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The Daily Nightly began on May 31, 2005. As Brian wrote in his first post it aims to provide a narrative of the broadcast day and a window into the editorial process at NBC Nightly News. Brian weighs in every weekday and NBC News correspondents and producers post regularly.

Brian Williams became the seventh anchor and managing editor in the history of NBC Nightly News on December 2, 2004. Read his full biography.



African American women: We're listening

Posted: Wednesday, November 28, 2007 12:44 PM by Barbara Raab

By Mara Schiavocampo, NBC Nightly News digital correspondent

So far, our series on African American women has gotten a tremendous response. Tons of you are posting to the website, sending emails and calling.
 
We appreciate that and we're listening.
 
Since you've taken the time to tell us how you feel, I want to take a moment to respond to two of your biggest concerns:
 
NOT ENOUGH TIME
A number of you have complained that the pieces are too short and not in-depth enough. Some of you take that as a slight, like NBC News doesn't truly care enough about the series to devote major time to it. But in fact, by Nightly News standards, the stories are actually long, and it's a seven-part series. The imperfect reality is that we are a 30-minute program constrained by time. Most pieces on the broadcast run less than two minutes. In general, the standard time for a news piece is one minute and 30 seconds (I remember one of my graduate school professors telling my class "You should be able to tell the second coming of Christ in less than two minutes!"). So in fact, the pieces in this series are longer than the standard time. And we also devoted seven parts to the series precisely because we knew we wouldn't do justice to the issue with one or two pieces. I know, I know, it goes by fast. And I know what it's like to get to the end of a piece and feel like, "That's it?"  We all wish we had more time - in many cases the producers and correspondents more than the viewers! But unfortunately, that's just not the format we're working with. 
 
BASHING BLACK MEN
Many of you feel that by highlighting Black women's success, we are also highlighting Black men's shortcomings. We tried very hard to focus only on Black women. After all, the series is about us. But it's inevitable that some comparisons between Black men and women are made, to paint an accurate picture of what's happening in the community. For those of you who feel that we need to do a better job addressing Black men's circumstances, I agree. They deserve more than just a sidebar mention in a series about women. But this series is about the women. 
 
I look forward to reading what all of you have to say about tonight's story, about Black women's relationships. I also hope you're checking out the web video exclusives (which run longer than two minutes).
 
My piece on interracial relationships, "Love in black and White," is up now. And on Friday, I'll be posting a video version of a roundtable discussion on hip-hop's effect on Black women, featuring Irv Gotti, Melyssa Ford, Kevin Powell and Kendra G. Trust me, it's not to be missed.
 
I love that there's so much dialogue about this and that so many of you are watching and commenting. Keep 'em coming, and we'll keep responding.
 

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Comments

Thank you for addressing the concerns of the African American women.  This coverage will give us a forum to speak to our daughters, mothers and sisters, aunts and cousins. Like the other viewers I wish there was more time for in depth discussion.

Theresa Ortega, Elk Grove, California (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 9:34 PM)

Mara,

This series is important and has been pretty well done.  I only wish the series had profiled a day in the life of the average black woman in America. As a professional black woman I am glad to see my perspective on screen, but most black woman are not professionals, and that perspective should have been one story.  The extra information on the site has been great.  The digtal correspondant peices are quite good as well.

I can't wait to see the next peices.

Melinda Emerson, Philadelphia, PA (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 9:45 PM)

I saw the series this evening (11/28) and was very impressed.  Yes these topics have been brewing in the hearts and minds of many for years and conversations have been had on too many occasions to count.  However, I firmly believe it never hurts to refresh the minds of some and enlighten others about these things less we all become complacent.  

Thanks to the sisters in the roundtable discussion for stepping up.  I agree that we should be teaching our young women that choosing single parenthood shouldn't be their first option.  I hate that this sort of life is becoming normal and marriage is the weird way of life.  What happened to the old teachings we grew up on?  Sisters let's not settle because when we do, we quickly find that we're getting much less than what we thought we settled for.

Yours in peace and love!

Tara, Louisiana (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 9:51 PM)

As a trailblazer and founder of the Black Women's Movement, plus someone who has dedicated her life to the upward mobility of the Black race, I feel so left out because I was not contacted to be a part of this series.  I've accomplished so very much as a nationally known activist and author with over 150 radio interviews under my belt.  I feel the major reason why Blacks as well as Whites fear my retort is because I specialize in short concise phrases that will act as a paradigm shift in the minds of Blacks that will immediately wake most of up to the brutal trickery that deems us harm.

I thank Bryan Williams and the Black female co-host for doing this special and I, with the assistance of Black women, with much action, can change this entire situation around and return back to the days when Black men loved Black women.  You can hear all the love when listening to Black music of the 50's and 60's especially--My goodness, Black men loved the ground Black women walked on.  The main change that has occurred is the massive influences of Black self-hatred disguised as integration.

Do you agree?

Pearl Jr.
Author, Black Women Need Love, Too!

Pearl Jr (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 10:12 PM)

I sheepishily enter this converstation but I find the topic very interesting.  Im a black man married to a black woman, two wonderful kids, upper middle income, living in the suburbs.  Those families are out here trying to survive like everyone else. From the media coverage,it kinda feels like there's no good black men out there, we're just not all on TV, playing sports or in jail. we'll just living life.

Emmit, California

Emmit, Torrance California (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 10:18 PM)

Listening to the young ladies tonight tell their stories brought back memories. My parents were divorced so I didn't have an example of a two parent home. But I did see friends and wanted that for my kids. Black men have it hard in America and my husband was not different.  We divorced but I still raised my kids to look to marriage. Funny thing happen my kids were paying more attention then I did. All of them chose to be careful and take their time. As today I am not a grandmother, my children have no children out of wed lock, no abortions and my sons have no criminal record.  I asked them what made them take that direction.  It was they didn't want to make the same mistakes me and my family members made.  One son and both girls always date people of all colors. Now one son was pro black and I had to talk to him but he had his mind made up.  I prayed for him and told him the heart doesn't see color. Yes one day he called me and said he met a nice girl and she was white.  No I didn't say I told you so, I let him of the hook that time.

Jackie Rawlings Riverside California (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 10:23 PM)

Like the commentators before me, I applaud your efforts. Thanks for helping to bring Black American women to the forefront. The coverage is brief, but at least people are awakening to the fact that Black women are making strides, each and every day.

Q. Maryam (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 11:03 PM)

To touch on the comment submitted by L. Denise Edmonds, Pittsburgh, Penn., although unfortnate, we need to discuss institutional racism and discrimination in employment, education, health care and housing.

I would love to view a roundtable that includes Sonia Sanchez, Dr. Julia Hare, Angela Davis, Kathleen Cleaver, Dr. Beverly Tatum, Bell Hooks, and other successful, intelligent women for a discussion particularly on 'black-on-black' discrimination among African American employees. I am an African American, educated and career-oriented woman who works for an educated African American woman Manager who consistently lies, retaliates, and sets out to detroy and damage the reputation of other African Americans within her division. An open discussion about this is needed.  

Thank you for your series on African American Women. It is long overdue.

T.Lynne, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 11:05 PM)

Thank you very much for this series.  I have been coming straight home from work to watch.  The statistics about Black women and education are rather alarming.  As the mother of 2 black sons, I am striving to make sure they are counted in the number of men with degrees. Even moreso, I appreciate this series in that it shows the general population that all Black women are not hip hop hoochies and we can and do speak correct English.  

sherrill, seattle wa (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 11:27 PM)

I am really enjoying the series this week on NBC Nightly News about African American women.  I hope to use the information provided this week to narrow down my future dissertation topic.

Deirdre Hill Reno, NV (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 11:38 PM)

Emails were sent to me by my Link Sisters and family members. Thank you so much for the focus on the health issues that Black women face today. I have to miss some of the segments but found the website where the  videos are posted and have enjoyed reading the blogs. It is good to see so many people let NBC know that we appreciate this beginning effort and want to see more. Black women are a powerful source and are not afraid to speak up. Thank you Rehema.

Dr. Troupe, Frankfort, KY (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 12:03 AM)

As the Broadcast stated tonight that 70% of our children are being raised by single African American Moms please not let us NOT forget some of the BEAUTIFUL AFRICAN AMERICAN GRANDMOTHERS who saved and raised us into who we are...I am one of those black women who was raised by my grandmother and am a better person for it...this weeks segments have been the greatest discussions ..lets keep talking and add the African American grandmothers to discussions...THEY ARE THE ROCKS!!!

Cynthia Campbell , Amherst VA & Brooklyn NY (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 12:30 AM)

I have found the series to be interesting and reported respectfully. Like Rehema Ellis, I have chosen to adopt and am in the process of adopting a beautiful, exuberant 17-month-old girl. I often wonder why, at 41, I am still single, given that I am attractive, educated, gainfully employed, intresting, fun and a long list of other desirable attributes. It seems that my kind is no longer valued as life partners. We, African American women, know that in the work world, we have to be twice as good to get half as far. Is that also true in the dating world? Do we have to be twice as beautiful, twice as smart, twice as good to find half the man?
I've tried every logical means of meeting a mate. Online dating, blind dates, friends playing "match maker", walking up to a man and introducing myself. I've done everything short of taking out a full-page ad in the New York Times. I see eligible brothers out there, but they're usually not with sisters. So I ask myself, why are African American women being igored? What has to change so that I and women like me can be viewed as desirable? Will I ever get marrie?  

T. Holland, Concord, CA (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 1:00 AM)

Mara:

I've got to give it up to you, Rehema and the rest of your colleagues at NBC.  You all are taking responsibility for your pieces, defending your positions in the context of the format you are given to work with.  Rehema's piece on relationships within the African American community has been the best - and longest (over 4 minutes) so far.  In comparison to the other nights, it kind of gave me a nice, warm fuzzy feeling inside.

The commitment to the quality of this series by NBC cannot be denied.  Continue to visit for my feedback on each segment every night at http://whyblackwomenareangry.blogspot.com.

Thanks for your commitment to excellence and just to plain "get it right."

Best!

Content Black Woman - Why Black Women Are Angry Blog (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 1:50 AM)

I look forward to Brian Williams in the evenings and it's been wonderful to look at the segment on Af. Am. Women... thanks for talking about us and showing the world we count and make a postive difference!

vicky, los angeles (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 1:56 AM)

Thank you for this show, It finally shows how African American black Women are, and the part about adoption is really refreshing to know that we reach out to the children. I really enjoyed hearing everyone's opinions. Keep it up

Helen Allen 6864 panamint row #2 San dieog Ca 92139 (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 2:54 AM)

While I appreciate the explanation and the desire to highlight the issues black women are facing, I still think the series comes up short.  This series is NOT investigative reporting. What has been "reported" is information that can be found in most major publications for and about black women.  I was expecting something new, but found the same old story being retold.  I continiue to watch the series hoping to find something great...so far, this has not been the case.

Mcihelle (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 3:49 AM)

I loved the the different segment that focused on us as black women. some us work to hard and never recognized for the positive we do life. thank this was refreshing and long overdue.

Wanda White, Chicago, IL (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 4:06 AM)

I loved your piece "Love in Black and White".  I am an African American Woman currently married to white man.  I could easily relate to many of the women in the piece, and I'm looking forward to watching Saturday's segment of the series that deals with interracial dating.  Thanks.

Meca, Jacksonville, Florida (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 7:34 AM)

I am a biracial woman who was raised by my black father (he fought for both of his kids) so I feel very fortunate having a strong black man in my life.  Having my father in my life has developed a love and self esteem in myself that contributed athletics, education and eventually finding and marrying my husband who is also a strong black man.  We have two girls and I am proud to say he is the head of our house.  The time is now for women to date outside the box and allow your man to be a man.  Men, we will let you lead, but you have to step up and accept all those responsibilities. Thank you for taking the time to develop this series; watch, listen, learn and ACT!

Ryan, Ann Arbor, MI (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 8:28 AM)

Thank you for this series on issues that a majority of Black women live with each day. You have more than done justice to these topics, given the length of your broadcast.  I would suggest that my sisters take these topics up in their neighborhoods, create neighborhood "sisterclubs" that can discuss all of these topics and bring the best ideas to the forefront. Be an activist in your neighborhood.  

J. Litchfield,Dallas,TX (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 8:47 AM)

Just thought I would mention a statistical fact not mentioned in the videos. There are almost 2 million more African American women than men.  So it is not only about choosing between dating endogamously or not, dating among your educational level or not, but a simple fact that there are not enough African American men to go around, period. Even if every Black man in the US was Denzel, single, rich, and faithful, there would be those million plus women who would be single.

Jaime Andres Pretell, Lima, Peru, Atlanta, GA (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 10:05 AM)

I am enjoying the series.  No one in the series, so far, is like me or my family, however, I am aware of this reality and its helpful to see actual people talking about the issues. Because my sisters and I are all happily married, and have been for 30+ years, and my niece is happily married, all to men with our level of education, we are shielded from much of the education gap, male shortage issues.  We are not shielded from breast cancer and health issues, however, so the breadth of the stories will probably touch every woman at some point.  It is extraordinary that NBC is doing this.  THANK YOU, THANK YOU.  Roberta Torian, Pennsylvania

Roberta Torian (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 10:09 AM)

Unfortunately, I only caught Tuesday's piece on African American women, but I thank you for it nonetheless.  I too nearly caused an accident in my effort to get home from work to catch the news.  Thank you for shedding light on topics that we sisters often talk about in our circles on a daily basis.  How I would love to see a longer feature on Dateline about African Americans-men, women or families for that matter!

Jennifer Springfield, MA (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 10:23 AM)

I was only able to see the Tuesday night segment of this series.  I would like to see a special about this subject on a Saturday or Sunday evening.  I am not a college educated black woman, but I am a high school graduate with a decent job.  I was married for twenty years to a blackman who was self-employed and could not pull himself up beyond being a day late and a dollar short.  I stayed in the marriage until my children graduated from high school in 2006.  I left and purchased a condo,  I work as a Library technician for the State of Utah.  I am not ready for a relationship at this time, but I am pretty certain I will not find a blackman to date in Utah.  So I have to keep all options open.  I also have a part-time job working as a telemarketer.  I have the foresight to purchase the stock and participate in the 401k plan that they offer, even though I work only 20 hrs a week.  I think we should acknowledge all blackwomen who are trying and working hard to change their bottom line.  We also need to reach out to those blackwomen who want to change their lives and get ahead, but do not know where or  how to start.  Maybe this way our son's will fair better than their forefathers.

April Barnett, Ogden Utah (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 10:25 AM)

First want to give my answer to Michael Brewer of Roanoke, VA...to me, the most important asset to look for in a man is INTEGRITY.   So many relationship issues could be avoided and couples could stay intact if integrity had a more important role in our men's relationship arsenal (and women too for that matter.)

I just want to say that AA women love, adore and crave our AA men!!!!   It is only in recent years that many more of us have dated/married outside of our race.  No, not really because our jobs have us rubbing shoulders with and getting to know men of other cultures.  But, because many of us have been left with what seems to be no choice.  Also, many AA women feel that since so *many* of our men are so very willing to date/marry outside our race - that we might as well follow suit (very reluctantly I might add) rather than end up alone for what seems to be forever.  And to me, this is where INTEGRITY plays an important part.  But I will not expand on that here...  Our options to be with AA men are dwindling at an alarming rate.  And there are many reasons for this.

One of the saddest reasons why AA women have limited options and the ability to be with AA men has to do with the HUGE PERCENTAGE OF BLACK MALE INCARCERATION.  I know that prisons happen to be a big business generating big profits for some folks in this country.   But it is a sin that something isn't being done to reform, restructure, heck - tear apart and rebuild this country's prison policy and the justice system as well as it pertains to AA males.

This would be a major undertaking.   But if you allow yourself to ponder this issue, prison and judicial system revamping could and would solve and eliminate a huge amount of problems that are subsequently related to incarceration in this country.  It would also lessen some of the issues with families that are left behind to fend for themselves without a male head of household.

This would be a start in solving a lot of the issues that a lot of AA women and their children face every single day and night.  

I'm okay with personal responses: so57real@yahoo.com

C.K. New Jersey (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 11:58 AM)

I really do love the segments and have nothing at all to complain about.  It feels to good to sit down and watch news with a postive light shred on the people of my gender and race.  I hopoe to see the hip hop discussion and the one interracial dating.  Thanks NBC you've always been my face news station to watch.

Yvette (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 12:22 PM)

I really do love the segments and have nothing at all to complain about.  It feels so good to sit down and watch news with a postive light shed on the people of my gender and race.  I hope to see the hip hop discussion and the one on interracial dating.  Thanks NBC you've always been my favorite news station to watch. Maybe add a spell checker to the blog portal.

Yvette, Germantown, MD (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 12:34 PM)

I like to hear more about the Renatta Frazier Blog!  

Jenapee, Atlanta,Georgia (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 1:04 PM)

I was very touched by the message from Renatta Frazier, how can I can more information about her story

L Braboy (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 1:31 PM)

I am really impressed by how strong and persistent you were when you stood up to this white police officers who threaten you. I am really happy that everything worked out for you and i do wish you all the best in the future, God bless.

janelle isaac , rex GA (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 1:50 PM)

Hey your wrttiing really inspired me..I feel like this how can you learn to love and man called ''GOD'' and u never seen him before and u cant even learn to love the ones that you see everyday..I feel like we should all learn to love one another because we were all created by the same god..Well I said all this to say this we need to learn to get along with each other because to thats what god would wont us all to do.

Angelica Robinson(206 E. Tiffany Dr Apt2)FlA (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 2:00 PM)

This story really has touched my heart , it is very sad to know that racism still exits in the "Land Of The Free", in  despite of Dr. King's efforts and the harsh treatment my people have sufferd,  the ones that are doing it are very bold AND cold, It makes you wonder how our kids will be treated once they go into the free world, we all should come together and make this a free and better world for all, I really am sorry that you had to experience this, as the younger generartion it makes myself want to push harder so none else has to go through it, may God bless and keep you and I REALLY WOULD LIKE TO HEAR MORE FROM YOU!!

Sharonda Atlanta GA (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 2:10 PM)

I read the blog from Renatta Frazier, the african American women that was a police officer in Springfield, Illinois.  I am in disbelief that this is happening in 2000, please, please find a way for the readers to hear and learn more about this story and this brave women!

Deyonna Dunigan (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 2:18 PM)

I am writing to comment about the blog from the African American women and former police officer, Renatta Frazier.  I am so angry to read about her fight aganist racisim within the police department she worked for.  I am a United States Marine, currently serving in Irag, I know all to well what it means to selfishly give of yourself to serve your community or country.  I can not beleive they treated her in such a horrible manner, I am begging that you cover more on this story, please allow the nation to put a face with a name.

Kurtis Mitchell, Irag (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 2:22 PM)

WOW!, what an amazing story about the African American women that fought aganist the Springfield Police Department.  I applaud her, I live in Illinois and the thought of someone enduring such racisim at the hands of a agency that is set up to protect is scary to say the least.  I pray that you explore this story more.

Ragean Ward, Bloomington, Illinois (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 2:25 PM)

I'm amazed at the criticisms people are making about the series. While we all can agree that nothing is ever going to be perfect, I think some of us have some very unrealistic expectations about the series.  First, the segments are going to be short because this is a 30-minute show.  The brief segments are meant to highlight and touch on the key issues that the segment was meant to address.  If folks want to learn more, read more, and discuss the topics further, that should be left up to each individual.  These segments are not designed to take a topic and resolve it.  It's doing what it's supposed to do, which is to raise the issue and address it as well as time allows.  Second, it's not meant to raise issues that we don't already know.  The fact that there's a five-part series dedicated to our issues in the national media is huge.  It's bringing our issues that we're already dealing with to the livings rooms and laptops across the country.  Let's take a moment and appreciate that, since many of us complain about how the world overlooks our issues.  Finally, I don't see why anyone would get upset over the issue of "consequences of success."  Whether we like it or not, facts are facts.  Many black women are sized up by black men and are told that they're intimidating because of some achievement or another.  Therefore, it would be foolish for the segment not to raise that issue. It will have to be up to each woman to address this issue with the girls in her life, and let them know that they should still strive to achieve their goals, but not be surprised when they're confronted with this type of attitude.  

I truly appreciate the fact that this series is being aired, and I applaud all of the people who participated in putting it together.  

Sasha, Maryland (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 2:27 PM)

Good series. The need for this information is so great. This type of coverage, pertaining to Black women, has been missing. So often research about issues relating to the health and lives of Black women are nonexistence. I know that a news story is limited by time constraints. Hopefully, someone will do an indepth series (pbs) or documentary in the future.

Connie Willis (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 2:31 PM)

I am a African American women. I have been keeping up with the series and the blogs, many of them are interesting, but none of them captured my attention or my heart like the one about the former police officer that experienced racisim at the hands of the Springfield Police department.  Her story is ugly but amazing.  Hats off, applauds and prayers go out to her for her courage.  I will stay tuned to see if you have more about her and her story.

Jaunta McGehee, Rochester, NY (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 2:37 PM)

I think it's subtley telling in the fact that in your title for Love in Black and White, you would make the "B" in Black lower case and the "W" in White uppercase.  Something subconcious going on with you or your writer?  I bet it kills some of you self haters that there are still plenty of Black women out here who love and cherish Black men, and that there are still Black men who love Black women.

MistaO (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 2:46 PM)

I have sent the link to this series around the world and to all my friends at various universities. I am excited about all of the discourse this series has started. However as a professor of ethnicity and communication, I would be remiss to not remind Sister Ellis et. al that every one of our sistahs is not looking for a man. I have lots of friends who are black and lesbian and their struggles have ripped my heart out...perhaps one day they will be invited to come in from the margins.

Maria A. Dixon, Dallas, Texas (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 3:13 PM)

First, I want to thank NBC for stepping up. You can only get some much within the timeframe of the nightly news. I watch Brian every night because I just have to know what's going on in the world that I live in. So many of the comments touched me because many of us are doing what we have to and not necessarily living below the poverty line. I have a son in college and I have a 10 year old. I just try to raise them the right way and so far, so good! I have wonderful young men. In regards to being single, sometimes we need to heal from the hurts of past relationships. I did! I am 45 years old and currently pursuing a graduate degree. After being happily single for several years and getting to know myself, and getting spiritually connected, God placed someone in my life and neither one of us was looking. (He's deep dark chocolate too!) I purchased my own home in 2004 for me and my boys and know that this was a big accomplishment. I can identify with some of the comments about keeping our options open, but I wanted a brotha! Yes we can connect with people of other races, but I truly believe that no one can love me and relate to me on a deep level like a brotha can. To be honest, I've had my own prejudices (historical, mind you) and felt deeply hurt and disappointed when I would see black men with white women - like they were selling out and didn't they know the history, or couldn't they find a sister. But I'm getting to the point where I guess people love who they love. As AA sisters we have to love each other, offer advice and help to our younger sisters so they won't make some of the mistakes that we have made and place value on our girls not only on our boys.

Ginger U. (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 3:37 PM)

I have seen and each part of the series thus far and am pleased that NBC took the time to "speak" directly to African-American women and how we impact (and are impacted)in education, politics and health.  I look forward to more positive series like these.  

Tennille Springle, Simpsonville, SC (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 5:10 PM)

Ms. Mara Schiavocampo:
Congratulations on a great series.  While I have enjoyed the series I find some of the responses baffling.  Perhaps someone can explain to me why citing statistics (such as the percentage of African-American female college students versus African-American males) is seen as male bashing.  

As the mother of two young adult males, I am certainly concerned about the challenges that our young men face.  However, I fail to see why a discussion of issues impacting African-American women in any way short changes African-American men.    Many talented folks in academia have studied and written about African-American males.  But this series is about the African-American woman.  

Deb Millan, Atlanta, GA (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 6:54 PM)



Wow everyone is so pushing interracial marriage as the new assimilation. 134,000 is a ridiculously small number given that black women have been here for 400 years! Also the 81% approval rating of interracial dating is compared to what? Was there sometime when black women were AGAINST people being able to date or marry whomever they wanted?Show me those poll numbers to show my some "change."

Let's put the numbers in perspective. So 134,000 out of 22 millions is roughly .6% of Black woman and .1 of
white men (100 million) are married to one another. I will also have you all note, if you don't think this narrative is a version of Latin American whitening (the idea that racial mixture 'improves the race' and means that racism is disappearing) discourse notice only marriages to white men count
as "interracial". I also wonder what percentage of black women married to white men are in the military. Last I checked it was the largest group.

Maybe I am being too sensitive about this  but having just saw Gregory Rodriguez pushing our "mongrel nation" or mestizaje from the perspective of a Mexican American assimilationist. I find this
"whitening" discourse scary especially those of us who know how it has eliminated racial inequality in Latin America (tongue planted firmly
in cheek).

But, I hope the rest is more sane. I will look out for the piece. But
I am so interested in the fact that everyone I seem to turn I find
something that is pushing some version of interracial marriage (NARROWLY DEFINED) as some indicator of "something new" in American society.

Mark Sawyer, Los Angeles CA (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 7:03 PM)

I normally watch ABC News, and only occassionally.  I've watched NBC News this week simply because of the topics related to African American women.  I'm glad you thought about us, but I agree with my sisters that the segments had no depth and very little time was spent.  I hear you, there are time constraints, but next week, I'll be back to watching ABC News, if I even bother.  Internet news is so much better.

M Lindsey, Broadview, IL (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 7:20 PM)

It's great to see some of these issues addressed. But there are so many they should be addressed more fully in hour-long feature programs. I'm 70, so I've watched all those equal opportunity and social programs to help minorities. Unfortunately most of them have never achieved their goals because they were too paternalistic. At the same time, they abused people of other races resulting in alienation or strong dislike of these programs. Please, if there is one thing I hope you will stress: people achieve and become successful because they persevere, work hard, educate themselves and take responsibility for themselves and their family. The public doesn't want to hear demands for special treatment or any of those race card things. America is still about opportunity, working hard, obeying the law, and making this a better place for ALL of us. God bless.

Joe Carter, Lithia Springs, Georgia (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 7:36 PM)

I feel it was a good piece and hopfully made some men realize that we want to make our families strong. But yet I am puzzled about how is a black man threatened by an educated black women yet not an educated white (or any other race) women. They can be just as stuck up if not more and yet they only see it in a black women. We all need to wake up about our children and the roles both parents play in their lives.

Ashli, PA (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 7:49 PM)

I just want to say that I appreciate this program. I hope that You and NBC consider it only the beginning. As you can see from the flood of response, there are many many people who want our story to be properly told. So please don't stop here. You were very brave to take this on in the face of what you knew would be overwhelming criticism but it is a start and I for one hope that you will continue.

Karen, Berrien Springs, MI (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 7:52 PM)

I am pleased to view a full news segment, this week, focused on African American women in the U.S.  We truly serve as vibrant contributors to create a society we want to live in and nurture our beautiful children in. However, while information is necessary for understanding and bridging communication gaps, I would like to request your avoiding future negative and stereotypical comparisons between African American men and women. We love our African American men despite what society would like to believe.  Our strength will always be in our families...good and bad.  One recommendation for a future segment is a "strong and realistic" focus on health disparities, or race bias in healthcare, interviewing African American medical researchers and Board Certified physicians.  As a nation, we need critical human understanding and compassion to reduce race bias in healthcare that contributes immeasurably to health disparities; thus increased dire health outcomes.

Pamela Bivens, Durham, NC (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 8:01 PM)



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