Tony Brown's
COMMENTS
Stai The Truth
Hove you, Uemse Richardson. And all
other black people should love you.
And after they read this column they
should write to you and the general
manager of WOR-TV 11481 Broadway,
New York, 10096), dr call 212-784-7000.—
Why am I so excited? Let me start at
the beginning. On one beautiful evening
last week an ugly thing, a 1940 movie
called Ghost Breakers, was shown on
Channel 9 (WOR-TV), an independent
station in New York.
Willie Best, who has yawned, shuffled
and “turned White” at the slightest
provocation in many a movie, was at his
stereotypical best as Bob Hope’s side
kick.
The setting was a castle in Cuba. Best
played valet to Hope’s sleuth and, as
usual, gave the White racist notions of
Black inferiority a thorough reinforce
ment.
Admist the bucking of eyes and
drooped lips, Best mutters that he is “the
old family retainer." Hope says, “I
thought you rowed for Harlem Tech.”
You can imagine how delightful that bit
of racism tastes to the cerebral palate of
the bigots. And you can also imagine the
Bouncing beer-bellies and rolling “ya
hoos" being sounded all ova* Archie
Bunker Row in New York in the 250,000
homes watching.
But you know best the sick feeling right
in the middle of your stomach when you
see it-again. As “the most prolifically
employed Black actor in early TV,” as
Dr. J. Fred MacDonald describes Best in
“Blacks and White TV” (Nelson-Hall),
"he could pop his eyeballs when nervous,
speak classic pidgin English and shake
his lanky body at the thought of entering
a graveyard.”
—And the thought of all of-ihat past of_
bumbling minstrel characters and
“coon" comedy roles plus today’s ever
present video humiliations became too
much for Denise Richardson, a news
caster at WOR-TV. She impulsively
fought back at the insults.
“Oh, why are those honkies who don’t
fcnuw uui people using us like that?” The
computer had malfunctioned and instead
of giving the Archie Bunkers another
darkie shuffle, sent Richardson’s protest
^ a a.
, • to pierce the darkness of their stereo
typed expectation*.•
- - Immediately some 25 viewers phoned
in outrage, not to condemn the assaults
.on the 30 million Black persons being
ridiculed, but to call for Richardson’s
scalpior expressing a sense of worth and
dignity.
In turn she was called a "racist’’ for
opposing racism. What about “honkie?”
Anybody who would attack my racial
worth is a honkie—and worse.
About 675,000 people in New York were
watching when this heroine interrupted
this supremacy massage. She has also
given these New Yorkers an enlightening
experience with her documentary, “The
Blue Minority,” which won 13 major
awards for excellence.
But her greatest moment on TV came
inadverently, not to her knowledge, when
her off-camera remarks were
mysteriously broadcast. God had
probably seen enough racism also.
Fortunately, the TV management
stood up for justice and defended
Richardson’s statement as a mistake and
ushered an apology in her name. But
being Black, you know there are the
denizens of darkness out there who will—
not rest if they know there’s one Black
person around who hasn’t been ground
into the dust of psychological degra
' ,elation.
This woman did for all Afro-Americans
what we could not do for ourselves. Send
her general manager a letter. Tell him
you love her and her work. Tell her you
love her.
If 25 viewers want her head, at least 500
of .us should write to protect her. You’ve
got to know that she needs you and your
kindness now. Give her an award from
your church or group.
Stand beside the truth. We’re one step—
closer to freedom because God stopped a
computer and used Denise Richardson in
its place.
I’m sending flowers - and more love.
“Tony Brown’s Jourpal’’ TV series can
be seen on public television Sunday, on
-Channel 42 at 5 p in U can also he wn on
channel 58, Sunday at 8:30 p.m. and
channel 30, Thursday at 10:30 p.m.
Please consult listings.
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Silver Mount Baptist Church held
"Youth For Christ Day” and “Political
Candidates’ Day” recently. Guest speak
er was Ben Ruffin, special assistant to
Governor Hunt. Ruffin is pictured above
(third from left) with (l-r) Jim Rich
ardson. Brad Clay, (Martin’s Campaign
Manager) Rev William Lee Jr„ pastor
of Silver Mount, County Commissioner T.
L. “Fountain” Odom and D. G. Martin,
candidate for 9th District Congress.
The National United Affiliated Beverage
Association (NUABA) honored Peter H.
Coon, Divisional President of the Adolph
Coon Company of Golden, Colorado,
with the prestigious 1984 NUABA Award.
Meeting in Cgicago, America's Black
bevei age retailers named John II. John
son. President of Johnson Publishing
Company, Inc, as the "Man of the Year."
Shown above at the convention are (l-r):
W. R. Boyette, National President of
NUABA; guest speaker. Rev. Jesse L.
Jackson, Founding President at Opera
lion PUSH,; Peter H. Coors and John H.
Johnson. Mr. Coots described the $325
million reciprocating covenant agree
ment signed Scptember i* with a naOen
al Black Economic Development Uoath
lion to expand Jobs and business
opportunities among Black Americans. _
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