Washington Watch With Roland Martin: New Sunday Show Aimed At Blacks

NEW YORK — Roland Martin will anchor a new Sunday public affairs show aimed at a black audience that will debut in September on the TV One network.

The "Washington Watch" program aims to tap into a new interest in politics and government due to the election of President Barack Obama, said Johnathan Rodgers, TV One's president and CEO. It debuts Sept. 27 at 11 a.m. EDT, and the show will be repeated each week at 5 p.m.

Martin, who is also a CNN commentator, will interview newsmakers and members of the Congressional Black Caucus. April Ryan, White House correspondent for the American Urban Radio Networks, and Robert Traynham, Philadelphia Tribune columnist and Comcast host, will be regular panel members. TV One is in about 48 million homes, a little less than half of the nation's TV homes.

Rodgers said it dawned on him when TV One covered last year's Democratic convention and he saw many Black Caucus members trudge up to the network's temporary rooftop studio for interviews: These politicians have few outlets to talk about their issues and people have few places to hear them.

"I hope to get smart, intelligent, entertaining conversation," Rodgers said, "but I put this under the public affairs arena. It doesn't have to be a ratings success."

Despite the election of the nation's first black president, many of TV One's older viewers _ the network tends to get an older audience than competitor BET _ wonder whether his administration will actively push a civil rights agenda and other issues that interest them, he said.

"Barack Obama is truly the American president," Rodgers said. "He is not the white American president or the black American president. He is our president. A number of our viewers might have had a different expectation."

Martin said he hoped the show would reflect the state of black America every week.

While the show is Washington-based, he said the concerns of people across the country would be reflected. He said he hopes to have viewers participate in the shows by suggesting questions and topics.

"We want to be bottom up," he said. "The problems I see right now from so many of these shows is that they are top down _ these are the things that we think are important."

Rodgers said he initially wanted the show to first air in the late afternoon or evening, to distinguish it from the crowded field of Sunday morning public affairs shows. But he was advised that premiering "Washington Watch" at that hour during football season would be suicidal.

Comments

[MacManLB]

GravitonX,

Keep up the good work. I can't get a post past them. My stuff is deleted on a regular basis.

[GravitonX]

Thanks. Everyday is a new crop of clueless white Liberals.

[Balzac]

Every once in a while, you'll cross paths with someone who has such a vast mountain of clues, you cannot escape the avalanche of clues.

[Texas4Obama]

GravitonX

My original comment was:

I agree AndreaT. People are individuals and everyone thinks differently -- dividing people up into categories is wrong. The biggest problem in America right now is CLASS - not race. Until the gap between rich and poor is narrowed then there will always be problems that effect ALL Americans no matter of their gender or skin color.

posted Jul 04, 2009 at 23:22:33
------------------------------------------

Then YOU responded with the 'slavery' comment. I will accept your apology ;)

[GravitonX]

Here we go again. More drivel. Slavery was not about class, it was about race, the enslavement of the Black race. The Civil War was not about class, it was about preserving Slavery, which was about race. The 100 or so years of legislated Jim Crow and domestic terrorism was not about class, it was about race. The Civil Rights Act was not inspired by class distinctions and issues, it was about race. Shall I continue...

I'll accept the deletion of your account.

[Texas4Obama]

GravitonX,
Perhaps you should reread my comment.
I did not say anything at all regarding 'slavery'.

[thankulord13]

For you to say it is just class is a simplification of the problem. Race plays a role in it, if that wasn't the case, how come unemployment in the Black and Hispanic communities are almost double that of our White counter parts? So it is not just a class issue or a race issue but both.

[Texas4Obama]

Poor people of all races that do not have a higher education all have trouble finding employment. The little town in Illinois south of Chicago where I grew up in has a huge amount of folks mainly 'white' that are unemployed to to lack of education and due to factories shutting down.

I truly believe the main problem in America is a class issue and regional economics.
The poor are more likely to be under educated, under nourished, have less medical care etc. It all comes down to money. Also, there are regional differences to take into consideration.

I am sure there are people that think that race is the main issue .. but I really do believe it is the gap between the poor and rich that is problem. I know many white folks personally that are homeless or on food stamps or living in public housing. Hard times does not only affect one group of people in our modern society.

[KoolAidAmerica]

and how come asian unemployment is less than white unemployment

[callmeslice23]

There's a lot of racism in these posts and a lot of it is coming from people who are saying they are african american.

It'd be great if you would stop blaming me for things. My family came over after slavery and to top that was far too poor to ever own slaves anyhow. Stop harboring racist feelings towards me, I don't hold them towards you.

Judge a person on their character...right now a lot of you are scoring pretty low.

[SJBrown]

You have no idea who is posting. It's a blog.

[GravitonX]

What is it with white people always claiming to channel MLK?

LOL!

Sorry, you're nothing but a mockery of a man you truly don't and don't want to understand. If most of these white people truly knew MLK's life work, they'd be shocked to know that he gave white people anything but a free pass.

[coolchic]

You're so right!

[Mort]

Did you spend your life suffering on a plantation, or do you reap the rewards of all those who fought so hard for equality? My ancestors were brutalized. Does that give me the right to spew hate against anyone different than me?

We live in a free country because so many felt that equality and unity were worth dying for. To talk down to someone of another color and generalize them as ignorant of Dr. King's message and work is to make a mockery of that great man and what he died for. All those who gave so much for us are heroes in my book. Whether King, Lincoln, or anyone else of any race. We owe it to them to act like citizens of the same country

[ArborialBiped]

Having read four books about Dr. King, and visited Ebenezer Baptist Church several times to talk to folks, my sense of MLK is that he judged people by what they said and did, not by the degree of melanin in their skin.

You're right that he didn't give white bigots a pass, but he didn't hate on sight the whites who helped out with the Freedom Rides, etc.

He was a student of Gandhi; his speeches talked about "black and white, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics joining hands".

In other words, nothing like you, and a man I admire greatly.

[thankulord13]

You know how many times I hear that. First of all you are not that important. So quit thinking people are talking about you personally. Secondly if you feel as if some one is harboring racist feelins toward you then that is a sign of you projecting. Look deep inside yourself and work through your own race issues before telling others what they should and shouldn't do.

[Ministerbruce]

Stop with the personal guilt trip, no one attacked you or your ancestors and have a conversation, stop ruling out, another’s view and history, you have your, others have there’s.

When anyone makes a point, argue the point and factual truth and history, is unsure, don’t blame, or attack, to protect a position, not made clear, or even revellent to the conversation.

[chronic]

callmeslice23 = paranoid w@cko

[Jezreel]

Roland can count me in as a viewer.

African Americans are not a monolithic people. We have a diversity of views politically and otherwise.

When gays hit MSNBC and other media outlets in an uproar over what they consider President Obama's slow response to their demands, the Obama's had them over to the WH to honor the anniversary of the Stonewall riot.

Yet, there isn't a conspicuous venue that gives voice to the myriad issues that affect the lives of African Americans. When African Americans join white Liberals whether on the issue of SSM or otherwise, our issues are not given the same level of priority and we are sometimes subjected to racism and religious intolerance.

Yet, whenever April Ryan, asks whether about the President's plans for addresing the 20% and higher unemployment rate among African Americans she gets push back from Gibbs and President Obama.

Both men respond with the same rhetoric - the best thing the President can do to reduce the unemployment rate among African Americans is to improve employment opportunities for everyone. In other words, there are no special plans being considered.

At the same time, when GM and Chrysler closed thousands of dealers in Michigan and around the country, the President sent out special teams to help people to find alternative employment and to provide special economic incentives for the areas hardest hit.

So I'm looking forward to Roland's new program. And I hope it will be successful.

[Disuberence]

Oh please don't turn this into another black vs gay thread. That does nothing but bring out the racists and homophobes.

[Disuberence]

Oh please don't turn this into another black vs gay thread. That does nothing but bring out the raci.sts and homophobes.

[Jezreel]

Just saying, there's no media venue for addressing issues specific to African Americans.

MSNBC appears to be have bought into the gay marriage issue lock, stock and barrel. As such, it has become a political venue for issues related to gay marriage. When the media gives voice to political activists, politicians pay attention.

Conservatives and Republicans have Hannity, O'Reilly, Beck and other Murdock owned media outlets.

African Americans do not have a prominent political venue on teevee.

My point about racism among some - not all white Liberals is a well documented fact, even among gays. See page 2 of this essay:
http://www.thetaskforce.org/TF_in_news/09_0304/stories/27_gay_is_not.pdf

If you take my comment as a gay vs black rant, that's your issue, not mine.

My emphasis was on the political implications of having access to a media outlet that gives voice to your point of view. When outlets like MSNBC give voice to the outrage of SSM proponents, politicians listen and they ultimately respond.

[GravitonX]

We'll see if Obama responds better to gays than Blacks.

Just like Hillary was a shoe-in for the Presidency, things can change if Obama goes AWOL.

[noudidnt]

Word

[Tanyars5]

Excellent post Jezreel. Black unemployment needs to be analyzed big time. President Obama should not be given a pass on this topic. Any major networks want to become activists for Black unemployment solutions?

[Mort]

It makes me wonder just how little we've progressed toward becoming a color-blind nation when we feel we have to pander to one group over another. The members of the Congressional Black Caucus were elected to Congress by all races to represent them all, not to spend their time developing strategies for a portion of them. Some races have "Image" awards, where they're celebrated for being the best at proving they're different from other ethnicities. That's not considered ra cist, but heaven help others if they even think of having a similar program.

Did no one listen to our President's wonderful speech on race? I'm afraid if Dr. King were here he'd have mixed emotions. Most of the violence is gone, but the segregation lives on in our hearts.

[GravitonX]

Another white person channeling MLK. Too funny. LOL!

Go petition for a Congressional White Caucus. No one is stopping you.

[Texas4Obama]

Why do you ha.te white people?

[Mort]

I have no interest in a White Caucus, or any other color. We all have no voice in Washington as it is. Would it be too much to ask for our legislators to represent the people who elected them instead of corporate and special interests? Shouldn't they spend their limited time making things better for their states and for the country as a whole rather than turning their backs some of the people to focus on others?

And by the way, BOTH Obama and King spoke to and worked with everyone. They tried to get us to drop our old habits and shake hands. Drop the negativity and separatism and develop unity. Snarky comments against someone's race are wrong, and a slap in the face of those who worked so hard for equality.

[Texas4Obama]

It won't get better until people stop blaming the white people that are alive today for things that they had no involvement in. I don't blame the white folks for all the crimes they did against the Italians -- I don't understand why the AAs blame white folks that are living today for something they did not do.

[CherrySpring]

Broken record and a doggedly persistent refusal to see that white skin carries a privilege in this country, at the expense of negating the rights of others, no matter what European origin.

[GravitonX]

If you commit a crime, you'll always be blamed for it. If you accept association with the criminal, you'll get the same.

[thankulord13]

Italians, Girl you are on crack! Italians are White.

[miketothad]

Your argument is simple-minded and devoid of historical sense.
States, families, and entire corporations had benefited from the free labor and generational disenfranchisement of people with dark brown skin. Federal support was not near fully granted to them until 40 years ago. You seem to have bought into some illogical notion that people are blaming you. You should show more respect for what Black Americans have been through, unless you've been pulled over by a cop for Driving While Italian.

[CherrySpring]

"when we feel we have to pander to one group over another." And this elusive "group" are whites, right? Because if this nation has "pandered" to anyone, it's them.

And, GAWD, get off the Dr. King speech. He's rolling in his grave over the fact that (only part of) his speech is being misused as rhetorical weaponry.

[SJBrown]

Rhetorical weaponry. I love it.

Black history--Slavery, Jim Crow, MLK, President Obama. 300 years and one dream and a speech on race.

[BBC9nch]

Isn't that what Fox news does? They're just savvy enough not to come out and say it's the "white conservative news channel". But everyone knows that's what it is. Why do you think Limbaugh is the most popular talk show host in America? Not because he markets himself as the voice of conservative white America. Of course that's what he is but he is shrewd enough not to market himself that way. That's where TV1 is making a mistake, they should never market this program toward blacks. Just say that it's fair and balanced and then let your programming speak for itself.

[SJBrown]

Segregation lives on in our hearts?? My district is 90% black, what is yours?

[Texas4Obama]

The largest mass l.y.n.ch.ing in American history was in New Orleans and it was the ITALIANS that were m.ur.dered. You don't see the Italian-American community throwing that up in everyone's face all the time. This is 2009 - it is time to move forward.

If you let the past bog you down you aren't going to get very far in to the future ;)

[GravitonX]

First, Slavery was about class or whatever and now Italians were getting lynched more than Blacks.

Another recruit from the David Duke school of Revisionism.

[Texas4Obama]

Go and Google

largest lynching in American history

and learn something ;)

[Texas4Obama]

I NEVER said anything about slavery being about class.

Someone else responded with a comment about slavery when I was talking about the problem in America NOW in 2009.

[t4cgirl]

False. That incident is dwarfed by the Colfax Massacre, in which more than 200 blacks were murdered.

[Texas4Obama]

And that is dwarfed by the millions of Native American Indians that were massacred.

[Texas4Obama]

We weren't talking about massacres ... the issue was ly.n.chings.

[robXdion]

Yes, there was a time when Italians, East Europeans, Irish, and Jews were very much loathed in this society. But they were never held in as much contempt as Blacks who had established state gov't laws created specifically to oppress them. You can't take one event or one historical era of increased ethnic trouble and compare that to CONSISTENT and REPEATED disdain towards Blacks. Entire towns were massacred because they were Black. In the early 20th century on up to the 1930s there were years where black men were lyn.ched daily, as in more than 365 p/yr. You've tried EVERY argument you can to denounce the need for Roland Martin to have this show. But this is just terribly pathetic.

[anghiari]

I agree with your assessment of American historical facts and I am black and totally uninterested in Mr. Martin's upcoming show....Equal, but separate doesn't work for me. Glad Obama wasn't willing to settle!

[robXdion]

Yes, there was a time when Italians, East Europeans, Irish, and Je.ws were very much loathed in this society. But they were never held in as much contempt as Blacks who had established state gov't laws created specifically to oppress them. You can't take one event or one historical era of increased ethnic trouble and compare that to CONSISTENT and REPEATED disdain towards Blacks. Entire towns were massacred because they were Black. In the early 20th century on up to the 1930s there were years where black men were lyn.ched daily, as in more than 365 p/yr. You've tried EVERY argument you can to denounce the need for Roland Martin to have this show. But this is just terribly pathetic.

[Disuberence]

"You can't take one event or one historical era of increased ethnic trouble and compare that to CONSISTENT and REPEATED disdain towards Blacks."

Is this contest you just challenged restricted within America or can we go elsewhere?

[Disuberence]

I tried to reply to this twice and the automated moderating picked it up both times. I don't know what word is stopping my posts, but I hope at least one of them is published.

[AlligatorShuz]

Roland Martin is kind of boring and he is going to sugar coat his opinions.
Solodad O'Brian, Black In America 2 I will not be watching. Because Solodad is doing this because she wants to feel good because she didn't socialize with the black community while she was growing up. I watched the first one and it lacked substance and I am not going to waste my time watching her.

[kbkw54]

The black community has always been his target audience. I hope he leaves CNN and takes Rick Sanchez with him. LOl

[DrDemon]

And what? Replace them with Sara Palin & Mike Huckabee?

[DrDemon]

Good Luck Roland !

[jeremymlucas]

The only audience Roland Martin is going for is the one that likes to be put to sleep. A rising star at CNN, he is not.

[AmericanWarrior]

Well, it can't be worst than D.L. Hugley: Breaks the News. D.L. could form a sentence 'bout as well as Sarah Palin.

[hapiday]

I like Roland Martin and wish him the best on his new show.

[standish]

This deciison has no bearing whatsoever on racial demographics or politics. It only means that Roland Martin has now managed to increase the number of viewers who will undoubtedly by bored out of their skulls. Roland Martin doesn't have charisma. He has anti-charisma. He's the Rudy Ray Moore of black TV commentators.

[markj757]

cool, I was wondering was it just me.

[Disuberence]

I've never heard of him before. I've never heard him speak or seen him deliver a newscast but all I see in these comments is how boring he is. That doesn't make this show sound very appealing...

[Imhotep40]

"anti-charisma" . . . . .best word to describe Roland's intellectual curiosity or lack there of.

[markj757]

Is it just me, or what? I just don't like the guy and I'm black (I know just because I'm black that shouldn't make a difference..lol, but I'm just putting it out there). Couldn't they have found a more charismatic or compelling personality. I'm just curious what other people think about Roland Martin who have seen him on CNN. I think someone like Jamal Simmons or Soledad O'brien would be much better host.

[Balzac]

Roland is great. He has a combination of a sharp wit, good sense of humor and a testy temperament.