Where did everyone go...searching for Black celebrities in the post-Katrina frenzy

Where did everyone go...searching for Black celebrities in the post-Katrina frenzy 9/4/05 11:46

Evening everyone. Again, always writing in the interest of clearing my head and still struggling to make sense of this thing...this Gulf Coast tragi-drama unfolding in the middle of America and in the middle of our lives. I’m telling you, I’m sitting here in my home with newspapers sprawled on couches that I can only read in bits and pieces as the reach of the events bleeds across the country with the displaced arriving in cities and states nation wide.

On this night, I am waiting to hear from Wynton Marsalis (one of my favorite New Orleanians...ok, I admit one of my favorite people/thinkers in the world) on CNN as Dr. Phil provides the opening act offering support and comfort to families in the Astrodome. See, this is a part of the dizzying, numbing, burning nightmare. Dr. Phil has indeed been on of the few voice of compassionate reason. His posture from the space is indeed that of a professional standing with the people---as opposed to reporters gobbling up their experiences for the latest footage frenzy.

But I have to ask: Where is Oprah? Why, through all of this, have we not seen Ms. Winfrey anywhere on the scene.

Clearly, the media frenzy and the expectations for her would be overwhelming so early in this situation. But we needed the Black wealthy in the place, commenting, raising questions, rallying to the defense of those stranded, using their outrage to make things happen. Yet, not a call in to a network, not a statement issued to the press...just cold, bitter, frightening silence from the Oprah Winfrey camp. It is an absense that I cannot explain. There is something profoundly eerie and rank about it. It stinks of something I can’t yet articulate.

And clearly as an outsider, I don’t get it. Maybe a call went out to Black Hollywood that said "Don’t say a word, keep your mouths shut, don’t get involved in this???" So Oprah emails Denzel and Denzel text-messages Halle and Halle IM’s Latifah and Latifah pages Jada and the word went forth that on this... "...even though this is one of the most significant tragedies to impact African Americans this century, you all keep your got-damn mouths closed and don’t utter a mumblin’ word about any of this."

So much has been illuminated in this situation. Most revealing of all has been the powerlessness of Black voices---both individuals and media organizations--- in this hour. And that is clearer and clearer with every hour of news coverage. And even though CNN trotted out damn-near all of its Black journalists to add some color to the proceedings this weekend, clearly dealing with "race" makes Larry King shit his shorts and wrap up any segment where guests express real feelings on the issue.

I just don't know. Maybe our Black glitterati are so clearly filled with rage and disdain and shock and despair that they have no language for this moment. Maybe someone will have some words prepared for them by the next telethon?

But didn’t you feel good down inside when Kanye went off the paper and freestyled for a moment?!

Even Wynton tried to bring his disappointment and fury to the table, but all Larry King needed him to do is look pretty and play his horn.

Perhaps the celebrities have right. What is the point of weighing in when a hefty check will suffice?

Clearly I need to sleep this confusion off...things just can't be THIS bad???

—Nicole