By Ms Jheri Worldwide
Staff Writer
Recently, a report was referenced on the blog of MSNBC host and author Joy Reid discussing ‘The Black Online Disinformation Landscape’ by Onyx Impact. Upon researching the organization, there were few details accessible. Esosa Osa, a 2012 Duke University graduate, identifies as the Founder and CEO of Onyx Impact via LinkedIn. The report by Onyx Impact asserted on page two, “Onyx Impact rejects any attempt to use this research to make broad generalizations about the Black community or fuel divisions within the Black diaspora.” However, Onyx Impact almost immediately began to stoke division by condemning select voices subjectively with minimal receipts and a truly politically motivated agenda.
My first question is who empowered this new and largely unknown platform as the moral authority on the validity of black content? Our spectrum of beliefs are just as vast as the hues of our skin. There is inherently space for all Black voices, because we are all here. On page three of the report, six core networks are identified. The Breakfast Club, The Shade Room, Joe Budden Podcast, The Stephen A. Smith Show, Earn Your Leisure, and 19Keys.
I’ll address each platform individually, let’s start with The Breakfast Club. Currently hosted by Charlemagne The God, DJ Envy, and Jess Hilarious, this platform has a colorful past with many viral moments and memes. They have not consistently been a positive resource for the culture. However, their reach is vast, and they do not shy away from difficult topics or guests which is commendable. I believe the hosts of The Breakfast Club need to ask themselves serious questions about what their impact on the culture is and what their legacy will be. I disagree with Onxy Impact’s assertion that The Breakfast Club promotes disinformation, I do believe they fail to be a positive representation of our culture and community.
Next, I’ll briefly address the Stephen A. Smith Show, this is the principle alignment I see when it comes to misinformation. Stephen A. Smith recently ranted on his show about how the community is still mad at Will Smith, in an obvious attempt to discourage people from supporting the latest Bad Boys film. I’ve discussed this viral clip with as many black people as I could find who watched it, and no one agreed with Stephen A. Smith’s perspective. It’s also challenging to value and listen to a sports commentator with limited athletic experience. Stephen A. Smith’s opinions are often his own, however, due to his large platform, he can push misinformation or his personal agenda. I can understand placing the Stephen A. Smith show on this list.
The Shade Room is another place where misinformation could thrive, depending on how serious the observer is about the platform. Beginning with a Media Take Out, or World Star Hip Hop type of vibe, The Shade Room has evolved into a valid media outlet with almost thirty million followers. The issue for me is the type of content they share, often the representation of the culture fails to be positive or productive and there is a rush to break stories regardless of the validity, similarly to TMZ. While I feel TSR is at times detrimental to our upward mobility, their voice is relevant yet not altogether serious. The Shade Room can fuel misinformation but not many consider their information to be consistently serious.
Next, The Joe Budden Podcast, similarly to The Shade Room is well-trafficked with 1.4 million followers on YouTube however overall not deep, simply entertainment. As a rapper, Joe Budden had one memorable song, ‘Pump it Up.’ As a journalist, one memorable interview where he walked off mid-conversation during the BET Awards while talking to rap group The Migos. Overall, I can’t speak to The Joe Budden Podcast because I don’t watch it or find it relevant, not sure why he was mentioned. There are way more dangerous platforms for example, DJ Akademics.
Let’s address my major issues with this report. Before reading the Onyx Impact report, I read the article on the Reid Out Blog by Joy Reid and her team. My initial thought was a lyric by Jay-Z on THE CARTERS album when he said “Haters dreading my effect” on the track BLACK EFFECT. I truly value Joy Reid as a journalist, author, and political commentator, however, her impact on the culture is not touching the impact of Earn Your Leisure. Joy Reid is not bringing 20,000 people to the Georgia World Conference Center annually to talk about personal finance, business, and countless other topics. The fact that Earn Your Leisure has never been on The Reid Out is actually a bit concerning. We’ve written about EYL and their annual event InvestFest in past issues of The Carolinian.
If Earn Your Leisure wasn’t teaching the culture about the stock market and introducing us to folks like Ian Dunlap, Don Peoples, Arian Simone and so many others, then who would be? Prior to following EYL my financial education resources were where Rich Dad, Poor Dad and Dave Ramsey. Neither spoke my language or gave me action steps to execute profitable trades. I’m not saying EYL is hater proof but they are an asset not a liability to the culture. For Onyx Impact to shine a negative light on EYL is unsettling and shows the writer of the report did not thoroughly vet this media outlet. The resources and information that Troy and Rashad continue to bring truly elevate the culture. In January, The Wall Street Journal reported, “Nearly 40% of Black Americans owned stocks in 2022, up from just under a third in 2016, according to the most recent Federal Reserve data.” There is a direct correlation between the content and conversations cultivated and inspired by EYL and this stat.
Finally, I’d like to address 19Keys. The sentiments shared about Keys remind me of when Lil Kim said, “If I was you I would hate me too.” 19Keys is carrying himself in a way men aim to be and elevating everyone around him simultaneously. After all, his agendas include promoting reading, encouraging working out, and building the black family. Where is the problem or the detrimental agenda? Is it the military aesthetic? Is it his allegiance to the Nation of Islam? Why condemn 19Keys when he is actively raising the consciousness of the culture and asking folks to do better? Stay tuned for more information about 19Keys in our October issues.
I’m not sure why this unprovoked crabs-in-a-bucket-style attack was aimed at Black media outlets when there are a plethora of threats we could be researching and addressing. Perhaps this is a diversionary tactic to direct people to said platforms. Either way, there is space for all Black voices in the media landscape. I encourage all Black content creators and newsmakers to be the change they would like to see in the culture.
