Coalition Promotes Dignity and Diversity in the Media

National NOW Foundation Times >> Fall 2007 >> Coalition Promotes Dignity and Diversity in the Media

By Lisa Bennett, Communications Director

NOW staff photo by Holly Manning

Melanie L. Campbell, CEO of The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, speaks at the press conference that launched the Women's Coalition for Dignity and Diversity in the Media. Other speakers included Dr. Yvonne Scruggs-Leftwich, Vanessa Weaver, Donna Edwards, Dr. E. Faye Williams, Kim Gandy, Ellie Smeal, and more.

In the race for biggest media scandal of 2007, radio host Don Imus is clearly in the lead. Imus' racist, sexist comments about the Rutgers women's basketball team set off 10 days of televised furor last spring. Actions were taking place on the streets as well-from New Jersey to California. On April 13, as the storm was winding down, a long list of women's and civil rights groups came together for a press conference.

NBC and CBS had announced cancellation of Imus' morning show after meetings with Kim Gandy, Rev. Jesse Jackson and other advocates, so the groups were ready to celebrate.

However, NOW Foundation and groups such as the National Congress of Black Women (NCBW), the National Coalition for Black Civic Participation, Feminist Majority Foundation, National Council of Negro Women and others were determined not to rest on their laurels. "This was a call to action, and we were not going to let it go unanswered," says Gandy. "We all recognized that it was about so much more than one offensive, overpaid man. It was about the negative and degrading images of women, and the lack of women in front of and behind the microphone."

Many of these groups, NOW included, had worked for decades on issues related to the image and contributions of women in the media. At the press conference, many speakers recalled the work of the late C. DeLores Tucker, head of the NCBW, who took on misogynistic, racist lyrics in rap music so many years ago.

The broad range of women leaders decided that from that day forward they would rededicate themselves to creating a media environment that respects all women, and particularly women of color, and incorporates their voices and viewpoints, instead of demeaning and marginalizing them.

Since April, the Women's Coalition for Dignity and Diversity in Media has grown into an expansive, vibrant group meeting weekly and determined to live up to its promise. Gandy and coalition representatives have already met with top executives from ABC, NBC, CBS, BET and MTV.

The response has been mostly positive, and more meetings are planned. We are also training women leaders in media techniques, and compiling demo tapes of female experts.

Although Imus returns to the radio in December, his words and the work of our coalition inspired Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) to organize a congressional hearing on Sept. 25 addressing degrading and stereotyped images and words in the media.

Panels included industry executives, music artists, producers, political advocates, academics and representatives of the Coalition.

"One hearing is a start, but it's not enough," said Gandy. "The work of this coalition is far from over."