Good News Month...

With June starting today, my birthday month, I would love to see and hear every black owned or operated media outlet, email marketing company, as well as media personalities promote NOTHING but what's 'good in the hood.' We do a lot of spreading of negative news, which is being shown world-wide each day. And if you're in Chicago, Monday is the day media outlets release the weekend crime stats. It's the same depressing sad song. Give it a rest, please!

Can all the talking heads, print and online media journalists make the commitment to profile and highlight the best and brightest within urban communities during the month of June? The news is meant to inspire. The news was designed to highlight the goodness within communities, not just destruction and chaos. This is what we've somehow been receiving from media entities lately. This is what the majority of water cooler chats, around dinner tables, and living room discussions consist of: Negative, demeaning and depressing news about black folks and the world!

This is the kind of news that makes you mad, disappointed and misguided about the belief that urban communities are only filled with nothing but violence, crime and mayhem. I want the readers of TBTNews to contact their local media outlets and ask them to profile what's 'good in your hood.' You can even email them about organizations, agencies or anyone who you know is living productively in your community. Let them hear your voice. Let them know that you care about more than the 10 pm news segment of "If it bleeds, it leads."

This is what they believe urban communities want - the reality show of violence and dysfunction. And please readers, stop having constant side-bar discussions about negativity. I know each of you know someone who is 'doing good in the hood.' Let's make June a month to remember, not for violence, but for progress and growth. The month of June is the mid-way point of the year, and we have an opportunity to present the goodness of urban hoods everywhere.

We don't have to accept the unstoppable violence as a way of life. Violence has been a part of America's culture for centuries; it occurs each day, each week, each month and each year - without fail. Sad, but true. But we can decide what we'll celebrate within our communities. Let's make June a good news month to salute our heritage and history. Share some good news. Peace and One Love. - CDW