Over the weekend, I attended the Harlem Book Fair. One of the highlights was a panel discussion on the roles and responsibilities of the black media that was aired live on Book TV.
The discussion was moderated by the inestimable Cathy Hughes, founder and chairwoman of Radio One. The panelists included Dick Gregory, Roland Martin and Juan Williams. The speakers reminded the Schomburg Center and C-SPAN audiences that the black press dates back to 1827 and the founding of “Freedom’s Journal.”
Then as now, “we wish to plead our own cause. Too long have others spoken for us.” Indeed, there’s an African proverb that says, “Until the lion writes his own history, the account of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.”
The black media – both old and new – continue to play a vital role in telling our stories and glorifying our accomplishments. And with the rise of disruptive technologies, Dick Gregory said the mainstream media “have to think twice because there’s another voice out there that can put in what you left out.”
As Cathy Hughes teaches us, information is power.
