Michael Baisden's "Jena-Gate" a Sham for Ratings

And this is why Black folks can't get ahead.

After ColorofChange.org helped drive the Black netroots toward the Jena 6 campaign and worked non-stop to turn that campaign into national news, radio host Michael Baisden has dragged some disgruntled family member on the air to accuse the non-profit org of "stealing" money.  On Monday and again on Tuesday Marcus Jones, the father of Mychal Bell of the Jena 6, came on Baisden's show hurling accusations ranging from the sketchy (a letter allegedly signed by other family members asking people to stop sending money) to outright lies (that Color of Change ran off with a $10,000 donation from David Bowie - it was widely reported that the NAACP, in fact, took that donation).

In fact, Color of Change, bucking non-profit tradition, actually has a rigorously documented trail of every penny they've received, quite literally.  According to their response, they raised $212,039.90 and have disbursed $210,809.90.  You can even check out the deposited checks paid to the legal teams and authorizations signed by the families including Marcus Jones.  That's a lot of transparency for a "shady" organization trying to get rich off of online organizing.  According to my math, it looks like they've pocketed a grand total of $1,230.    Oh wait.  That's still in the bank and if the families need it for legal fees, they can get it exactly the same way they got the rest.

And that, I think, is exactly Marcus Jones' real issue.  Color of Change, to protect themselves and the families from exactly these kind of ugly accusations, set up a system where the money collected for legal defense is distributed exclusively for legal defense.  That means when Mychal Bell's lawyer files an invoice for doing his job, he gets paid.  Marcus Jones?  Not a Penny in His Pocket.  Axe. 2. Grind.  Maybe Mr. Jones doesn't like Color of Change or its director, but these accusations are simply unfounded.  In fact, Michael Baisden seems to be the only one willing to give them a platform.

For weeks Baisden has been baiting listeners with a salacious "breaking news" story about the thieves of the Jena 6.  He billed the whole thing like he was breaking "Jena Gate": "Tune in tomorrow.  I'm gonna name names!"  (I bet the advertisers and up and ups at ABC Networks who distributes the show nationally just loooved that shameless ratings grab). 

But what held him up?  He said on Monday's show he's been talking to Jones for months.  Why hold this story?  Why not bring the vigilantes to justice?  Of course, it was the facts that actually slowed him down.  All the documentation I mentioned above was available to Baisden and the show's producers.  They had the paper trail and other family members tried to talk to them and dispute the claims.  They knew Jena-Gate was a lie when they let Jones on the air this week. But they simply didn't care.  This isn't Black politics.  On "Love, Lust and Lies"  it's all Black entertainment.

When I listened closely, I realized that Baisden never actually verbalized the accusations himself.  While he spoke in vague condemnations, he let Marcus Jones actually do the naming of names he'd talked up.  So, while the ethics department may be out to lunch, we can rest assured that the lawyers at ABC radio are paying enough attention to make sure that Baisden didn't get slapped with a libel suit.  At least not right away...

This is a bit of a rant, but I think it's important to make this story clear because it actually isn't only about defending Color of Change.  I do support their work around Jena and beyond and think they're serious about building a base of engaged Black people with a progressive vision.  Much more so than the usual civil rights suspects.  But I also hear the bell tolling around a larger fight:  Through Baisden, the corporate media is pimping a fake scandal for ratings at the expense of a serious, progressive Black political agenda - all while claiming to be the authentic, if not only, voice for the community. 

This story is about corporate media, fronted with Black faces, undermining not  only an organization, but a successful attempt to change the conversation about race, criminalization and Black communities.  Baisden is exploiting Black peoples' reasonable  skepticism around institutions - every one in this country has hustled us in one way or another -  to make us feel like when we stood up for something profound and won a real victory, we'd simply been had. Our contribution made in vain.  So when the next campaign comes around and legal defense is needed, he'll have helped turn the bit of optimism generated by Jena to a jaded, empty cynicism.  And for what?  A larger share of the drive-time audience? 

Thankfully, Baisden does have a solution.  You can give him your money.  Next week he's setting up a fund so his one million listeners can raise  $1,000,000 in one day to go into his own coffers. 

I'll be surprised if we can view his canceled checks online...

Comments

[adrienne maree]

thank you for writing this andre - i've done a bit of recent work supporting color of change on their structure and was so impressed with their integrity and how hurt they have been by this incomprehensible response to very generous, selfless help. big ups for exposing it!

[TheIcon]

Very well said. It's also sad that people are giving people like Al Sharpton and Michael Baisden all the credit for getting the Jena Six case to national attention when it was blacknet-root groups such as ColorofChange and other groups like it that was at the forefront of this matter.

[fried okra]

you are going to see an audit with many of these programs. the jena six, reverend moran, the whole works are bling-blinging. we knew that was going to happen, the world did not. i am from jena, louisiana. these families are very poor and now have new vehicles. an audit is needed, don't you thing?

[Eddie Griffin]

Sure, everything needs to be accounted for, including every word that has come out of Baisden's mouth with regard to Color of Change. Let's not shift the focus until this issue is resolved.

[Alan Bean]

I would like to respond to our friend from Jena. I have now been to your town 18 times, most recently, this week. Only one Jena 6 family sports a "fancy" car, and the brother of the driver is an NFL player. There is no evidence that a nickel of defense fund money has been used for bling, cars or any other personal item. One family has no car. Carwin Jones' father drives a Pontiac that is at least eight years old. It's time to lay the "fancy cars" nonsense to rest.

Alan Bean
Friends of Justice

[Andre]

Alan, thanks for the clarification. We're so used to corruption we're starting to find it even where it doesnt exist. And Baisden has exploited that fact in a way that's clearly calculated and deceitful.

I do think the kind of transparency color of change has modeled here is just what's needed to help us keep the faith.

[Jesse Johnson]

Great post Andre! Well thought out. I think the actions of "Mad Dog Base 10", border on a subtle form of terrorism.

[Jesse Johnson]

Michael Baisden has scheduled a fund raiser event for his foundation in Atlanta today and tomorrow. Does his foundation have the transparency of ColorOfChange?

[Gina from What About Our Daughters?]

Oh this is so much bigger than Baisden and Jena six. It is so much bigger. This was a Pearl Harbor style attack.

[Fred Irvin NYC]

I also feel the same as everyone else and HIGHLY dissapointed that Michael should have had Mr. Rucker on to apologize and he should have dismissed the staff responsible for not giving up the facts(as If?).Well the other shoe dropped when some reporter from The Chicago Times accused him of the same.He is drowing in his own power as I see it. He needs to man up (as he likes to say) and have the families involved and Mr. Rucker their time on the 'MIKE".

[Holsey Brown]

Right on! Father U - C - K Michael Baisden and his crew. Baisden has proven to me that he is a sellout with no regard for any other brother attempting to help another. It sounds like Baisden trying to cut out colorofchange.org and other non-profits in order to meet his agend of 1 million dollars.

Also, Father -U-C-K the Jena 6 and their bling bling attitude. They are no better than OJ Simpson after I saw them suckas on YOUTUBE flashing them Michael Baisden dollars. Them Jena fools only want cash in their bank accounts so they can go out and make Cadillac the #1 dealership in the nation. Baisden probably gonna kick them fools down with some cash once he get his 1 million.

[Holsey Brown]

Well check out them fools online blinging it up! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAZQlgPO8qc

[Holsey Brown]

These fools are a black eye to the movement right along with OJ Simpson.

[Shawna Jones]

I am really upset about Michael Baisdens actions. I also petitioned he issue an apology but i agree that this needs more than an apology because now people will feel like who can you trust! We must stick together and he seems to be only for himself. I was a faithful listener to the Baisden show but I will no longer support baisden he really should have done the right thing. Not attack a good organization that really helped the Jena 6 families. The Jones father really is the slickster!Isn't he the one who told his son this is what it is to be black?

[1dwn52go]

I use to listen to Michael Baisden, purely for entertainment - NEVER AGAIN. I have always had a problem with his statistics and the way he blurts things out without regard for the truth. He should be ashamed of himself, he is being used as a catalyst to keep us from presenting a united front. You would never see this type of division from our Vanilla brothers and sisters. I would like him to answer why bring up 10 steps forward to then bring us 100 steps back? I'm sure he won't lose too many of his listeners the majority of them are interested in Naked Bible Study and Naked Twister!

[Floyd Palmer]

I would like to start by saying that thanks to colorofchange being so transparent, that we have a reputable base from which to start the new movement. That being said, Mike Baisden has damaged the reputation of not only Colorofchange, but the movement. The powers that be, that are against us are not in a big frenzy because they are just waiting for people like Mike to act like crabs," when one attempts to climb up the others pull him down." When we lose this mentality and start to treat each other as brothers and sisters with the same goals and purpose in life, we will be great, we will prosper as a people, rather than a bunch of nomads stuggling for our single existance. In a political sense we are in worse conditions than the Palesintinains. At least they have 2 organizations that that agree that there is a problem, they just do not know how to fix it collectively. We can not agree first what the problems are, or if any is there any problem. I will end by saying, Together WE Stand, Divided WE Fall and FAIL!!!

[Holsey Brown]

Baisden plain and simply wants to put money in Michael Bells fathers hands. The reason them cowards from Jena went to jail is because their parents did not raise them with any kind of decency. When I grew up in Compton we always had race fights at my high school in the 90's but i never joined in because it was a bunch of gang jive. Now hear at the center of our cause is a bunch of money hungry, bling, blinging fools who are attempting to tear down our movement.

...Let Michael Bell and his daddy go back to prison, I wont support that kind of movement again and all the ignorant rants that come along with it (HELL to THE NAWW!!, WHAT THEY DO?, FOR REAL DOUGH!, Fa SHO!)

If you aint a progressive black living in 2007 your butt need to be shot. After all we been through, and knowing all we got to do is educate ourselves, start a career and take care of our family. If them Jena 6 punks got off the welfare and bling, simply signed up for a college education and a career....we could all reast easy in knowing that we are on board for a bunch of positive brothers. But NO WAY could them punks stay off the youtube bling. Could you imagine a society where brothers actually took care of business and signed up for a college education instead of bling like these fools. Now Baisden wants to "front one Michael Bell and his daddy some stacks"...err I mean he wants to have Micahel Bells father as a silent partner in a money laundering and tax evasion scheme.

Michael Bell and his daddy on too much bling and dope if you ask me.

[Lionel R. Logan]

It is indeed a shame that people like Michael Baisden allow themselves to be used by the system to try to destroy whatever good the people in our community are attempting to do.
Mr. Baisden: Please assure that the process you use with the money you raise is as transparent and as thoroughly accounted for as the colorofchange process. To start the process, please produce the original letter signed by the six??? four??? one??? parent(s).

[Cuzon Blood]

Surely, the common folks know that Black folk and also some poor white Louisianians were railroaded, are railroaded and by the grace of an Awesome Elohim, we will come from out among the heathens, in our lifetime.
But, growing up in both Orleans and Jefferson Parishes and on the frontline in straight up do or die race riots, where the police oft sided with the others. I still can find no honour in six on one. We fought head up, pound for pound, eye to eye, toe to toe. And moreso, many sisters fought bravely up front. We were fighting for our very lives after being bused into hostile neighbourhoods. Just my humble opinion sisters and brothers. We'll work it out! Have to or disappear from the landscape. For the record, as a proud red, nappy - headed child of God I saw our real leaders killed, thrown in stockades, exiled and the remainder ostracized in our very own communities by reptile - talking Negroes. When the Soul brothers and sisters were systematically fazed out, 'they' cut down mostly all the shade trees and poured in more concrete and the Negroes ran wild for the love of money. Wanting their hearts desire; the crumbs Uncle Charlie could sweep up and re-destribute amongst the Afro-Saxons and their offsprings. Not wanting freedom for the ex-slave's great- grand children. No sir, it was jail or the graveyard for us. Forgetting about the common Black folk who loved red, black and green! We remember and we remember well.
So, good luck with your re-run remonstrations and demonstrations, for soon the TRUTH will be in the streets, 'looking for a New Day' with clean hands and hearts. Just my observations having survived 4 1/2 decades in this wilderness, cher.
PS., Now that your children are being caught up, you expect everyone to get all excited and emotional and have you 'lead' them to confront the most powerful military force in modern history, only giving lip-service to Christ Iyesus, the Saviour. Negrow, please! What about the Panthers in Angola, the brothers rotting in camp J, the sisters in St. Gabriel and all up in them new complexes deep in the Bayous? They are not forgotten. You are more "criminal" than some of the lil' petty crap they were convicted for. For, you are leading our people to be slaughtered in this hellenic stronghold and you know it. Most of them unarmed chanting your childish rhyming. Even, Doc' was protected for awhile by the Deacons for Defence.
Ramp... Come into knowledge.
All who are coming, come! All who are staying, stay! Peace go with you, seems as though you've forgot about the ones who are locked out of Corporate America. The world is watching the vaudeville show.

[keeesha]

Right on bruh! I tried to explain the samething(s) you said in your article as-well-as all the other articules on this blog to my narrowed-blinged-mindless ass cousin but she still thinks that the Jena Six (Criminal-ass Six) should be let off the hook. I don't think so, seeing how they are all guilty. What's up with six on one? Sorry black asses. To the silly white people and foolish black people who thought these boys where "wronged" let a group of white boys jump your son! Oh, he should of did the whole sentence they gave him.

[The gods play both sides of the coin]

They said HW was a "traitor", evident with the airplane incident during WorldWarII. As we witnessed repeatedly in the 20th century, these incidents ocurr to establish a legacy and pave the way for a far more significant events in the future::::
If true this legacy would recurr in W's administration::::
Rebate checks on the way into and out of office are both bad signs.
Signing on to Iraq to eliminate Saddam and 4,000 Americans is another clue.
Don't be surprised if they have him sabotage some things on his way out, and since McCain is good it will (has) happen(ed) one way or the other::::
The whole economy issue came out of nowhere in February 2008. Consistant with the god's methodology, expect justification was utilized::::::
Of course the crashing dollar of the last few years has comeplled OPEC to value oil with the Euro instead of the dollar.
Don't forget:::The Reagan administration was charecterized with banking scandal too.

Sounding like a goddamn blooming idiot when he speaks is a clue unlike any others. When Reagan spoke it sounded as if he "fuddled", a clue not to trust him.
"They're going to pay for 2004." Redneck states. And how many think they are "earning"?

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Like aging, sleep is behavior forced upon us.
News story on sleep research, a good example of how education is preditory, deceptive.
People aren't fresher or sharper because of good sleep. The gods control all this.
Actually, they've mentioned that people with favor don't have to sleep and, like aging, sleep is behavior forced upon us.
This is today's research. Expect this applies to early research as well.
Incidentally, the gods create male superiority in the fields of computers, science and math for preditory reason.
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Search "finalprophet" and the Man in the Moon paragraph to find my sound file web site.
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There is one geographic clue I have not addressed in years:::Uranus, a planet tilted 90 degrees on its axis. I have stated in years past that I think this is yet another geographic clue offered by the gods, this one suggesting the fate of planet Earth, that tectonic plate subduction would be the method of disposal:::Earth’s axis will shift breaking continental plates free and initiating mass subduction.
Undesirables will either perish in the government marijuana erradication program "gone awry" or be the recipients of reparations granted by the US government because of it.
Or both.
I believe the New Testiment battle of the Anti-Christ and the Second Coming of Christ will ocurr in subsequent years SPECIFICALLY because these people will be distracted with the money during the event.
When the Earth's axis shifts people will be cast into outer space with gold cards in hand.
I think this was foreshadowed on an episode of the Simpsons where Homer and Bart are on the disfavored ship and eject, only to experience a sense of euphoria, expand then explode in the vacuum of space.

Recall I recently brought up the possible Manifest Destiny-positioned Chinese invasion of the United States (west coast) upon economic abandonment by their clone host tools (economic destruction and deterioration.mp3). They have mentioned this in years past.
Newspaper just made a curious change where they combined the sports and business sections, and to properly read the business section you need to read "backward". Like Asian languages.
Tariffs. The gods are instruct their tools to defend open free trade, as they will to the bitter end. The gods have a script and they need economic (d)evolution sufficient to justify what they have scripted for our future, so they use their tools to adamantly defend this concept of fair trade::::The time for tariffs has long since past.
Incidentally, the Chinese recalls (lead-based paint on toys, toothpaste, etc) may be in preparation for this invasion, a tactic esuring a percentage of disfavored affected will fight to the bitter end.
I've recently stated how the gods will use the Japanese as role models to the Chinese as China becomes increasingly Westernized. Expect a cultural movement celebrating Japanese culture in decades prior, much as we witnessed in the west in the past.
If we do witness a Chinese invasion on American soil don't be surprised if the very same tactics the Japanese employed on the Chinese will be used on us. Lack of empathy is a dynamic the gods will find important in the context of justification, niggers:::
I've recently stated how the gods will use the Japanese as role models to the Chinese as China becomes increasingly Westernized.
Feedback II.wav
If we do witness a Chinese invasion on American soil don't be surprised if the very same tactcs the Japanese employed on the Chinese will be used on us. Lack of empathy is a dynamic the gods will find important in the context of justification.
Recall how Americans so frequently laughed at the French for their lack of military response when confronted by the Nazi army. To resist would have been suicide. Their reaction was appropriate. The opposite would be one as we witnessed in Vietnam. These are morbidly disfavored Asians and take great pride in their resistance. The gods DO use their pride in resistance by positioning in appropriate temptation, ensuring minimal sucess.
If events transpire I recommend you respond like the French and not like the Vietnamese. If this is a west coast event it may not have serious effect but if it is nationwide the United States will lose over a hundred million in the South and midwest.

It doesn't matter. McCain doesn't have a chance. Osama's too good. The debates will be one-sided. He has a better chance against Hillary. I can get into the explanation that the gods only use their power to hurt the disfavored, but you've already heard it. Consistant with this, expect gas to climb to $4 if not $5 this summer, ensuring the election is delivered to the wrong candidate, just like 2004::::They've used the price of gas to punish the people for electing the wrong person.
IN 2000 you didn't have a choice, and they sent this clue very nicely with proceedings surrounding the election. But 2004 was different. In an ironic twist it will be just the opposite this year, where the gods use the price of gas and run-down economy diverts you TO their prefered candidate. It's ocurring intentionally for this purpose.
You idiot redneck political types are the chumps here. 1998::::Something for everybody. Clinton's impeachment was for people like you. ANYTIME the kids support a candidate it is a RED FLAG, and they supported Clinton in 1992.
It is VERY important that you think clearly::::::::It's important you differentiate between your thoughts and when the computer thinks through you. They've led many into Damnation with this tactic.
Both Clinton and Osama have redwhite&blue campaign signs. John McCain's is blue and white.
McCain's our man.
After 2003 John McCain stated his opposition to the war. Despite this pro-war "party line" he must adhere to as the Republican candidate I'd like this used during the campaign. Without it he is finished.
"McCain's a dinosaur." So was matchmaking. So was decency.
People don't understand this issue. They see Osama and think he's the best candidate because he's appears to have more favor. Never look for consistancy, for Artificial Intelligence is infinitly dynamic:::They make W sound like an idiot when he speaks for a different reason. Also, "sumbling" and "idiot" likely have separate meanings associated. Sorry. It's not supposed to be easy.
The gods have their plan and they aren't going to allow any "do-gooders" interfere with how they intend to proceed:::When they put forth good they create tactics to play off the public's misconceptions::::Make him stumble over his words, etc. The gods send this clue in the Situation:::I'm trying to help people and they ruin my delivery to ensure the number of people who are receptive is minimized.
Don't forget::::The gods will create the perception of favor then corrupt the disfavored with it. My example is Mormons who have the appearance of favor. The gods use this to corrupt the others, even use it to enhance the ranks of LDS. And if any of you LDS think that "We've changed." can look to the Catholic Church as the roots of Christianity to help you understand.
Yes both candidates are clone hosts. Yes the gods will switch them out to justify them being good or evil, depending on how the script reads. But much as I explained this "multi-dimentional" thinking is not for you. The gods use this as a corruptor. They'll sell this, lie to the disfavored and use this as temptation.
"Your child is Hitler. Fuck him over." is just one example:::If you don't do the best you can for your children the gods will punish you very harshly.

In case you are still interested in the god's Planet Earth theater, favored redwhite&blue is a MAJOR player, and their favor is significant to justify not only the destruction of my life but the destruction of the Final Prophet and Planet Earth as well::::
Favored redwhite&blue is the true enemy of the people. I suspect consistant with this they are positioned responsible for the environmental deterioration that the repression of alternate technologies has wrought.
The gods put their positioning into place and then enforce it:::Christianity, Manifest Destiny, Sigmund Freud's psychoanalysis, 1906's New Roman Empire. I suspect World War II's Nazi ideals of "Aryan superrace" is another example of the gods getting their tools into place for the theater that will be the Apocalypse.
Because of their status as enemies of the New Roman Empire the germans are going to be positioned as the destructors, similar to how they were portrayed in World War II.
Don’t be surprised if favored redwhite&blue turns out to be the Anti-Christ and leads the Fourth Reich, fulfilling this positioning and proving to the world the destructive nature of this economic system. This may not be exactly how their script reads, but the god's have a BIG SURPRISE like this to spring on the disfavored, and it will contain an insult like this as a clue NOT to watch this theater::::::Expect they will fulfill some contrived positioning foreshadowed in WorldWarII:::Some American plays the role of hero and emerges as the Second Coming of Christ for this final scene.
Who will it be? Italian? Look for at least the mother to be Italian, consistant with matrilineal descent, allowing the New Roman Empire to claim the Second Coming of Christ. It’s all just theater. The gods don't admit any of this because people woudl freak, especially as we approached the big day.

People may say “How can they poisiton favored redwhite&blue in as the Anti-Christ?” It may be consideration. Don’t forget:::They prey on enemies of the Roman Empire out of respect for their Manifest Destiny superiors.
The gods positioning the Italians gave it to him for his loyalty. They gave it to him for his efforts to defeat alternate technologies/energy sources, ensuring the people would be delivered to the point of desperation.
It’s all theater. The gods position it that the New Roman Empire is dooling out the “big prizes”, and Anti-Christ is a big role. Likely the gods position it as it buys him immortality in the context of this absentee-Christian god positioning. The “help” of this “back hand” is the gods positioned that he needs this to achieve immortality because of all the evil he engaged in during the course of his life, building his organizational empire.