This week, on September 7th 2022 to be exact, the world lost one of its most outstanding journalists and role models, Bernard Shaw.
You wouldn’t believe it though, considering how little mention
was made of this fact!
He passed away the day before the Queen of England
did, and while her death was expected to make an international impact, one
would also have expected that most media houses would at least have taken the
time to mention Bernie's passing. But most didn’t and I suspect it’s because he was a black
man.
For everything in the great USA
revolves around color.
So sad.
I remember how in the late seventies;
a satellite dish became my most prized possession.
At that time, I resided full time in
my wonderful homeland of Jamaica, but unfortunately, we only had one television
station.
The dish therefore opened up a world to me that I could never have
imagined.
Then in 1980, when it was announced
that we would get a twenty-four-hour news station, CNN and I could not wait.
Imagine my delight when I first
turned on CNN and saw an articulate black man delivering the news in
what is reputed of be one of the most racist countries in the world! (after
South Africa at the time.)
Shaw was their first chief anchor
from the day they launched.
For some twenty years, this
courageous journalist came to us live from all over the world, Bagdad, Tiananmen
Square, Iran etc, wherever there was dangerous conflict. But he never showed
any fear. He simply summed up the situation for us calmy and professionally.
Bernard Shaw was not only a superb role model for all journalists,
but also for people of color who know they must perform above average to out shine all those who only gain fame and recognition by virtue of
their complexion.
Our preeminent role model died on
September 7, 2022.
Rest in peace Sir, for you were
cherished by those who respect excellence over all else.
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