"Why is SHE doing a show on 'Black In America'?"
I've heard these questions and so many more about Soledad O' Brien.
My response, "WHO CARES?"
If she were a white woman with blonde hair and blue eyes it wouldn't make a difference to me. Soledad who was born to a black father and white mother has had to deal with that question her entire life. She finally has decided to address it in her upcoming book., "The Next Big Story" .
In the book she takes to task all who would question her Blackness including the man she calls "The Arbiter of Blackness" Reverend Jesse Jackson.
Rev. Jackson started questioning her blackness when she began doing the "Black In America" specials. I guess it's a hard pill to swallow when people put your lunch on the front porch instead of the kitchen table.
My personal opinion, she should tell Jesse Jackson to go play in traffic. This is the same man (along with Al Sharpton) who questioned if President Obama was Black Enough. Instead of questioning her Blackness they should be working with her to help resolve some of the issues that she addressed. But that makes too much sense. Jackson and others would rather dictate from the sideline and enter the game when they can be the MVP.
I commend Soledad for doing what she does. Debt, lack of education, the abscence of Black fathers are all key issues that continue to plague our community. I would encourage Soledad to continue the good work and I would encourage those of you who agree with Rev Jackson to bring something else to the table besides criticism.
Soledad is the child of a Black Cuban mother and a White Australian father of Irish descent. While she is biracial nonetheless, it is important to provide accurate information.
ReplyDeleteI agree K. Soledad's mother is Black Cuban woman and her father is white.
DeleteJust wanted to correct one piece of info in your article. Soledad's mother is black her father is black. I commend her reporting subjects about the black community. It is after all a part of who she is.
ReplyDeleteSorry making a correction here, her father is white.
ReplyDeleteLove what was written about the so called 2 black leaders. They make money off making black people thinking they are victims but because of people like that, black people will always be a victims of their own race. I like Soledad come from a mixed race. I identify myself as a black woman but look white. Growing up I always had problems with blacks thinking I was not black enough. There is more black on black hate in this country than the so called prejudice other races have against blacks. Maybe that needs to be dealt with instead of always blaming the white man for the black man's problems.If we cannot stand strong as a black nation, we will never be able to move forward as one.We are too busy looking crazy on reality show's showing our ghetto side. The non black Americans view of black people will never change until we do.
ReplyDeleteI agree! Thanks for your comments!
ReplyDeleteMod Lumpkin