A former student sent me a YouTube video meant, no doubt, to make me laugh.
Houston news station KPRC interviewed local Michelle Clark describing a hail storm and the damage it caused to her apartment building. “Man! Those jokers was big,” she said. She described the hail as the “size of a quarter, doggone!” Her description of the way the hail sounded hitting the roof has given her the media nickname the “Kapooyow! Kapooyow!” Lady. (No doubt we’ll all soon hear the “Kapooyow! Kapooyow!” Lady’s autotune remix, featuring guest rapper Lil’ Wayne.)
The seemingly benign video is anything but. Aside from explaining a wacky weather system, it birthed the next African American to be exploited by the Internet in what is becoming an all too common trend.
It seems as long as there has been news there has been a reporter’s uncanny knack of identifying the most dentally challenged, inarticulate, Stepin Fetchit yokel in the crowd to interview. I swear, there could be a group of three folks at a scene and a reporter will talk to the dude wearing the du-rag and gold fronts standing between the two brothers in suits and ties.
I’m inclined to assume that perhaps if there were more people of color in newsrooms, this phenomena wouldn’t exist. But I know better. I’ve seen videos of African-American reporters committing the same offenses as their white counterparts. They want ratings, and ratchet sells.
In all fairness, white Southerners get similar treatment. I watch the SyFy channel, and it seems almost every alien sighting or abduction is witnessed or experienced by some poor fellow from Two Stones, Ala.
I remember back in the day this exploitation even occurred on radio programs. I was living in Atlanta and Neal Boortz, a popular radio personality, had a highly successful segment about a shooting in DeKalb County, where they interviewed a local girl from ’round the way. The segment was simply known as “Boo Got Shot,” and it eventually spawned marketing material, including “Boo Got Shot” T-shirts and mugs.
But it seems the need to exploit inarticulate black folks — and turn them into the next viral-video star — is becoming more incessant.
Who can forget Antoine Dodson and his famous, “Hide yo kids, hide yo wife, and hide yo husband cause they raping everybody out here,” YouTube bit. Dodson appeared on the Today Show on NBC, and his sound bite was eventually remixed into the “Bed Intruder Song,” of which he performed — surprise, surprise — on the 2010 BET Hip Hop Awards. Dodson worked his media mojo by churning out T-shirts, a “Bed Intruder” Halloween costume, and even endorsed a “Sex Offender Tracker” phone application. Talk about working your 15 minutes of fame.
So why should we care if these folks are exploited, especially if some seem to enjoy it?
Because as an African American, I know that person is representing — and often misrepresenting — my culture and community. A collective experience in the black community is sitting in front of the television, cringing with anticipation that someone who resembles you is about to make a fool of themselves.
The reality is that marginalized communities don’t enjoy the same autonomy as mainstream ethnicities and cultures. Madonna can do whatever the hell she wants without incriminating white women, but a Real Housewives of Atlanta star acts ridiculous and she instantly becomes a representative of black women.
Minorities are unfairly perceived as having a uniform voice, and I honestly believe that on some level, most reporters understand that. Many just choose to ignore it. By choosing the less refined subject to interview, they implicitly undermine the intelligence and integrity of a culture.
I also understand that in our reality-show, fame-obsessed society, there is more demand to feed the media beast for the next viral one-hit wonder. But we should also put these media outlets on notice. We know what you are up to when you hand the mic to some of our less-refined brothers and sisters, and we don’t like it. In the immortal words of another media darling, Sweet Brown, “Ain’t nobody got time for that.”
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This article appears in Apr 10-16, 2013.
“Minorities are unfairly perceived as having a uniform voice, and I honestly believe that on some level, most reporters understand that. Many just choose to ignore it.” I think that’s giving reporters too much credit, espeically since guys like Cronkite are a thing of the past. I think they’re just doing what gets them air without really giving it that much thought. It’s a shame, for the reasons you give, and because real, actual news items just aren’t that interesting to the mainstream. The sheep have been conditioned to both deliever and digest what is served.
I knew there was something that bothered me about that whole phenomenon. Thanks for a well done article mixing humor with a serious point!
@MartyKindall Chester I believe that you are so right. We have developed a sheep culture that is just conditioned to blindly consume. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts. And also your historical and continued support…smile
@Rebecca K You definitely picked up on the underlying feeling of exploitation. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts on this topic!
You’re making this about race when it’s really about class. They are being exploited because they are poor and uneducated, not because they are black — as you acknowledge, the same phenomenon happens with poor whites (Kai the homeless hitchhiker is a recent example). The reason so many of these people are African American is an effect of the disproportionately high poverty rate among Af-Ams, not because there aren’t enough black people in the newsroom. After all, there aren’t any poor people in the newsroom at all, whereas there are many people of color in the media industry.
I have to agree with the class distinction argument. I want to add this: If people knew they were contributing to this by being unwitting pawns, they might think otherwise.
Right now, we have a massive segment of our society this afflicts. Until they get better economic opportunities, they will continue to give sanity cringing interviews. Who can blame them, if they get there 15 minutes and it breeds the opportunity to make money, they are unlikely to stop.
I also agree with your description of how the media exploits African-Americans. It’s almost like they go find the most ghetto person to ask questions. The media is constantly looking for individuals that will allow them to have the next “viral video of the day.” It’s unfortunate that they think African-Americans are easy targets. Sweet Brown ended up in commercials and had a makeover just from the 15 mins of fame. Now, granted I do have people in my family that behave like these two ladies, but I would be outraged if they were exploited all over YouTube and the Internet. Great article Charles!
I also agree with the class distinction, however the residual impression is more damaging to minorities.
It’s like the Alabama comment that was made. Some people see southern people on these shows as well and think that everyone from Alabama is some stupid hillbilly. I’m from Alabama and I’m nothing like that. While my family may be more southern than I am, they don’t eat road kill. And it’s the same way for the Black Community. People need to wake up and realize that not everyone in this work is the same and that one view of one person if a certain race or region is not uniform.
You know, I may have a controversial position on this subject, but I say, if you are too stupid to learn to speak properly, you NEED to be exploited. This is not just happening to Black people – it happens to White folks too. Bottom line, stupid = more viewers. I can guarantee that woman’s video on YouTube got more viewers than did the president’s last televised speech. Our society doesn’t care to raise it’s level of consciousness and awareness – we’d rather look for people who are more stupid than ourselves and think to celebrate or laugh at their ignorance is somehow a quick fix for making us seem smarter or more informed. KAPOOOYA!!!!
@Liz J I agree that this is as much about class also but race, class, gender, are not so mutually exclusive. Also for the reasons I mention in the article the fact that class aside these are also African-Americans which means their actions will be perceived as having negative connotations in regards to the culture as a whole. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts on this topic!
@Drew Kinney You are so right that the culture of folks looking for their 15 minutes of fame and somehow capitalizing on it even at the detriment of their personal integrity all to make a quick buck. Thank you for reading and your insightful contribution to this topic!
@mgj18 Dr. Jones you are so correct. I too have plenty of family members that I love but fit the profile of someone like Sweet Brown. I could just set up a camera at tour next family reunion but I would not exploit my family members out of respect and love for them just because some of them have not had the benefit of certain opportunities. Thank you for reading and your contribution to this topic!
@Lyn Thompson I think you hit it on the head and get the distinction. You are so on point. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts on this topic!
@Jenna Alexander You are so right that as southerns we too get lumped into the category of being seen as one uniform voice. Thank you for reading and sharing your personal story on this topic! We southerners have to stick up for each other….smile
@Donna Frazier I think you bring up an interesting point. But I believe part of being educated either formally or informally and also being informed is having the insight to understand how the media works and how one can be exploited by it. Thank you for reading and sharing some alternative views….smile
You are so right on with this article. Only a part of our story is being shared in the national and local media and usually it is not the good part. The stereotypes are outdated and often downright racist. Every culture has a spectrum of voices. Lets hear a few more. Thank you.
and shared, and shared, and shared and every time it is shared, their call letters are right on the screen.
News it dead. News has morphed into info-tainment and has lost all credibility in my mind.
@Ms. Durden You bring up such a good point it is not to say that we do not have folks like Sweet Brown in our community and even in our own families but they are just part of a larger spectrum of voices that need to be explored. Thank you for reading and sharing your views on this topic!
@Noreen McGinnis Campbell You are right that news has morphed into something that is definitely more about entertainment that being informative. Thank you for reading and contributing to the discussion!
Yes, I agree the media does have its way of taking the black minorities and turning it into some 15min of fame. But then again I have to look at honey boo boo, I’m so confused lol.
Another excellent piece, Charles. And as always, I love your thoughtful and respectful dialogues with CL’s readers.
My VO of the day!!!–> “…reporter’s uncanny knack of identifying the most dentally challenged…”
@jmiller84 You are right and as I point out we southerners are not immune to the exploitation. How you doing Honey Boo Boo…smile Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts on this subject!
@Charmetria Dightman House Charm I am so glad you like the sound bit….lol Thank you you for reading and spreading the word…..smile
@Mark Kemp Thank you man. Interacting with my readers is the best part of having a column. I love hearing their insight and perspective. And thank you for the support…..smile
Mr. Easley I have read your work of art and applaud you. Not just because everything is the truth but you were blessed with a mind of greatness that should always be recognized. The way society is being shown that the exploitations of the minority is ok is definitely wrong. I also feel that anyone who believes that being a one hit wonder is ok should understand that a one hit wonder is irrelevant because as people of creativity we are worth more than 15 minutes of fame. A few minutes of fame may get you out there for the moment but you wanna leave a mark on the world in a positive way and you’ll never be forgotten.
@Aging Soulfully Henderson Well alright for speaking some truth and sharing some enlightened wisdom. You are so correct that we have to have more value in our abilities, talent and spirits that the creator has more in store for us than a few minutes of fame. I am honored by your kind words and I am glad I have had a positive influence in your life….smile Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts on this topic!
Fantastic article, Sir! (Sorry I’m just getting around to reading it) I understand the cringe you mentioned. Happened to me when Kelly Pickler was on American Idol. She’s from Albemarle, my hometown, and all I could think when she spoke, rather than sang, was “wow…America thinks we’re idiots out here.” Rather than the country seeing a really awesome musician from Stanly County who made it completely on his own, like Tim Galloway, they got to see her. But ratings and hits sell (which is probably why she played it so extreme), and for some reason, our culture devours spots from the most outlandish and inarticulate. It would be one thing if it happened once in a while, but you’re right, it happens far, far too frequently. I wish that as a culture we would elevate our tastes so that we all strive for something better.
@Hannah Dennis You definitely called it out. We should strive to elevate our taste. I wonder if it will happen in our life time….smile Thank you for reading and sharing your views on this topic!
Great article and awesome feedback, which I generally don’t read.However, your article brings you in and makes you think. I’m aware with all the media outlets everyone is being taken advantage of their ignorance. Once upon a time it was aired only on your local channel now everyone in the world can see and hear it. My thoughts whoever you are stop and think before you speak.
@Raynelle Roy You are so right folks are being taken advantage due to their being naive but you offer a simple rule think before you speak…smile. Thank you for reading and contributing to the discussion!
Inarticulate voices need to be heard just as loud as others. I see where the news station is exploiting some of these people but we have to be careful when we consider the brother or sister in a suit as being the only accurate teller of our stories.
@Shannise Jackson-Ndiaye I hear you and agree. My grandfather only had a third grade education but he was one of the most profound men I have ever known. I think the issue is that we may value a diverse communication model but it becomes problematic when one communication model is consistently focused upon and becomes representative of a community. Thank you for reading and sharing a unique perspective!
Man who cares…stop being so up tight and blaming whites for things that we need to change, as long as there are willing black folks like Sweet Brown, nothings going to change. Times have change, we all know that the majority of black folks speak and behave in this fashion. Its comical, and Sweet Brown is doing better now because of exploitation. If it had not been for this exploitation, she would probably still be running around bare footed and toothless. Thank God she was in the right place at the right time. The problem with black folks is that we’re so concern about what white folks think about us, who cares what they think. Im black, yes i speak a different dialect, yes i love chicken, and i can get ghetto, rachet and whatever else you want to call me. I know who I am and I know my worth, and there’s no need for me to prove myself. If anything, they should be trying to prove themselves to me.
Typo***majority of Afr. Amer. DONT behave in this fashion.
@alyahX You are correct in that you have the right to represent yourself anyway you decide. You also missed the point that as a community we are also guilty of exploiting our own folks when given the opportunity.
I can have all the self worth I want but I would be pretty naive to think that how I am perceived culturally would not have any bearing on how I can successfully negotiate a mainstream environment. I admire your self-confidence. Thank you for reading and sharing your views on this topic.
I know this is not going to be popular on this thread, but it does need to be pointed out. While the story you described above happened to be a weather related issue, the majority of ‘local’ news stories are crime related. Areas of high crime are typically populated with lower educated people. That goes for every race. Therefore, these reporters have a very limited selection of interviewees, and you get typical grammar associated with the demographic.
@Jason I think the point you are making is more of a misnomer. The expectation that somehow a lower economic level somehow translates into how educated or articulate someone can be is a common perception.
I like many of my friends grew up in the inner city and have taught many young people who also have come from areas where resources were not as abundant but they are still relatively intelligent and able to effectively express themselves.
Thank you for reading and sharing an alternative take on this topic!
As always Charles Easley has hit the nail right on the head. I often wondered why when news is reported in the African American neighborhood their pick of interviewees are always the one who don’t respresent African Americans as a whole. Then we take “stupid sayings, quotes” and we speak those words as if they are gospel truth. But I digress (misspelled) Charles Easley is a worth of knowledge and I’ve had the pleasure of working with him and he has left a lasting impression with me. I call him “E” because of my love for him and the work that he has done and the students that he has touched.
That was very well written. It is sad and embarrassing how the media exploits and makes a laughing speckle of minorities. I refuse to believe that when they picked out that one person, there was about 5 articulate people among them. I wish we as a race would stand up to the media. I have noticed while watching the news and a crime is being reported, I can tell instantly if the person is white. The media will be the first to post up a black person doing a crime, but for some reason you hardly see the picture of a white person. And don’t let me get on these so called Reality Shows, where they are paying black people to carry on like they never been any where. It’s just sad
@LisaGodsPsalmist Reid We know that we have folks like that in our family and communities and we have much love for them but it becomes problematic when that becomes the predominant characterization of an entire community. Thank you soul sister for your support, encouraging words and love…smile. Thank you for reading and sharing your views on this topic!
@La-Trenda A Gift You are right Diva there does seem to be an epidemic of folks being exploited whether that be minorities, southerners or whomever. You are also right that we must put the media outlets on notice that we are watching and monitoring their portrayal of certain communities. Thank you for reading and sharing your perspective on this topic!