All right – so, unless you live under a rock – you heard about the tone deaf and really not inclusive article by Alessandra Stanley of New York Times about Shonda Rhimes. Ms. Stanley who is an overrated and arrogant critic for the Times tried to critique Ms. Rhimes’ television shows including her new one. And, well she decided to just label her…. wait for it…drum roll please…it is original… not really, “angry black woman”.
Gee, I wonder where I heard that before. Oh yeah, that was the article written about me regarding the autism task force where Mr. Browning, the twin brother from another mother of Ms. Stanley cleverly tried to label me as the…. you guessed it “angry black woman”. Sometimes, I wonder if they even read their work out-loud before it is published. Or better yet, if the Tribune and NY Times could hire more diverse editors to catch such hurtful and demeaning articles.
The sad and irony similarities here is that both articles were read and approved by White men editors. And, how can a White man possibly understand things from the lenses of African American women. For instance, after Ms. Stanley wrote her really hurtful and shameful article about Ms. Rhimes – several NY Times editors read it and did not catch the insulting and racist remarks. Thus, it was released for publication. This tells us that editors who are suppose to provide balanced and objective views on stories are often out of touch themselves. Here is the Times’ response to this. What is interesting in almost comical way is the same language used by almost everyone in a position of power who has no intention of changing or actually hiring diverse workforce. For example, when MPR’s new top guy started couple of years ago, I asked him if he was going to make MPR newsroom more diverse to reflect the diversity of Minnesotans. And, he told me almost word for word of what the NY Times editor said. (we are committed to diversity, we care, blah and more blah). Move forward to 2014 and no African American reporter has been hired by MPR. Therefore, don’t hold your breath NY Times actually hiring more diverse editors or reporters. This is a statement that they all use and we buy it like it is holy water, when in fact it is useless and worthless words that never become reality. This is also why many good African American journalists are leaving mainstream news outlets to go to minority owned ones.
Another example of how White men editors are out of touch and tone deaf to realty is when Mr. Browning decided to just insult me and label me an angry black woman – it went to his editor who ironically knows me very well, yet failed to stop Mr. Browning’s bias and wrong information about me being printed. Plus, according to Minnesota Department of Health, they did not comment or spoke with Mr. Browning which makes his facts false. In fact, I was told by one of the Tribune editors that they had a hard time covering this story. Now what now? are you kidding me. I am often the lone African American autism mom advocating for minority autism families against all odds at MN State Capitol. And, I am constantly begging the Tribune to do autism stories, and they often tell me they are full with no space to write or autism at this time is not all that important. Yet, when this overrated and arrogant reporter wants to insult me, they have a hard time with the content. WTF?
If I were a non-minority autism parent that did even half of the autism advocacy I did for the past few years, Mpls Tribune would have written much different stories and views. But the fact is I am a minority autism mom and the way they praise us is by calling us angry black women. When will this get old and outdated. I remember I once went to MPR newsroom to be interviewed by BBC Radio – London because I had to go to a local radio to do the taping. While I was waiting for the studio room to be available, I noticed a reporter talk about a Caucasian man with a disability. I watched this reporter’s body language as she described this person and I remember she did many takes to get her words right. She made this person sound so good and kind that the listener would fell in love with. I remember thinking to myself and imagining if stories of minority communities were given such careful and thoughtful process. I think it will be interesting to see what Minnesota mainstream news outlets do when Black Journalism convention comes to Mpls in 2015.
This is exactly what this reporter from the Times did as well. Ms. Rhimes is one of the most talented and amazing writers in Hollywood in any color and to label her such derogatory and demeaning way is wrong, racist and cruel. The Times tried to apologize and even used the usual statement of we are committed to diversity, we care – blah blah. For the Tribune and what they wrote about me, the best I got from their editor in chief and the health editor was to write my view and send it to their editorial person who in my opinion sucks, not a typo. So, I did not waste my time writing to them because I knew they would not publish it.
Some good news might be that with the purchase of Mr. Taylor – things might get more fair and less bias. If you can believe it, I contacted Mr. Glen Taylor and he actually called me back, (I know why would a billionaire call me, but he did to my shocking pleasant surprise) He said it is his goal for the Star Tribune to do stories that are fair, objective and tell both sides of the story. The publisher of Mpls Tribune is sadly from the Times as well, but maybe with Mr. Taylor’s guidance, he can be more diverse, equal and fair. Now, in the interest of fairness, I personally have had a really good experience with New York Times especially their health reporters and editors. In fact, one of their health reporter is one of my good friends that I have lunch or coffee with when in NYC. For Somali autism, NY Times has been really good and supportive. They have come to Mpls to do autism stories ever since back in 2009 to recently. I admire, trust and support their health news section. It is their Hollywood/entertainment section and reporters that I find it out of touch with reality and minorities.
If you are thinking what do news outlets have to do with autism, think about it more. Everything autism is about policy and politicians write policies. And, politician’s legislations are often covered by news. For example, Rep Norton who is the queen of autism disparity has written more racist and bias autism policies than any other legislator in MN. Luckily, we have defeated her bad autism bills since 2010 with the help of Sen. Berglin, Sen. Lourey, Sen. Benson, Dan Severson, Rep Clark, Rep, Loeffler, Commissioner Jesson and so many others, but the ultimate goal is to replace and defeat Rep Norton by voting her out of office.
Addition; It looks like People Magazine who is being sued by an African American editor – their only one in history, imagine that – also decided to weigh in this drama by tweeting last Thursday night after Ms Rhimes show that had Viola Davis offensive and rude tweets. Really, are they kidding me. You see this is exactly why diversity in every corner is a MUST in this country of nation of immigrants. Today’s immigrants are very different than centuries ago and if USA wants to maintain its super power ability and moral authority, then it must treat its citizens fairly and equally – period. Viola Davis is a beautiful and stunning woman and comments like the Times insulting dark skinned women is why so many African American women including Somalis bleach their skin with mercury containing creams. We all know mercury causes many developmental disorders including AUTISM. My advice to any young woman of color is look at yourself in the mirror and know that you are BEATIFUL just the way GOD made you. Don’t let some useless and clueless writer make you doubt that.
Above words do not represent any agency, candidate or committee.
Idil – Somali Autism Mom & Minority Advocate