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#1
11-09-2007, 02:35 PM
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Response to Color of Change
Response to Color of Change
November 9, 2007 The Michael Baisden show and staff were given inaccurate information regarding donations made by the public and David Bowie. We apologize to our listeners and to ColorofChange for not seeking more reliable sources. According to documentation provided by the organization through their web site, all the funds collected by ColorofChange have been distributed to the families as promised. We do, however, respect the right of four of the Jena 6 families who have insisted that ColorofChange discontinue collection of any monies on their behalf. But this should not reflect on the integrity of this organization which has collected and distributed over $200,000 to their legal defense. Any insinuations that were made about me wanting to be the sole fundraiser for legal defense is ridiculous. I am too tired after my radio gig to take on that responsibility, and furthermore, it is impossible. No one man or organization can fund the movement of an entire nation. I am relieved to have put this behind us so that both our organizations can get back to the business of helping people. There is nothing wrong with having disagreements, as long as you love the people enough to work it out, sooner rather than later. Thanks again for your support of the many organizations that are doing an outstanding job of raising money to help those who desperately need it. We’ve got a long way to go family and we won’t get there unless we work together. Divided we fall! Moving on, Let me thank everyone who donated their time and money to the Un-Equal Justice Legal Defense Fund. The Atlanta event was a huge success and we will continue to fight for what's right. My next goal is to become a mentor to a young boy and I'm hoping to encourage other men around the country to do the same. We must rescue our young boys from the streets and this system that destroys their self-esteem and reserves their cell at the state prison. I will do everything in my power to prevent that from happening. What are you willing to do to save the life of at least one of our precious boys? Michael Baisden 
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#2
11-09-2007, 03:05 PM
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Too Much Time Wasted
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If you were going all these great things the focus would not be on you. keep doing what you do. we love you
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#3
11-09-2007, 03:16 PM
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michael! i am just one of many that care about the good in you to do what you do! you already know that people will use you when you are a good person! stay strong! your family is the force that drives you ! see you in la/bike day.
your LA jenna 6 brother Harry Edwards harryedwards46@hotmail.com
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#4
11-09-2007, 04:28 PM
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Please Stop The Bashing!
Dear Michael Baisden,
It saddens me to hear the bashing going on about the ColorofChange organization. While I realize we are all entitled to our opinion, please stop! I was one of the people from Dallas, Texas to support and attend the protest in Jena LA. on 9/20/07, only after hearing about the story from you, and I decided I wanted to be involved. In fact my picture was on ABC's news web site the very next day, as well as in the Dallas Morning News the following day. Over the last week I have listened to you, and it truly hurts me personally that we as black people are attacking each other. I am a professional (Black Registered Nurse), and in my entire career of 27 years in the critical care areas, I have never been judgmental of anyone. What is going on right now is what the other side wants to see...which is fighting among each other. Instead of bashing the ColorofChange why not be grateful that they were able to send approximately 30 K for each of the Jena 6 boys. I truly thought you were a hero, but now I'm having second thoughts. We as black people are putting out malicious and resentful statements that in turn hurts us all. Michael, I humbly ask you to please for the sake of the new movement to avoid criticisms of others WHO are not trying to help speak for equal justice. Dallas had the largest delegation of supporters with 22 buses, and the bashing is making people feel like I feel. Let's just do whatever we can to help raise awareness of the injustices being done here in America. But in order for us to do this we must stick together. We must not bash anyone that is being supportive for the cause. Please-- for the sake of the children! Please stop bashing. Sincerely, Calvin Brown, RN Dallas, Texas CEBRN@AOL.COM
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#5
11-09-2007, 05:13 PM
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Color of Change Apology
I was very disappointed by Mr. Baisden's characterization of Color of Change as "shady" on his show earlier this week. While entitled to his own opinion, he should have thought about what those comments may have meant to "the movement", of which he is a crucial part.
Though he rightly apologized for not checking sources, he did not make mention of the inflammatory statements he made regarding individuals at Color of Change. I say inflammatory because the internet has been burning up due to his "shady" comments more so than his accusation of financial indiscretions. A wise friend told me that "the truth spoken out of season bears no fruit." Well there hasn't been any truth to the charges levied against Color of Change, and the opinion of the group being "shady" has produced nothing but a setback to the cause. I will continue to listen to The Michael Baisden Show, because I believe it provides value and a necessary discourse between African-American men and women. But I would urge Mr. Baisden to consider the place he now holds in Black America. What is acceptable in a "love, lust, and lies" environment may be totally inappropriate when it comes to issues of justice, equality, and the betterment of our community. Shawn Williams Dallas South Blog Last edited by shawnpwilliams : 11-09-2007 at 05:21 PM.
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#6
11-09-2007, 05:18 PM
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Weak apology
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Mr. Baisden, If that is an apology; I think it's a pretty weak one. Your facts were wrong and you used Mr. Marcus to say what I personally believe are things that you wanted to say but was probably advised by the legal team not to; as if that negates you of any responsibility for what was said; it does not. In my opinion, your program has a pattern of putting people on blast before getting all the facts, ie. Overstock.com, Star Jones and now Mr. Rucker and the Color of Change. Your show has thousands of listeners and I believe it is your duty and responsibility to check your facts before airing them, especially if they are harmful to peoples reputation. As a radio personality, I know you would want the same respect. Vec2339 Last edited by vec2339 : 11-10-2007 at 01:11 AM.
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#7
11-09-2007, 05:31 PM
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Response to Color of Change
I made a donation to the Color of Change. We as a people need to trust our hearts. Once you make a decision, stick to it. We forever flip flop to the next best thing going. I trust that the Color of Change distributed the money, but I don't know the procedures for collecting and distributing monies. We should learn and question our contributions, etc., as to how much of a percentage an organization gets to keep "that's the real question." We often dance around questions and need to learn after 200 years how to get to the point! If you want to know the real answer, ask the real question. After this is all over, it doesn't take a rocket scientist, to figure out what we want and need to know. Since everything is legit, show your contributers the "ACCOUNTING." I made a donation to the unequal justice fund. Much success. You are a 20th centry advocate, with strength, determination, and stamina. Trust yourself, talk to our elder leaders, the road won't be easy. But if your passion stays strong, you will and are among Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Julian Bond, etc.
Signed A Listener
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#8
11-09-2007, 05:33 PM
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The Jena 6 families are not unified, I wonder if anyone knows that.
Grassroots activist who help start this movement knows the truth. I respect Mr. Baisden & Rev. Sharpton for taking our grassroots activism to another level. But the truth is that the Jena 6 families are not on the same page. Marcus Bell knows it was the ACLU, Friends of Justice and other groups that stood with them from the beginning. I have video of the first rallies with the families and the very same groups he denounce on Mr. Baisden Show. the Community Defender TV show, producer (Sis. Khadisha) was present at all the rallies. This Jena 6 "thing" would not be an issue if was not for the grassroots movement that supported Mr. Bell and the other Jena 6 families. anyone who need earlier video interviews or programs of rallies for the Jena 6 email Bro. J at: blackaction@cox.net www.blackaction.net
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#9
11-09-2007, 05:48 PM
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Quote:
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#10
11-09-2007, 06:05 PM
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ColorOfChange.org is a WONDEFUL organization
I received the email yesterday from the ColorOfChange.org and I didn’t believe Michael Baisden actually said those things when I first read it. I’ve supported ColorOfChange.org since I first heard about their existence in July, when I was trying to get the Jena Six issue out to the national media. They have accomplished great things with Hurricane Katrina victims, and have worked very hard in getting the Jena Six case out to the public. Since then I’ve followed their organization and their activities and I believe they are an above-board, honest group of people. For Michael Baisden to discredit them, is horrible! I was just sick about it, as I believe Michael Baisden has the potential to do, and has done wonderful things also. To me, this was like standing by and watching a family member threaten and discredit another family member, when you love them both!
ColorOfChange.org has collected over $200,000 for the defense fund of the six boys, and paid it directly to the attorneys. For Mychal Bell’s father to come on there and say the families weren’t getting the money - OF COURSE THEY WEREN’T, the ATTORNEYS WERE who are the ones supposed to be getting DEFENSE FUND MONEY. We all know what happens if you just hand over cash to individuals…they don’t use it the way it was meant to be used. For Michael Baisden to discredit these hard-working, honest people seemed very, very wrong to me. I listened to the audio clips, and Michael Baisden indeed says ColorOfChange.org is “shady” and completely discredits them. If we don’t all work TOGETHER and quit fighting and tearing each other down, NOTHING will be accomplished. As a talk show personality with a large listening audience, Michael you should be building UP people and organizations fighting against injustice in America, not tearing them down. Jumping to conclusions based on the accusations of someone who isn't personally receiving cash from an organization just isn't credible. Facts need checked and re-checked before someone or an organization is discredited. Here is an email I sent to the Michael Baisden show this morning, before the apology. I also encouraged www.americaiswatching.org members to email Michael. Dear Mr. Baisden, I am one of the original bloggers who tried and tried to get the Jena Six situation out to the mainstream media last July. ColorOfChange.org was right there with me, trying to get people to listen. It happened, the word got out, and you were instrumental in organizing what I call the “Monumental March on Jena” on September 20, 2007. I was never so proud as to see 20,000 people all organized for one cause - fighting against injustice in America! It’s great that you are collecting money for the defense fund for the boys, but ColorOfChange.org has been doing that for months also. To discredit their organization is just plain wrong. Of COURSE the families don’t see the money, as Marcus Jones stated…it wasn’t meant to go to individuals, it was meant to go to the DEFENSE, i.e. THE ATTORNEYS! Which is where it went! Good grief, if we can’t all pull together towards a common cause, NOTHING will get done. Tearing each other down is definitely not promoting harmony. PLEASE apologize to ColorOfChange.org on your show, as they are a good, honest group of people and don’t deserve to be accused of wrongdoing, or lumped in with actual Internet fraudsters which we all know ARE out there! Carolyn Willis, Founder AmericaIsWatching.org carolynw@americaiswatching.org One of my friends emailed me today while I was at work and told me Michael was issuing an apology on the air, and I was elated! THANK GOODNESS! It was an apology well-deserved. ColorOfChange.org does not deserve being discredited, as there is not one thing "shady" about them. In fact I was proud to model americaiswatching.org after their organization. If anything good comes out of this accusation/apology fiasco, it will be that many people who otherwise hadn't heard of the ColorOfChange.org organization now do know about them. And for those people, please visit their website and see all of the great causes they support, read their biographies, and you will be humbled, as I was, to learn that there are people who care enough to take on the causes they do.
__________________
~AmericaIsWatching.org - Calling attention to injustices in America and providing contact information so YOU can make a difference!~ Last edited by CarolynW : 11-09-2007 at 07:36 PM.
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