Rev. Gilbert H. Caldwell: Words Matter
PHOTO: Can You Spot An Obama?
I've been in this business for a minute and I know people make news decisions based on the needs and demands of his readers. With that said, I've never heard of a news outlet actually deciding not to publish a story of international interest like the election of the U.S. president.
Well, as it turns out, some goober journalists, if you can call them journalists, in Oklahoma decided to do just that. ...
It seems that the Sapulpa Herald in Oklahoma decided to leave that news tidbit out. But watch this video, and check out the excuse this mental giant (insert facetious tone here) gives for omitting one of the biggest historical events of the last ten years. As Sarah Palin would say, what a bunch of "jerks!!"
My own editors at BlackVoices.com gave me permission to call these people a$$wipes just this once. Let's leave it at that.
The sad thing is, this is NOT the only newspaper in America that either made this same call or downplayed the significance of Obama's win. Meanwhile, copies of other post-election newspapers, including the New York Times and the Amsterdam News, are being sold on eBay for a profit.
Check out newspapers, in the gallery above, that decide to bask in this historic moment with the rest of civilized society.
Comments: (149)
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By: Mac on 11/12/2008 8:08AM
Just because Obama won the election, dose not mean racism is DEAD. There are a lot of mad white people out there and they are seeking revenge. A lot of whites, are going to use Obamas' win as a new means to expand racism, but that dose not mean we should allow them to hold us back.
We need to STOP: pulling the race card,crying, looking for handouts. Instead, Letspull up our pants and seize the moment and make our own way. I see this as the pefect time to start my own buisness and so should you. So now that Obama has taken the "WORLD STAGE", lets make him shine bye making ourselves Shine!!!
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By: Judy on 11/12/2008 8:14AM
I don't know why it will not be acknowledge that Obama is bi-racial. He is not 100% black. He was raised by his white grandmother and grandfather. So we have our first bi-racial president. Don't know why but that part of his life is kept so quiet. Should have been on front of all newspapers FIRST BI-RACIAL PRESIDENT.
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By: Tachea on 11/12/2008 8:16AM
I heard about this on MSNBC on Countdown with Keith Olbermann he said he thought newspapers wanted to report news, and that it was about selling papers. Well if that is true it's was their lost.
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By: Jason on 11/12/2008 9:05AM
Awwwww.....look at poor Mr. Madison Gray and black spin.....already trying to preserve the race card are ya? How pathetic and sickening that the biggest reason racism has lasted as long as it has in this country is mainly due to minorities constantly trying to make an issue of things....let it go man, Obama would not be where he is right now if white people block voted as did the black community. Do the math and see what would have happend if 94-97% of white people voted for McCain. So shut your piehole unless you want to start printing articles covering all of the still angry black folks out there that hate white people for no reason. And to belittle the Oklahoma newspaper editor just because they did not make the same journalistic decision as others is just childish. Get over yourself and your race as most of America has. There is no value in continuing to try and point out where you think you have identified some area in the country that you think (key word think) is racist. Why don't you go through some inner cities and poll the black folks there and see how much love they have for white folks and write an article about that or does that not serve your hidden agenda.
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By: WENDY on 11/12/2008 10:22AM
Several months before the election my sister--who lives in a small town in Indiana--said the local newspapers refused to print about MLK's march on Washington. Here's what I emailed her, and I hope the people of Oklahoma will try this on the Sapulpa Herald:
Hi Sis,
I agree with the article. It's a shame that such a momentous, auspicious historical occasion --on the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's march on Washington, when he delivered his speech, "I Have a Dream" --was given so little publicity in The Star Press. Having said that, I believe we, as African-Americans do not have to idly sit by and allow this type of disrespect to happen again. Confronted with such obvious disregard, I believe we must use more ingenious, strategic and inventive avenues to make our voices heard, and our concerns worth noticing.
For example, many Black Churches could have come together and bought advertisement spots in the local newspapers, radio stations, television stations, or sought sponsors (through public markets to help fund media advertisements) about the memorable day. Considering The Star Press is not the only newspaper in the city, they must be made to understand that readers and subscribers do have OPTIONS. Subscribers can cancel their subscriptions to The Star Press and put their money in other newspapers who will consider their readership. Such a bold move will openly be an incentive for The Star Press to consider the voices of minorities, and will subtly pass the message that readers and subscribers will consider rival newspapers in the area (The Star Press’ competition). In other words, hit them where it hurts: in their pocket.
Another way to shake things up would have been to inundate The Star Press with email complaints (the churches can play a huge part as they have many members). Remember, The Star Press can only be as profitable as their readers and subscribers allow them to be. So if The Star Press cash flow should start to trickle or to dry up, this will cause them to lose support and finances. . . And you know the rest.
Never underestimate the power and influence of people. Let The Star Press know that you count! If you stand up for nothing, you’ll sit down for everything.
PS. Something to consider.
(For the next eight months, at least, the people of Oklahoma shouldn't buy a Sapulapha Herald--not even to wrap fish in! Also, consider joining together the black churches to start your own newspaper.)
God bless.
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By: wncesa E. Araoarao on 11/12/2008 10:52AM
Honestly, it doesn't matter much to me who gets into
the White House, but, I am very concerned about the
realization of the campaign promises.
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By: ED on 11/12/2008 11:14AM
Amazing...an historic win and all you can do is look around for people that do not share your excitement? Get a life you loser and get over the victim complex... woe are us, the downtrodden. You want to end racism? Stay above this kind of garbage...makes you look like a bad winner.
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By: Man on 11/12/2008 11:30AM
To all the people who keep saying that he is bi-racial you are correct in that assertion for he is bi-racial, but IT WAS BARRACK OBAMA HIMSELF THAT SAID HE IDENTIFIES AS AFRICAN AMERICAN...so if you have an issue w/that you need to take it up w/him. I know many bi-racial people who identify as African American because that is how society sees him...and Obama said that himself.
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By: Teisa on 11/12/2008 11:50AM
I believe we live in supposedly a free country? free speech? free practice of religions? Why do people expect Obama to be a headline? Just because he won the presidential vote? I applause his winning, but I must say that the predjudges' still exist in America. Based on the voting analysis, it shows that 98% of all black voted for Obama. What is that say? They voted for one thing, historical event of the first black man to become president of the United State. That also shows on how Ophra chanted infront of her aundience during her show the very next morning after the vote saying, "we won, we won." So it was a racist view in her part. I would say, we as US citizens should wait and see how Obama would carryon his responsibilities a president. Being the first black persident should not be said, because he is not all black, he is 50% - 50%, so please, to the black people who want to make a complain about every little thing in this nation, that should now stop because we now have a black president to be very soon. Let's see if you stop complaining about everything comes January. GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!
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By: P.Moe on 11/12/2008 11:56AM
Here we go again. I guess there must not be enough room on KKK.com today. They come to this site to spread more of their hatred and ignorance. Well, I for one will not let you steal my joy, No matter if you believe he is half this or that. No matter if you believe he was or wasn't the first this or that. He is and always will be YOUR President. So continue to post ignorance because we will recognize it and be rise above it. Continue to come to this site to break us down but realize that we have endured worse than what you can throw at us.
We hear what you say and we acknowledge the lack of intelligence in your words. There is something great happening now and if you can’t or won’t recognize it …I pity you. Now, I know you will come back with some smart bit of American history to “educate” us, so I am thanking you in advance. It is so obvious how we need to hear from you. It satisfies you to “teach” us. It satisfies you to “make” us understand…..THANKS!!
BUT, don’t be mistaken by the truth. President Obama is black. That isn’t supposed to be a significant thing to you so you brush it under the rug when it suits you. You may satisfy your self worth by commenting on his other “half”, but I guarantee you if he walked or drove down the road in “Anywhere USA” you will have a hard time proving that other “half” to your other smart and intelligent co-horts. The difference between you and us is that we “KNOW” that he is of a mixed ancestry, because every “BLACK” man and woman in this United States of America is of mixed ancestry. We have been watered down for hundred of years.
Forgive for running on. May GOD BLESS YOU” and the people that you represent. We need you to keep us humble and in check.
As always… “Ignorance is Bliss”
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