tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8431831292770024597.post5018733872901195247..comments2023-06-30T01:00:59.651-07:00Comments on Amy Alexander Community Forum: And Don't Call Me Shirley....Though I Do Sport a Nice Set of NAACP-Ben Jealous Tire Marks on My BackAmy Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10931164237439456648noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8431831292770024597.post-85288424184341963212011-03-24T14:50:48.203-07:002011-03-24T14:50:48.203-07:00I just read this for the first time on yesterday. ...I just read this for the first time on yesterday. Hmmmm, Amy, I am so sorry that this happened to you. These kinds of situations, no matter the employer, are painful, injurious, and leave a lingering odor and taste. It is expecially so when the employer is expected to be a different kind of employer informed by the organization's guiding priniciples and mission. <br />I am not a wordsmith like you, nor do I make my living as a journalism activist. That is what you do and that is exactly the style of work that the NAACP required at the time of your hiring. I knew there was something different going on at the time, and attributed it to BJ's press background. And in the last almost 18 months that luster waned, and I noted that as well. So now I understand and see how the changes came about.<br /><br />I should hope that all of the people here who are asking the questions about why you wrote this piece and emphasizing your credit in this bizarre situation are also asking deeper questions about the what the organization needs, why we are not seeing progressive maturity in its relationship to public policy, current events and our community. We should not just accept that people get treated badly and that is how it is. <br /><br /> The same kind of toxic build up that we see in lots of organizational heaps, non-profit or corporate, should not be acceptable. The NAACP cannot have disregard for dignity, integrity and fairness in the workplace and simply flip it off as "the way things get done". Gossip and gossip-mongering is a foul kind of activity if you are building a courageous and effective team for the kind of work that this organization should be doing. <br /><br />:Sigh: What you describe here certainly leads me to believe that it contributed to the Shirley Sherrod debaucle at the NAACP. I can hear Vampira right now sitting at lunch declaring that Ms. Sherrod shouldn't have been so stupid as to say such nonsense to an audience. Dumb and unsophisticated urchin !<br /><br />Well, I don't know about BJ's speech impediment or mental condition, I do know that the NAACP has no intention of listening to its Branch priorities and perspectives, no having regard of respect for the boots on the ground. Following your narrative, yes, the organization is tracking issues by what will get them onto the MSM. How sad. It also occurs to me that while some individual in the leadership may not have a mental condition, someone does. The organization is way too often reactive, lethargic and unresponsive.<br /><br />By the way, you are some terrific writer.<br /><br />JMHOOUR COMMON GROUND https://www.blogger.com/profile/07572232602019203335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8431831292770024597.post-73624269921253885992010-08-02T23:28:55.587-07:002010-08-02T23:28:55.587-07:00Yes, well said!Yes, well said!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8431831292770024597.post-77761714196419266642010-08-02T09:21:23.364-07:002010-08-02T09:21:23.364-07:00Well saidWell saidAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8431831292770024597.post-80845140299033042032010-08-02T00:43:53.509-07:002010-08-02T00:43:53.509-07:00No, you're contrived and presumptuous. There i...No, you're contrived and presumptuous. There is "nada" in common between <br />Mrs Sherrod and yourself, no matter how you pitch it.<br /><br />She was an authentic victim who took the DEFENSE, overcame the odds and is fighting the good fight without blog blame pettiness and incessant ranting. A very humble together woman.<br /><br />Um, you on the other hand . . . You took the OFFENSE and trivialized the very experience you went through. <br /><br />Trivialized? Here, I'll spell it out for you. Número UNO, the speech impediment. Who cares,? And after reading about how many public speakers and icons have this same attribute, honestly you made yourself look foolish. The speech whatever doesn't appear to affect the power <br />of his speeches , go ask the TParty or Mark Williams and the many Dem. blogs still celebrating this as a small victory. <br /><br />You writing his op eds? What's new? 3/4 of public officials do the same, its known, its legal, and the content and basic ideas are theirs and the collective support team. They know they're the talking heads for all of us. I know for a fact, first hand, he writes a ton of his material and then it goes through someone like you (hopefully not), to be edited, proofed and polished while he attends to the next 100th item on the agenda.<br /><br />Are you trying to prove he's not who he appears to be. It's backfired, by just writing this blog.<br /><br />Vampira, her bitchiness and disrespect of you, that could have been valid and not so trivial or petty had you not mentioned her dress code. You came off , well , like some jealous insecure bitchfest blog writer.<br /><br />Choose your words or choose your battles. You did neither here. To boot you posted your rant in some of the most non credible blogs meant entirely for bitchfesting at it's most pretentious level.<br /> <br />Do you get it? No, guess not, it's too obvious. <br /><br />Keep ranting and Blaming, Its what you do best, my dear.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8431831292770024597.post-71386158742472122312010-08-01T17:57:02.402-07:002010-08-01T17:57:02.402-07:00Sherrod again shows clear incisive thinking . She ...Sherrod again shows clear incisive thinking . She goes after the real culprit..Breitbart.<br />Alexander went exclusively after the NAACP. She didn't mention a thing about Fox or Breitbart.<br />"Do I "compare" myself to Mrs. Sherrod -- absolutely, in a metaphoric sense. Or is that too nuanced for you all to get? "<br /><br />Delusional.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8431831292770024597.post-71890240688051137952010-08-01T17:04:38.241-07:002010-08-01T17:04:38.241-07:00Jealous came to my church to speak in Harlem, (Aby...Jealous came to my church to speak in Harlem, (Abyssinian Baptist Church), some time ago, and I was not that impressed in his brief comments. <br /><br />Recently, my pastor attributed a quote to Jealous, that said (and I paraphrase) that "there is nothing that we (black people) have set out to do of importance that has not been fulfilled". Is that yours?<br /><br />That same pastor (Calvin Butts) just had (I think) a turnaround in his thinking on Jealous btw.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8431831292770024597.post-83981684071405297502010-08-01T15:45:28.091-07:002010-08-01T15:45:28.091-07:00. . .unless this blog is about ranting over injust.... . .unless this blog is about ranting over injustices you believe were done to you. In this case, you hurt your own credbility. Sad.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8431831292770024597.post-82582470373709595072010-08-01T15:32:24.983-07:002010-08-01T15:32:24.983-07:00Sherrod let bygones be bygones, and her defamation...Sherrod let bygones be bygones, and her defamation suit isn't directed at the NAACP, USDA, or Obama. She's suing Breitbart, and that in itself tells us where our focus needs to be.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8431831292770024597.post-71476418155371956782010-07-30T17:27:17.004-07:002010-07-30T17:27:17.004-07:00"Thanks for sharing your opinions here -- I a..."Thanks for sharing your opinions here -- I appreciate them, as well as your willingness to use your names (assuming they are indeed your names. Oh, and are you two sisters? Just wondering, since you share the same surname.....)"<br />Thomas ,even when you use your name it's not enough. Anyone who disagrees or provides constructive criticism must be vetted otherwise you have no credibility.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8431831292770024597.post-61327635480421642372010-07-30T11:50:00.324-07:002010-07-30T11:50:00.324-07:00Ah yes, per your request,
The last post was fro...Ah yes, per your request, <br /><br />The last post was from ThomasThomasnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8431831292770024597.post-68168562564157865402010-07-30T11:13:21.304-07:002010-07-30T11:13:21.304-07:00Oddly, I never noticed his stuttering. It appears...Oddly, I never noticed his stuttering. It appears his stutter didn't hinder the powerful speech delivered calling out racist TParty elements, and did achieve it's goal. Williams resigned.<br /><br />There have been many a successful and charismatic orator, leader, and public figure who've had obvious speech impediments, often without any correctional voice coaching.<br /><br />Shall I name, or shall you google? Here, I'll give you a head start.<br /><br /><br />Stutter: Brevan British Labor Party Leader and lead opponent to Winston Churchill, considered to be one of the best orators in Parliament.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Lisp: Winston Churchill. Need I say more. (you're educated, right?)<br /><br />Stutter: James Earl Jones, one of the most sought after orators and voices in media.<br /><br />Lisp: Barbara Walters, goes without saying, and her speech impediment has<br /> become endearing to her legion of fans.<br /><br />The list goes on and on. Reemphasis: Quite a few of these individuals rejected coaching and became icons in the career paths chosen.<br /> <br /><br />Savvy? Never gave it a thought. Ben appears very savvy with his knowledge and delivery when confident, and embarrassing and fumbling over words when not (Sherrod. . ..). That's true for anyone, and it has little to do with his stutter.<br /><br /><br />Oh yes, the other criticism, you wrote his OP Eds. Which insinuates he doesn't write his OpEds? After leaders spend years writing and preparing material for others, when promoted not many politicians write their material, though the thought is theirs, and that's what counts. There's usually not enough time once a political figure is hired to be the talking head.<br /><br />Oh,yes, seeking the limelight? That's part and parcel of such a job. Let's <br />hope they're seeking it or they need to choose a different career path. But I beg to differ after witnessing the TParty speech. <br /><br />Thrown under the bus? Aren't we all. Choose to be a part pf your life when adversity comes your way. Dont attack others. There's no blame here, for you made the choice to be a part of whatever dysfunction you describe. Learn <br />and grow. Its a bit like a bad marriage? Divorce, reflect, get liberated, and blossom ( instead of Bitterness and blame).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8431831292770024597.post-75299490064945328572010-07-29T13:05:50.266-07:002010-07-29T13:05:50.266-07:00Marianne please.
It's not a matter of whether ...Marianne please.<br />It's not a matter of whether Amy by her lone misguided actions is putting the case in peril. Anyone looking at her actions with respect to the Troy Davis case would say it was ill advised to be on a call with lawyers and advocates and then opine her opinions about what was said in the call. <br />"She may influence other reporters/commentators/readers to look more deeply into the case. But that's a long, long, *LONG* way from jeopardizing the outcome of the case."<br />Marriane, if Amy is suggesting that people supporting him might not believe he's innocent,what do you think reporters will be looking for? Do you think that would help him??Does descretion mean anything to you? <br />You can't have it both ways. You complain of ad hominen attacks,but you overlook Amy's vicious comments about others.<br />She criticizes yet, offers no solutions. She disparages people and has no apologies.<br />She takes responsibility for nothing. She compares herself to Sherrod who has forgiven the NAACP and shown incredible grace and integrity.<br />Stop worrying about who is delivering the message.<br /><br />Look at the messageAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8431831292770024597.post-55123379238311593932010-07-29T10:30:56.198-07:002010-07-29T10:30:56.198-07:00Dear Haters Anonymous,
You're great soldiers....Dear Haters Anonymous,<br /><br />You're great soldiers. You follow orders. You repeat the party line verbatim. And you attack until there's no one standing. Brava!<br /><br />*NOTHING* that Amy has said here about the Troy Davis case is news, unless you don't read other sources. And none of it is privileged communication between lawyer and defendant. (And, let's remember here, Troy Davis is the defendant, not the NAACP.)<br /><br />Here is the sum total of what Amy said in this post about conversations with lawyers: "Is Troy Davis truly innocent? You got me. And, as I sat in on phone calls with Vampira, the association's legal partners, and activists in Georgia, it eventually became clear to me that the NAACP couldn't be entirely positive, either, that Davis was innocent."<br /><br />Many people wonder about whether Davis is innocent or not. And he *WILL* get the chance to be judged on the evidence again, unlike anyone else in the past 50 years of death-row appeals.<br /><br />And, please, while I admire Amy's work and professionalism, let's not deify her. Nothing she says here, in her blog post, is going to sway the judgment of Troy Davis' case one way or another. She may influence other reporters/commentators/readers to look more deeply into the case. But that's a long, long, *LONG* way from jeopardizing the outcome of the case.<br /><br />I understand that you can't do it publicly, because it's clear you have your marching orders, but quietly, in your *OWN* minds and hearts, please reconsider your ad hominem attacks on Amy, and refrain from going after the next truth-teller at the NAACP with all you've got collectively, once that person has been "expelled." <br /><br />It's not befitting a great and storied organization whose mission evolved around fighting for the rights and dignity of every human being. Whether that person is in the majority (like you all are, for the moment, at the NAACP) or in the minority.<br /><br />Think about it, when you're by yourself, and back down on this approach. Believe me when I tell you, from an outsider's position, nothing looks less credible than a bunch of insiders attacking a lone ex-employee for telling her story---bravely and with no corporate/institutional imprimatur.<br /><br />Now, back to work for me, and I hope, for you all.<br /><br />Sincerely, respectfully, and at a safe distance from you all,<br /><br />Marianne Milton (still available on Facebook, if you'd like to talk, person-to-person).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8431831292770024597.post-77845964441143727562010-07-29T09:30:22.188-07:002010-07-29T09:30:22.188-07:00Thanks Roderick,
Regardless what you were told an...Thanks Roderick,<br /><br />Regardless what you were told and by who,you can't excuse yourself for repeating gossip,especially sensitive information that could be damaging to an individual.<br />It seems that one of the problems you have is that you're never responsible for anything. A conversation with lawyers regarding a death penalty case should never be discussed or repeated. Nor should your opinions regarding those conversations or the case be aired to the public.Even in your last post you're still airing conversations about Troy Davis. These can used against him ,the NAACP and anti death penalty activists.You simply can't blame others for your poor judgement.Stop thinking about yourself for one moment and keep this in mind before you open your mouth or write a post.<br />One thing is clear. In addition to the Sherrod fiasco the NAACP made an equally horrible mistake in including you in sensitive campaigns that required decretion. They never should have confided in you in any way and they made an equally bad decision in hiring you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8431831292770024597.post-34546065434652018172010-07-29T08:43:27.629-07:002010-07-29T08:43:27.629-07:00Amy Alexander said... If you are upset about the m...Amy Alexander said... If you are upset about the mental health/BTJ insinuation, you need to ask Vampira WHY she dropped that info on me following our lunch that day at Georgia Brown's. <br /><br />You can't blame Vampira because you decided to repeat this gossip and from how you have described Vampira she doesn't sound as if she is a credible person.<br /><br />Now I'm beginning to wonder what may be wrong with Jealous--ADHD, bi-polar, etc. <br /><br />Anyway I hope he gets some help with his stuttering problem and becomes more media savy.Roderickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01729982472775233550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8431831292770024597.post-45248063876065687042010-07-29T06:39:18.834-07:002010-07-29T06:39:18.834-07:00"Amy Alexander said...
Oh, for Pete's sa..."Amy Alexander said... <br />Oh, for Pete's sake.<br /><br />This is the last I will say in this space:"<br /><br />"Promises are like crying babies in a theater, they should be carried out at once. "Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8431831292770024597.post-12329035496183864372010-07-29T05:02:45.925-07:002010-07-29T05:02:45.925-07:00Yes Amy it's great you admire the "worker...Yes Amy it's great you admire the "worker bees" at the NAACP. Some have been there for decades. You lasted less than 90 days. I guess that would make you a drone bee. There is a similarity. Once the Drone bee's function is complete they're kicked out of the hive and prevented from returning. Not knowing how to survive they eventually expire. This isn't quite the case with you because it appears you had no purpose other than to complain and involve yourself in petty squabbles. <br />Once it was clear that you were incapable of contributing anything constructive to the organization they quickly got rid of you.<br />You've shown on your blog and in your short lived position at NAACP that you are toxic. On top of that your work was mediocre at best. <br />So I would say that rather than a worker bee or drone bee.... you would be a drama bee.<br />And with respect to Troy davis,it's instructive that even at this late juncture you still don't seem to understand how your blabbing inside information on the internet, that involved privledged conversations with lawyers seeking to assist him, has possibly hurt his case.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8431831292770024597.post-15294949910818843232010-07-29T02:00:06.068-07:002010-07-29T02:00:06.068-07:00Marianne and Amy
Puhlllease. Bullying? It's...Marianne and Amy<br /><br />Puhlllease. Bullying? It's the reverse. You've not used any decorum here, and yes, been petty, and sent this blog tom places where it could affect many. I don't like many aspects of the NAACP or it's President, but I wouldn't parade a piece of journalism trumped up to be an expose of victimization (thrown under the bus). There is a quantum difference between Shirley and yourself. For one, she's not a bully filled with vitriol and bitterness. And second, she looks for resolve, not blame.<br /><br />Why are most of anonymous? That should be pretty clear. Your full of rancor and on the attack. Let's be honest.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8431831292770024597.post-66574862404649432922010-07-29T00:57:22.500-07:002010-07-29T00:57:22.500-07:00Amy,
BTW, Vampira sure *DID* need help with her/...Amy,<br /> <br />BTW, Vampira sure *DID* need help with her/their writing if the recent dispatch from the NAACP about being "snookered" by Fox News is any indication. Jeez! Who uses the word "snookered"?<br /><br />And, in reading the articles you ghost wrote for Benjamin Jealous (linked above), it's obvious where Vampira added her "magic touch"---all that PR crap that reads like PR crap, which interrupts each story, is off point, and reads like boiler plate.<br /><br />They do a disservice to members and allies of the NAACP (and the mission of the institution) by not using your writing, investigative, and media skills (and advice), and by, instead, letting a PR Princess become the mouthpiece.<br /><br />Major reconstruction is required in the communications department, and because leadership is clearly not getting the support it needs, a major upheaval of the entire national staff may be in order.<br /><br />So sad, really, when a proud organization, after celebrating its 100th anniversary, shoots itself in the foot by not letting talented, smart people do their jobs without being "edited" by the One-Track, Superficiality Police.<br /><br />---Marianne MiltonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8431831292770024597.post-18579246236487709982010-07-28T20:06:42.975-07:002010-07-28T20:06:42.975-07:00Hi everyone. My name is Marianne Milton, and I'...Hi everyone. My name is Marianne Milton, and I've come to know Amy Alexander's writing recently, and I admire her greatly.<br /><br />Amy here has told her experience of working inside the NAACP, and how dysfunctional she found it. The NAACP is an important institution in the public realm, and its leaders and inner workings are fair game for analysis, critique, and exposure. Amy was working for the organization and has an important story to tell about her time there, and some of the important players in the organization.<br /><br />I don't understanding the drubbing she's taken here, really, except in the context of bullying, cult-like behavior by adherents who are struggling to discredit one who has left the fold and exposed the wrong-doings of the cult and its leaders. I'm not saying that the NAACP *IS* a cult: I'm saying that those of you, en masse, who have targeted Amy here with ad hominem attacks are acting cult-like.<br /><br />It's hard for me to ferret out the real arguments with Amy's story here, because they're buried in so much vitriole against her personally.<br /><br />Let's see, she's been called, here, a jaywalker, a hater, someone with an inflated sense of self-importance, one who demonstrated poor performance and inability to get along with others in her job, a slanderer, a ridiculing and confidence-revealing disloyal employee, delusional, pathetic, self-serving, ill suited to work in this position, one who did not understand civil rights and the fight for social justice, ignorant, obscene, superficial, writer of "dribblings," engaging in petty squabbles, a victim like a jilted jealous woman waiting around for an opportunity to get your revenge, etc., etc., etc.<br /><br />This "discussion" on Amy's blog is a good demonstration of how the internet can be used to bully someone behind the mask of anonymity.<br /><br />At least use your real names if you're going to launch an offensive against a writer viciously, in large numbers, in a coordinated attack. Don't be cowards. Don't hide behind the sacredness of the organization that you're supposedly protecting by shooting (or, rather, worse, torturing) the messenger of its failings.<br /><br />Really, Facebook is so much better in many ways than these Comments sections on blogs. You have to be you, and show yourself. So, that's what I'm asking all you anonymous critics: Show yourself here, and take responsibility for your opinions and criticisms, just like *REAL* writers, *REAL* political players must do.<br /><br />Respectfully and critically,<br />Marianne MiltonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8431831292770024597.post-85060279528044625312010-07-28T20:05:56.189-07:002010-07-28T20:05:56.189-07:00Hi everyone,
Hi everyone. My name is Marianne Mi...Hi everyone, <br /><br />Hi everyone. My name is Marianne Milton, and I've come to know Amy Alexander's writing recently, and I admire her greatly.<br /><br />Amy here has told her experience of working inside the NAACP, and how dysfunctional she found it. The NAACP is an important institution in the public realm, and its leaders and inner workings are fair game for analysis, critique, and exposure. Amy was working for the organization and has an important story to tell about her time there, and some of the important players in the organization.<br /><br />I don't understanding the drubbing she's taken here, really, except in the context of bullying, cult-like behavior by adherents who are struggling to discredit one who has left the fold and exposed the wrong-doings of the cult and its leaders. I'm not saying that the NAACP *IS* a cult: I'm saying that those of you, en masse, who have targeted Amy here with ad hominem attacks are acting cult-like.<br /><br />It's hard for me to ferret out the real arguments with Amy's story here, because they're buried in so much vitriole against her personally.<br /><br />Let's see, she's been called, here, a jaywalker, a hater, someone with an inflated sense of self-importance, one who demonstrated poor performance and inability to get along with others in her job, a slanderer, a ridiculing and confidence-revealing disloyal employee, delusional, pathetic, self-serving, ill suited to work in this position, one who did not understand civil rights and the fight for social justice, ignorant, obscene, superficial, writer of "dribblings," engaging in petty squabbles, a victim like a jilted jealous woman waiting around for an opportunity to get your revenge, etc., etc., etc.<br /><br />This "discussion" on Amy's blog is a good demonstration of how the internet can be used to bully someone behind the mask of anonymity.<br /><br />At least use your real names if you're going to launch an offensive against a writer viciously, in large numbers, in a coordinated attack. Don't be cowards. Don't hide behind the sacredness of the organization that you're supposedly protecting by shooting (or, rather, worse, torturing) the messenger of its failings.<br /><br />Really, Facebook is so much better in many ways than these Comments sections on blogs. You have to be you, and show yourself. So, that's what I'm asking all you anonymous critics: Show yourself here, and take responsibility for your opinions and criticisms, just like *REAL* writers, *REAL* political players must do.<br /><br />Respectfully and critically,<br />Marianne MiltonMarianne Miltonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8431831292770024597.post-407576163376332892010-07-28T20:03:41.641-07:002010-07-28T20:03:41.641-07:00Hi everyone,
My name is Marianne Milton. (That&#...Hi everyone, <br /><br />My name is Marianne Milton. (That's my real name. If you want to talk to me beyond this column, please find me on Facebook, where you will need to use your real name.)<br /><br />I'm White, and raising an African-American daughter and about to adopt another.<br /><br />I came to know Amy Alexander through her writing on Facebook. She's a stunningly intelligent woman whose writing is incisive, humorous, challenging, and so full of historical and political information that I often have to look up names, places, references to understand all that she's discussing. I'm no light-weight in the knowledge department, but she's in a different league entirely.<br /><br />I love reading her writing and hope she'll write her autobiography one day, about her work in journalism, media, and politics. I imagine it will be as engaging and insightful as "All Over But the Shoutin'," by Rick Bragg---another supremely intelligent and hard-working journalist more devoted to honesty and transparency than institutional loyalty and, in the end, forced out for not toeing the line, not understanding the unwritten rules that for an outsider to stay an insider he/she has to shut up about all the immoral, incompetent, corrupt, self-destructive stuff inside the institution.<br /><br />Amy here has told her experience of working inside the NAACP, and how dysfunctional she found it. The NAACP is an important institution in the public realm, and its leaders and inner workings are fair game for analysis, critique, and exposure. Amy was working for the organization and has an important story to tell about her time there, and some of the important players in the organization.<br /><br />I don't understanding the drubbing she's taken here, really, except in the context of bullying, cult-like behavior by adherents who are struggling to discredit one who has left the fold and exposed the wrong-doings of the cult and its leaders. I'm not saying that the NAACP *IS* a cult: I'm saying that those of you, en masse, who have targeted Amy here with ad hominem attacks are acting cult-like.<br /><br />It's hard for me to ferret out the real arguments with Amy's story here, because they're buried in so much vitriole against her personally.<br /><br />Let's see, she's been called, here, a jaywalker, a hater, someone with an inflated sense of self-importance, one who demonstrated poor performance and inability to get along with others in her job, a slanderer, a ridiculing and confidence-revealing disloyal employee, delusional, pathetic, self-serving, ill suited to work in this position, one who did not understand civil rights and the fight for social justice, ignorant, obscene, superficial, writer of "dribblings," engaging in petty squabbles, a victim like a jilted jealous woman waiting around for an opportunity to get your revenge, etc., etc., etc.<br /><br />This "discussion" on Amy's blog is a good demonstration of how the internet can be used to bully someone behind the mask of anonymity.<br /><br />At least use your real names if you're going to launch an offensive against a writer viciously, in large numbers, in a coordinated attack. Don't be cowards. Don't hide behind the sacredness of the organization that you're supposedly protecting by shooting (or, rather, worse, torturing) the messenger of its failings.<br /><br />Really, Facebook is so much better in many ways than these Comments sections on blogs. You have to be you, and show yourself. So, that's what I'm asking all you anonymous critics: Show yourself here, and take responsibility for your opinions and criticisms, just like *REAL* writers, *REAL* political players must do.<br /><br />Respectfully and critically,<br />Marianne MiltonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8431831292770024597.post-30302449795587111842010-07-28T20:01:39.900-07:002010-07-28T20:01:39.900-07:00Hi everyone,
My name is Marianne Milton. (That&#...Hi everyone, <br /><br />My name is Marianne Milton. (That's my real name. If you want to talk to me beyond this column, please find me on Facebook, where you will need to use your real name.)<br /><br />I'm White, and raising an African-American daughter and about to adopt another.<br /><br />I came to know Amy Alexander through her writing on Facebook. She's a stunningly intelligent woman whose writing is incisive, humorous, challenging, and so full of historical and political information that I often have to look up names, places, references to understand all that she's discussing. I'm no light-weight in the knowledge department, but she's in a different league entirely.<br /><br />I love reading her writing and hope she'll write her autobiography one day, about her work in journalism, media, and politics. I imagine it will be as engaging and insightful as "All Over But the Shoutin'," by Rick Bragg---another supremely intelligent and hard-working journalist more devoted to honesty and transparency than institutional loyalty and, in the end, forced out for not toeing the line, not understanding the unwritten rules that for an outsider to stay an insider he/she has to shut up about all the immoral, incompetent, corrupt, self-destructive stuff inside the institution.<br /><br />Amy here has told her experience of working inside the NAACP, and how dysfunctional she found it. The NAACP is an important institution in the public realm, and its leaders and inner workings are fair game for analysis, critique, and exposure. Amy was working for the organization and has an important story to tell about her time there, and some of the important players in the organization.<br /><br />I don't understanding the drubbing she's taken here, really, except in the context of bullying, cult-like behavior by adherents who are struggling to discredit one who has left the fold and exposed the wrong-doings of the cult and its leaders. I'm not saying that the NAACP *IS* a cult: I'm saying that those of you, en masse, who have targeted Amy here with ad hominem attacks are acting cult-like.<br /><br />It's hard for me to ferret out the real arguments with Amy's story here, because they're buried in so much vitriole against her personally.<br /><br />Let's see, she's been called, here, a jaywalker, a hater, someone with an inflated sense of self-importance, one who demonstrated poor performance and inability to get along with others in her job, a slanderer, a ridiculing and confidence-revealing disloyal employee, delusional, pathetic, self-serving, ill suited to work in this position, one who did not understand civil rights and the fight for social justice, ignorant, obscene, superficial, writer of "dribblings," engaging in petty squabbles, a victim like a jilted jealous woman waiting around for an opportunity to get your revenge, etc., etc., etc.<br /><br />This "discussion" on Amy's blog is a good demonstration of how the internet can be used to bully someone behind the mask of anonymity.<br /><br />At least use your real names if you're going to launch an offensive against a writer viciously, in large numbers, in a coordinated attack. Don't be cowards. Don't hide behind the sacredness of the organization that you're supposedly protecting by shooting (or, rather, worse, torturing) the messenger of its failings.<br /><br />Really, Facebook is so much better in many ways than these Comments sections on blogs. You have to be you, and show yourself. So, that's what I'm asking all you anonymous critics: Show yourself here, and take responsibility for your opinions and criticisms, just like *REAL* writers, *REAL* political players must do.<br /><br />Respectfully and critically,<br />Marianne MiltonMarianne Miltonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8431831292770024597.post-55296946229005956782010-07-28T18:35:19.722-07:002010-07-28T18:35:19.722-07:00Oh, for Pete's sake.
This is the last I will ...Oh, for Pete's sake.<br /><br />This is the last I will say in this space:<br /><br />If you are upset about the mental health/BTJ insinuation, you need to ask Vampira WHY she dropped that info on me following our lunch that day at Georgia Brown's. <br /><br />I reported it in my Column because I think it is important to demonstrate the utterly unethical behavior that I experienced and observed from Vampira. Truth be told? She said many, many other things to me and to other staffers -- and not just about BTJ but about POTUS, as well -- that were even WORSE. But unlike here, I have a pretty well-tuned moral compass, plus a healthy sense of decorum.... <br /><br />As for the Troy Davis case -- again, ask Vampira why she INSISTED that the phrase "...likely innocent" be used in every op-ed and Press Release that she assigned me to write about Troy. I sat in on not one but two phone conferences in which this was emphasized.<br /><br />I did NOT say that I don't think Troy is innocent -- I simply pointed out that Vampira and the others who "shaped" the messaging strategy (such as it was) around that campaign WERE NOT SURE OF ALL THE DETAILS of his case, either. And, Lordy, Lordy, by no stretch of the imagination is Vampira an Editor, or even a credible reporter. (Great reporters and editors know how to LISTEN, not just ramble on endlessly spinning. At that, Vampira is a Champ.)<br /><br />Like I said, the greater emphasis was on the Show Biz aspect of "promoting" the cause. Finally -- it is really amusing that none of these NAACPers (or sympathizers) who are attacking me here mention the fact that Vampira palmed off Ben's convention speech on me. And that she is so incompetent (or is it lazy?) that she didn't INSIST that he get the intensive speech therapy and media training that he really needs. (Oh, and this endless carping that I am "making fun" of his speech impediment. Oh, please. That is a red herring argument, and it doesn't wash -- why not ask Vampira why she didn't feel it important enough to make sure her Meal Ticket got that kind of help? Likely because it is easier to shoot the messenger, yes?) <br /><br />So, say Goodnight Gracie. I'll not respond here again, but nor will I shut down this space. You know, because I believe in the First Amendment and all that. <br /><br />Feel free to continue to vent and spin at your leisure -- it won't change the very sad fact that the NAACP requires new leadership at this time....and that if BTJ and Vampira were truly interested in finding out what goes on with constituents ON THE GROUND, they would have set up the I-units....the very system that might have saved BTJ from not knowing that Shirley Sherrod was the last person who needed "denouncing."<br /><br />Thanks for sharing! :)Amy Alexanderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10931164237439456648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8431831292770024597.post-44746836431859412582010-07-28T15:12:17.489-07:002010-07-28T15:12:17.489-07:00Amy
With such a valid argument about NAACP leader...Amy<br /><br />With such a valid argument about NAACP leadership needing an overhaul, why bring up Ben's mental health issue? What bearing does it have other than to counter your own credibility <br /><br />I think some of us agree with you, we're just baffled that you'd put personal material that has little weight supporting your statement. And it does matter how you present material, you being a seasoned journalist, for it affects not only yourself. <br /><br />It's one thing to air dirty laundry, it's how you do it, not "why"<br /><br /><br />Sometimes the message gets lost in the method. <br /><br />Just a suggestionAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com