From April 14-17, the National Action Network's National Conference took place. Hosted by NAN founder Al Sharpton, the four-day conference featured prominent names from a variety of fields addressing issues that impact people of color with a priority on racial inequality. On Sunday April 18th from noon to 2 pm EST, MSNBC will air a live panel discussion on topics from the convention. Titled Debating the Black Agenda and hosted by Tamron Hall and Ed Schultz, the discussion will explore issues such as business, civil rights, education, and politics as they pertain to African Americans. If you catch the panel discussion, please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section.For more information on Debating the Black Agenda, please click here:
13 comments:
This was a great show. It talked about issues that we always seem to need to address, but that's ok we need to keep talking and talking and walking and walking. Ed, Tamara you did a great job.
A debate that attempted to truly discuss the issue and perspectives would have included a more divers panel. Of course this is not what MSNBC was interested in.
Thelma: Thank you for stopping by. Yes, this was a great special. I love the fact that MSNBC is doing these. I look forward to the next one.
Anon: Thank you for visiting as well. I would have liked to have seen a white and an Asian on the panel to get their perspective on the black agenda in this country. However, how do you know MSNBC wasn't interested in a more diverse panel? If you were the producer of the special, who would you have selected for the panel to make it more diverse?
No, I would not have wanted Asians' on the panel. Do you realize how much money the Asians' in this country make (have made & continue to make) off of Black folks, between the manicures, pedicures, wigs and chinese food. Plz. What are they going to say; thank you African Americans for being loyal to our culture?
Just my thoughts.
I also appreciate the fact that MSNBC is showing the willingness to host these kinds of important discussions. CNN was there with Black in America and it's nice to see MSNBC hosting something like this. I wish I could have watched more of it, but I was heading out the door.
Thelma: I'm not going to put that all on Asians. As to whether or not Blacks give their business to Asian owned establishments, sometimes it's a matter of access. However, it may be a matter of choice in some cases.
I'd actually like to see a special on the existence of Asian businesses in black communities. I think it could make for a lively and enlightening discussion.
Sandy: I saw the first "Black in America" special. I got tied up with various things so I missed the follow up, as well as the one they did on Latinos. I do have the companion book for that one though. If you haven't already, you may be able to catch all or portions of "Debating the Black Agenda" on MSNBC's website.
the irony is overwhelming. in a supposed attempt to raise the flag of diversity -- the black agenda conference as well as the msnbc program simply focused on creating more isolation and setting one group's needs above others. the very fact that special interest groups have been established is nothing short of segregation because each group focuses solely on their interests and how their needs are greater than anyone else. we are all members of the human race and we all deserve the same rights. why not focus on solving the issues of a community rather just solving issues from a particular race's perspective. we are only creating more division.
Anon: Thanks for commenting. I got a totally different vibe from the MSNBC special than you did. I liked the fact that Al Sharpton stated that improving the situation of African Americans is not only good for African Americans, it's good for the country as a whole. This point was brought up at least one other time (I believe in the context of Hispanics in this country).
This statement sounds one-sided and it's not true. It's ridiculous.
Thelma: To which statement are you referring?
malcom - you have made my point. al sharpton's concern is for one particular group ahead of everyone else. why was there a special program on msnbc for one particular group and not the vast others that are a part of our collective community? the fact is every single group -- whether you separate by race, gender, religion, height, color of hair or whatever -- every group can bellow cries of misfortune and despotism. but this selfish attitude simply adds more bricks to the continually growing walls of divisiveness when we should be focused on leveling such walls. when we become more concerned about our neighbor, brother, or friend than our own personal interests -- that is is the moment when we will truly reach peace and equality.
If we were more concerned about our neighbors then there would be no need for special interest groups.
Anon: I'm not sure how you think I'm making your point for you. Al Sharpton wasn't saying "Blacks first and the hell with everyone else". Not only did he not say anything of the sort, he didn't imply it either.
As I outlined in the post, the recent NAN Conference was the reason for the MSNBC panel discussion. Last year, MSNBC did a series of specials about Hispanic Americans:
http://allday.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/06/12/1963669.aspx
Other networks have done specials spotlighting the concerns and challenges of other groups (seniors, teens, women, etc.) as well. If you haven't already, you should contact MSNBC and let them know how you feel about their special "Debating the Black Agenda".
Sandy: Well said. Too often, people only get concerned or involved when an issue directly affects them.
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