The Black Ballot Episode 10: Race Bait, Crime, And Media Manipulation In The 1990s

Source: Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis / Getty

NewsOne is back with Episode 10 of The Black Ballot, an exclusive multi-episodic docuseries exploring the history of African American voting.

Each episode dives into American presidents’ decisions and their lasting influence on the conditions of African Americans, especially concerning voting.

Rosa Parks and the Clarence Thomas Controversy

The latest episode opens with civil rights icon Rosa Parks’ strong criticism of President George H.W. Bush’s nomination of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court. She warned that Thomas’ confirmation would reverse civil rights progress. Revisiting the confirmation hearings chaired by Senator Joe Biden, where Anita Hill’s sexual harassment allegations against Thomas became central. This exposed the intersection of race and gender in politics. Biden’s handling of Hill’s testimony faced criticism in later years.

Crime, Drugs, and Media Manipulation

The Bush administration’s use of young Black men as political tools in the war on drugs is another key focus. Keith Jackson, a high school student from Washington, D.C., was lured into selling crack cocaine near the White House. Federal agents set up the sale. President Bush used it to make a public statement about the dangers of drugs. This event reinforced harmful stereotypes of Black youth and painted African Americans as the face of crime in America.

The episode also discusses Donald Trump’s role in the Central Park Five case. Trump took out full-page ads calling for the death penalty for the five Black and Latino teens accused. Although the men were exonerated, Trump’s actions stirred racial tension and fear, further demonizing Black communities.

Rodney King and the Explosion of Racial Tensions

One of the most defining moments of the early ’90s was the Rodney King beating. Los Angeles police officers were caught on camera assaulting King, which sparked national outrage. The officers’ acquittal led to the L.A. riots and deepened conversations about race and police brutality in America.

Josiah Bates discusses the lasting effects of these events on Black communities, saying, “Late ’80s, early to mid-’90s, that was a time where violent crime, gun violence, was out of control, and it was primarily an issue in the Black community… When you look at the war on drugs, it was created to turn Black communities into this warzone.”

Guest commentary from Tiffany Cross, Dr. Ben Chavis, and Don Lemon adds further depth as they explore how media and political agendas worsened racial divides during this period.

Don’t miss this deep dive into the legacy of the Black vote and the continued fight for representation, and stay tuned for future episodes of The Black Ballot.

SEE ALSO:

The Black Ballot Episode 8: Impressionable Politics

The Black Ballot, Episode 9: ‘Reagan Repercussions’

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