I learned the hard way to be leery of liberal missionaries.
I take liberals with a grain of salt.
And missionaries….Whew, I suspect, and keep at arm’s length, as they are generally closet connivers, thinking they know what’s best for Black folks, believing we are culturally immature and incapable of thinking for ourselves.
Through a half-century of observations, it is obvious they believe we must be guided and controlled, used as political pawns.
Seventy-five percent are ‘step off the edge of the earth Democrats.’ The remaining are Bernie Sanders supporters.
Against that backdrop, I was taken aback to learn of the sale of the Courier Communications media ‘empire’ to the Missionary vehicle Civic Media, a couple of weeks ago. Courier communications include the Milwaukee Courier newspaper and radio station WNOV.
WNOV was’ the only Black owned radio station in the state. The Courier was the state’s oldest Black owned newspaper.
Civic Media brands itself as a ‘public benefit corporation,’ whatever that means.
It owns a barnyard of radio stations around the state.
In a press release, Civic Media describes itself as ‘rooted in radio, operating a growing network of broadcast, digital, streaming and community platforms that connect people on the issues, events and voices ‘shaping (or reshaping) their daily lives.
‘It believes informed communities are essential to a healthy democracy and is committed to providing accessible, ‘accurate’ information that encourages civic understanding and engagement.’
In other words, Civic Media’s agenda is to influence the public (us) from its perspective—which you can interpret as being from a left-leaning perspective —now in Black face.
Which is not to mean white ownership translates to a turn-of-the-century platform.
But even recent history provides examples of a hidden agenda.
When the missionaries engaged and took over the George Floyd protests, for example, they turned the demonstrations into a political campaign for Joe Biden; the essence of the movement was smothered in quicksand.
If you’re old enough, you might remember the (daily) Journal tried to run an inner city version of its newspaper.
It died a painful death. And let’s not forsake the penultimate missionary newspaper, the Shepherd Express, which has for decades led and continues to dictate the Black agenda and African American leadership.
Prior to joining the Truth, Sherwin Hughes — my favorite local talk show host—dipped his big toe into an upstart missionary radio station. He and Earl Ingram were the Black faces. Sherwin refused to be a black pawn and soon quit.
On the positive side, the discontinuation of the Courier as a Black-owned newspaper means the Milwaukee Community Journal will become not only the most influential Black-owned press, but, as of January 1, the most tenured Black newspaper, entering our 50th year in 2026.
I can only speculate on the platform of the new ‘NOV. ‘ I expect the future philosophy of the station and newspaper.
For the record, while I occasionally listen to Michelle Bryant, firebrand and former chief of staff of state senator now Milwaukee County Judge Lena Taylor, my radio dial is set to 101.7 the Truth. Sherwin Hughes is my favorite local talk show host, but his show conflicts with Michelle’s.
Indeed, the Truth lineup keeps me engaged with the station all day.
From (the now defunct) ‘Jammin with Juice,’ Sherwin, and Kyle ‘left hook’ Wallace, activist and trump supporter Tory Lowe, and finally Dr. Ken Harris, moderate intellectual, the day is as refreshing as a Thanksgiving meal in July.
Despite his employment and training within Democratic circles, Sherwin is a pragmatic visionary who is the most astute and politically savvy journalist in southeastern Wisconsin.
I can only speculate on the platform of the new ‘NOV. ‘ I expect the future philosophy of the station and newspaper to make a sharp left turn on I-94.
White ownership does not mean it cannot relate. If that were the case, we would starve.
Black students in government schools would be shortchanged (maybe that’s a bad example).
Conversely, I can’t have my hair cut by a white barber, and I use a Black doctor and dentist, and I prefer my chef to be brought up in a soulful house.
Dr.Robert Baker, a professor at UWM, who describes himself as a ’technologist and cultural guru, has been announced as the new general manager of WNOV. His resume suggests he will be in tune with Africentric concerns.
But the new face of the station will be Earl Ingram, who was rejected as a host for NOV several years ago due to philosophical differences.
I’ve known Earl for years. He has earned his stripes throughcommunity activism, though his blind allegiance to Democratic politics as the cure-all for Black concerns has been at odds with my Black nationalist philosophy. He is a perfect match for the station.
My concern for the future’s philosophical direction of NOV was addressed by Byrant, whosaid in a news article that the trustand independence of the station may be undermined by white (liberal) ownership.
“I understand the significance of having Black voices that arenot controlled,” she said, “and not scripted, a reference to biased interviews and commentaries intended to sway a political agenda.
“Not bought and paid for… notunder pressure to conform ormake other people (whites) comfortable. We have to get value forour own entities. We have got to stop relying on White folks to come and see what Black folksbuilt.”
I took her comments to mean she is not long for a stationgrounded in ‘missionary politics.’ Expect more national and international guests, chosen by management.
Sometimes you have to read between the lines. I anticipate aninfusion of cash to offset philosophical concerns.
I guess I’m guardedly optimistic. As of yesterday, Michellestarted the day at NOV. When Iopened her YouTube page, shewas interviewing white guests talking about Venezuela instead ofshootings on Vliet Street.
Hotep
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