It isn’t easy to make black reporters mad, especially when you’re the first half-white man to be elected president and these same reporters were instrumental in getting you there. But Barack Obama managed to piss them off anyway… naturally.
After the first black president completed his first prime-time press conference, the black press was red hot.
“We were window dressing,” said Hazel Edney, a reporter with the National Newspaper Publishers Association, also known as the Black Press of America. “We were nothing more than window dressing.”As the media filed into the stately White House East Room on Monday night, the reporter was shocked to find herself in the front row. Alongside her were the top news agencies, Associated Press, Reuters; also up front, 86-year-old Helen Thomas, who started covering presidents 50 years ago.
Alongside the most prominent journalists in America was Tiffany Cross from Black Entertainment Television. Like Miss Edney, she didn’t know why she was in first-class while all the television networks - every single one - was exiled to the steerage compartment.
“I really don’t know why I’m up here,” Miss Cross said with a shy smile.
While most on the front row got to pose a question to President Obama, the two reporters from the black press did not. Nor did any other black-press reporter, for that matter.
“This was like Reagan, when he’d put all the blacks up front,” said another prominent but visibly peeved black-press reporter who asked to remain anonymous. “He ought’a be ashamed.” [LINK]
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Where’s the footage so I can judge for myself Sandra
“None of it mattered, though, because Mr. Obama called reporters from a list on the podium, and reporters buzzed afterward about how he didn’t seem to know a single reporter he called on - at least in the front row.”
This leads me to believe he did call on those in the front row but didn’t know their names. Which takes me to the point that with over 166 journalist in the room would you know everyone’s name?
“While Mr. Obama didn’t call on Mr. Schultz in the front row, he did skip giant national newspapers like USA Today and The Wall Street Journal in favor of the Huffington Post, which didn’t disappoint.”
He also skipped a couple of Whites too, should they be angry….I’m just saying.
ho hum….SMH…*sigh*
Roland Martin and other black journalist have been on this topic for about a month now. Where are the blacks in the press pool. Roland was quick to note he asked the same question under Clinton and W. Roland discussed this again this am at the end of his commentary on Tom Joyner. Since Roland asked the question of the other former President I feel he has a valid point. Gwen Ifill also commented on this a few weeks ago she said she didn’t think Pres. Barack would be the vessel to bring about diversity in the press pool although she felt it’s something he would like to see happen.
Hmmm… Crabs in a barrel. Can’t just be thankful. Would they have been able to ask a question if they had been in the back?
Actaully I watched a little of it and he did call on Black reporters…one of which asked the dummest question…what does he think about A-Rod admitting to using steriods. They were talking about the economy, and you would ask a question like that? Who cares?!
I meant “actually”..sorry!
Wow, the comments are on this one. I’m so over our first African-American President. Let him get his feet wet. Besides, there isn’t a single democrat or republican that can change the course of this country. They are simply puppets. At least I knew this much before casting my vote
I watched last night and two black reporters were called on. One male black,from the Washington Post (I think), he asked the A-Rod question, the other black female not sure where she was from.
D.a.m.n leave up to sandra barack cant do ish right… who f’kin cares, Im more concern about my dang on stimulus check… are we not in a recession we have way more ish thats way more important then barack not calling out alot black journalists…
Ok…
A BET reporter? Please! they lucky they got invited in the first place.
I agree! Sandra, where did you get this from?
I love it I think this is so much fun, because though I voted for Obama like a lot of other people. I knew exactly why I was voting for him and that was because he is Black and couldn’t be worst than Bush or Cheney Period. Other Black folks like to lie to themselves, so they thought they where electing some conscious Brother, lol, and now they expect so much.
The reason why I say this is interesting is because I always say Black people are emotional and don’t think, and that goes with this case, if you voted for him for any other reason then he is Black as ironic as that might sound, you’re not thinking. He’s a strategic politician at the end of the day. He would go against Michelle, for his career so why would I trust him as being more than a politician?
Tghank You Ashunti … the press conference was about the economy .. and what does the Black Male reporter asked.. about BiRacial (since Sandra likes that term) A-Rod steroid use …. maybe when i get some loot I’ll invest in the steroid buisness .. is it listed on Nasdaq ? ?
Why are people expecting “immediate results” damn..Lord..this world don’t end..
Luv ya Auntie, but have you ever in your life seen a statue of a CRITIC?
(re: your Bailout post, which naturally have comments off)
Sandra is insane with all the Obama post. WTF is going on..she is obsessed. Its so sad to see her so bitter. Bless your heart baby…
I voted for him because Im a democrat.. I don’t give a **** if he was green. I don’t agree with the republican ideals so I voted democrat along with many others. People like to make it out to be a race thing..how long have black folks voted democrat???…since forever so why change your political party now?? I voted Obama bc im a democrat bottom line
don’t bless Sandra’s heart nolachic…it’s a waste of time. save those blessings for people who really need them will appreciate them.
I guess ur right..she is really starting to scare me…bummer!
Dayum Michelle collar bone looks kinda outta place on that picture above where the comments are off…..that looks like some “BELOVED” shyt right there. Sandra did you photo SHOP!?
The A rod question stood out and has been played over and over again today. Everybody else asked about the econonmy or war. Also just because a journlist works for BET doesn’t mean they aren’t smart enough to be at the table. The BET analyst or what have you also have other jobs. I don’t look to BET for my news but I do support Jeff Johnsons show and the analyst he has on.
When did Pres. Obama go against Michelle for his own career?
Obama doesn’t make the seating plans for press conderences.
They could have offered to switch seats with another correspondent if it bunched up their panties that much.fecktards
i like that KaraZ…”fecktards”. that’s my new word for the day.
as far as this ruckus about seats and who got called on/who didn’t: being a Black man, Obama knows he will never satisfy all people, all the time so he just does what needs to do to get the job done. that’s one of the many things i admire about him.
Obama better make sure dinner is ready to night when I get home. And he better be done working on my taxes!
lol dang u got obama doing your taxes
@ intown51
he already called me and said the roast chicken and wild rice w/asparagus will be ready by 6:30p…and he did submitted my taxes electronically AFTER he finished the laundry, dropped the kids off at school and washed the dog.
lol
*singing* You can’t win, chile and you can’t break even and you can’t get out of the game.
Why are Black people so high maintenance? He more than answered the questions, he over answered, it was an hour which is usually a 20 minute conference. So what if you sat in the front, isn’t that what our people fought for,lol! Geez…and its only been 3 weeks.
You’re not one for gossip and if you find out you have said something unture you retract. You have several articles on President Obama including this one that needs correcting. He did indeed call on several black people just not Roland Martin. He is starting to get the Tavis Smiley Syndrome.
Rland Martin is getting the Tavis Smiley Syndrome.
Okay so I have not tuned in all day which is a stretch for me, then log on to a page of Obama. I just wanna know what is the motivation here? Say you convert some weak minded individual to believe YOUR thoughts, then what? ……Right, nothing. My thing is why wasnt mofo’s out reporting and covering and talking bout Bush stank, trifling arse when he was running all ova the country! Why is it we still continue to to jump up and down when a black man is downed in the media period? That shiet aint a joyous occasion, they already far an few between. Let a man do something nice, be successful, accomplish something no one talks about it. Just like a friend told me a long time ago, people are miserable, and as old as the saying it still rings true. Yopu can call a mofo right now with some drama, and they will clear they other line within 2 seconds to hear that mess, call them and tell them you accomplished something, what you get? “Girl let me hit you right back” If we are supposed to be so “far” from 300 years ago (where some of yall claim Jeezy set us back with his lyrics or what not), show some praise to some men that are DOING something, give THIS man time to, and then all those with such a nasty taste in they mouf go anf find YASELF one!
Oh and by the way Dow Jones been tumbling, my 401K been gone getting chunked off. Thats what I call wasteful spending, when it comes outta my pocket, nevermind the fine print.
@Alove thats a bit of a stretch. Roland has been nothing but supportive of Pres Obama. Just because you ask a question or disagree with the President doesn’t mean you don’t support him. I am sure you wont agree with him or anybody for that matter 100% of the time. I still like Tavis although I don’t agree how he handled himself at times during the campaign. In the end I do believe he is about moving us forward as a race.
does anyone know the exact post aunty sandra fell out with barack? i have been searching and searching and in the beginning she seemed semi-favorable of our president. i just want to figure out what set her off. anybody know?
@ breonboyd
In what beginning? Sandra has always hated Obama as far as I remember.
tlenice Says:
Actaully I watched a little of it and he did call on Black reporters…one of which asked the dummest question…what does he think about A-Rod admitting to using steriods. They were talking about the economy, and you would ask a question like that? Who cares?!
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THANK YOU!! The mess folks love to start!! How could anyone have missed that stupid ass question?
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nolachic Says:
Sandra is insane with all the Obama post. WTF is going on..she is obsessed. Its so sad to see her so bitter. Bless your heart baby…
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Yes, she is. Now, this is actually what I am tired of reading about on here. It’s beginning to turn into an obsession. I didn’t join to read about how much President Obama is hated….and then have comments turned off. LOL Black folks, I tell ya. Bless her heart…..
What happened to JAM and his snorting of the back of public toilet seats?