Whose View Is It Anyway?

I was half watching The View, half getting ready for work when I heard Joy Behar reading from a letter.  I stopped mid-stride.  I had to rewind the program to see what I had missed.  I sat open-mouthed at what I heard and wide-eyed at what I saw.

Before I go any further, let me provide a disclaimer, I do not like “The View”.  I have never been a fan of this show and I only watch it from time to time to see what Whoopi Goldberg is going to say regarding certain issues.  I happen to respect her view even if it does not align with my own.  As for the rest of them, they need to grow up, including and especially Joy Behar.

Now back to the subject at hand. Yes, I heard about Melissa Harris-Perry’s show being cancelled on MSNBC, but I had not gotten the full story.  I knew that she had been silenced for some reason and that there was some email floating around where she said she wouldn’t be a Mammy.

On “The View” show today being able to hear the statement that MSNBC provided as well as the full email that was written by Dr. Harris-Perry I felt deflated.  I watched as women questioned the actions of another woman.  Let’s put aside the fact that she is African-American for now.  Let’s just look at her as a woman who found herself in a situation and reacted in a manner that was conducive to what she felt she was receiving.  The hosts of “The View” are abusive and most of their tones are accusatory at best.  I listened as Dr. Harris-Perry was asked why she had written the email.  Was there a racial connotation to the email? Does she think that there were racial undertones linked to the actions of MSNBC? Why didn’t she try to meet with MSNBC prior to sending the email? Why didn’t she wait for a full statement from MSNBC before she wrote the email?  Why didn’t she take the severance package that was being offered to her?  It felt like an attack of her character to me.  Remember, this is my opinion only and I am clearly on the outside looking in.  I was angry.  I was hurt.  I was saddened. I wanted to rub that place in my chest that I can never seem to reach when things like this happen.  The ache streamed out of me until I couldn’t hold back the tears any longer.  Why does it have to be like this with every minority group?

I have been thinking about this all day and I have read about Dr. Harris-Perry and the work that she has done as a political scholar as well as her other achievements.  I can’t help but to think that, here we are in the year 2016 with a female viable candidate running for President of the United States and women are still treating each other like crabs in a barrel.

I think that my emotions are strong pertaining to this situation because I have had my own bought with the white, masculine power structure called corporate America and I can truly relate to how it must have felt to be one of the best in your craft, but yet and still you are sidelined and silenced without so much as a conversation.  One of the hosts of The View asked the question about contractual rights as they relate to MSNBC as the employer and them being able to do what they see fit with their hired talent.  That amazed me because there she sat in a chair on a show called, “The View” with, I’m sure a similar contract, but nothing stopped her from rubbing her opinion all in this other woman’s face.

Dr. Harris-Perry did not take the severance package because she had to choose between her voice or her wallet.  I am proud to know that she did not take the money and sit quietly on the sideline.  I have been saying for years how women don’t know their worth. I am proud to know of one that clearly knows hers.  You don’t give your right for anyone’s wrong no matter what it costs you.  I am proud to know that she is not a sellout.

It is hard to be strong in the face of adversity when all that you have worked for and sacrificed for can be snatched from underneath you.  But it is even harder to be weak and have the same thing happen and then have to get back up and start over again.  Women, we must stand for something or we will fall for anything.

I saw hurt in the eyes of Dr. Harris-Perry as she sat before the world defending her decision and her voice.  I know that looked that crossed her eyes on more than one occasion, but I also know the fire that was lit behind it.  I saw a fighter, a warrior queen.  I know that like the phoenix she will rise.  I am not worried about Dr. Harris-Perry because she has the recipe for success.  As for “The View”, they need to revamp their show and have more respect for the women that they invite as guests.  Ms. Whoopi, I know we all need a check, but I truly wish you would just have your own show. That one I would probably watch.

Opinions are like assholes, everybody has one.  No pun intended.

The Writer

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