SOS EMERGENCY: PUT ABC-TV ON NOTICE - PRESERVING THE LEGACY OF GIL NOBLE IS PRESERVING THE LEGACY OF BLACK PEOPLE

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

I just received an emergency email from Dr. James McIntosh of CEMOTAP, in reference to our dear brother, Gil Noble host of ABC-TV Like It Is, who recently suffered a massive stroke.

I think you all must be aware that for the past 40 years the show has struggled to maintain its integrity and remain on the air, due to the machinations of the racist TV management, which routinely tried to quell the show's effectiveness.

While we successfully prayed for the recovery of Gil from this stroke, and he's on the mend, the next task is to now save Like It IS!!! After years of moving it around from time slot to time slot, the show has been stabilized at the 12:00 slot on Sundays for at least two decades.

While we'll miss Gil, we now have to turn our attention to making sure that ABC-TV replaces him with IMHOTEP GARY BYRD as host, who is as good, if not better, than Gil, and who possesses the sensibilities, love, care, concern and professionalism to provide Black people with news, documentaries and information that is relevant to us only.

Notably, Like It Is is the only Black show on network television that focuses on Black issues in a comprehensive manner. Gil Noble has been a pillar in our community for nearly 50 years. And, contrary to common belief, his position and that program are not easily replaced, and the Black community will not turn a blind eye to ABC-TV's decisions. This is a warning to them to not underestimate the seriousness with which the Black community takes the future of this program and its relevance to us.

This is a call to mobilize all the forces - not just the Black community, but our official representatives - Rev. Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, NAACP, Urban League, President Obama, to do the formal negotiations. But to also put ABC-TV on notice that they are not exempt from boycotts and sit-ins. That we will do what we need to do to make sure our legacy and the legacy of Gil Noble and LIKE IT IS, are preserved.

That said, the following is the press release from CEMOTAP. I expect each and every one of you who has one tenth of one per cent of melanin (Black blood) coursing through your veins, whether your home is the continent of Africa, USA or any of the Caribbean countries, to stand together shoulder to shoulder to make sure that LIKE IT IS enjoys another 40 years on ABC:

CEMOTAP PRESS RELEASE - CALLING ALL AFRICANS! GIL NOBLE’S LEGACY MUST BE PRESERVED
Contact James McIntosh 347 907-0629

A community delegation led by CEMOTAP Co-chairs Betty Dopson and Dr. James McIntosh, Dr. Len Jeffries and New York City Councilman Charles Barron met with WABC TV station manager Dave Davis on Monday morning. The group first protested the censoring of Councilman Barron’s remarks in support of political prisoners on the tribute to Gil Noble broadcast by WABC on March 16, 2011. The group also protested the seeming attempt to AMERICANIZE the show and exclude of any mention of Elombe Brath and the numerous African world leaders, including heads of state, that Elombe brought to the show over the years.

Lastly, the group discussed the future of Gil Noble’s “Like It Is.” The group first suggested the name of Imhotep Gary Byrd, which Davis rejected even though he admitted he had NEVER HEARD OF BYRD. Davis said he wants to use someone from the WABC newsroom and has thus far refused to even interview Byrd to find out what Byrd would bring to the show.

Davis seems braced for a war with the Black Community. He became offended when the group refused to accept his assertion that he was different from Tom Kane, the last WABC station manager with whom the community had to struggle.

Please call Davis and {DEMAND} tell him to reverse course. This announcement is attached to a link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_L2YxuyVt8 that shows a prime representation of the newsroom from which Davis wants to hire. It speaks for itself.

CALL DAVIS at 212 456 7000. Tell him to stop stonewalling the {BLACK}community. Remember you are talking to a man who never even heard of Imhotep Gary Byrd. Also come hear CEMOTAP’s call to action and report to the community on Saturday October 22, 2011 at 2PM at CEMOTAP CENTER, 135-05 Rockaway Boulevard, South Ozone Park, Queens, NY 11420. Community Leaders and leaders of the delegation will be present." ###

Remember, no one will do for you what you will not do for yourself. You have to take a stand now, or they will be standing on your neck later.
Take care
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson