MSM presents countless Catholics/experts on Catholic Church to assist in coverage of Pope's visit

[EffieBlack]

Yet when it comes to covering the black church, any old commentator will do, whether they know anything about the black church tradition or not.

It was nauseating to watch the likes of Pat Buchanan, Tucker Carlson, and Chris Matthews - most of whom had probably never even set foot inside a black church, much less had any knowledge about it - judging, pontificating and lecturing about whether various aspects of black churches were racist, were mainstream, were "acceptable," etc. In the vast majority of that coverage, the media never bothered to include any black analysts at all and even more rarely included any experts on the black church tradition. Yet they thought it perfectly fine to analyze aspects of black worship and the black church with great authority. How many times did they ask each other, "Why didn't he just get up and leave?" That question could have easily been directed to - and answered by - someone who actually understood the role of the black church in the black community, but they didn't waste their time asking anyone who really knew the answer. Instead, they continually propped up a plethora of ignorant, white talking heads to babble on endlessly about a subject they knew nothing about - but felt perfectly entitled to discuss.

On the other hand, now that the Pope is in America, the media has produced a parade of Catholic Church experts, priests, scholars, and lay Catholics to help them ensure that their coverage is meaningful and knowledgeable. I don't criticize them for this - I believe this is the APPROPRIATE way to cover such topics.

I find it very interesting that the media still displays such arrogance, bias and entitlement when it comes to coverage of African Americans, especially since, as the coverage of the Pope's visit makes clear, they certainly know better and do better when they take the time to do so.

[wndycty]

1. Very valid point

:kick:

[NDambi]

2. Ooooo don't even get me started on the Catholic church and the Pope..it won't be good

[still_one]

3. What will be interesting is if the Catholics vote for mccain who has accepted the support of hagee

an extremely anti-Catholic preacher. They had better wise up for the general election, and vote Democratic

[EffieBlack]

7. Hagee? Who's Hagee? I've never heard of him.

:sarcasm:

[CoffeeCat]

4. Sally Quinn...

...was on MSNBC, and she is an uber-Catholic. She talked as if she was a Catholic Scholar, very
well educated about the church.

There's nothing wrong with that. I just thought it was interesting.

I'm sure Sally and Cokie are the bestist of friends. Isn't Cokie an Opus Dei member?

[EffieBlack]

6. Right - there's nothing wrong with that. It's appropriate

Too bad they didn't bother to show the same concern for presenting knowledgeable coverage when it comes to other groups in America.

Frankly, I am sick and tired of watching white people sitting around talking about black people on television.

[CoffeeCat]

8. I understand your point and I agree...

If the MSM can find loads of Catholics to discuss Catholic events and news, surely they
can exert the same amount of energy to coalesce a group of African Americans who can speak
directly about their issues.

That's a really good point.

If you think about it...it would be very odd to have a Lutheran, a Buddhist and an atheist reporting
on the two-day Popeapalooza we're seeing in the news today.

[EffieBlack]

11. Exactly! But they think nothing of having panel after panel of white people

reporting on and dissecting the black church, black voters, black issues, etc.

[goclark]

5. Air America: Did you here the man who said HC was going to see the Pope?

It was very strange.
Some "reporter" claimed he heard HC say after the debate that she was going to DC to see the Pope today.
Then he claims she said some mean comments about the Pople. :crazy:

[Arugula Latte]

9. Yep. Apparently criticizing U.S. treatment of the poor = not okay. Systemic child rape = okay.

[EffieBlack]

12. Apparently

[ShortnFiery]

10. I'm a liberal practicing Catholic and I'm not watching this ...

All I can say is "Thank Heavens that Barack Obama is not a Catholic."

The week before the 2004 Presidential Election our "illustrious" Bishop sent a *guidance letter* to Catholics that was passed out at all their subordinate Parish's Masses. :wow: That's when I left the Parish and choose to drive eight miles to a MUCH MORE Liberal Parish.

The People of our Church emphasize helping those who are poor and disenfranchised.

It's wrong for me to be self-righteous, but I remain a Catholic because I love the faith and the people within my Parish (Pax Christi, Hospice and Food Banking) but our Priests are so intimidated that they don't dare preach "social responsibility."

Bless the good Ministers/Priests who demonstrate the moral courage and have supporting members who empowered them in their preaching of "The Social Gospel."

And no, we've had some SINNING Popes over the years. Let's just say, IMO, I regret that Pope Benedict is not one of our best representatives.

On Edit: FWIW I've notice a large number of Latinos (up to 25-30%) but only between 6-12 African Americans at our big Masses of about 250-300 worshipers. :shrug:

[kwassa]

14. Certain areas of the country have concentrations of African-American Catholics

the two largest areas being the Baltimore, Maryland area, and in Louisiana, because they were both originally areas settled by Catholics.

[ShortnFiery]

16. Thanks for helping to make me smart kwassa

:thumbsup: :hi:

[SoxFan]

18. A few pockets in New England

We've had an influx of immigrants from Haiti and equitorial Africa. Here in Manchester, the diocese has actually established an African Apostolate to reach out to the growing African Catholic community. My parish has an African mass on a regular basis.

[kwassa]

19. My Episcopal church has a large contigent of Liberians

Immigration has changed the face of the Episcopal church here in the DC area, and we get immigrants from former English colonies that had Anglican churches, so we get many from Africa and the Caribbean.

[Bonobo]

13. Effie, I honestly don't know how you do it.

People are SO blind to the double standards that they engage in EVERY SINGLE HOUR OF EVERY SINGLE DAY.

I am ashamed of the racism on this board and in this country.

Sometimes you must get tired. It's got to feel like a sysyphean struggle sometimes.

I hope you know how many people want change.

I think the tide is turning.

[EffieBlack]

17. It IS frustrating, isn't it?

But all we can do is just keep on trying . . .

[kwassa]

15. Excellent point, Effie!

The day Pat Buchanan pontificates on racism is the day we've stepped into the Twilight Zone.

It is entirely hypocritical, of course.