Baisden issues apology for situation with Color of Change funding
Categories: African-American, Business, Entertainment, Jena 6, Media
Written By: Shawn Williams
Michael Baisden issued an apology to Color of Change regarding statements that were made on The Michael Baisden Show. I couldn't find the information on his website, but the response is available at his Mingle City Forum. Below is Mr. Baisden's Response to Color of Change followed by comments that I left on the Mingle City site.
The Michael Baisden show and staff were given inaccurate information regarding donations made by the public and David Bowie. We apologize to our listeners and to ColorofChange for not seeking more reliable sources. According to documentation provided by the organization through their web site, all the funds collected by ColorofChange have been distributed to the families as promised.
We do, however, respect the right of four of the Jena 6 families who have insisted that ColorofChange discontinue collection of any monies on their behalf. But this should not reflect on the integrity of this organization which has collected and distributed over $200,000 to their legal defense.
Any insinuations that were made about me wanting to be the sole fundraiser for legal defense is ridiculous. I am too tired after my radio gig to take on that responsibility, and furthermore, it is impossible. No one man or organization can fund the movement of an entire nation.
I am relieved to have put this behind us so that both our organizations can get back to the business of helping people. There is nothing wrong with having disagreements, as long as you love the people enough to work it out, sooner rather than later.
Thanks again for your support of the many organizations that are doing an outstanding job of raising money to help those who desperately need it. We’ve got a long way to go family and we won’t get there unless we work together. Divided we fall!
My Comment at Mingle City
I was very disappointed by Mr. Baisden's characterization of Color of Change as "shady" on his show earlier this week. While entitled to his own opinion, Mr. Baisden should have thought about what those comments may have meant to "the movement", of which he is a crucial part.
Though he rightly apologized for not checking sources, he did not make mention of the inflammatory statements he made regarding individuals at Color of Change. I say inflammatory because the internet has been burning up due to his “shady” comments more so than his accusation of financial indiscretions.
A wise friend told me that "the truth spoken out of season bears no fruit." Well there hasn't been any truth to the charges levied against Color of Change, and the opinion of the group being "shady" has produced nothing but a setback to the cause.
I will continue to listen to The Michael Baisden Show, because I believe it provides value, and a necessary discourse between African-American men and women. But I would urge Mr. Baisden to consider the place he now holds in Black America. What is acceptable in a "love, lust, and lies" environment may be totally inappropriate when it comes to issues of justice, equality, and the betterment of our community.
Shawn Williams
Dallas South Blog
November 9th, 2007 at 11:00 pm
Shawn, that is not an apology; that’s a half-assed attempt to sweep the issue under the rug because he knows he’s in the wrong.
As I said on the Afrospear list serve.
“He has not only damaged the credibility of this particular organization; but the fund raising ability of all in regards to not just the Jena 6; but future fundraising efforts; especially online, the quickest and most effective way of raising money.
He’s damaged the whole movement.
I’m going to call Louis Scott myself and then report back. I’m also going to contact my person at color of change and ask about an independent audit; so that things can be cleared up without question.”
I will not reproduce the rest of what I said here, because I do not want to disparage Mr. Baisden in the way he disparaged Color of Change and Mr. Rukus; with out proof or basis. It is a shame thought that Mr. Baisden didn’t see fit to act with the same integrity and prudence.
November 10th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
I agree, wholeheartedly, with Yobachi.
November 11th, 2007 at 10:21 am
Rucker’s blog Color of Change did an awesome thing to be one of the beginning entities that built a communication infrastructure that surpassed mainstream media and brought to the forefront the very crucial issue of criminal injustice.I t is one of the most formidable forces on the ‘net-work” today. The suggestion of impropriety by anyone who has not investigated their records of funds disbursement and/or any audit of such is mean-spirited in form. It also lacks fair and responsible judgment. The issue of supporting Jena 6 efforts with a funding stream and an accepted disbursement source has been an issue that mirrors our national crisis of empowering African Americans globally. On-air media personalities do not possess any more leadership than the anybody else. They do possess target markets and they have to build a following - sometimes using sensationalized jargon and content to do so. We as viewers, listeners and warriors sometimes must make all icons accountable if these on air personalities are to represent or prostitute our causes. On air personalities sometimes practice way to much E.G.O. -(Easing God Out) and fall deep into believing that the buzz and activity they create empower them with knowledge & expertise. Unfortunately they are only as good as who they surround themselves with. Usually they are staffed with emotionally charged, uninformed staff who have not built the skill of good investigative journalism and appropriate ethics. They possess a minimal skillset but are challenged with making newsworthy topics that fed the revenue stream attached to their platforms. While this is easy it requires a identified skillset and embracing a good business model. The mere mention that the Jena 6 families do not want a support effort from Color of Change speaks to their misinformation, knowledge and lack of gratitude. I hope as he grows that Mr Baisden will embrace solid strategies and arguments. I hope that the Jena 6 families become better and more powerful citizens as a result of the focus as well. Everyon- the Jena 6 families and the Baisden group and the bloggers need solid business models charged with economic development to become institutionalized power houses. The movement is bigger than any one of us and we must be a comprehensive sharing force to have winning efforts. When spider webs unite they can tie up a lion….Ancient African proverb …and Shawn why isn’t our websites on your blog list http://www.realmencook and http://www.bac5.org?
November 20th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
YES, MR BAISDEN DID NOT SPEAK CORRECT FACTS, BUT I DON’T BELIEVE HE IS TRYING TO DESTROY ANY ORGANIZATION THAT IS DOING GOOD FOR THE PUBLIC. WHY DO WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO ADD FUEL TO A FIRE OR OR KEEP AN ARGUMENT ALIVE. MR BAISDEN APOLOGIZED, IT MAY NOT BE WHAT YOU WANTED TO HEAR, BUT THAT IS HIS APOLOGY NOT YOURS. IF HIS HEART IS NOT RIGHT, IT WILL DEAL WTIH HIM. YOU WILL NOT BE SHOWING YOUR BEST IN CONTUING WITH THIS CONTROVERCY. IT ‘S CHILDISH. LET US WALK IN PEACE. WE CAN ACCOMPLISH A LOT MORE IF WE FORGIVE AND MOVE ON. LET’S NOT WASTE OUR PRECIOUS TIME, WE HAVE WORK TO DO.
November 26th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
What it means to all of us
I was reading News Week today. After the January 3, 2008 caucus Obama made a statement. He said, “Hope is that thing inside of us that insists that something better awaits us if we have the courage to reach for it.” We all grew up wanting to be somebody. A parent asks a child, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I want to be a doctor, mom. I want to be lawyer, mom. I want to be President, mom. I am fifty and still asking myself the question; what do you want to be when you grow up, Robert? I don’t know, mom. This is the answer you don’t want to hear from your child. How many of us wanted to be something, but never had the opportunity: so many of life’s challenges and circumstances got in the way. How many of you finish college; just to find out the job you wanted were sent overseas? How many of you started a family too young and gave up on your dreams? Seeing someone else dream come true, allows me to dream again. When you tell your kids that they can be anything they want to be, you can now give them living proof. Martin Luther King’s dream was to someday be judge by our character and not by our skin color. Forty years after his death, it came true. Most of Americans look pass color and gave this man a chance.
There are a lot of great actors, athletes and singers but the real stars are the ones who are trying to help others. Mr. Obama could have been a lawyer and still lived a good life but he chose to be a servant for the people. He encourages us to hope again and start believing in our selves. Everything I heard on the news was bad. It felt good to hear something positive for a change. All he talked about was change. Even as individuals, we have to change our minds in order to change our lives. We have to be more open minded to new ideas. It is true; we can’t keep doing the same thing expecting something different to happen. I pray every day, “God, help me change for the better and not the worst.
We need to encourage one another and stop discouraging each other. When you are left with nothing, sometimes all you have left is HOPE!! If a dream is all I have then allow me to have that. Thank you. Robert Comradd Sr. “All we need is an opportunity.”