Harry Jaffe, The Examiner
2008-02-15 08:00:00.0
Current rank: Not ranked

WASHINGTON -

The night D.C. was basking in positive press from the Potomac primary and the overwhelming vote for Barack Obama, the first African-American candidate who might be president, I observed a revolting display of racism and misogyny on my TV — thanks to DCTV, the city’s public-access channel.

The camera showed a black man screaming into a microphone in front of Metro Center in downtown D.C.

“You black women need your stinkin’ heads chopped off,” he screamed. “You are a disgusting bunch of people.”

And: “Black women turn black men into drug dealers and black girls into whores.”

He was directing his rage at an African-American woman who made the mistake of standing agape, among the passing tourists and office workers. “Get your fat behind out of here,” he said, “you lust-filled monster.”

How, I wondered, does this angry dude get to spew his bile on television for a half hour in prime time? Answer: because he can.

D.C.’s version of public-access programming is broadcast on two cable channels. They are not to be confused with the four government programming channels, one each for the City Council, the mayor, the public schools and the University of the District of Columbia. These might be tiresome at times, but they are never hateful.

I have no illusions about public-access TV. It is supposed to open the airwaves to average folk, regardless of how raw or unpolished their productions. The fare on our channel can be embarrassing — and horribly offensive.

I don’t mind the badly lit dance parties. I find the “Nation of Islam” talk show amusing. Its extravagant fringe chatter is balanced by the “Larouche Connection.” “The Washington Informer Show” is often first rate. But who are the black men ranting at black women?

They are members of the Israelite School of UPK, an offshoot of the Black Hebrew cult. They believe, among other things, that white men are the evil descendants of Esau. This particular sect is based in Upper Darby, Pa. — not very local.

So who controls DCTV? Its Web site lists WAMU-FM’s popular talk show host Kojo Nnamdi as chair of the board of directors. The board also includes businessman Pedro Alfonso of Dynamic Concepts, Deborah Royster of Pepco Holdings and Kwame Holman, a correspondent with PBS News

Hour. So, Kojo, what’s up with the misogyny?

“The board has absolutely no say about what goes on the air,” he tells me. “We are legally barred from commenting.”

Nnamdi has been on the board since 1993 and chair since 1997. “I realized I had stepped into First Amendment and free-speech TV.” he says. “The programming I see on DCTV makes me uncomfortable. Some is racist or homophobic. You just have to suck it up. That’s what free speech is all about.”

Nantz Rickard, executive director of DCTV, tells me she hasn’t seen the “Israelites” rant. She says DCTV’s annual budget is around $1 million, financed by the commercial cable channels, with an aim to encourage free speech in D.C.

And hatemongers from Pennsylvania.

Harry Jaffe has been covering the Washington area since 1985. E-mail him at hjaffe@washingtonian.com.