According to Editor and Publisher, Tennessee Tribune Publisher Rosetta Miller-Perry says she doesn't mind embarrassing people if it makes them do the right thing. The right thing to do, she argues, is vote in the upcoming presidential election -- so she's embarrassing hundreds of registered voters who didn't go to the polls in 2004.
In its latest edition, Miller-Perry's black-oriented Nashville weekly published the names and addresses of non-voting registered voters living in largely African-American precincts. A local TV station interviewed several people angry about finding their names and addresses on the list, especially since they believed they had valid reasons they missed the 2004 vote.
"The tactic is dirty," one of those persons, Terrence Alexander, told a reporter in a piece that ran on WTVF NewsChannel 5 in Nashville. "I think they should have had the decency to at least call me." SOURCE
Now keep in mind that this is all public information and anyone of us with time and persistence could compile such a list. But should a newspaper be involved in shaming people into voting? Miller-Perry is unapologetic:
Miller-Perry, who did not immediately return a phone message for comment Thursday, told the Nashville station that it "hurts" when registered voters don't actually vote. "We need to live up to the civil rights that have been given to us," she said. This is not the first time the paper has run a list of non-voting people. In a race for U.S. Senate two years ago, the list apparently encouraged registered voters to vote in the election. Miller-Perry said turnout in one district shot up to 65% from 37% in a previous election. "Sometimes when you embarrass people they do the right thing," she said. SOURCEI have mixed feelings about this one and I would like to hear YOUR thoughts.
Hat Tip Negrophile
EDITOR'S NOTE: In some other "news about newspapers." Alaska's largest newspaper backs Barack Obama! What happened to the 99.9 percent approval rating Gov. Palin had up there? Alaska's largest newspaper, The Anchorage Daily News says the Democrat "brings far more promise to the office. In a time of grave economic crisis, he displays thoughtful analysis, enlists wise counsel and operates with a cool, steady hand." More from BET
Comments: (281)
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By: NoBama on 10/27/2008 10:10AM
You are a horrible writer Ms. Dixon. As for the 99.9% approval rating for Gov. Palin, put down the kool-aid for just one minute. That stat is actually the percentage of black zombies voting for a socialist. Why? That's right, because his skin is black.
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By: williamlipscomb on 10/27/2008 10:19AM
i beleive they crossed the line. irecognize the fact that people fought for our right to vote;but is'nt that the whole of right. not whether it is the right thing to do just because we have a proposed african-american running for pres. also if you feel embarassed about not voting and are shamed into voting, then i have mixed feelings about your support. the editor is in a position of power and decided to use/abuse it. in the end power is what it is all about.
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By: Faith on 10/27/2008 10:41AM
I commend the newspaper. They ought to be embarrassed for not voting, when so many have shed blood for them to have the right. There is no excuse for not voting, especially when you can vote early or do an absentee vote.
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By: Cheryl White on 10/27/2008 10:51AM
Are you not violating a person's civil rights by exposing the fact that they didn't vote. If she was that concerned, a friendly postcard reminder to these people would have been sufficient than exposing them, especially in a time of identity theft at an all time high. Personally, I don't think it was wise. I know voting is an important issue, but it sounds more like a scolding to create embarrassment. And with blacks this might anger them, and make them resistant to vote just so they can make a point, although I really hope they vote especially in this election.
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By: Brian from Detroit on 10/27/2008 3:35PM
I agree with Faith's comment above 100%!
And remember, Barack Obama is not the only African-American choice for President this year! Cynthia McKinney from Atlanta, Georgia of the Green Party is running as well.
Get out there and get involved, vote, write letters to the editors, do what ever you can to make a difference. Change only happens when the PEOPLE get involved! Doing nothing gets us no where.
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By: Quilan on 10/27/2008 11:56AM
Be it that this is public information...I agree with the writer. It is a shame when people "choose" not vote. Too many people fought and died for this right. As a citizen under 30 years of age I stood in line for over 5 hours to exercise my right to vote. Every time I felt myself getting tired and wondering if it was worth it memories of my gradmother and flashes of my children reassured me every second was worth it.
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By: Pirouette on 10/27/2008 1:08PM
This is ridiculous. While voting is a social responsibility, it is no one else's business whether I vote or not.
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By: cuzn jethro on 10/27/2008 1:14PM
hey NoBama, Guess a lot of newspapers are drinking the kool-aid, not just in alaskan moose flavored variety. Obama-Biden ticket maintains its strong lead in the race for daily newspaper endorsements, by 194 to 82.
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By: ja on 10/27/2008 1:57PM
voting is a right. That means you have the right to do so and the right not to do so. How would some of you guys where put on blast for things you dont do that you should be doing. The Anchorage Daily News did not endorse Palin in the governer race so I feel to see why this is News but nice try. If anything happen to the people on the list i.e. hurt, prank calls. I know a good lawyer. Because it is Illegal to incite a riot or imply harm on others.
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By: teresa on 10/27/2008 2:44PM
Unbelieable....what nerve..how dare them. It is really none of their businss eventhough it is public knowledge. It is really a form of blackmale...In my book anyway/
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