For as long as I could remember, Ebony Magazine has been the media source for positive information regarding the African-American experience. I looked forward to receiving those articles in my parents mailbox with great eagerness as a child. Articles by Lerone Bennett Jr. helped us to look at the present from a historical perspective, while there were also glossy article on the cars, homes, careers, etc. What has traditionally been missing from Ebony, however, is relevance. The connection between the plush materials and the lived experience hadn't been translated clearly enough for me. So, when I got older, and moved into my own place, I chose not to suscribe to Ebony Magazine. Instead, I suscribed to Essence, Time, and Black Enterprise. I believed that those periodicals provided me with steps toward actualizing those materials, lifestyle, etc. Ebony couldn't fit the bill.
So, in essence, I agree with Gumbel's statement, no matter the lack of class inherent in making such a statement. There wasn't much class in Mrs. Johnson-Rice's rebuttal either. On both ends, the situation was handled poorly. The media moguls could have engaged in some constructive dialogue. For Johnson-Rice to insenuate that Gumbel isn't knowledgeable of the Black experience is tasteless especially since everyone's "Black experience" isn't identical.
At any rate, I concur with Gumbel, and believe that Ebony must make itself more relevant and less superficial going forward.
IMHO
[This message has been edited by nikki25 (edited June 12, 2001).]
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