The local PBS station, KCPT, has a weekly news/conversation program each Thursday evening called "Ruckus" it is widely known. And it's usually a pretty good program, definitely, discussing local government and business current events. Given the shrinking of the Kansas City Star in town, it becomes an even more important outlet, if brief, at 30 minutes.
Last night's program, however, had at least one glaring problem I and I believe a lot of others would agree.
There was the very white, Right Wing host, three white men and one white woman.
That was it.
I swore there were Black Americans and Hispanics and other races that lived in our city.
I swore there was. Is.
There wasn't even any indication there was a Liberal or Left Winger on the program. Honestly, not one. You'd think they might have one so they could gang up and verbally beat up on and abuse them, the way now-deceased John McLaughlin used to do to Eleanor Clift on "The McLaughlin Group." Maybe Steve Glorioso wasn't available? Someone else? The program has had "people of color", minorities on it in the past, as anyone who watches it knows, just not last night.
Apparently, their idea of "inclusion" is letting a woman sit with them. Heck, the host, Mike Shanin, even asked her a question. Two, even.
Between the host and the crotetchety, deeply Right Wing attorney Steve Mirakian and, again, the Libertarian, they got the Republicans and Right Wing covered, 10 ways from Sunday. (I will say one good thing about the Libertarian. At least he's against the unnecessary boondoggle of a new, billion dollar airport).
Apparently, their idea of "inclusion" is letting a woman sit with them. Heck, the host, Mike Shanin, even asked her a question. Two, even.
Between the host and the crotetchety, deeply Right Wing attorney Steve Mirakian and, again, the Libertarian, they got the Republicans and Right Wing covered, 10 ways from Sunday. (I will say one good thing about the Libertarian. At least he's against the unnecessary boondoggle of a new, billion dollar airport).
The other part of this inclusion of theirs is letting a self--professed Libertarian (whatever that means) on the show.
But a Black person from the city this week? A Hispanic? Heck, an Asian? Anything else?
I guess that would make a ruckus.
Understand, I love my KCPT and PBS, absolutely. I wouldn't want to live without it.
I just thought their standards were and would be higher, and more inclusive, than this.
Link: Ruckus | KCPT
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2 comments:
Why don't they put Richard Tolbert back on the show?
Why don't they put Richard Tolbert on the show. He used to co-host a show with Mike Shanin?
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