June 12th, 2008
Okay, I’m heated now.
So heated, I just sent the following complaint off to the Federal Communications Commission:
(Scroll down to find out how you can complain too.)
(Scroll down to find out how you can complain too.)
“During a segment discussing conservative attacks against Michelle Obama, the wife of presumptive Democratic nominee Sen. Barack Obama, on June 11, 2008 at 5:41 pm EDT Fox News ran a headline at the bottom of the screen that said, “Outraged Liberals: Stop Picking on Obama’s Baby Mama.” Not only was this action beyond disrespectful, but it was intentionally inaccurate and maliciously libelous. It is common knowledge that Michelle Obama is the legal wife of Barack Obama; it is also common knowledge that the term “baby mama” is a pejorative term that generally refers to the mother of a child born out of wedlock. The term was used in an attempt to persuade conservative Fox viewers that the Obamas do not share their family values. The term also has a racially-charged connotation, in that it is most frequently used with unwed mothers of color. I am complaining about the headline used with the segment because it was both maliciously false and racially biased.”
Yeh, they got me going. How dare they pull that crap against any woman, much less the accomplished wife of a man who will likely be leading the free world? Did they think the “obama-mama” alliteration was too good to pass up? As Huffington Post blogger Erin Kotecki Vest noted with equal outrage against Fox News’ actions, “Cindy McCain Is No Baby Mama. Or Laura Bush. Or Barbara Bush. Or Hillary Clinton. Or myself. Why? We’re White.“
If you’re as disgusted by that double standard as I am, send your complaint to the FCC as well. An FCC representative told me that complaints made by citizens are investigated, and if enough people complain about the same issue, and there are grounds for action, fines can be levied against the offender. In the case of biased journalism, keep in mind that it’s not enough to say you find their words offensive. Your complaint must show deliberate and knowing misrepresentation of the facts (e.g. calling a man’s lawful wife his “baby mama.”)
Ready to pull the trigger? You’ll need to fill out a Form 2000E, “Media (General) Complaint.” You can fill it out online; or you can print out a PDF of the form and fax it toll-free to 1-866-418-0232, or mail it to:
Federal Communications Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Complaints
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20554
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Complaints
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20554
Feel free to cut and paste any part of my complaint into your letter. Oh, and if you’re tired of the right-wing smear campaign against the Obamas, check out Fightthesmears.com. Good luck, and feel free to reach out to me at editorial@niaenterprises.com.
–Sheryl Huggins Salomon
Meanwhile, let me know your thoughts on this “baby mama drama”!
[...] for better treatment of Michelle Obama, so are Jack and Jill Politics, Michelle Obama Watch, and NiaOnline. Not that she needs us to defend her, as a woman – especially a black woman – she has been [...]
I was an avid Fox News watcher, although I did miss this specific airing. Note, I said “was” because I was disturbed by their labeling Michelle Obama a “baby mama” like she’s some common hood rat. It’s disrespectful to Mrs. Obama, her husband, her children and everyone else who values the institution of marriage, committed relationships and family values.
I’m so proud of you. We are so SICK of these brainwashed conservatives that I wonder what they would defend if they didn’t have someone to target using race or any liberal nonsense. We’ll I’m a middle-of-the-road Independent, and I’m not voting for John McCain, even though I will pay more taxes under Obama. I’m sorry but we’re sick of being sheep following a bunch of idiots who don’t explain anything to the public but expect us to rally round because someone is black or believes in a woman’s right to choose. I only wish some of the mothers of these idiots got abortions or had miscarriages.
What in the h*ll is wrong with these people. Have they no respect? Outraged Liberals: Stop Picking on Obama’s Baby Mama.” Come on….what planet are you from. I am so embarrased for you , in fact, if you consider yourself to be of the human species that have a logical, thinking and rational brain. People like you who pretend to understand and care about issues of the people really are closeted and masked by societies misconceptions of who and what a people really are and again I feel embarrasment and a tinge of pity for you. My advice seek professional help…it’s really never too late. There is always hope.
I just have to respond to how out of touch FOX is with the real world . I believe that they are desparate to prove how “up” they are on the political climate and the colloquallism of hip hop cultural that they are mis- using concepts and words to prove their knowledge or lack of knowledge (for those who know what is real) to those who just don’t know what is happeneing in the real world across this country. To add to this confusion Fox correspondents are hesitant or reluctant to report qualified and authentic information about “what’s going on” from a perspecitive that most individuals could cognitively respect.
The but-heads” at Fox are either trying to prove how “hipped” (figure what this means) or ingnorant they are to a cultural that is relationally ahead of what they are capable of understanding To refer to the potential first lady as a “baby mama” first of a, ignorant, disrespectful and deliberately evil,racist, and devisive!
Historally, citizens of our society has always gravitated to this type of hype. It’s time for a change. It’s time to move forward into thinking intelligently.
It is time for the media to culturally and socially school themselves on a segment of society that have refused to consider as indivuals who work, vote and share many of the same concerns society we live in.
Change is motion. Change is inevitable. Change is a
B —– for those who refuse to accept parity. It is time for all people to move forward and improve the thinking of all individuals, including those who resist supporting these changes.
I just have to respond to how out of touch FOX is with the real world . I believe that they are desparate to prove how “up” they are on the political climate and the colloquallism of hip hop cultural that they are mis- using concepts and words to prove their knowledge or lack of knowledge (for those who know what is real) to those who just don’t know what is happeneing in the real world across this country. To add to this confusion Fox correspondents are hesitant or reluctant to report qualified and authentic information about “what’s going on” from a perspecitive that most individuals could cognitively respect.
The but-heads” at Fox are either trying to prove how “hipped” (figure what this means) or ingnorant they are to a cultural that is relationally ahead of what they are capable of understanding To refer to the potential first lady as a “baby mama” first of all ignorant, disrespectful and deliberately evil,racist, and devisive!
Historally, citizens of our society has always gravitated to this type of hype. It’s time for a change. It’s time to move forward into thinking intelligently.
It is time for the media to culturally and socially school themselves on a segment of society that have refused to consider as indivuals who work, vote and share many of the same concerns society we live in.
Change is motion. Change is inevitable. Change is a
B —– for those who refuse to accept parity. It is time for all people to move forward and improve the thinking of all individuals, including those who resist supporting these changes.
The powers that be at Fox news, HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND!!!! What would make you even think to refer to Mrs. Obama as a “baby mama”? Here we have a woman who, by all means, could run for President. She has the widsom to lead, and the power to fight. So if you were trying to be “hip” and thought you would “be more in touch” with the black community,ahd the young voters, YOU BLEW IT!!!! You only gave thoes who want Obama to fail more ammunition to TRY to discredit them and what they are trying to do for this country. STOP BEING STUPID AND LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE!!!!!!
Wow! If it is not one thing it’s another. When will FOX or any other political critics realize that they WILL NOT PREVAIL…Stop trying to dig into the trash to find SOMETHING to magnify in the Obama’s life. Do you not realize that the Obama family is destined for this position and has been prepared for “such a time as this”… Because this is DESTINY, everytime you put your month on this family without just cause, you dig yourself into a deeper hole. Karma is a [you fill in the blank], and by the looks of things, FOX NEWS is beginning to feel the harvest of what they have sown.
I am just appalled at the fact that there is so much obvious double standards now that this is an African-American running for President.
It is so sad the Fox News of all News Reporting Agencies
would even allow themselves to submit this to the
community or that of televised news!!!
Now I know why I will continue watching KTHV and
block Fox from the network!!!!!
When Obama wins President; unless you cheat like you
did with George Bush; you will see changes. Although
we may have to pay more taxes; it will certainly be
worth it this time!!!!!
Hi Nia Online,
I didn’t see this segment so thanks for bringing it to my attention. Ii have filled out a complaint online to the FCC.
Leave Michelle alone. She is the good woman who has partnered with a good man. It’s ashame that the media want accept a good woman who stands along the side of her man. One who is intellectually able to give constructive advice and know her place as his wife and first lady. Michelle will be First Lady of the U.S. so leave her and her husband alone. Media just mad because they have no so call dirt on the Obama’s. And in God we Trust solely it will stay that way. The media is so elementary they try to find little childish ways to attack the Obama’s like blaming Obama for something his pastor did. But, my God who shall they blame for this malicious act by Fox.
FOX is lowly and tactless. I mean, if the racial and gendered implicits could be pushed aside (which they really can’t be), that is just a really lame headline. I always wonder how Fox News anchors/writers take themselves seriously. I stopped watching the network a long time ago and it’s ridiculous little antics like this one that remind me of why I should continue to shun their “programming.”
Did anyone else see the clip of the Fox Anchor (i believe last week) who compared the dap that Michelle gave Barack before his address to “a terrorist fist jab”… msnbc pokes fun at the idea here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/25086529#25076322
The “real fear” is that there are “many more” Michelle Obamas out there! When you don’t know what else to do, you “fight dirty!”
Maybe you thought you were being ‘cool’ , ‘hip’ , ‘in’ or ‘funny’.
You dont need to bring down a good woman to make the newws intresting it really shows how shallow one really is.
Give the lady her due!
I was at the gym today and I was watching
C-SPAN which was running the African-American Women’s town hall meeting. Let me preface by saying I am in no way a fan of FOX News, and I am a staunch Democrat.
Ms. Huggins-Salomon was a member of the panel in the televised town-hall meeting and she was talking about how black women need to stop watching FOX News and write letters to the FCC because they referred to Michelle Obama as Barack’s “baby mama.” Well, what do you expect when Michelle Obama referred to her husband as her “baby daddy” in front of a large crowd at one of his campaign stops (I don’t remember off the top of my head the exact date.)
I was very disappointed to hear a professional woman like Michelle Obama pandering to the lowest common denominator.