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The behavior in and around these health care reform town hall meetings is really getting out of hand. A gun-toting protester is scary enough, but now even diminutive (and deceased) civil rights icon Rosa Parks isn't safe. After a raucous town hall meeting organized by Sen. Claire McCaskill (D, Missouri) in Hillsboro, Mo. on August 11, mainstream media reports showed an angry black woman being hauled out of the event to audience applause. What caused her to act in such a stereotypical, angry, black fashion, you might ask?
Thanks to Hating Not Debating for showing the full context of what happened in a YouTube video.
In it, you see that a white participant James Winfrey, 67, got out of his seat and grabbed a poster of the late Mrs. Parks being held by black participant Maxine Johnson, 52. Posters were not permitted in the venue, although Johnson's was rolled up until a photographer walked over to her and asked to look at it. After Winfrey crumpled up the poster, Johnson rushed to retrieve it and a tussle ensued. Some mainstream media reports that evening showed Johnson being hauled out by police, although it turns out that Winfrey was later arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor assault.
Below are two videos for comparison. rosa parks bus
One depicts a disruptive, angry black woman being hauled out of the town hall to audience applause. SOURCE: TPM
The other which shows the act of aggression that made her angry in the first place.
It's unclear whether Winfrey was provoked by the image of Rosa Parks or the presence of the poster. What is clear that there are some ugly social dynamics at play in these town hall meetings, and when making quick decisions under deadline, journalists (like the rest of us) too often fall back on stereotypes to interpret what they see.
We'll see whether the charges end up sticking on Winfrey.
Comments: (55)
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By: Gpowell on 8/14/2009 5:20AM
What the french toast?
"What is clear that there are some ugly social dynamics at play in these town hall meetings, and when making quick decisions under deadline, journalists (like the rest of us) too often fall back on stereotypes to interpret what they see."
Hurricane Katrina all over again
Black people - looters
White people - scavenging for food
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By: Brenda Fox on 8/14/2009 4:00PM
Gpowell there is a reason …Town hall meetings are venues for the propaganda side of the media/ syndicates. I encourage all African Americans to study subjects that will help you understand the center of our economic, military, corporate, media, judicial, educational and spiritual institutions in our society. To understand is to know, for all to know creates the synergy for change in the good direction…
Look up some of these Authors”
Dr. Francis Welsing a psychiatrist:
Her work is comprehensive, yet accomplished on the subject of racism and the fear of black men, a very intellectual approach. Isis papers is a must read. Look up a list of her books
Basil Davidson: British historian, writer and Africanist; It is evident that he has done a diverse study of African History. As a Caucasian historian, his writings are less opinionated and more diverse.
African Civilization Revisited: From Antiquity to Modern Times is a good read, however, like with all history books on Africa, you must read in what is left out..
Ivan Van Sertima: “a British historian, linguist and anthropologist at Rutgers University in the United States.” “He attended the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) at the University of London from 1959. In addition to producing an array of creative writing, Van Sertima completed his undergraduate studies in African languages and literature at SOAS in 1969, where he graduated with honors. During his studies he learned Swahili and Hungarian.”
He has been highly criticized on his writings of pre-Columbian contact between Africa and the Americas.
Checkout a list of his books…
Chancellor James Williams
writer, university professor, and historian, was the author of The Destruction of Black Civilization: Great Issues of a Race Between 4500 B.C. and 2000 A.D. Good Study.
We should understand the basics about: The Proletariat Class( working class)
,Laissez Faire and Capitalism
Note: a decent book, The end of laissez-faire : national purpose and the global economy after the Cold War by Robert Kuttner.
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By: LoLo on 8/15/2009 4:16PM
A few other books include: King Leopold's Ghost; also Nile Valley Contributions to Civilization; also check out the Original African Heritage Study Bible. These are good to understand our cultural history.
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By: DROCK on 8/14/2009 9:58AM
@Gpowell the last three lines of your comments are so true. Alot of black people woke up during the election. People were able to see the bias on how the news organizations report stories. They always want to make blacks (especially black women) look angry, bad. Funny how the media did not show the WHOLE tape but chose to show this women being led out by cops. Anyone else would have had the same reaction and would have tried to get their poster back. Why didn't that white guy get escorted out??? Oh, because he's WHITE..If these town halls were full of blacks they would be called all kinds of names, but because they are mostly old white people, they are just american citizens voicing their strong opinions....No, they are acting like an ANGRY LYNCH MOB...
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By: Dangry on 8/14/2009 10:50AM
Are you Kidding??? The media woke up? Let's not forget...A half black man (who was raised by his very white mother in absence of the black father), ran for president as a Black Man. This is why the minority constituents voted for him, no other reason. There was so much attention payed to him solely because of this "moment in Black History" that it didn't matter what his political platform, "if his mamma call 'em Clay, I'm a callin' 'em Clay." To say the media is waking up is ridiculous. Just wait until his approval ratings continue to fall and the Media (and we all know they Loved Him at one point), then turn on him because as well all know, no better story than a bad story. Then what? The already liberal, bias and colored blind media is now the enemy? Will they be called Racist? I'm sick and tired of the Race Card running our lives not to mention being and becoming the social crutch for those whom are just too lazy to succeed on their own accord. Do some research and you'll learn that the civil rights movement, dating back to prior to the civil war, was not simply an issue of Color. Many a White man died by the side of his colored counterpart in order to form a more perfect Union. How is it these individuals are so now forgotten. Do some research, a mind is a terrible thing to waste.
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By: KingIvan on 8/14/2009 11:00AM
He did get escorted out and got arrested too but if that had been me he would been picking his teeth up along with the rest of his face
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By: ciaraariahna on 8/14/2009 11:22AM
To Kingivan - that would have been real smart - then you would be on the news and arrested for assault making the black man look bad.
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By: ciaraariahna on 8/14/2009 12:44PM
To Kingivan - Wouldn't that have been a smart move, what a dumb statement.
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By: I am baddkitty on 8/14/2009 1:49PM
you are right on the point that they both where led out. i did notice that myself, but the crowd was not yelling because they where both thrown out in my opinon. it was clear to me in what direction the participants where directing their statements.
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By: Susan on 8/15/2009 2:32PM
KingIvan, that's the point though, it will never be you. White men are cowards & sissy boys they always prey on women & children. They never fight another man, coz they know they won't live to talk about it.
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