In a major note to MSNBC, acclaimed journalist, professor, and political talk show host Melissa Harris-Perry claps back by walking off her show. It had to happen: MSNBC silenced her voice. According to MoneyCNN.com, MSNBC and Harris-Perry both wanted to cover politics Super Bowl Sunday. Harris-Perry chose to use her host chair to discuss the black cultural phenomenon that is Beyonce’s “Formation” video. The video dropped one day before millions of Super Bowl fans would see the video live, and subsequently “weigh in” on a study in socio-cultural criticism, and one deeply mired in controversy.
Harris-Perry Is A Heavy Hitter
Harris-Perry is a writer and professor. She holds a doctorate in Political Science and knows her way around the political arena. A heavy hitter, she has garnered an audience concerned with making sure political matters also include, what’s in the best interest for people of color. A survivor of sexual assault, and a self-proclaimed black feminist, Harris-Perry also uses her platform to speak out on sexual violence against women and children. She’s unapologetically black.
MHP Show A Forerunner In Inclusive News Reporting
For four years Harris-Perry has covered politics and examined stories that break down the intersections of race, gender, and sexuality on the MHP show. It’s her (fearless) voice on a plethora of topics that speaks to her supporters. Harris-Perry used that “voice” in an email letter to her staff Friday. In the letter Harris-Perry explains:
“I will not be used as a tool for their purposes,” she wrote. “I am not a token, mammy, or little brown bobble head. I am not owned by Lack, Griffin, or MSNBC.”
MHP: Claps Back Here’s Why
Sunday, January 31, she co-hosted her own show from Iowa just ahead of the caucuses. The very next week was Super Bowl weekend and the branding for Harris-Perry’s show’s was stripped away. MSNBC’s generic “Place for Politics” title was now in her time slot.
Sister Hood: Let The Circle Be Unbroken
Harris-Perry’s current contract is not up until October. Joy Ann Reid sat in for Harris-Perry today. She tweeted love out to “her sister.” Tamron Hall, has substituted for Harris-Perry before. This morning she told Twitter users the voices of all three women “will be heard.” These “Black Women In Media” stayed slaying, keeping it classy in the face of controversy. There was no back stabbing ugliness…just love.
Black women bring flavor and #BlackGirlMagic into spaces. MSNBC will be less without the voice of Melissa Harris-Perry. Harris-Perry may not be back on MSNBC, (that’s okay) but we’ll tune in wherever she is.
Featured Image is by: UMKC available under a Creative Commons 2.0 license.
