NPR's Missed Opportunity

This week, NPR fired Juan Williams for saying that airline passengers in "Muslim garb" make him nervous.

There has been a lot of talk about what NPR should have done in response to Williams' comments. I've been wondering what would have happened if, instead of firing Williams, NPR had invited him onto Morning Edition to analyze his own remarks . . .

Renee Montagne: And now we're joined by NPR news analyst Juan Williams, who is here to talk about remarks he made on Fox News this weekend about people who wear "Muslim garb" on airplanes. Hi Juan!

Juan Williams: Hi Renee!

Montagne: Juan, as our listeners may know, you said on Fox News that when you board an airplane and see a person in "Muslim garb," it makes you nervous, in light of what happened on 9/11. My question is this: "Muslim garb"? Could you have picked a more dismissive and derisive term?

Williams: Well, Renee, I was just making a general statement. That, you know, when I go on a plane, and I see someone wearing some sort of Muslim scarf, or jewelry, or what have you -- you know, they have those headdress-like things they sometimes wear -- and they are identifying themselves first and foremost as a Muslim. . .

Montagne: So all Muslims are basically the same to you.

Williams: Well, yes, Renee, that was my point . . .

Montagne: And everyone who wears a scarf is a Muslim?

Williams: Well, also, they usually have brown skin, Renee. Let's not forget that.

Montagne: I think I get it. And all such people must be seeking to identify themselves "first and foremost" as Muslims? They're not expressing their taste in fashion, or expressing their individuality in some other way?

Williams: What I'm saying is, you go on a plane, and all you can think about is 9/11, and that they are out to get you. And then there's this woman wearing a black scarf, and you instantly think, "Muslim." There's no other reaction you can have but fear.

Montagne: And this has bothered you for nine years? You haven't confronted these feelings and dealt with them in all that time?

Williams: But you know me, Renee. I'm not a bigot.

Montagne: But prejudice comes with its own blinders, Juan. Plus, that's not really an excuse for what you said.

Williams: I'm just saying . . .

Montagne: You're saying you don't like Muslim people. They make you nervous.

Williams: Renee, can we move on?

Montagne: Here's a question. The next time you feel this way on an airplane, why not approach the other person and politely say hello? You might discover that he or she is actually very friendly, and that you have more in common that you think. That might be a way of dealing with your issue.

Williams: But I don't have a problem, Renee. Why is this about me?

Montagne: Because you're the news analyst, Juan. This is your job. To analyze the news.

Williams: All I did was honestly admit a fear we all have . . .

Montagne: But isn't that another aspect of your prejudice, your assumption that it's universal?

Williams: But who hasn't felt this way?

Montagne: Well, the one-fourth of the world's population that is Muslim, just for starters . . .

Williams: But they don't count, Renee. They're not part of this discussion.

Montagne: I think we're at the heart of it now.

Williams: You know, Renee, when I made those remarks, I was only trying to sympathize with Bill O'Reilly . . .

Montagne: Maybe that was your mistake. Do you think you owe the Muslims of the world an apology? That might be another first step.

Williams: Renee, I am sorry. I am sorry I ever made those remarks. I am sorry for acting as an apologist for anti-Muslim bigotry on Fox. And, yes, your questions have made me think that I might have some issues to work on.

Montagne: Thanks, Juan. And I understand you have a new assignment?

Williams: Yes, Renee. NPR is sending me to India, Indonesia, Northern Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey, and select London and Parisian suburbs.

Montagne: Good luck!

Williams: Thanks, Renee.

Montagne: That was recently-disgraced NPR news analyst Juan Williams, talking about bigoted comments he made on Fox News about his fear of Muslims. I'm Renee Montaigne and this . . . is Morning Edition.

 

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Comments

[Hammerlock]

01:26 PM on 10/26/2010

While it would have worked really, really well, NPR lacks the vicious streak necessary to do that sort of thing. I'd add "sadly" to that, but I'm actually glad they try to avoid tabloid and crass actions.

Some people may argue their bias or standards...I'm just glad there's still a source of journalism WITH standards.

[TILL]

09:43 AM on 10/25/2010

Juan defending himself, has made blunder after blunder. I think if NPR had done as you say, he would have done worse than in this mock interview. His hiding behind his books and liberal identity, of course, is Not going to save his job, when he abused a employer rule, the same one more than once, Nor is his censorship and free speech defense, both of which are totally irrelevant when it comes to being let go, because, he couldn't abide by his contract with his employer, something which all Americans have to do, but Not Juan. So far he hasn't said one iota about his breaking the company rules, and he won't. He doesn't have a leg to stand on, his firing was all his fault. Sanchez got it, but Juan needs to keep the lies hot and out there, repeatedly, for now he works for a right wing, political operative, commentary network. He's, already, getting good practice in, by lying why he was fired. No more having to stick to the facts, for Juan, free, forever.

[SF BTV]

02:33 PM on 10/24/2010

Conservatives in the world a question to you?

Would you fire Juan Williams if he said, what Rick Sanches or Hellen Thomas said?

[Sharia101]

01:28 PM on 10/24/2010

Make sure to not leave out the balance of Juan Williams' comments in the interview, make sure to only choose the one line in question, not the balance of the comments which were 100% anti islamaphobia. Once again proving that the left can complain about the right and their reporting when they are doing the same if not worse. How about his statement referring to G Bush- "we are not at war with Muslims" or the fact of the reference of the time sq bomber claiming this is only the start of the war on America from home grown Muslims? Make sure to omit that point and his history and where he stands on racism? Simply laughable, you claim the right is using fear to scare everyone? Well the left is using censorship, this article is simply garbage and you choose what to focus on. Take a poll of travelers in the US and ask them if they feel the same way, I can guarantee you the numbers would be staggering. The same for those of us against the mosque at ground zero- we are referred to as racist, and bigots, and against freedom of religion. But make sure the left is ok with taking away freedom of speech. You are not a journlaist just a sad clown is all.

[PTAOfficerforObama]

12:34 PM on 10/24/2010

Thanks for the chuckle.

[Genders]

12:32 PM on 10/24/2010

good one!