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Program: "Curing the Superwoman Syndrome"
I enjoyed tonight's program. I'm writing to compliment the host, Natalie Bullock Brown, on her questions, poise and beauty. I genuinely appreciate the presence of an African American woman on television who has attractive natural hairstyles and seems so comfortable in the role she fills. Young Black women, especially, need to see that they don't have to have straight
hair and keen facial features (by any means necessary) to be beautiful. They could not have a better model of thoughtful, articulate discussion of important topics.
Paula Quick Hall
Program: Iraq: One Soldier's Story
Hi,
I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your show tonight. I felt far more connected with the war in Iraq than ever before. Sgt. McKoy's touching and candid comments are much appreciated — and his prayerful ways are inspiring. Susan Block, Wilmington
Program: When Crosses Burn
Viewer call June 13, 2005
I want to ask you why was there absolutely no mention of the fact that at one cross that was burning—at least at one—there were fliers which explained the reason for the burning of the crosses, and it had to do with the fact that the police had not yet eliminated our tremendous numbers of gangs, and the violence that the public experiences from these gangs, and that they experience between each other. There was no mention whatsoever of that. There’ve been a couple of letters to the newspaper which made that point too, and that occurred to me the very minute that people started expressing outrage over these symbols of hatred, (etc). Now, I agree that burning crosses is a stupid thing to do, but I believe that the people who did it did it for that precise reason, because they felt perhaps they could intimidate these gang members, because the police do not seem to be doing enough. Now, I think that point needs to be made and made very strongly by the media. And I just don’t get why these leaders don’t talk about this. Are they afraid to talk about it? What is the problem! It’s beyond me. I mean, (sigh). Well anyway, I know that the gangs are linked to the drug scene, and somehow I think that the leaders know some things we don’t know, and they have tremendous fear of saying anything that would disrupt all that. (Sigh) dear God. God does need to help us. We certainly need his help. Thank you.
General Comments:
As a member of UNC-TV I enjoy a lot of programming,and that includes BIF. I am a Caucasian transplant from the West coast and your program lets me know what is going on in the African American community. Keep up the great work; it allows us non-Blacks to have an appreciation of the many issues with which we all struggle in this great state, which could be so much more great. Thank you for helping me to understand.
Steve Breckenridge, Atlantic Beach
Just wanted to tell you that I watch your program every week now. At first I was a kittle mad that they put your program in place of the McLaughlin Group. But now I enjoy your program, although I often disagree with some of your guest's views. Keep up the good work.
John Modrak, Durham
Program: Randall Robinson
Your program Friday night was excellent. Randal seems to be one of the few who has not forgotten that,"The struggle goes on." He really enlighten me to a few things that I had forgotten.
Nuri Muhammad, Charlotte
Program: Reverend Al Sharpton
Thanks for the information on Al Sharpton. God willing I will watch your show Friday.Randall is one of my favorite. I saw him when he came to Charlotte maybe a year or two ago. Keep up the good work. I will tell people about your show. I have been watching PBS especially Friday night for many many years. It's my favorite night for TV. And now with your show, it's even better. If you are a Holloway from Durham I probably know some of your relatives. I used to hang with some Holloways during the late 60's. I graduated from NCCU in 1970.
Nuri Muhammad
Program: Landowner Options
I watched the program on land use last week and was amazed at the attitude of at least one of your panelists. Ms. Adams stated that she tells people not to go to mortgage brokers, meaning that mortgage brokers are somehow dishonest. I am a broker, and respectfully disagree. Her comments are beneath your standards. It is not her right or position to make such comments. Please put standards in place in which your panelists try to help all citizens, of all colors, and financial backgrounds. This is your mandate. I enjoy your show.
Dale Terry
Response:
Thank you for watching Black Issues Forum on last Friday and for your important comments. I appreciate your bringing this point to our attention, we should have challenged her on the blanket statement about mortgage brokers. Your point is well taken. I hope you will forgive us for the oversight and keep watching and holding us accountable. Best wishes to you and your firm.
Program: Media Roundtable
What an impressive show this evening. Your guests were outstanding and their message was cohesive and fearless. I almost felt that I was intruding into a dialogue from Blacks to Blacks to which my eavesdropping was not welcomed. Please, please say more of this to each other and Pray for America may take on a new meaning. We will be one, but never without the type of truth you four aired tonight. Great work.
Ken Goodson
Response:
Thank you for watching Black Issues Forum last Friday night and for your kind words. I am passing your comments on to our guests. You are certainly welcome to watch and learn and I hope you do so often. We produce this program to provide a forum for those views that are not normally seen on the major media. I also share your concern that we continue this type of dialog with the hope that all of our state and country will be more united.
Program: Crime and Incarceration
I would like to say thank you for producing a much needed program, one that no doubt gives a voice to the currently marginalized African-American social text. Tonight's episode featured a discussion about criminalization and incarceration. While the discussion was fascinating, and much needed, it lacked the voice of Black Women. Why is it that the discussion was among four men, when crime certainly affects everyone. The inherent sexism in this program was blatantly evident. Please include women in all discussions, there is no reason for their exclusion.
Philip Carter, Raleigh
Response:
Thank you for watching UNC-TV and for your email of December 28. I'm glad that you appreciated our topic on Crime and Incarceration on Black Issues Forum's broadcast of that evening. And I understand your concern about the lack of women on the program.
We regret that you felt that "inherent sexism in this program was blatantly evident." Certainly it is not our intent to be sexist when discussing any of the topics on Black Issues Forum. We clearly understand that crime and incarceration affects everyone and for every program we attempt to balance our discussions (geographically, gender, and age) as often as feasible. In this particular case, we were finalizing guests up to the very last minute. We tried to keep the discussion as gender neutral as possible. I also want to add that our producer, Deborah Holt, always does her best to include women in our discussions. Unfortunately, on this episode it just didn't happen.
Program: Crime and Incarceration
We work with at-risk children in the public schools of Vance County, North Carolina.
We write Christian articles in the local newspaper. We also encourage churches to have genuine interest in lost souls and work together in prayer and outreach to the community, even at the grassroots level.
We were thrilled over your panelists' discussion of the issues discussed on the public TV yesterday night, and the revealing truths expounded on.
Rev. (Dr.) & Mrs. Ojutiku
Program: Church Folk
I watched your discussion on the book "Church Folk," and as the Pastor of a black church offer the following comments. One of the legacies of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s is that the black community was lulled into thinking that we could turn to the US government and political system to do for us only what Jesus Christ can - and that is to deliver unto us freedom, security and justice. In the beginning of his "I Have A Dream" speech, Dr. King mentions this by saying that white America gave black America a bad check. Sadly, for the past 40 years, black leadership in America has been running around with the same old bad check trying to get it cashed by various political and social organizations that do not have the power to make good on the check. Our job, as Pastors today, is to redirect the concerns of our community to Bible-based solutions and Christ-centered answers. Our church is doing this through implementing the Purpose Driven Church Model. This is a model that bases all that the church does on five biblical principles found in Matthew chapters 22 and 28 and specifically targets various groups in our community, form the unchurched to core and committed members. To build on our past success, meet our present challenges and be prepared for our future opportunities, we must be purpose driven as we head into this new millenium.
Rev. Glenn Silver, Whitakers, NC
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COMMENTS, continued