Mommy Talk Show Candid Conversation with a TV Mom
Throughout my career as a TV journalist I faced the personal challenge of covering racial incidents. Never was this more apparent than when I worked in Mississippi as a TV news anchor and reporter. There were allegations of racism in stores, schools, housing and in the criminal justice system. The state has a deep history of discrimination. Sadly, when I lived there from 2002-2009, I realized how little times had changed. Even as an African American local news anchor, I had my share of run-ins including a guy in a pickup truck yelling the N word at me and my date as we stood in a restaurant parking lot. I thought about all of these things when I was approached to write this sponsored post on behalf of Wells Fargo and share an amazing video campaign where African Americans share their inspiring untold stories.
One of the local stories I covered in Mississippi was the story of the Jena 6, just across the state line in Louisiana. One of the inspiring stories from the Wells Fargo #MyUntold Story features Sid Simone. See how she used her voice in 2006 to support a cause that meant a lot to her generation:
I remember anchoring the news coverage of the Jena 6 demonstrations, and how the national media descended on the small Southern town. The protestors were echoing the sentiments of other powerful voices I’d heard while working in Mississippi. I’ve interviewed Myrlie Evers & James Evers, the family of assassinated civil rights activist, Medgar Evers. I covered racial incidents in public and private schools, as well as highlighted allegations of racism on the placement of traffic light cameras around Jackson, Mississippi. It was emotionally exhausting at times.
But without these stories we are missing out on the challenges and triumphs of African Americans.
In 2013, I was honored to share my Father’s Untold Story in a video campaign about growing up during the Great Depression and living through the civil rights era, while comparing it to our son’s experience growing up in Atlanta. This year, Wells Fargo Bank is sharing more Untold Stories on its YouTube channel where you can watch more than 30 video essays featuring real-life stories of triumph and ingenuity from African Americans.
Comment below: How do you use your voice when you see discrimination or unfairness? Have you organized a community event? Do you blog about your encounters with people of other races?
Follow the #MyUntold hashtag on Twitter and Facebook for more inspiring stories of people like Sid Simone who used their voice and their actions to spark change.
You may not be a journalist like I am or have your own blog, but Wells Fargo Bank invites you to use the hashtag #MyUntold to tell your story as well.
This was a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Wells Fargo Bank.
I never faced discrimination until I moved to the South. People can be so cruel and hurtful. I pretty much ignore it and keep it moving. I do not blog about discrimination.
Joyce,
Thanks for having the fortitude to discuss sensitive issues on racism that most people choose to sweep under the rug. It is important to our children, and youth in general, that we to continue to press forward for understanding and change! As the President said during the State of the Union address, “I want future generations to know that we are a people that see our differences as a great gift.” Keep doing what you do!
What a great story. And with you being a journalist, you were able to see the Jena 6 events unfold from several vantage points. I will never forget the stories that resulted from Jena 6. They still resonate with me to this day.
This is a great post. I try to keep my kids informed on what is going on. I feel the best way I can do my part is to keep them and myself educated. I sometimes want to do more. I believe that I will one day.
What a great campaign. I don’t think I’ve ever organized anything but I try to stay abreast of everything and keep my kids educated and open minded.
I don’t blog about encounters with people of other races, but I focus on teaching my children how to use their voices when they see discrimination or unfairness towards any of their friends, classmates, acquaintances at the playground, etc. I am firm believer that education that everyone is equal needs to the strengthened at home.
I always try to get my news from several sources. That way, I have less media bias and MORE information! It’s hard to get it right!
In 2015, it is almost hard to believe that this kind of stuff even still happens. Everyone should realize that we’re all just people trying to make our way through life.
It is so sad that discrimination affects so many. Race – Age – Sexual Preference – Short/Tall – Skinny/Heavy etc. It is sad that discrimination continues to happen.
I don’t normally watch the news. My husband will come home from work and fill me in from time to time. It is always so negative. I would rather hear about all the good going on in the world.
Every time I meet someone who makes a discriminatory remark I don’t know whether to roll my eyes or give them a piece of my mind. I don’t normally blog about this subject except casually, since my children are mixed.
I’ve definitely been on the receiving end. It’s tough to know when to speak up and when to pull back
Wow, there are some amazing voices out there. I’m looking forward to learning more about each of these people who are sparking change.
I am always so amazed by the hard work journalists do. You’re doing an awesome job!
Love that people cane see the better and that rise above.Great post.
What a great story and post. I haven’t ever heard of this before. It’s so important this kind of thing is talked about and discussed especially with our children.
It’s sad that racism and discrimination are still a problem within our society. I can only hope that one day we can say it was a horrid thing of the past.
I love that Wells Fargo wants people to tell their untold stories – it’s such a great campaign!
What an amazing post! I always try to get my news from multiple sources.
This is a great campaign, and one we really should also include our children in. I am all about teaching my kids about kindness and fairness. Discrimination is not ok in my household.
I’ve never faced any sort of discrimination that I really am aware of. Maybe about my vision, but that’s about it. I try my hardest not to discriminate against other races or religions either.
What a great campaign to be involved in! I love ones that really are working to make a difference! Thanks for sharing!
If I see it and I am able to respond, I will. I hate seeing people doing this, makes me so mad! I am sorry you had to be yelled out by a stranger, on your date. What a coward that person was/is! Sounds like you had quite the adventure being a TV journalist.
Wow I remember Jena6! You got to be apart of history as it was going on back then. Its important we keep talking about history…even if it still pretty recent because it doesnt stop with Martin Luther King as we can all see with the Trayvon Martin cases, Eric Garner + Mike Brown situations. Its not over!
Such a great story. This just shows that we need to start at home with our kids. They need to see that discrimination is not acceptable and they should stand up for others.
There really are many ways to use your voice. I think it’s wonderful when people stop and stand up in one way or another for something they know is right.
We moved to a school district where races were spread out more equally. I wanted my kids to be able to interact with all races on a daily basis so they know everyone is equal, and so far, it’s been very positive. It’s sad to think that there are those out there with so much hate in their hearts that use race as a reason to discriminate.
There is a subtle trace of it here in Katy where I live. Not enough to where it bothers me. Just more of people keeping to themselves kinda thing. I have decided that I can never control that, so it doesn’t even enter my mind much less for me to lose sleep over it
This is a great post. It’s definitely important to me that my kids learn about the differences around us and embrace one another.
Such an important topic and it’s great that you are posting this. It’s time to recognize and have an open dialogue about these issues. Racism/discrimination is not okay and should not be tolerated by anyone.
I don’t blog about racial issues, but I surely deal with them at my day job working in mental health in Baltimore. I work in an addictions unit and constantly face discrimination from higher ups looking down on those that suffer from the disease of addiction. I provide education every day.
Wow. Thank you for never letting them get the best of you. This is an awesome campaign.
I should check out the Untold stories. Sounds like great inspiring stories.
What a great campaign. Thank you for this post. I remember Jena 6 well.
What a awesome way to tell stories through a great campaign, so inspiring and great way to promote awareness on issues.
I am older and have lived both in the North and the South growing up. There is racism everwhere, but, it seems much more common in the South to me. I was in the South when the schools were desegragated, and it was an awful thing to see. People were crazy and as children, all we did was cry.
My Mom was a Northerner and my Dad from the South. We moved back and stayed up North when I was in second grade. In the North, it to me has always seemed to be more of a class issue than race, although up here I see racism directed at every color when it occurs rather than just at a specific color. The town I am in has been integrated since the 20’s and has the highest concentration of minorities in the state. To me, knowing people of a different race has been the norm rather than the exception.
For me when I see discrimination or unfairness, I open my mouth and say something. No ifs ands or buts I say it, and if they dont listen I start making calls and will keep making calls and speaking out I cant tolerate either.
I am not a blogger, so the only time I address race is
I live in the north so I have not seen racial discrimination on a frequent basis.
This country will always have low-lives who ruin someone’s day. Thanks for sharing!
It is great that it is being able to be talked about. Having comments here is a great way to talk about it positively.
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