X1965ChainImmigrants
December 13th, 2003, 10:18 PM
Thanks for helping us to spread the word, Morris.
http://www.tolerance.org/news/article_tol.jsp?id=909
Naples Columnist Comes Under Fire
By Brian Willoughby | Senior Writer/Editor, Tolerance.org
Dec. 12, 2003 -- The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) has lodged a complaint with the editor and publisher of the Naples Daily News, based on what it terms the "patently offensive" work of one of its columnists.
Brent Batten is at the center of this storm because of his Dec. 2 column about a cancelled hip-hop festival. Batten's column was laced with offensive, stereotypical and condescending language, including Batten's own brand of black English along with so-called "translations."
From the column:
Yo, dis here be the fo'-one-one on the show y'all, from the home boy dat was pimpin' it.
(Attention, here is the latest information on the show, as provided by the concert organizer.)
As a much-forwarded e-mail about the column indicated, "What newspaper would publish this?"
That would be the Naples Daily News, an E.W. Scripps Co. newspaper in Naples, Fla., where Batten has been a columnist since 1997, according to his biographical blurb on the newspaper's website. Prior to that, Batten, who is white, was city editor at the newspaper for six years.
In its letter of complaint, sent to Editor Phil Lewis and copied to other newspaper executives, the NABJ said this:
"In his sloppy attempt at satire, Batten insulted thousands of readers, many of who may or may not speak with an urban dialect, but most of who probably don’t look like or sound like Brent Batten."
Quoting from the column — "And he's down wit y'all for chillin' an' sez much love, mad props to the peeps. He knows y'all gots to get paid an' he axe everyone to be cool while he gets da pimps their bling bling and y'all yo fitty." — the NABJ responded rhetorically, "Huh?"
The NABJ added, "We thought this kind of parody went the way of blackface, big lips and Step-'n'-Fetchit routines decades ago."
NABJ condemned not only Batten but also his editors. "Did anyone raise even the slightest comment, question or concern?" The letter went on, "At most newspapers in Florida and throughout the nation, competent line editors would have read this piece and summarily tossed it in the garbage."
The letter called for an apology from the newspaper.
Other individual letter writers also complained.
Okito Boothe, in a Dec. 9 letter to the editor, said, "Your attempt at humor was not only offensive, but condescending and irresponsible."
Rona Bellamy, in a Dec. 11 letter, called the column "ignorant, unnecessary and unappreciated." She added, "To take a legitimate news story and use it as a chance to ridicule and stereotype blacks is reprehensible."
E-mailed questions to Brent Batten received an automated return indicating Batten was on vacation and would return to the office on Dec. 29. Requests for comments from Editor Phil Lewis and Publisher Robert Burdick were not immediately answered. Tolerance.org will add these comments to this story if replies are received.
http://www.tolerance.org/news/article_tol.jsp?id=909
Naples Columnist Comes Under Fire
By Brian Willoughby | Senior Writer/Editor, Tolerance.org
Dec. 12, 2003 -- The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) has lodged a complaint with the editor and publisher of the Naples Daily News, based on what it terms the "patently offensive" work of one of its columnists.
Brent Batten is at the center of this storm because of his Dec. 2 column about a cancelled hip-hop festival. Batten's column was laced with offensive, stereotypical and condescending language, including Batten's own brand of black English along with so-called "translations."
From the column:
Yo, dis here be the fo'-one-one on the show y'all, from the home boy dat was pimpin' it.
(Attention, here is the latest information on the show, as provided by the concert organizer.)
As a much-forwarded e-mail about the column indicated, "What newspaper would publish this?"
That would be the Naples Daily News, an E.W. Scripps Co. newspaper in Naples, Fla., where Batten has been a columnist since 1997, according to his biographical blurb on the newspaper's website. Prior to that, Batten, who is white, was city editor at the newspaper for six years.
In its letter of complaint, sent to Editor Phil Lewis and copied to other newspaper executives, the NABJ said this:
"In his sloppy attempt at satire, Batten insulted thousands of readers, many of who may or may not speak with an urban dialect, but most of who probably don’t look like or sound like Brent Batten."
Quoting from the column — "And he's down wit y'all for chillin' an' sez much love, mad props to the peeps. He knows y'all gots to get paid an' he axe everyone to be cool while he gets da pimps their bling bling and y'all yo fitty." — the NABJ responded rhetorically, "Huh?"
The NABJ added, "We thought this kind of parody went the way of blackface, big lips and Step-'n'-Fetchit routines decades ago."
NABJ condemned not only Batten but also his editors. "Did anyone raise even the slightest comment, question or concern?" The letter went on, "At most newspapers in Florida and throughout the nation, competent line editors would have read this piece and summarily tossed it in the garbage."
The letter called for an apology from the newspaper.
Other individual letter writers also complained.
Okito Boothe, in a Dec. 9 letter to the editor, said, "Your attempt at humor was not only offensive, but condescending and irresponsible."
Rona Bellamy, in a Dec. 11 letter, called the column "ignorant, unnecessary and unappreciated." She added, "To take a legitimate news story and use it as a chance to ridicule and stereotype blacks is reprehensible."
E-mailed questions to Brent Batten received an automated return indicating Batten was on vacation and would return to the office on Dec. 29. Requests for comments from Editor Phil Lewis and Publisher Robert Burdick were not immediately answered. Tolerance.org will add these comments to this story if replies are received.