With continuous coverage of negatives or non-coverage of relevant Black issues, it is no wonder that perceptions of the Black race have not progressed throughout the years and appear to be going nowhere. So, the media has played a major role in the insignificant, misguided reactions and treatments that Blacks encounter everyday throughout the country.  Some practices include but are not limited to:

Bringing little or no coverage to the need for aid in countries with a majority Black population especially children who are starving and dying in great numbers.

Dismissing crimes committed in Black neighborhood as common but giving prominence to those crimes in white majority neighborhood where residents are of the false impression that they are living in "good" communities where no crimes should take place

Considering stories that depicts the strength of a Black person only newsworthy if the story can be turned around to highlight a white person that affects a positive outcome. Case in point - the unexpected meeting of a former rogue cop and the man he falsely arrested was covered on different news programs. While the story of Black man's forgiveness was newsworthy, the highlight of the media's attention was on the former cop's decision to become a better person. No emphasis was made to report that this former cop was a tyrant who got gratification from detaining and planting drugs on a countless number of Black men. The media made no effort to follow up with any of the falsely convicted men to see if they were so willing to forgive the cop for making their lives a living hell.

Neglecting to cover missing Black children and adults since their stories appear not to be as newsworthy as coverage of a white child.

Placing annoying English sub-titles on Blacks' interviewed in other countries, especially the African continent, who are speaking perfect English while an audience is left to figure out with no sub-titles those from European countries who clearly show their native language is not English with their distinct accents that makes it difficult to comprehend anything they are saying.

Not focusing  on accomplished Black educators, scientists, business leaders, entrepreneurs, medical professionals and other high academic achievers. But, instead, bombarding audiences with frivolous news on glorified Black entertainers and athletes. This not only gives a false impression to the public that entertainment and sports are the primary options for Blacks to become successful, but the focus makes impressionable Black youth believe that going that route is only way to achieve success.

Omitting Blacks or rather dark-skinned Blacks from television commercials. Or placing a token Black to justify that they are reprenting the race.

Overlooking industries and companies that blatantly discriminate against Blacks and people of color. For instance, over-coverage of a white model breastfeeding a baby on a run-way at Miami Fashion week when no coverage was extended to so many Black models who were rejected from bookings because of the color of their skin and their natural hair.

Featuring countries such as Haiti, Jamaica, other Caribbean and African nations by videotaping and showing the depressed communities rather than including the beautiful surroundings and middle class life-styles of residents  in those countries.

Reporting on Trump's racists practices to show this and other flaws when the media is guilty of engaging in the same racial practices is hypocritical. Until the media portrays the lives of Black people as important, then perceptions of Black people's irrelevance and low capabilities will continue to be seen in instances such as:  surprise reactions to learn that a Black young lady on an airplane is actually a medical doctor and can attend to a passenger in need medical attention; or the person entering the courtroom is an attorney and not a court administrative personnel; or the Black person in the store is actually an engineer, architect, professor, etc. rather than someone casing the store to steal items. Until the media considers the importance of the Black race and makes an effort to portray this in the media, then stigma will continue to exist and there will be no end to racism in the U.S.

Bone Broth - Truth About the New Craze

For centuries, bone broth has been used throughout the Eastern hemisphere for its medicinal values. So, the benefits of the broth's components have long been known ages ago. Halle Berry's statement that the broth is a cause for her ageless beauty seems to have triggered a new craze by the majority population who now consider bone broth as the next best thing to sliced bread. They have jumped on the bone broth bandwagon as they consistently have done for any beauty claims made by "celebrities". Big box stores and others have quickly cashed in on selling the broth to those who think that they too can maintain younger looking skin simply by consuming the natural product. Berry is aging gracefully at 50 something years old. But, those who believe bone broth has some magical reaction to Berry's youthful appearance should also realize that she is blessed with genes from her Black heritage where aging does not show as severely as with the other side of her family. Also, Berry is financially able to maintain expensive exercise and spa routines that produce a polished, fit body at all times as expected with those other wealthy persons who rely on looking good in public to maintain their high profile careers. So, certainly bone broth is not the only factor that contributes to Berry's ageless beauty. Bone broth is a healthy liquid - yes; helps to prevent aging - don't think so.

"The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro" ~ Frederick Douglass

"What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer; a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sound of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciation of tyrants brass fronted impudence; your shout of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanks-givings, with all your religious parade and solemnity, are to him, mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy -- a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages. There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices more shocking and bloody than are the people of the United States, at this very hour." ~ Frederick Douglass

Immigrant Experiences vs. Trumped Up Perceptions

Interacting with immigrants who have enrolled in classes to learn English has led to positive experiences. These immigrants are certainly in contrast to the trumped up vicious statements that are constantly tweeted out against them to rile up the anger of supporters who selfishly do not believe that Blacks, Latinos, and other minority immigrants should be welcomed into the United States as their own White immigrant ancestors. The English as a Second Language classes taught over the past 15 years have been attended by legal immigrants and sometimes those who have set foot on U.S. soil as refugees or otherwise. Contrary to the statement which gives an impression that only the uneducated and criminals travel the arduous journey through the isolated routes along the borders of Texas, Arizona, and California,  a number of students have shared with the class their experiences of taking the unforgettable chance of traveling the dangerous journey to cross the U.S. borders. In-class discussions bring awareness that border crossers are not only the stereotyped natives from Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador, but some people have traveled from other Central and South American countries and the Caribbean. Some enter the country as professionals with careers in their countries as  medical doctors, nurses, attorneys, physicists, professors, managers, and many other highly regarded professions that a number of Americans who criticize immigrants could not possibly attain. They must put aside these qualifications that are not recognized in the U.S. and start from scratch by learning English. They are smart and a number of them from Haiti speak not only Haitian Creole and French but are fluent in Spanish and are quick in their abilities to learn English.  They arrive for classes by 8:00 AM after working the evening shift and getting off at 12:00 AM or even later from jobs that Americans never consider suitable for themselves but often complain that immigrants are taking their jobs. So, some arrive home during the wee hours of the morning but still get to school on time. Most immigrants must take whatever job is offered to them so that they may survive and help their families. The tiredness in their eyes in the classroom is evident, but they remain eager and willing to learn English. It is not only important to teach them how to speak, write, read, and develop listening skills in English, but topics are often introduced to make them able to adapt to the difficulties that lie ahead of them in the U.S.  Topics include the importance of building good credit, developing job skills, budgeting, etc. But class discussions also include racial profiling cases, the criminal justice system's inconsistencies for people of color,  the First Amendment, and other social issues that will impact their lives one way or another. Many continue their education aspirations by transitioning to  community colleges and then universities. Their hard work often passes down to their children who excel in school as a result of the values instilled in them by their parents who serves as their role models. These hard-working immigrants are known and respected.

Royal Wedding - Overblown Press Coverage?

Video about Prince William's wedding but it also applies to Harry and Meghan since media coverage has since gotten worse.

Friday, May 18th, 2018 - a day when the beauty salon is filled with ladies doing their hair, getting facials and manicures. The television is on with inundated coverage of the royal wedding between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. A question was asked to many of the women - "Who's getting up to watch the wedding at 4:00 AM? All of them responded "No, I won't be". The overall response was that they are sick and tired of the media coverage and wouldn't waste their sleep time to get up so early to watch the wedding. And, my birth in England does not make me any willing to watch. Don't get me and them wrong, many of us love Prince Harry since they find him to be charming, down-to-earth, and display the kindness and compassion as his mother, Princess Dianne. We also adore Meghan and her Black heritage is even more a plus for them. But, the press coverage is simply exhausting to them. One cannot imagine how Megan must be feeling with so much media coverage that may have quite likely be a cause of her father's heart attach thereby preventing him from walking her down the aisle. The media is clamoring for the same story and they seem not to take into consideration that there is so much coverage that the public will tolerate before they get disgusted and turn away. This is an example where many not only look at the media with distaste, but earnestly hope for the wedding to quickly be over to get some normalcy back to viewing favorite programs. But, then again, no doubt the same media circus atmosphere will return whenever Megan get's pregnant - we can't wait!!

SICK OF ROYAL WEDDING COVERAGE?

The Oppressed Becomes the Oppressor

The Oppressed Who Suffered

Becomes the Oppressors Who Cause Others to Suffer

No Longer Your Friendly, Neighborhood Bank

Today, Wells Fargo was hit with $1 billion in fines for their underhanded mortgage and auto loan schemes that negatively affected customers. The shady bank practises were only brought to public knowledge a couple of years ago. However, the friendly, neighborhood bank persona has not existed or began declining since the late 1980s when bank mergers dominated the financial world. It was during those years when branch staff were coached to transition customers from the friendly one-on-one banking services to using automated services. It was at that time sales became a top priority, so branch staff and phone reps were pushed to sell as many banking products as possible. During those days, many branch workers who did not agree with the new policies resigned. Others were fired since they could not pass the certification exams to sell insurance and brokerage products. When the sales priority was highly promoted versus service, the deceitful practice of opening as many new accounts as possible became a mission for some personnel since the more sales they made, the higher the bonus they received. In addition, recognition was given each month to the branches with the top sales record while top phone sales personnel would earn not only additional income but gifts for their achievements. The bank has been penalized with hefty fines, but no action has been taken against employees who callously opened accounts without absolutely no consideration for the financial sufferings of many customers who were greatly impacted. It didn't matter the age of the customer - banking personnel displayed no conscience as they slyly bated customers into opening accounts that they did not need. Wells Fargo will easily pay the $1 billion fine. But, how and when will other banks and the banking personnel, who duped customers for their own personal gains, pay for their crimes? Some former and current personnel say they were influenced by high sales targets and rebuked by their managers if those targets were not achieved. However, when products are sold to customers, such as those low income senior citizens on fixed income, there is absolutely no excuse!

Community Radio - A Lifesaver for Many Immigrants

Community radio means many things to different people. But, to the immigrant, community radio is a life-line that helps them to not only maintain contact with the latest happenings in their native countries but to gain important information that will help them personally and also aid them in adapting to living in the United States. When one hears about ethnic community radio programs, many may associates the spoken language to be Spanish to reflect the largest minority group in the United States. However, visit different cities such as those in South Florida, New York, etc. and one will find ethnic community radio stations broadcasting programs not only in Spanish, but also Haitian Creole, Jamaican Patois and other languages and dialects. Similarly, Somali residents listen to community radio in the twin city of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Indian Americans may not only listen to Bollywood classics and other cultural music but also to their homeland news and current affairs on programs in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, California, Washington DC. Asian Americans too have their vast choices of listening to community radio stations throughout major media markets where there are large Asian populations. Listeners hear music from their native lands, keep abreast with upcoming events, get up-to-date homeland news, and listen or call in to share opinions on current affairs programs. So, ethnic community radio is the source of vital information for many immigrants. As such, professionals who were born outside of the United States or those U.S. born who are children of immigrants will become well-known and respected as they advise in the areas of medicine, law, business, accounting, politics, etc. Speaking in their native language or dialects, specialty doctors provide medical information and respond to questions; attorneys respond to questions and those associated with ethnic-affiliated bar associations often arrange one-day fairs where listeners may go to get advice and assistance in completing forms to sign up for citizenship or to vote. These attorneys and politicians who speak the language or dialect of their listeners are instrumental in explaining the U.S. voting process and are influential in getting non-native citizens out to vote. Ethnic community radio plays an important role for the immigrant in maintaining a strong connection to their culture while they make the United States their new home.

Death Uncovers the Best and Worst in People's Character

One's death is not a subject that anyone is eager to speak about. People blindly think and behave as if they will be young forever. But, when a loved one dies, the reality sets in for some people - not all - that they too will be lying on a bed in a morgue one day. The responsibilities of planning the funeral arrangements of loved ones are stressful especially if the expenses are inundating if no funeral provisions were made in advance by the deceased. But, another important learning observation is that, during this difficult period of mourning, the death of a loved one not only brings out the best in people but also the worst in people. So, the expected sincere dedication of family and friends are evident or not apparent. Some people show their love by going above and beyond to assist, and this never-ending attention continues as they make all effort to give comfort during the time of bereavement. These good souls listen; they care; they do whatever is necessary without being asked; they never leave the side of the bereaved person. But, death also brings out a side of some family members and friends that the bereaved would have never expected. It is through a death of a loved one that one can determine the true nature of even neighbors or acquaintances or social media friends. No contact, or words of comfort; no return calls; no act of kindness; no reaching out to even acknowledge the death. It is these times of death that brings out who can be relied on and those who are undependable.

Squalor Conditions at Jamaica's Public Hospital

A plaque located on an outside wall at Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) shows writing in recognition of its 240 years of providing medical services in Jamaica. The public hospital was founded during the slavery era in 1776. During that period, the downtown Kingston hospital catered to the white population only until it began accepting Black residents in 1838 after the abolition of slavery. Undoubtedly, attention was paid during the earlier years to the historic hospital’s development to prolong its longevity.  However, while red-brick colonial buildings remain and newer buildings were constructed to accommodate the hospital’s rapid growth, poorly maintained interiors during the later years confirm a lack of consistent upkeep. In addition, efforts have been made to upgrade equipment with the latest technology, but too often critical care machines break down leaving patients’ health in jeopardy. Customer service practices have also drastically diminished throughout the year thereby implanting a bad reputation on KPH’s medical staff for discourteous attitude and treatment towards patients.

A typical day for a person who goes to KPH’s emergency room is an unforgettable experience. While waiting, it is not uncommon to hear people wailing in pain. One young girl screamed incessantly that she had severe head pains. Her screams and cries of others did not seem to bother the medical staff who appeared uncaring and numb to the sufferings of those in the emergency waiting area. Also, a man who was referred by his personal physician for heart attack symptoms, arrived at the emergency room at 1:30 PM. At 6:30 PM he, like others who arrived earlier, were still waiting to receive any type of acknowledgement. His personal doctor's referral letter meant nothing! After a series of miscommunication by emergency staff on whether his x-rays were completed, he was eventually assigned a bed in a ward at 3:30 AM the next morning. This typical lengthy wait time at KPH may result in critical consequences as was the case of a lady who was transported by an ambulance to the emergency unit but died in her sister’s arms while sitting in the waiting area to be attended to. Arriving in an ambulance meant nothing! KPH’s medical staff makes it quite clear to those waiting that their priority is to attend to the gun-shot and knife wounded victims from the surrounding, volatile inner-city where shootings and gang retaliations are the norm. So, persons with medical conditions such as heart attacks, possible brain aneurism, etc. will take a back seat to those who frequently arrive in speeding cars that stop abruptly at the emergency entrance where occupants quickly exit the vehicles while yelling, “Gunshot”!! “Gunshot”!! 

The procedures for visitors is another aspect at KPH that seems unusual to the standard practices of any hospital. The visiting time is from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. and from 4:00PM to 6:30 PM. The first step for a visitor is to line up at the information center to get a worn-out cardboard which is called a pass. When requesting the pass, the only expectation for visitors is to provide a name and ward number to the service personnel sitting in an encased-type room. These service personnel do not inquire or even have the ability to check if the name and ward number provided to them is valid. So, security procedures at this point is non-existent since service personnel hands out passes to anyone. After getting the cardboard pass at about 10:45 AM, the next step for visitors is to wait in a second line to be processed by private security workers whose only gratification seems to be that they are in control of visitors entering the main hospital compound. They are responsible for checking bags to make sure no items on KPH’s restricted lists are brought into the wards, and that includes every type of food and drinks except fruits and water. They also are entrusted with a metal detector that seems more symbolic than useful. An absurd practice is that security will not allow ladies to pass through the gate to visit their loved ones if they are wearing sleeveless blouses or dresses. As a result, the hospital projects an impression that, in the gun-ridden neighborhood, harassing women wearing sleeveless garments is more of a priority than focusing on the slack security procedures of handing out visitor passes to anyone who requests one. Nevertheless, as security usurps their limited powers, they will not begin their visitor processing duties until precisely at 11:00 AM, 4:00 PM or thereafter. So, the visitors will lose some of their visiting time while going through the prison-like entry process. But, the wait time is never boring in this lively atmosphere where intriguing residents, living in the politically charged neighboring community, use the hospital premises as their main walkway. From their residences, they walk nonchalantly onto the hospital compound; boldly pass the hospital’s police sub-station; and proceed to downtown Kingston and back. It is also common to see sellers passing by and haggling their products such as water, fruits, phone cards, and even a male vendor walks by selling women’s half-slip undergarments. Waiting is frequently interrupted when security opens the tall, heavy gates to allow the entrance of luxury vehicles driven by doctors or other personnel who haughtily hold their heads high as they drive through. Further, if visitors know someone connected to the hospital, communicating with a guard at the gate often results in entry to see loved ones without standing in line. Waiting visitors may even get caught up with the loud outbursts of people with mental health issues who walk around aimlessly on the premises. Visitors could also witness a commotion from family and friends who are mourning loudly and uncontrollably over the loss of a loved one who they accompanied to the emergency unit but never survived gun shots or knife wounds. 

The outpatient clinic waiting process is an all-day fiasco. Since a computerized patient system does not exist at KPH in this 21^st century, the outpatient courtyard is overcrowded with people sitting and waiting for their names to be called so that they may move on to the next step in their effort to see a doctor. Noise and confusion abounds as people must wait for their dockets, or medical files, to be located and brought by foot to another building where the out-patient must go after leaving the courtyard in order to see his/her specialists. Others may be immediately directed to crammed rooms where they need to make appointments, obtain consultation from a nurse, or see a specialist. People must arrive during the wee hours of the morning at KPH’s patient clinic to ensure that they are attended to by a doctor since their appointment wait time could be as long as six months in between visits. But, outpatient inconveniences also extend to patients while they are admitted in KPH wards. Broken, life-saving medical equipment requires patients to get tests outside the hospital. But, the lack of ambulances to take patients to other public facilities mean that a patient must make their own personal travel arrangements to leave the hospital on a doctor’s authorized pass to get the tests at private facilities, if they can afford to pay exorbitant testing fees. If patients cannot afford the fees for private tests while admitted at KPH, then they will be released without obtaining important medical exams.

The buildings and common areas are reminiscent of a great many years of neglect that has result in dilapidated conditions. Such appearance makes visitors wonder if they are actually inside a hospital because cleanliness and order are nowhere to be seen. As visitors enter a building, they are confronted with peeling paint on dirty walls. Concrete, uneven and uncovered slab floors intermingle with worn-out linoleum covered floors. Hidden, dingy stairways in poorly lighted locations are the only way to access upstairs floors since out-of-the-way elevators are restricted to patients who are transported in wheelchairs or on hospital beds. Untidy, deplorable conditions are seen in workers’ maintenance rooms where all is visible with wide open doors or no doors. The conditions of some patient wards are unspeakable as an unmistakable, lingering stench confronts a visitor’s nostrils on approaching the entrance. The stained concrete floors are lined with rows of old beds with malfunctioning headboard recline levers attached to them. The large, open 30-bed or more wards also include limited number of rusty storage bedside cabinets with stuck doors for patients’ use. Bathrooms with no doors clearly expose a couple of cracked sinks with aged faucets and two walled urine stalls for the 30-bed ward or more capacity. But, more concerning is that ceiling fans and open windows and doors are expected to keep patients cool throughout the days and nights in the hospital’s dangerous, downtown neighborhood where even staff sometimes have to run for cover at the sound of a barrage of gunshots. When it rains, leaking ceiling and the open windows and doors cause some wards to be flooded which results in the need for patients to be moved elsewhere in the overcrowded ward. The appearance of the doctor/nursing station is consistent with the rundown conditions of some wards. The poor conditions will make anyone curious as to where all the millions of dollars donated by worldwide NGOs and international governments have gone not only for this squalor hospital but other public hospitals.

The 240 anniversary of KPH was celebrated with fanfare. The photos with stakeholders celebrating the milestone and, on different occasions, photos that highlight KPH’s receipt of generous donations from foreign entities or the handing over of medical equipment, etc. serve as a façade to the underlying crisis that plague the hospital but are swept under the rug. KPH’s vision, “to provide service by qualified, efficient, courteous and highly motivated work teams in a clean, secure and attractive environment.” will not be taken seriously until efforts are made to provide patient with friendly services and an environment to compliment medical needs.

KPH Emergency - Dirty, Neglected 236-Y-O Hospital Struggling On

No Pay for Part-Time School Workers After Hurricane Closure

Originally posted - 01/22/2018
There is usually an outpouring of sympathy and assistance for those who are affected by severe hurricanes such as Hurricane Irma. However, concerns need to also be extended to the plight of part-time or hourly staff including those who work for Florida school districts since these workers are not paid when schools are closed due to severe hurricanes. Granted, these are the most vulnerable workers at the school districts which include janitors, clerks, substitute teachers, adult education teachers, and others who may live from pay check to pay check without any union representation. They are not as fortunate as superintendents, administrators, or other unionized staff who are confident that their hurricane absences will be paid no matter what. Jessica Bakeman, WLRN reporter, completed an investigative report on the unconscionable practice of not paying part-time workers at the three South Florida school districts when schools are closed before, during, and after severe hurricanes. It is only through this report that any public acknowledgement has been made by board members and superintendents as noted in the link below. This is the ugly side of people's inhumanity towards each other when such natural disaster occurs.

When-Hurricane-Closes-Schools-No-Work-Means-No-Pay-Thousands-Hourly-Workers

Update - 01/23/18
A day after Jessica Bakeman's report, the Miami Dade County Public Schools came up with a Superintendent Emergency Declaration Period where part-time workers will be allowed to work up to 40 hours during a specified two week time frame. What's the catch? WORK. So, while the Superintendent, administrators, full-time teachers and other staff never lifted a pin to get paid for hurricane day absences, part-timers must show production to get paid for an Act of God that forced the school to close through no fault of the part-time workers. So, the injustices for part-time workers continue ..................