Kurtz: Can African-American women objectively cover Michelle Obama?
Kurtz: Can African-American women objectively cover Michelle Obama?
In his column today, Washington Post media reporter Howard Kurtz devotes his column today to the question of: “Does Race Play a Role in Coverage?” He readily admits that “no one raises questions when an Irish American male reporter covers a pol named Murphy,” but that doesn’t stop him from writing a 1,600-word article raising questions about black women:
Rachel Swarns of the New York Times and The Washington Post’s Robin Givhan were among those herded behind the rope Monday. They and the other main beat reporters — Newsweek’s Allison Samuels, Darlene Superville of the Associated Press and Politico’s Nia-Malika Henderson — have something in common: They are all African American women. [...]
Whether racial and gender identification produces a gauzier, more favorable portrayal of Obama is perhaps too early to judge.
As Adam Serwer observed, “You would never ever see a media critic like Kurtz questioning the ability of white men to cover other white men objectively, or for that matter the ability of white men to cover women or people of color, despite the fact that if newsroom coverage were to be affected, it would be by the prevailing cultural biases of the better represented population in the newsroom.”
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Well, of course! She’s a (**whispered**) NEGRO….
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:32 pmKurtz: Can African-American women objectively cover Michelle Obama?
– - Probably better than white males of European ancestry “objectively” covered George Bush.
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:33 pmI wonder….did Jeff Gannon objectively cover George Bush? Does the Fixed “News” Channel know the definition of the phrase objective reporting?
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:37 pmWow.
Mr Kurtz, it’s time for you to explore other career opportunities.
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:37 pmMaybe he’s got something there, the white majority media let those two crooks Bush and Cheney slide on all kinds of crimes. Maybe that’s just because they’re all white. /eyeroll
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:38 pmKurtz is probably white, how can we expect a Supreme Court so heavily weighted with white men to provide justice for the rest of us.
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:39 pmRUCeriousMaggot! Says:
Well, of course! She’s a (**whispered**) NEGRO….
– - That’s a fine Mortimer Duke impersonation.
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:39 pmI have a hard time understanding the point of Kurtz. Granted, I did not read his 1,600 word statement. His point seems to be that blacks are uniquely unqualified to question other blacks. There is a word for that. Racist.
Bush used to require a ticket to get into his events. Where was Kurtz back then? Using his ticket?
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:39 pmHmmmm, let’s ask Chuck Todd.
He seemed determined to try & lay a minefield for President Obama with hypothetical questions about shit that hasn’t happened. Our President shut him down.
…then he asked again.
…then our President shut him down. Again.
I don’t think white people are SMART enough to question the First Man or First Lady.
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:42 pmZimzone,
Obama’s slapdown of Chuck Todd was priceless. :D
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:43 pmGod DAMN!!!!! I’m so bloody SICK of these freaking racist MORONS that I could spit nails!!!
SHUT UP!!! SHUT UP!!! SHUT UP!!!
Sorry for the rant, but my God, this never-ending torrent of uglystoopid is stepping on my last nerve.
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:44 pmLeftside Annie,
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:50 pmMay I suggest NOT holding it in, and letting it all out.
Tell us how you really feel.
This one is really over-the-top. But it’s an important post because:
1. Washington Post has any number of other scandals going, including a cash-for-access scheme.
2. Traditional print new sources continue to hemorrhage readers. While the mainstream media would have you believe its because of “unfair” competition from the Internet, the fact is that most papers are nothing more than propaganda rags that no longer reflect the majority views and opinions of their communities.
Next time you hear someone lament the decline of newspapers, remember the way they covered 2 stolen presidential elections (never questioning the validity of outcomes), WMD in Iraq, connections between 9/11 and Saddam (folks, it was an INSIDE JOB!), and be sure to add this to your list.
There is no reason anyone should buy the crap published by this company.
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:51 pmUGLYSTOOPID!! Ya oughta trademark that Annie!!
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:51 pmFor conservatives, race is always an issue when it comes to “those people” attempting to be “like us.” These are small minded bigoted people who long for “the good ol’ days of unquestioned obedience to white males by people of color, anyone under 30 and women. They don’t miss the past so much as they miss the power structure which favored them all the time.
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:51 pmBadmoodman, you ain’t heard my ‘Roxanne’ screech yet…
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:51 pmHe doesn’t go to BlackAmericaWeb,TheFieldNegro or other black progressive blogs if he thinks black writers give the Obamas a pass on everything. I just hate it when people make statements like these before they do a little research.
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:53 pmI guess I shouldn’t get too upset about Mr. Kurtz’ statements. I’ve long been thought to not be like other Americans because my skin contains more melanin than his does, and at my age, I’ve just about seen, hear, or read nearly all of it. For a nationally known writer, Mr. Kurtz’ level of ignorance is not necessarily astounding. He is the result of his upbringing, his friends, colleagues, associates, and his ingrained fear of others who don’t look like him.
Interesting enough, even though I cried when he was elected (because I truly believed I would never witness an African American become president in my lifetime), ever since then, I really don’t pay attention to his skin color, nor his wife’s, nor his children.
Just like I didn’t pay attention to any of the previous President’s skin pigmentation.
That’s just the Progressive in me, I guess.
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:55 pmShorter Klutz:
All them black wimmin should be home, barefoot and pregnant, cookin up some grits and collards…
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:55 pmDo stupid reporters give rosier coverage to stupid people? Check out Fox News’ reporting on Republicans and decide for yourself.
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:57 pmSigh. He readily admits his own racist remark, but it didn’t stop him from digging the hole deeper.
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:58 pmIs Kurtz just dumber then shit or is he playing someone dumber then shit???
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:58 pmI guess I’m going to have to read Kurtz’s article, just to find out what conclusions he comes to, especially in the light of the admission that no one questions “when an Irish American male reporter covers a pol named Murphy.” So how does one squeeze off 1600 words about unobjective reporting after making that concession? First, though, I’ve got to watch my dog take a dump. There are priorities in the world, and the dog’s dump is undoubtedly far more honest.
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:02 pmThe Righties believe Obama won the Presidency because he is black (voted in by all those ungratful minorities!), and that he & Mrs. Obama received their Harvard degrees and brilliant careers due to Affirmative Action…paid for by God Fearing White People!
Which is one reason Righties cannot understand Liberal dislike of Justice Thomas or Steele: I mean, they are black aren’t they? What more do we want?
Its True Stupid mixed with True Bigotry.
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:03 pmHelga – he and the rest of the people that work there are just playing victim, proclaiming the rest of America should take responsibility for what they do and say, but not them nor the political leaders they support.
Unfortunately, while it seems dumb, nothing happens over there without the writers and editors having a pretty clear idea of what they are doing.
It has nothing to do with serving the needs of the public nor presenting unbiased information about what is happening in Washington.
It is all about appealing to their “base” supporters and “catapulting the propaganda”.
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:03 pmthey fired Froomkin, and yet still pay this POS
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:05 pmgummble-bee-itch Says:
First, though, I’ve got to watch my dog take a dump. There are priorities in the world, and the dog’s dump is undoubtedly far more honest.
And, dare I say, more interesting?
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:05 pmWhat some fail to realize is that if you publish a bunch of racist wingnut crap in a predominantly African-American city, you have just created an advertising vehicle that much of corporate America will underwrite.
We have seen this happening in virtually all major US cities – been going on for many years, gets progressively worse each year, and is now starting to push this business model beyond its ability to support itself with the profits that media moguls have come to expect (actually feel entitled to).
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:05 pm“…I’ve got to watch my dog take a dump…”
And it smells better, and is easier to clean up.
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:07 pm“Kurtz: Can African-American women objectively cover Michelle Obama?”
Good lord, who is this clown? Seriously, the Washington Post newspaper is really going down to tubes in real journalism: First, the firing of Dan Froomkin, the hiring of clowns and non-journalists for opinions like Kristol and Wolfowitz, and now Kurtz’s retarded column ‘Does Race Play a Role in Coverage.’ Might as well as rename Washington Post to Fox News Post. Man, it’s been 6 months since the first bi-racial President took office and the wingnuts are still clinging on to their pearls and blankies and still don’t know how to deal with Obama.
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:07 pmOn the heels of the story of the WaPo selling access to the Obama admin, congressional leaders and it’s own editorial staff — combined with their wholesale sellout to the neo-cons and firing of Dan Froomkin — who in their right mind believes the Washington Post is any longer a trusted source of unbiased and unvarnished news?
Just saying . . .
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:08 pmI would imagine the eyes of African-American journalists everywhere are rolling bigtime at Kurtz’s 1,600 word article. And then a chorus of heavy sighs because too many of them have had to put up with crap like this for too long.
For generations, white people have questioned the ability of black people to do pretty much ANYTHING, including the ability to be objective. And then they’re so AMAZED when they find black people can do everything white people can.
Patronizing? Blatantly so. Racist? Yup — anybody who can’t see how this is a put-down based on race is embarrassingly dense.
Yes, an African-American woman may bring the richness of her life experience to her job — much in the same way Sonia Sotomayor brings the richness of her life experience to hers. But while Michelle Obama is very definitely an African-American woman, that’s not all she is — it’s just one of the many things that make her who she is. And the same thing can be said about the African-American women who report on her.
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:10 pmI guess Howard Kurtz can never cover Israel or Lieberman or any other Jewish politician by this twisted logic
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:11 pmI always thought it was possible to judge the quality of reportage by seeing if their statements were supported with facts. I can handle biased arguments if I can confront the facts they present. The problem is, too few reporters bother citing facts anymore.
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:11 pmOT, but funny as hell and perhaps foreshadowing what will happen next in South Carolina. Jenny Sanford just released her first statement since her husband’s press conference where he says he had more chicks – it includes these choice morsels:
Full statement HERE
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:13 pmI am not predicting, exactly, but I imagine that when all these ‘dead tree’ papers go defunct, the presses & buildings (those that aren’t sold to poorer countries in South America & Africa) will be purchased by “poor” people here, not only minorities, but possibly a large percentage will go to under-represented groups. And established Blogs may take over some of them.
I believe there is an important role for traditional newspapers, but they have to be GOOD; or at least interesting, like the supermarket tabloids! I don’t think the medium is failing so much as drastically changing – a good example of “Evolution in Action” or “Survival of Those Best Able to Adapt” (not “the fittest). There is so much power in the printed word.
Kurtz and Kristol and their employers are unable to adapt, and are in the process of being left behind. Way Behind.
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:17 pmkrazeeinjun Says:
——————————————————————————–
On the heels of the story of the WaPo selling access to the Obama admin, congressional leaders and it’s own editorial staff
Thanks for the reminder. Forgot to add that bit of news. “Selling access.” In other words, pay-to-play scheme. This is no different from former Guv. and impeached Rod Blagojevich scandal. Just think, Washington Post was put on the map as a reputable newspaper for honest reporting when they covered the Watergate scandal and the true ID of the Mark Felt as Deep Throat. And now, Washington Post is no different from Fox News except for the owners.
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:17 pmgummble-bee-itch Says: First, though, I’ve got to watch my dog take a dump.
Tweet a pic to Howie Kurtz and maybe he can use it for his next column!
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:17 pmThis is a really important burning issue that deserves publicity. NOT!
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:18 pmpags2
Not sure if your remark is about how foolish it is for kurtz to use this as a topic or TP for posting it.
By itself, it does fall into the “lying liar tells lies” that is neither newsworthy or even worth giving publicity to. What this writer says does not really matter and the paper itself is falling into obscurity (and perhaps eventually bankruptcy).
But that leads to next point – in context of larger issues many have brought into this thread, a dialog about the dysfunctional mainstream media, especially today’s newspapers, is probably a worthy topic.
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:25 pmCParis Says:
gummble-bee-itch Says: First, though, I’ve got to watch my dog take a dump.
Tweet a pic to Howie Kurtz and maybe he can use it for his next column!
The dog disappointed, but we had to swing by the swimming pool on the way to pay the rent. There definitely are some advantages to a hot day.
Now I suppose I have to read Kurtz in penance for my evil thoughts.
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:26 pmRemember – washpo exists to sell advertisements, largely to corporate America.
Is anyone really surprised that they consistently create a vehicle that goes against best-interests of the majority of folks in Washington?
It actually tells you more about the group of people washington posts advertisers want to reach and are willing to spend the big bucks for.
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:29 pmKutz’s article was intended to bait people into a discussion and he could espouse his views. The article should be ignored and TP should never have wasted the space and bandwidth to keep discussing the the same issue as the Sotomayor nomination.
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:37 pmN1ggers stick together
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:40 pmpags2 – I do see your point and often feel the same about some of the threads. There are other issues that fly under the radar.
IMHO, TP has gotten better at focusing on topics that actually should matter, but that is a very “controversial” stand to take here.
I share your concerns.
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:45 pm…
the southern strategy.
…
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:45 pmIs this the Howard Kurtz from the same Washington Post that is selling access to journalists and Administration officials to lobbyists?
RED ALERT: MAJOR CREDIBILITY PROBLEM HERE!!!
Howard Kurtz has come out of the racist closet…who knew?
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:46 pmI just flagged the putrid racist too. We all should. Its #45
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:56 pmKurtz is a putz.
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:59 pmIn his own way, #45 repiggie tells us the true nature of white southern repiggie thoughts on racism today.
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:59 pmWould Kurtz level a similar criticism at FoxNews in its coverage of old conservative white guys, considering that Rupert Murdoch is such a creature?
July 2nd, 2009 at 5:01 pmflagged #45
July 2nd, 2009 at 5:01 pm…
is howard kurtz
the young republican?
:::
July 2nd, 2009 at 5:11 pmFlagged at 45.
As a ‘Nam Vet, I’d prefer fragging, but I can’t throw that far anymore.
July 2nd, 2009 at 5:12 pm…
howard “randolph” kurtz?
or
howard “mortimer” kurtz?
…
you decide.
:)
July 2nd, 2009 at 5:24 pmCan Kurtz objectively cover pasty white men?
This is racist, plain and simple.
July 2nd, 2009 at 5:25 pmWhether or not Kurtz thinks he is a racist, his subconscious is doing the talking.
July 2nd, 2009 at 6:12 pmCan Jewish Americans cover Israel?
July 2nd, 2009 at 6:38 pmHoward, then let us hope they do a better job than you do on reporting on while males. I will have to reread every comment you made on whit males and subject the remarks to the sniff test since you have made it so clear that being form a certain group makes one suspect in objectively covering that same group in news items. I guess I can notice your constant slant when covering that segment of the population! Shame on me, I had assumed that journalists had been trained to be objective. Obviously, you statements make that assumption untenable. See Mr. Kurtz, you have to live or die by the absurd statements you make. So please, desist on commenting on whilte male adults from now on!
July 2nd, 2009 at 6:51 pmGwen Ifill did interview Condi Rice. And I don’t remember Kurtz or anyone else criticizing. And the two were friends and socialized together! I don’t believe they disclosed that before the interview.
IOKIYAR
July 2nd, 2009 at 8:33 pmFlagged 45.
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:33 pmOperation FnF in full effect.
I read the article and I think this headline on this post is totally missing what Mr Kurtz is saying. I am not apologist for him but I think of lot of you have not read his article.
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:55 pm.
Q U E S T I O N:
Is Kurtz suggesting that Black women can’t be journalists…
… Or is he saying that women can’t?
Because we all know, race has nothing to do with one’s capability…
… Unless you’re a racist who believes in the notion that Anglos are the superior race that trumps all others.
His statement can be taken both as sexist AND racist!
… Maybe he’s both?
.
July 3rd, 2009 at 1:19 am“Gauzier”?
July 3rd, 2009 at 11:18 amIs Howie Kurtz Jewish? If so, how does this affect his reporting?
July 3rd, 2009 at 3:09 pmWho really gives a s&$t about Michelle Obama, just another free loader like her husband.
July 3rd, 2009 at 7:01 pmThe liberal elite press is racist? Who knew?
July 4th, 2009 at 1:51 pmdrew3rd Says:
Kurtz is somehow part of a liberal press? My GOD you are stupid
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July 5th, 2009 at 11:23 am