Roslyn M. Brock
*With all of the specifics still pending, NAACP Chairwoman Roslyn Brock’s official statement is that the organization hopes for a resolution between suspended CNN political commentator Roland Martin, CNN and GLAAD (The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation).
Brock’s comments are in response to Roland Martin’s Super Bowl Sunday twitter controversy when his tweets referred to smacking the ‘ish’ out of an arbitrary ‘dude’ if he became ‘hyped about David Beckham’s H&M underwear ad.’ Another tweet pointed out a New England Patriot in a ‘head to toe pink suit’ who should be paid a visit from ‘teamwhipdatass.’
RELATED: Jasmyne A. Cannick: Is Pink Rage Controlling Black America?
Here are the now controversial Tweets in their entirety:
If a dude at your Super Bowl party is hyped about David Beckham’s H&M underwear ad, smack the ish out of him! #superbowl.
Who the hell was that New England Patriot they just showed in a head to toe pink suit? Oh, he needs a visit from #teamwhipdatass
Martin is a credible commentator and an outspoken journalist, whom audiences have seen pontificate on a gamut of issues. His aforementioned statements on Twitter were not made in an official capacity on CNN, they were quite possibly made in jest and most certainly made in the highly scrutinized arena of social media.
Roslyn Brock found Roland Martin’s carefree use of the medium regrettable, but gave this optimistic statement to EURweb’s Lee Bailey about the status of the case at the time:
The NAACP wholeheartedly agrees that Roland Martin’s political views are an asset on the airwaves and that his presence on CNN promotes a diverse atmosphere on network television.
Besides CNN, Roland Martin can be seen weekly as the host of Washington Watch on TV-One.
Meanwhile, the Martin/GLAAD controversy continues to sizzle with news that the outspoken commentator’s radio boss, Tom Joyner, has written an open letter admonishing him among other things to do the right thing in regards to his meeting with GLAAD.
Well, EUR contributor Morris O’Kelly pointed out that Martin responded by “retweeting” the note below from Bishop T.D. Jakes. Its thinly-veiled connection to the Tom Joyner open letter can’t be disregarded:
There is no arguing, Roland Martin is on Tom Joyner’s speed dial. There is no arguing, Tom Joyner writing an open letter would qualify as a public forum. Roland Martin CLEARLY was making a point, co-signing the Jakes tweet and it shouldn’t be ignored or mitigated.
HEAR what Morris “Mo’Kelly” O’Kelly has to say about the situation in his exclusive and incisive “Two Minute Warning” report:
Tom Joyner’s open letter to Roland Martin:
A Letter to Roland: Make It Right
Tom Joyner
I think one of the things that makes the TJMS work is that, like a real family, we bring a variety of personalities, talents and flaws to the table, yet we accept our differences and roll with them. It only becomes a problem when one of our actions – or lack thereof – begins to detract from our overall goal, which is to entertain and empower black people.
As head of the family, I’ve sat back as long as I could, hoping I wouldn’t have to say anything. But now the time has come.
So, Roland, we love you and need you full force to be able to do what you do – represent us and our views on CNN and other arenas. In order to continue your role on that show, on the speaking circuit, etc., it’s time for you to make a sincere apology to GLAAD (The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation). When people are offended by something we say or do, it doesn’t matter what our intentions are. The job of the offender is simply to apologize and learn a lesson about what to say or do going forward.
Your mission is greater than your principal. It’s no longer about you. Now it’s grown into something bigger than you are, but only you can make right.
We love and appreciate what you do as a journalist, an analyst and commentator. You are a much -needed voice in the community and have the gift of being able to relate with everybody from the ‘hood to the White House.
We’ve gone through this with another family member who refused to turn around. I sure would hate to see pride silence another important voice.
Make it right, Roland, so we can move forward.
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So I wonder why Tom could not say this to Roland himself?
Maybe Tom just wanted to put another voice of reason out there… I dunno. I agree with him though. Not so much with apologizing to GLAAD, but ANYONE who may have been offended. Roland is way too smart for this BS.
Tom didn’t say it to himself because this is his MO.
He employs Roland Martin yet the best way he found to reach out to him, was in front of the world?
Ironically, he chastised Tavis for being “unfair” in his criticism of a man most of us didn’t even know prior to 2007.
Yet, he bypasses speaking to one of his employees (that he does know) in favor of worldwide attention.
Hope this tells ya’ll all you need to know about Uncle Tom.
This.
x2
Something is wrong with Joyner. He takes ignorance to a whole different level.
it’s time for you to make a sincere apology to GLAAD (The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation)
We’ve gone through this with another family member who refused to turn around. I sure would hate to see pride silence another important voice.
This is indeed a strange letter. But I must say I was a bit amused by the not too direct reference to Tavis.
But beyond his demeaning treatment of Roland, what does this say about Joyner?
Is this an example of the fear which GLADD has the ability to instill, even in the hearts of some of the most powerful voices in the black community?
When I first saw the headline, I welcomed it as a call to arms by the black community – a veiled threat to CNN on Roland’s behalf. And I think that was the intention of the NAACP. But this from Joyner seems to be something totally different. It’s more like someone pandering to GLAAD, begging to be spared of any retribution resulting from Roland’s actions.
What a whimp.
“But beyond his demeaning treatment of Roland, what does this say about Joyner?
Is this an example of the fear which GLADD has the ability to instill, even in the hearts of some of the most powerful voices in the black community?
When I first saw the headline, I welcomed it as a call to arms by the black community – a veiled threat to CNN on Roland’s behalf. And I think that was the intention of the NAACP. But this from Joyner seems to be something totally different. It’s more like someone pandering to GLAAD, begging to be spared of any retribution resulting from Roland’s actions.
What a whimp.”
True dat!!!!! Seems to me, the NAACP should be looking out for Roland, instead of playing “kumbaya.” But thats what the NAACP does.
Tom Joyner clearly can’t be trusted. I guess his goal is to bring Roland Martin down the same way he did Tavis.
I’m not mad at Tom Joyner for his open letter. What Roland did was careless and a man in the position of arguing and debating on behalf of black people should never belittle other groups of people. I read his tweets regularly and he goes up to the line alot. This time he crossed it. You never see Anderson Cooper or Tom Brokaw Tweeting these types of things because there are consequences.
The purpose of Tom’s open letter was to protect his establish his position on the matter and to keep his show from being pulled into this mess. To the person that refered to him as an Uncle Tom, understand, he has always stood up for black people and he is only protecting his vehicle. In regards to why an open letter, he needed the world to know where he stood. In my opinion, he would be a worse person if he stood by Roland without encouraging him to do the right thing.
It is strange to see comments that strike down Tom Joyner’s actions with this letter. Clearly, you must realize the effort and hard work it takes to get advertisement dollars. Roland know all to well that Tom would have to publicly say something to this nature not to hurt the the show. I am just appalled that we will chop off our nose to spite our face. We as a people take these things so personal and never look at the business aspect of it. If we continue to let one person destroy a platform that reaches millions then we will not have a platform at all. This is evident just by your TV representation. How may black shows do you see out there nationally. Not one. Because we have become non-existent to the media. So think first before you speak. We must sure up our base and protect the only media’s we have left to voice our opinions. Me personally, I do not want Roland, Tavis or any one person to ever silence the limited outlets that are available to us.
Look people ..its this simple if you make any slurs ..racial, sexual orientation , faith based.. you’re going to be called out on the red carpet for ..case and point with Mr. Martin..and the GLAAD community. Blacks are the most homophic people in the planet..
but yet..the minute the tables are turned and racial slur are made against blacks.. here we go marching..screaming “no justice no peace”..and demand that the person who made racial slur.. be it a journalist making the racial slur should be suspended.. and how many times has thi demand by the black community became successful? Many times.. and so people if you think the tables can’t TURN and african americans can’t make racial slurs or sexual orientation slurs as Mr. Martin demonstrated.. then you are living in a make believe world..
Mr. Martin was wrong period.. a lesson learned when tweeting.. and everything media device is viral today..tweets, email, youtube..etc.,
so should Mr. Marting be suspended?.. YES!.. should he get his job back? Yes.. should he make an apology? Yes.. END of story with Mr. Martin..
Tom Joyner’s Letter? I don’t understand why the open letter to Mr Martin..unless Mr. Martin is being paid for his commentaty on the ( TJMS).. if so.. then its probably a conflict of interest for Mr. Joyner.. if any of you know how businesses are ran..the beauracy.