Usually, this blog is dedicated to the worst news in and about Kansas City.
Today, strangely, I have something amazing to note.
Last night there was an astonishing turnaround in local media coverage of crime in minority communities . . .
KCK police say Scott Sappington, 16, was gunned down outside his grandmother's house, the suspect remains at large. What's so important about this story is that a vigil dedicated to the victims of this murder actually received decent coverage from Kansas City's media, especially KSHB.
The story went on for at least five minutes and is comparable to at least one of the nights of Kelsey Smith coverage.
Other media outlets noted the vigil as well. And for one brief moment there seemed to be a sign that the constant mention of MWWS by bloggers along with the notable work of activist/blogger Alonzo Washington actually made a bit of change.
Of course, today there is little mention of the important metro case in The Star whereas the largely political end of the Smith case received 24-point bold type front page coverage by Kansas City's paper of record yesterday.
But real change takes time and thanks to bloggers like RDM who also noted the disparity . . . Strangely, it seems like there be some hope for the way people of color are depicted by Kansas City media . . .
Trust me when i tell you this tony, Alonzo washington and the blogo's had nothing to do with this story being covered. And here is the reason why, this was a young black man who was doing the right thing, going to school, staying off drugs, not in a gang. That is why his murder was covered. It is a tragedy, because of the obstacles he was over coming living in the hell hole of inner city KCK.
ReplyDeleteHe was not some gang banger who got shot over a 20 dollar rock. Who's family doesn't want to talk to the cops because "they're going to take care of his killa themselves"...
And when you read this alonzo, take this from someone who believes in what you are doing, stop writing about yourself and how great you are no one likes that. I would shout your praises to the high heavens if i didn't think it would go to your head.
Little mention of it in The Star?
ReplyDeleteOnce again, your credibility trumps all, butthead.
Or does the issue your mom gets upstairs not contain the front page?
I second what newscrew said.
ReplyDeleteThe story got coverage because Scott wasn't some "who cares" murder. A lot of people cared. AND... they talked to the media. Let's be honest... if no one talks, there's no story.
I hit something like this on my blog yesterday...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.kendillon.blogspot.com/
Awesome writing Ken! Glad I found your blog on here.
ReplyDelete"...it seems like there be some hope for the way people of color are depicted by Kansas City media."
ReplyDeleteOh, crap. Fucked up again. Let the bleeding-heart interns cover my ass while I went bar-hopping and trolling for ass, and this happens. Shit. Never again!
Anyone else read Alonzo's blog? Now he's alleging that the only reason the 13-year old is getting charged as an adult is because she's black.
ReplyDeleteI guess Alonzo forgot the two white teenagers in Grain Valley who were also charged as adults in a murder case recently:
http://www.courttv.com/news/2006/1117/marquez_george_ctv.html
Or John Manard, the white teenager who was also tried as an adult:
http://blogs.kansascity.com/crime_scene/2006/02/john_manard_the.html
I think all of that shoe polish has started to seep into Alonzo's brain and affect his thought processes. Either that, or he's just an ignorant, arrogant man who likes to take credit for other people's work and grandstand when it's convenient. He makes Al Sharpton look credible in comparison.