A Vision in BLACK
“We declare our right on this earth…to be a human being, to be respected as a human being, to be given the rights of a human being in this society, on this Earth, in this day, which we intend to bring into existence BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY.”
Malcolm X
This may seem a bit capricious when compared to how I usually write, however its quite the contrary. A quiet storm has been on the horizon for a few years…its just that I do not talk nor write about the trouble on my mind very often. This is a message to the BLACK journalist, about how and why we are essential to the media.
‘Sheed and AG at their best in North Philadelphia
I am not going to give the negativity within the media against black people in America any love or support by mentioning them. If you have been paying attention you would know exactly who and what I’m trying not to talk about.
Nevertheless my problem is based upon the fact that as a sports correspondent, why is it that people such as Michael Tillery (owner and operator of this site) and I are frozen out of major publications and websites? I have had the liberty of working along side Tillery during the 2nd half of the past NBA season and we make a great team.
There are 2 reasons why I believe this to be true.
1. We actually do our job as writers. You should hear some of the dumb questions we hear from other reporters…meaning before we arrive at the arena, we have researched games, stats, lifestyle, and upbringing of the players, making for great question and answer sessions.
2. He and I are both black men. This fact is important because ALL the top athletes in the NBA are also black. Let’s see Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, LeBron James, Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, shall I go on? Rasheed Wallace, Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, Gilbert Arenas, Caron Butler, Brandon Roy, Andre Miller, Allen Iverson, Baron Davis, Michael Beasley, and many more.
The fact that I used to play basketball growing up in Philadelphia, gives me an edge twofold: not only do I understand the game from both guard positions, but I also grew up playing with and against Kobe Bryant, Rip Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace, Marc Jackson, Eddie Jones, Aaron McKie, Rick Brunson, Ashley Howard, Alvin Williams, Cuttino Mobley, Mike Tabb, Jason Lawson, Tyrone Weeks, Jeffrey Myers, Rasual Butler, Kyle Morris, Michael Jordan (University of Pennsylvania), Arthur “Yah” Davis, Marvin O’Connor, Lynn Greer, and 10,000 other people you don’t know.
The other side of my acumen is that since I am a black male, the players and I understand one another before I even walk over to their locker. Yes I always come correct to the games…as I’m the one usually dressed in something fly from Brooks Brothers, and that is because I respect the game, the players, and myself. When people see me, they are looking at the dedication of my mother and father. I represent the Gilbert family everywhere I go, especially at work. During the NBA pre-season I buy new suits and ties for the upcoming year. Not too get too far off the subject, but if I don’t know the person I am interviewing, and I usually do…said player welcomes me because we have the same face, and the more than likely the same life experiences.
How many white reporters have had the luxury of driving while black?
Oh okay, that’s what I figured. And how many of them REALLY understand the power of the movie Hoop Dreams? I am sick of begging to eat at their lunch counter for their crumbs. It is now time that we have to do the things that we did as a people during the days of Jim Crow…and start our own media outlets, restaurants, hotels, banks, and the like. The only good thing about segregation is that it made our people self-sufficient and independent.
Now its time to get back to those basics and do things for us, by us. This is why I am thankful for a site such as the Starting Five, because I can log on and tell our story without the glass ceiling and excuses.
I have recently taken a page out of the Michael Tillery book and I started my own little piece of the Internet. I have a blog that coincides with my sports brief for BET News. My logic is, if we do not write about our people and happenings, then we cannot be too upset when things get lost in translation.
On Monday, June 30, 2008, Michael and I ventured to New York City to cover the Nike Team USA Men’s Basketball presentation. The best feeling aside from the great interviews, was the fact that he and I were working with our respective assignments, as well as for The Starting Five…yes…we won the battle that day, but not the war.
Peace.
Sphere: Related Content
July 16th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
You’re absolutely right on both points, and I very much agree that given the circumstances, it’s essential that people with your qualifications create their own outlets and venues. The one thing you don’t address directly is that ultimately, if you want to be accepted into the corporate media, you have to be willing to play by their rules. That’s true for anyone, whatever race you are, and whatever field your work is in. Political reporters face the same constraints, which is why you have to look outside the corporate media to find true investigative journalism and truth-telling. Musicians and artists and other performers face similar problems - if you want to do things your own way and have control of your creations, you have to find alternative ways to reach the public. That’s just the state of the nation at this point.
Knowing this, each person has to decide whether it’s worth making compromises to become part of the corporate media and reap the benefits that come with that. As a musician, I decided a long time ago not to try to make a living at it. That limits my opportunities, but means I don’t have to do anything I don’t want to, or change what I do to appease corporate masters. In the end, knowing I’ve been true to myself is a greater reward than wealth and fame at the cost of betraying my own integrity.
It means a lot to me that I can come to this site for a solid dose of honest reporting and commentary when most sports “journalism” is so blatantly biased and driven by corporate agendas.
One good thing, especially with the quick and easy connections of the Internet, is that the kind of solid, straightforward, heartfelt work you do is likely to be noticed, and will have an impact on the corporate media as well. Modi’s piece about ESPN on SOMM today mentions several statements by ESPN journalists that I doubt would have been made if people like you hadn’t kept hammering away at their biases. Keep it up!
July 16th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
Hal,
Thank you as I am honored that you took the time to write your thoughts and advice here on the site. You have great insight and we need more readers like you to keep us on our toes as well.
Much respect.
July 17th, 2008 at 1:36 am
The beauty of the internet is that it equals the playing field for foot soldiers like yourselves. I am going to challenge TSF to consider the next step in your journalism journey… that is building a electronic empire utilizing the internet.
By that I mean, getting your own server and the technology to protect it. Your own studio to create your own radio/T.V. broadcasting, utilizing the internet. ( I am in the begining stages of planning an internet radio prescence).
Soooo many people in the NAU would gravitate to that. Sooo many young people would be inspired by that.
July 17th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Good work AG. How are we going to make this happen?
July 17th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Thank you CC. I feel that the best way to go about making things work for us as journalist and as a people is to continue to dig deep within ourselves and provide a way for us first, and then we can explore the possibility of assisting others.
This site and our respective blogs are the first example of how we keep everyone in check when it comes to news about us. There are MANY eyes reading The Starting Five and we have to continue to fight the good fight.
Possibly The Starting Five could turn into an international magazine that would KILL and DESTROY the competition, because it would be stories about us, written by us. By the time you read the cover story on Kobe Bryant, you would feel like you know that brother at the conclusion.
This is journalism and these are our stories.
The black race can’t afford a lot of the media outlets anymore. They do us all, both black and non black a disservice.
July 17th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
AXG, I’ve spoken to Mizzo about this, there is a Black owned radio station 900 WURD, I know that you’ve heard of them. There is always an opening for airtime, TSF collectively needs to get this thing moving, not only for the sports aspect of it but to show others that this can be done.
WIP has two Black radio hosts; Sonny Hill on Sundays and Gary Cobb late nights.
Sonny has a huge following and his Sunday morning show has become a fixture on that station. And it may work best with his schedule. G Cobb is an ex-athlete who has great knowledge of sports and produces some thought-provoking stuff but he’s on from like 11pm to 2am maybe 2 nights a week.
If we get our resources and some sponsors at our back we can set a new standard in this game.
July 17th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
OWNER and OPERATOR
OWNER and OWNER and OWNER.
Own it - make it major - then wonder about nothing except your victories in capturing hearts and minds in the public.
July 17th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
You said it all - I’m glad to hear you all taking this approach. There is no question that if you’re better than your competition and just as ruthless, you’ll do just fine…but don’t forget the second part because this isn’t all about merit.
Tigers have teeth for a reason.
July 17th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Thebrotherreport yes I am very familiar with WURD, and I welcome that idea. Perhaps from there a magazine could follow? I recall Mizzo talking to me about getting on the air. The biggest thing is sponsorship. In my world, I’m sure I could get ad dollars, however we would have to stick to the script of sports and nothing else. Like Malcolm X said, if you have people’s money, then you also get their ideas and advice.
Nevertheless, you can count me in on that.
Temple3 thank you for the support. And I need to work on my snarl and bite, because I’m good at what I do, and I’m tired of sitting on the bench not being able to participate in the games, so I need to tap into my inner Tiger and get aggressive.
To an extent, that is what the above post is about. I just had to get it off my chest, because I’m unhappy about the excuses and disrespect.
I am going to continue to write here and on my blog, and I know that my/our voice is heard, its just that the powers that be are not telling us that we are on their radar. But I know WE are. I can feel it every time I go to cover a sporting event.
July 17th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
You get props over here!
July 17th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Yeah, Sun. I feel you.
Psychological Warfare 101…Non-acknowledgment sows the seeds of doubts in the enemy. If “he” doesn’t SEE me, am I really here?
Of course you are. And, of course they see. How do you think they find their way around in the dark? LOL.
July 18th, 2008 at 11:54 am
Powerful stuff, AG. Keep doing you because there isn’t anybody out there who can hold down true talent and a focused mind. From my conversations with MTill, I know he has only the best at TSF. Keep talking, keep working, keep pushing. The world hears you! It needs you, too.
July 18th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Wow Holly, thank you. I always say whenever someone interviews me that no one works harder than I. Because I believe that there are no free rides on the road to victory!
Dedication + Hard work = AG.