Posted by chicagomedia.org on October 18, 2009 at 15:52:27:
Roland Martin is all over the dial
MEDIA | Busy journalist Martin receives broadcaster of year by Rainbow/PUSH today
October 16, 2009
LEWIS LAZARE | Chicago Sun-Times
These days, Roland Martin is quite busy with his burgeoning career as journalist, TV and radio pundit, author and speaker. He is seen regularly on a number of CNN news programs including "Anderson Cooper 36," "Lou Dobbs Tonight" and "The Situation Room." He is also a senior analyst for the "Tom Joyner Morning Show," on radio.
And late last month, he debuted the weekly "Washington Watch with Roland Martin" on TV One, a cable channel targeting African Americans that reaches nearly 50 million American households. Martin's new show aims to be an alternative option for blacks who don't think the mainstream network Sunday talk shows such as "Meet the Press" and "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" address their needs and interests. And if he weren't busy enough already, Martin next month will release his latest book, The First: President Barack Obama's Road to the White House as Originally Reported by Roland S. Martin.
But Martin will take a short time out from his numerous endeavors to travel to Atlanta today to receive from the Rev. Jesse Jackson the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition's "Broadcaster of the Year" award at the organization's "Keep Hope Alive" gala.
Jackson apparently is a fan of what Martin has done over the years as he has diligently carved out a niche as a high-profile expert on black America. In a statement, Jackson said the "Broadcaster of the Year" honoree has "his finger on the pulse of African-American thought."
Martin doesn't shy away from the praise Jackson heaps on him. But not because he thinks he is something extra special. Rather, he will tell you he has toiled for decades in the trenches as a black journalist, and he is constantly listening to his African-American brethren.
Consequently, Martin believes he knows what is on the minds of black Americans. "I bring an expertise to the table that others don't have," explained Martin, who has become adept at dispelling what he considers wrong notions floating around in the mainstream media, such as the belief that most blacks are liberals. Not so, says Martin.
"They are really mostly social conservatives," he points out, adding that "most blacks are extremely religious, against gay marriage and tough on crime."
Still, Martin isn't all-knowing. He admits to having been blindsided by Barack Obama's decision to run for president. "I didn't think he would," Martin said. But once Obama became the Democratic candidate for the highest office in the land, Martin was pretty certain Obama would prevail. "I saw how inept the Republicans were and realized that many in John McCain's own party couldn't stand their candidate," Martin said.
Though he has come to know how politics work, Martin says he has no interest in becoming a Washington insider like so many with whom he interacts.
"I go to Washington once a week now to tape 'Washington Watch' and get the hell out as fast as I can," said Martin. "I like to hear what the rest of the world is thinking."