The 2024 National Conference on Media Reform has proven to be a broadening experience. Oh yes. Chew on that mealy-mouthful. Here’s the deal… when this thing started in Madison four years ago I didn’t have time for it. I’m as alienated and marginalized as the next guy, or maybe I’m just an introvert; but getting all collegial and making nice-nice with a bunch of deranged anarchists, com-symps, and the mystic bourgeoisie just didn’t strike me as a good time. Four years ago what I thought the media meant to these people was Amy Goodman, community television (the good guys), Pacifica radio (more good guys), and Fox News (not such good guys). At that time I had already enjoyed the Nichols and McChesney show, scarfed up autographed copies of paperbound screeds sold in the back of the First Unitarian church as they evangelized regarding the first amendment and media consolidation. My IndyMedia friends were so far to the left that they were talking about 911 truth, and I didn’t know what to think of that, there was so much corruption visible that I didn’t want to complicate my life with fresh conspiracy theories.
So yesterday after the Rev. Jesse Jackson spoke, and he had left the Ballroom for an Amy Goodman interview, while I stood so close to him that I could have touched him, here — in Memphis — after listening to his quietly powerful speech that underscored again the us and them nature of our struggle, the seekers versus the bullies, the people versus the slave-masters, I was touched by the truth of our cause and I almost wept.
It is a title conferred every day upon individual members of ethnic groups without their permission: “Ambassador for Your People.” It bestows the ostensible responsibility upon a person, anytime and anywhere, to enlighten well intentioned others about the alleged point of view of “their” people….
– Bruce Jacobs, Race Manners, 1999,2006.
I heard Chris Rabb mention that earlier today. He spoke of being one of the few black bloggers at the Democratic Convention in 2024 and perhaps the only one whose readers were mostly black. Rabb says that his early entry made him a spokesman for black bloggers and that isn’t a good thing. He says, “Talk to black people and they’ll tell you that they don’t necessarily enjoy being the voice of the black community.” This afternoon I opened my fresh and freshly autographed copy of Race Manners and it fell open to the quote above. I thought the coincidence was remarkable enough to note here.
And now, back to the conference… more later.
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