Ive written a 2-page letter to ABC 7 regarding their decision to share this story for 5 days. Im going to await a response before taking my letter to them personally, as opposed to e-mail and USPS. Below is a copy of my letter. November 16, 2014 To Whom It May Concern: I am an avid viewer of ABC 7 Eyewitness News, and often times I appreciate the selection of what is considered news worthy from the same. I can be quoted as offering my appreciation to your news station for the successful, weekly coverage of the Jackie Robinson West (JRW) Youth Baseball Team, and how the coverage provided a ray of hope for our great City, particularly within some Black and Brown communities who was experiencing more notoriety regarding violence than victories. I can also be quoted as saying that the coverage could lead into this station, as well as others, placing more focus on the successes of those in Black and Brown communities, as opposed to the systemic highlighting of the failures within the same. Whereas I am still hopeful, I am also taken aback by the five-day news report of the “Wicker Park Craft Pizza Robbery Caught On Video.” The report, offered by Stacey Baca, on Wednesday, November 12, 2014 at 06:17 p.m., gave information about a “gang” of youngsters with a baby stroller who entered the Craft Pizza Shop in Wicker Park, and, cutting across the field, had one of the young people allegedly steal ten dollars ($10) from a tip jar, based upon the video. Afterwards, the report offered that one of the young people stole a seven-hundred ($700) bike of one of the employees by climbing the fence and, subsequently, unlocking the gate and stealing the bike. I will not argue with the video evidence, because this is the responsibility of their lawyer, if applicable. I am, however, quite disturbed that this “Wicker Park Craft Pizza Robbery Caught On Video” was worthy of keeping in circulation for five days. As I was watching the Sunday evening news with Mr. Ravi Baichwal and Ms. Karen Jordan, and the story surfaced again, I was quite amazed at how this story was receiving so much attention. During this reporting, Mr. Baichwal highlighted the capture of the young lady who allegedly stole the $10 out the tip jar. To add to the story, her mug shot was shown. To make matters worse, when I logged on to your website, this young lady, Gwenel McKeebey, 18, was the lead story under your segment titled “News.” Here is what it reads on Sunday, November 16, 2014 08:22 p.m.: CHICAGO (WLS) – Two people are charged in connection with a robbery caught on video at a Wicker Park pizza parlor last week. Gwenel McKeebey, 18, is charged with theft for allegedly stealing $10 from a tip jar at Craft Pizza. Police say surveillance video captured that incident, along with a juvenile male stealing the owner’s bike out back of the restaurant. He has also been charged. When the story aired, a man who purchased the bike for $100 off the street, called police and the bike was returned I am not writing this letter to challenge the innocence or guilt of the suspects; it’s not my job. I am, however, writing to call into question your alleged bulldog approach to keeping this story in circulation. With all the thefts that occur in Chicago, it shows an interesting bias that this story has received five days worth of sharing on your news cast, as well as your website. What is even more interesting is that your news outlet has invested time in showing the mug shot, and highlighting the story of a young lady who allegedly stole $10. I am placing emphases on the $10 because this does not seem news worthy, especially from an award winning media outlet. I fully understand the importance of reporting the news. I have the utmost respect for journalist, and I am always careful to ensure they remain faithful to their journalistic integrity. Whereas none of these are in question, I would ask that you consider the message your five days worth of reporting sends to all viewers, and this includes your faithful Black and Brown viewers. Media has come under scrutiny for how they report activities in Black and Brown communities versus other communities in Chicago. It has become commonplace that news outlets in Chicago highlight either bullets or ball playing in Black and Brown communities. And although JRW was a success because of baseball, the celebration made room for all media outlets to begin finding more joy in Black and Brown communities, as opposed to highlighting the negativity of the same. This alleged crime took place in Wicker Park. It is no secret that Wicker Park is not a predominantly Black or Brown community. It is shared by many races, via shopping, hanging out, etc., but the residents of the Wicker Park community does not comprise the sum total of Black or Brown people. When the story aired about the alleged robbery, it highlighted Black children in a culturally diverse community robbing a local business. It also highlighted an alleged bad parent for engaging in an alleged robbery with an infant, and she, too, is Black. Lastly, your news outlet felt the need to make it known she was captured and charge for stealing $10, while showing her picture. For others, they may see it as a simple crime, irrespective of race. For me, however, I feel this was overkill, as well as a blatant attempt to covertly continue the legacy of showing young Black children as threats to society. I reiterate, I am not challenging the innocence or guilt of the suspects. I am, however, offering for your contemplation that you see it through the eyes of one of your faithful viewers. There is enough taking place that separates who we are as Americans. Media, as responsible as they are for telling the story, should also be responsible for not agitating, instigating, or making subtle insinuations based upon what is chosen to be reported. I believe wholeheartedly that your decision to air this story for five days was in poor choice. I also believe that choosing to highlight the alleged $10 theft, while showing the mug shot was in greater poor choice. I am, however, open to hearing what led to the decision to keep this story in public view. I can be reached at __________, or you can e-mail me at _______________. Thank you for taking time to read my concern. Rev. Dr. L. Bernard Jakes Senior Pastor/Teacher
Posted on: Mon, 17 Nov 2014 06:36:13 +0000
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