Thank you for this.  I missed the first 3 nights.  Where can I get a video tape of this.  program

Barbara,
Thank you so much for the feedback and the explanation of the format NBC is working with.  I think that rather than expecting more from you, we as black women should take this discussion further and use our influences and talents to be catalysts for change and progression within our communitities.  It is obvious that we have opionions so let's use them to better the world around us.

Mara, thank you for this message.  I'm amazed at the messages being left by people about the series.  You can only squeeze so many stories into a half hour news segment. And many of the posters were pissed about the series before Part I even aired.  That's crazy.  

As for black men, I'm amazed that black men and some black women are constantly harping about where's the stories on black men.  This series is about black women folks.  Last year the Washington Post had an entire series called Being A Black Man (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/metro/interactives/blackmen/blackmen.html).  They even made a book about it.  Reading the comments section in that series you sure didn't see black men complaining about where are the black women.  But let someone focus on black women only and all hell breaks loose.  

Unfortunately, I get off of work to late to see the actual broadcast.  So I am catching up via the webcast.  The series is wonderful and I am glad you saw the need and took the opportunity to publicize the various topics.  As an African American woman who is highly educated and career oriented you have definitely given America a brief opportunity to walk in my shoes.  It definitely is not easy but thanks again for your committment to us as African American women.  I appreciate your efforts.

history is  repeating itself. the same thing that happened in Argentina is now happening in the united states.In a few short years the blacks in the United states will become extinct do to the flight of black women and that is not a good thing.

Ms. Schiavocampo -
I rarely watch any of the evening half-hour national news broadcasts because of limited time-slots for segments and a limited depth of coverage.

Regarding this week's series on African-American Women and Where They Stand, I agree with the significance of the topic.  However, as an academic and public policy specialist, the topics are not new and have been on the radar of many of my colleagues for years.

For example, the black gender disparity has been known and documented.  We have seen it in the classroom but college admissions pays little attention to what some call "social dynamite".

It is always of interest when the dominant media chooses an important subject but I do wish this could have been produced much sooner - years ago.

How would our Black women activists answer the question of the Black Woman's performance in 21st
century America today ?  I'm particularly interested in the views of those scholars, educators, political activists and others that are left of center.  A roundtable that included Sonia Sanchez, Dr. Julia Hare, Angela Davis, Kathleen Cleaver, Dr. Beverly Tatum and Bell Hooks would certainly prove to be lively, instructive and a wonderful opportunity for them to impart their hard earned insights and wisdom.
So,is there any chance that your program could also speak to the interests and values of this segment of the African American community ?  

As the curator and founder of the International Black Women's Film Festival in San Francisco, California, I applaud your series on African American women!

Part of the mission of my film festival was to address the gross oversight of accurate and responsible images of Black women in film, media and television.

What a wonderful prelude to a larger dialog that I hope will stay on track to *specifically* discuss Black women...we deserve to be recognized as thoughtful and active contributors to a better society.

Brava!

I truly have enjoyed what i have seen and what iam hearing so far, on this topic i can relate to what this peice is about for i myself wear these shoes, i have been a widow for the last eighteen years never having to remarry and was left having to raise a male child all alone as a single parent. There were a lot of ruff times having to be a now single black female raising a son. Fortunate for me i had a pretty decent job and making a okay salery and the benifits that i and my son had inheritated on the behalf of my husband, i made good and wise decsion when it came to my finances, iwas able to stay in my home at which time was just 2 years newly built prior to my husband death. All of this i had to contend with at the age of 35 and raising a 14year old black male. I can truly say that i never tried to go on the hunt to find another spouse i was more in tune in trying to survive and being a good parent to my child. And now at age 52 my life has come full circle my son is grown iam looking at retireing in 3years, after thirty one years of service to my employer and now iam looking forward to the next phase of my life. I would like to also state that relationships do work and it rather disturbing to see so many single women taking on leadership rolls but it is what it is. And i think a woman has to do what a woman have to do.

Thank you very much for your series addressing Black Women.  It is much appreciated and long overdue.  

Thank you for showing something good regarding Black Women... Where can I get the video?

I am glad to see this topic getting more coverage.  For those who feel it is not getting enough time, a week is a lot in media time.  There are a lot of stories to cover, indeed.  If you search the web, though, you can find lots of discussion and more detailed information on the topics you seek.  Here are some recent blogs on interracial dating between African-American women and white men, for example.  Some are used in the actual NBC video; I can't put in html, so just cut and paste these relevant links on the topic:

http://www.dateawhiteguybook.com/

http://www.whitemenforblackwomen.blogspot.com/

http://didyoustoptothink.blogspot.com/2007/11/mating-dance-is-flirting-but-thats-not.html

I have found these blogs to be quite insightful on the subject.

We haven't been overwhelmed with the series over at What About Our Daughters? http://whataboutourdaughters.blogspot.com , but I think by any objective measure you can count the series a success by broadcast standards as you have folks like me skipping the gym to stay home and watch the evening news which I have not done in years.

I just don't think you guys are saying anything new that we have not already heard.  According to Rahema's post your VP Mr. Whitaker was looking for the "consequences" of Black women's achievement.  that to me sends of alarm bells that he views Black women being successful as a bad or negative thing.  Who talks about the "consequences" of success?

All you people asking about the video, they have the video on MSNBC.com if you can find it, come over to WAOD, we put up links to all of the MSNBC videos after each show

Next time, don't hype the series so much and people won't have such high expectations.  You can't please everybody.

I just want to say thank you to NBC for doing these pieces. For almost my entire life it has seemed that black women have been absent from television and news reports except to stereotype us in the usual ways that I will not repeat here. It was wonderful to be seen as three dimensional human beings who have successful careers, worry about our health and care about our relationships with our men and children. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Hopefully other news organizations and primetime tv will discover us as well.

Thank you for explaining why the segements are short, and thank you for hearing our CRY!!!  Someone help we need help in our community and I feel like we are losing this battle greatly. So again thanks for explaining and providing us and the country with our problem.  Thanks!!!!

WHILE I WATCHED THIS TONIGHT,I WONDERED IF THESE BLACK AFRICAN WOMEN ARE IN REALITY BLACK AMERICAN. WHY WOULD THEY BE ASHAMED TO BE BLACK AMEICANS?

Thanks for the series, black women still face the twin devils of racism and sexism. I have seen and experienced black men who feel threatened and emasculated by confident and capable black women. I am in my forties and have come to the conclusion that I am "married to myself"...

Thank you for the week long segment.  It's way overdue.  Our issues are so indepth and rarely paid attention to, that I understand the feeling that the segments are not long enough.   Nonetheless, I applaud NBCs effort in calling attention to some of our issues this week and I hope this is only the beginning as we do watch the nightly news as well.

This is a wonderful series.  The time dedicated to the series is short, but it's a start.

Thank you so much for doing the series!

I thought the breast cancer and the relationship series was very informative.  Thank you very much for addressing issues on African American women.

I am enjoying the segments on Black American women which present us in roles that are often overlooked.  Many times we are protrayed in the media in a negative conotation.  Thanks for making it real.    

Kudos! As an African-American woman professional, I applaud your efforts. HOPEFULLY, YOU WILL ENGAGE IN A DISCUSSION IN THE FUTURE ABOUT HOW WE RESOLVE CRIME AND JUSTICE ISSUES ADVERSELY AFFECTING YOUNG AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN.

I don't trust the stats on the number of black children being born out of wedlock. But I ask should black wommen commit genocide by waiting until they get married before having children? Would that not mean that 40% of black women would never have children.  

I'm so glad that someone thought enough to recognize that black women has a place in this world. We're not only beautiful but we're smart and successful.  For the sisters who are complaining about not giving our black men a corner of this series could you please for once give the ladies a rare opportunity to show that side of us that the world doesn't get to see?  Maybe through this series we can cut down on the percentages of unmarried women in our race.

Two thumbs up for this series.  

hello, black women you are strong people  so tell me please what is the one most common asset that you look for in a man ?

I am thankful for this series and I hope that when the series is over, Black women will sit down and assess exactly where they are in the respective areas of our lives.  However, as the author of a relationship memoir, Lessons Learned:  While Looking for Love in All the Wrong Faces (http://www.lovelessonslearned.com) and as a relationship coach, I am compelled to speak to tonight's part of the series on Black women and dating and marriage.  Are we courageous enough to face facts regarding the unavailability of Black men to date and marry?  Are we courageous enough to not care what others think or will say if we decide to date and marry outside of our race?  In my book, I speak about interracial dating and the chapter title is:  "The Grass May or May Not Be Greener on the Other Side;" the subtitle is  "The color of his skin is not indicative of what's in him."  I choose this title and subtitle because I want Black women to understand that just because a man is Black it doesn't mean that you will have anything in common with him.  Just because a man is White or any other race does not mean he is or will treat you better than a Black man.  A man's skin color does not guarantee a good relationship. However,  Black women must remain open and realize that the mate we seek and desire who will be perfect for us may not come in our skin color or ethnicity.

There are 2 things I caution Black women about regarding interracial dating:

1.  Make sure that if you happen to date or marry a man of another race, it is because you love this person on the inside.  It is not fair to the man to decide that you want to be with him just because he is NOT Black.  Stay focused on the person's character and things you have in common.  

This is new time for Black women.  We are in a situation now where we are able to come into contact with all kinds of people (in the workplace, in school, socially).  Remain open and you may be surprised who you are attracted to - if you can just get past the fact that he may or may not be Black.

2.  Be prepared for a backlash from friends, family and strangers.  

I have a platonic White male friend and I have dated a White man.  Interestingly, in both instances, while out dining with these gentlemen, the ugliest stares and downright venomous stares have come from - hold on to your hats - White women!  Go figure.  Certain relatives have been rude also.  We can be tough as Teflon anyway so just be prepared for people's misbehavior.

Finally, one of the greatest ways to attract the mate you desire is to be the mate you desire. What do I mean by that?  If you desire a man who is deeply spiritual, then you be sincerely and deeply spiritual.  If you desire a man who is financially fit, then you get financially fit.  If you desire a man who is in decent physical shape, make sure that no matter your body build, you are in the best shape that you can been in.  

Thank you for doing this segment. As a single African American parent I really appreciate it.It would be my hope that we would now begin to focus on the root causes of the outcomes dilineated in the series. Perhaps we could look at other exogenous variables outside of our single parent households. Almost every topic under the sun that you can discuss will show a disparity with respect to African Americans (men and women). Let us address why that is! My thought is that we do not genuinely want to touch the fact that institutional racism and discrimination in employment,education,health care, housing, etc. might contribute to many of these outcomes reported on in this segment.

Thanks for the focus on breast cancer. Our needs and sensibilities  are different. Keep this issue on the forefront. Too many of us are dying.

Rahema,

You redeemed yourself tonight.  I loved the tone of the piece about Black woman and their relationships.  Sure, we heard the usual doomsday stats and horrible marriage statistics, but the tone was hopeful and didn't cast judgment on anyone.

As bloggers, we often sling rhetorical arrows without realizing that there is another human being on the other end of what we say.  We've been rough on you this week, but I get that you are trying and that you care and want to get it "right." surprisingly good tonight.  You got off to a rough start, but tonight you hit your stride.  I just hope you don't go backwards.

Mara , we are eagerly awaiting your piece with Irv Gotti and Melyssa Ford.  Oh I can already tell that my readers and contributors are just going to LUUUUV that.

As as a married, educated African American woman, I appreciate the emphasis that has been placed on us. Bringing this topic to light will show America that there is more to African American women that meets the eye. We are not all about hair and nails, but about family, education, culture and life. African American men are always in the spotlight...many times not for positive reasons...so it's hight time the focus switches. Thanks for your efforts!

Thank you so much for your series on African American Women. It was a real "eye opener"! It is hard being a Divorced, Single parent and it's even worse to know that it's more African American women than any other race.

This is great!  But what aboutthe over 50 age group?  Our concerns are health, finances, retirement,living alone, sexuality(yes we're still interested)

Mara Schiavocampo,
Thank both you and NBC for providing the spotlight on the important issues of one of the fastest growing population - Black females. It is wonderful to see the well deserved attention placed on us as we have nutured the community for so long but some how have been left out of broadcasts, studies and discussions.

Many of my collegues, friends and coworkers are excited about the show and watching daily.

Because it is late when I arrive home, everyday this week I have anxiously arrived her at my desktop to watch the podcasts and many other extra's regarding the show.

Once again, we thank you for this informative outlet.

Mara Schiavocampo,
Thank both you and NBC for providing the spotlight on the important issues of one of the fastest growing population - Black females. It is wonderful to see the well deserved attention placed on us as we have nutured the community for so long but some how have been left out of broadcasts, studies and discussions.

Many of my collegues, friends and coworkers are excited about the show and watching daily.

Because it is late when I arrive home, everyday this week I have anxiously arrived her at my desktop to watch the podcasts and many other extra's regarding the show.

Once again, we thank you for this informative outlet.

Thank you for this series. It is refreshing to see our stories, thoughts, and opinions being broadcast nationwide.

The show is good but you should have gotten young girls thoughts on what future they have with young black men. Junior high and High school girls can see if being with a young black male is good or bad for them. I'm a screenwriter and spiritual teacher and I'm also in college furthering my education. All I come across is lazy black men.  I never meet one that is equally yoked, and as I get older, it gets much harder.  It is so unfair and extremely hard to deal with. The segment was good, but I don't agree with black women running to white men. I still believe there are some hard working brothers we can marry.  I'm not into interracial dating. Most of them are only with black women so they can live good, but at least they can deal with a sister getting paid.

I am a student in a majority white college.  I have found this series interesting and quite enlightening.  Currently I am taking a course which confronts many of these issues, Black Women in America AFS 102.  I do feel that perhaps showing where we stand in comparison to white women and other ethnicities would be more constructive in providing a whilistic picture.  As part of a community that is so internally fragmented already, I'm afraid that this series may bring contempt from our male counterparts.

However I appauled NBC.  So far it as been a job well done!

In watching the awesome series about Africa-American women from many walks of life.  I have been intrigued by their impact on society.  However, I continue to be disturbed by the lack of national media coverage concerning Africa-American women as it relates to the racial and gender discrimination that they experienced at the hands of the law enforcement agencies that employ them.  In August of 2000, I  finally capture my childhood dream in becoming a police officer.  Growing up on the West Side of Chicago,where many Africa-Americans were opposed to Police Officers, I was infallible intrigued by all apsects of law enforcement.  I entered the Illinois
State Police Academy with this childhood enthusiasm only to be greeted with racial distain.  During my training with six white male recruit officers, they threaten to chain and drag me from a academy vehicle. At my persistance, an internal investigation was launched. As a result of the investigation many of the recruit officers were terminated. Upon my completion of academy training, I was promoted to my local police department located in Springfield, IL about 3 1/2 hours South of Chicago, IL. I was welcomed with hostility and resentment.  During daily squad meetings, I was often referred to by fellow white officiers as the "NACCP" poster child. I was alienated,denied dinner breaks to relieve white officiers assigned to other beats and openly humiliated by members of the command staff.  White Officiers used their motor data terminals located in their squad cars to communicate with one another in which they referred to me often as that "NIGGER BIT_H". Very often white officiers refused to provide back-up assistance on dangerous calls.  In the midst of it all, I was falsely accused of failing to prevent the alleged rape of a white detective's daughter.  This three year ordeal sparked negative media coverage that lead to death threats, public scorn,termination of my law enforcement career, homeless and severe depression.  It wasn't until investigative reporter Dusty Rhodes of Springfield discovered the truth and wrote a cover page story in the Illinois Times Newspaper titled "COP OUT" that the truth was revealed.  The Police Chief, Assistant Chiefs and 13 other officiers lied and conspired to terminate me out of their resentment due to the white recruit officiers being terminated at the academy. Through prayer,public out cry and the excellent investigative work of Dusty Rhodes, I have experienced triumph as an Africa-American woman. In April 2006, I was awarded the largest out of court settlement in Springfield, IL history. While I am impressed with the entire series, I like many other Africa-American Female Police Officers realize that the discrimation I experienced are not isolated incidents but a national epidemic of epic proporations and DESERVES NATIONAL ATTENTION. I may be contacted {217} 553-7152.  

I was excited, and frankly a little surprised that African-American's would be featured on a national news program. With so many negative and degrading images of African-American women portrayed in the media, through music and videos, it was refreshing to see accurate, powerful and realistic images of African-American women in this country. I hope to see a series on African-American men in the future.

For many years there has been the idea that if you are a single parent, then you are on the poverty line; I beg to disagree and want to see that addressed in these series and others concerning the african american woman in the near future. Great series.

For many years there has been the idea that if you are a single parent, then you are on the poverty line; I beg to disagree and want to see that addressed in these series and others concerning the african american woman in the near future. Great series.

For many years there has been the idea that if you are a single parent, then you are on the poverty line; I beg to disagree and want to see that addressed in these series and others concerning the african american woman in the near future. Great series.

I do believe that African American women are the most victimized  of what is wrong with relationships between African American women and men.  They suffer more because if this illness.  I also believe that the suffering of African American men comes as a result of not having better relationships with African American women, which should include marrying them.

You mentioned that there was much emails from people not to happy that black men look to have many shortcomings. I don't see the comments and would just like to read a few. However, I am one that was a disappointed in this segment. I know it to be featured of Black women but don't bring up statistical comparisons to black men. Black America has enugh to deal with the negative images that are portrayed by the media every darn night.

You mentioned that there was much emails from people not to happy that black men look to have many shortcomings. I don't see the comments and would just like to read a few. However, I am one that was a disappointed in this segment. I know it to be featured of Black women but don't bring up statistical comparisons to black men. Black America has enugh to deal with the negative images that are portrayed by the media every darn night.

I am happy you are addressing the African-American woman.It is a dire need. We as women are in a crisis and unless we embrace each other and our problems there will be little progress to present to our young sisters.It is apparent an out-reach program need to be established, no one has to struggle alone. "Thank You"

I missed the first three nights, however I am a black Ph.D and my husband is Jewish. We married when I was 39 and he was 40. At that time we both had Master
degrees and he pushed me to return to school to earn my doctorate.

We have been happily married for 18 years and we don't get the looks that we did 18 years ago, however,some  blacks still take a second look.
We have to navigate both envirmts, because many functions that we attend are segregated events.

Degreed black women must look at other options and consider men that are not college graduates as well as other ethnic groups.

It is essential that we expand our horizons.

As black woman, we should delay having children until we are married.

As black woman, we should delay having children until we are married.

It appears too often our black men has gotten caught  got up in society woes, for this reason black females should be encouraged to educate and develop themselves well. It is a waste of energy to bash black men, we only need  to make good decisions.I have begun to see the bashing as a weakness I have been neglected and whatever else but it only made me stronger.

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