I'M CALLING MICHAEL BAISDEN OUT!

I must reluctantly call for Michael Baisden's dismissal as a radio host, reluctantly because I really hoped that it wouldn't come to this. But he has been discovered perpetrating a fraud on his listeners and on the movement he claims to support. Given the opportunity to atone, Baisden chose instead to duck and dodge, to perpetuate more falsehoods, and to make a nauseating attempt to paint himself as the real victim in all of this. I for onw can never trust him again and as long as he makes pretensions to any leadership role in the struggle of Black people, I will be right there telling the world that this man is not what he wants you to think he is. He does not have your interests at heart. At best he is a greedy fool who got caught trying to make off with the cookie jar. At worst he is the knowing tool of an establishment that has a vested interest in derailing any attempts at Black empowerment. Mr. Baisden, I too have to call them like I see them.

On November 8 I sent this email to Michael Baisden.

Michael Baisden
13901 Midway Road, #102-437
Dallas, TX 75244-4388

Re: Broadcast of Jena 6 Fundraising Improprieties

Dear Michael Baisden:

I am disappointed at your allegations against Color of Change, an organization which has a long and impeccable history of struggling on behalf the oppressed and dispossessed. Now people’s spirits are dampened by the allegations. You have created an air of suspicion across the nation.

Let’s be clear and fair about on-air allegations and the damages it can cause to a movement still struggling to free the six Jena youth. And, while we are at it, let’s call up the integrity of everybody involved.

First, it is reported that $10,000 was donated by David Bowie to the Jena Defense Fund and that the money is unaccounted for. But according to this NAACP press report:

“We are gratified that rock star David Bowie was moved to donate to the NAACP’s Jena campaign,” said NAACP National Board of Directors Chairman Julian Bond. “Mr. Bowie shares our outrage. We hope others will join him.” It is evident that Bowie’s donation went to the NAACP’s Jena campaign.

As for the other monies, Color of Change has provided images of cancelled checks made out to the Jena 6 defense lawyers. (See images of deposited checks and family authorization for payment).

It is not unusual for the good that people do to be evil spoken of. But we never expected it to be from you.

We note that you are sponsoring a Foundation Charity Fundraiser on November 9 and 10. And, we assume that, because it features Marcus Jones, father of Mychal Bell (one of the Jena 6) and two of his lawyers (Louis Scott and Carol Powel-Lexington), that the fundraising will be on behalf of the Jena Six defendants.

Will Marcus Jones say that he did not authorize payment to his son’s lawyers in the amount of $35,339.78? Will Louis Scott deny receiving $33,150.00? The documents speak for themselves. And, what does Color of Change get for its diligent fundraising effort?

Other people have criticized Marcus Jones as an “absentee father”, who only came back into Mychal Bell’s life after the Jena 6 publicity. And, we have resisted taking the bait. But does Jones thank groups like Color of Change and Afrospear bloggers who have relentlessly elevated this case, long before radio stations got involved? No! Instead, we, as bloggers, are now cast under a cloud of suspicion.

There is nothing that says that the monies raised by the Foundation Charity Fundraiser will go to the Jena 6 defense, and nothing said about how equally the funds will be disbursed. At least, Color of Change has provided each defendant with the same approximate amount. What would Marcus Jones have- that all the funds to go to his son’s defense?

There is no honorable way to clean up this mess of your creation. You are now under a bigger cloud of suspicion than Color of Change could ever be. Color of Change has already posted its proof to the public. Some of my Afrosphere blogging colleagues think you should offer them the same opportunity to be absolved of all wrongdoing on the same broadcast format that you so gleefully slandered them. They should also be included in all your future fundraising effort on behalf of Jena 6, even if no more than to help you, Michael, restore your integrity on the airways. I personally don't believe you have any integrity that can be restored, but I suppose you should be given a chance to try. Honestly I suspect you will decide to challenge us and persist in this lie, believing the airways are more powerful than the blog. Truth will always win.

Sincerely,
Dwight D. Hunter

ON NOVEMBER 13 I RECEIVED THIS UPDATE FROM COLOR OF CHANGE FOLLOWING A BRIEF NOTE OF APOLOGY BURIED IN THE CHATROOMS OF MICHAEL BAISDEN'S WEBSITE AND A LESS THAN 2 MINUTE ON AIR APOLOGY AND SO-CALLED EXPLANATION FOR WHAT BAISDEN CHARACTERIZES AS AN HONEST MISTAKE.

We hoped Baisden was really going to step up, but he didn't.
Baisden's statement fails every test of a decent apology. First, it misleads listeners about how he came to defame us. Then, it misrepresents the real interests of the Jena 6 families, to take another shot at us. Finally, it tries to sweep all the damage Baisden has caused under the rug, while doing very little to rebuild his listeners' confidence in ColorOfChange or in online organizing as a strategy.
Michael Baisden could be a valuable ally in our stuggle -- but we can't accept a dishonest apology that spreads more misinformation. This isn't just about defending ourselves, it's about being true to the values we have at ColorOfChange. An important part of our mission is holding those who claim to be our leaders accountable for their actions. For us to do that in this case, we can't in good conscience accept Baisden's partial and misleading "apology."
Baisden's "apology":
1) Baisden said his staff had been given "inaccurate information," and referenced the documentation on our website as if it were new to them. But the truth is that we gave the Baisden show everything they needed to confirm that the money was going where it was supposed to go weeks before the broadcast.43 And we have the documentation to prove it.4 This wasn't a problem of not having "reliable sources." It was a problem of deliberately ignoring them.
2) While "apologizing," Baisden continued to sow seeds of doubt about ColorOfChange by misrepresenting the desires of most of the Jena 6 families. He claimed that four of the six Jena families insist that ColorOfChange stop fundraising on their behalf. Other than Marcus Jones, no parent has ever told us they want us to stop fundraising. Baisden refuses to reveal the letter that he now says was signed by four of the six families (and earlier claimed was signed by "all" of them); but in the past week, we have confirmed with the five other families, directly and through their attorneys, that they want us to continue fundraising for their children. We have, of course, honored Marcus Jones' request that we stop fundraising for his son, after hearing it on the radio.
3) Baisden said he's "relieved to have put this behind us." But unfortunately, it's not that easy. Baisden has done serious damage to ColorOfChange.org's reputation. He has played on understandable fears among Black folks -- that organizations are going to take their money and run with it. This doesn't only damage ColorOfChange. It damages Black people. It damages the movement for change that we and our allies are trying to build.5 And it will take far more than a few partial and misleading apologies to undo that damage.
Moving forward, we are exploring every option to repair that damage in a constructive way and to clear our name with our members and with Michael Baisden's listeners. Hopefully, Michael Baisden will be a partner in making that happen.
In times as serious as these, this kind of drama and distraction absolutely sickens us. We know it sickens you. We thank you, and our allies and partners in the Black blogosphere,6 for standing with us to help set the record straight and defend our work together. We look forward to continuing the work that we do, and, with your participation, to make America a better place for Black folks, and everyone else.
Thank You and Peace,
-- James, Van, Clarissa, Gabriel, Mervyn, and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team November 13th, 2007
References:
1. "Response to Color of Change," Minglecity.com, November 9, 2007 http://www.minglecity.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1307
2. Audio clip from Michael Baisden show, November 9, 2007 http://colorofchange.org/baisden/apology/audio.html
3. "False allegations on the Michael Baisden Show" http://www.colorofchange.org/jena/baisden/
4. Fax from Yvonne Gilliam, Michael Baisden's publicist http://www.colorofchange.org/jena/baisden/documentation/fax.html
5. Emails from our ColorOfChange members regarding Baisden's allegations. http://colorofchange.org/baisden/apology/emails.html
6. Black bloggers on Baisden's attack http://colorofchange.org/baisden/apology/bloggers.html

Exodus Mentality says
I listened to Warren Ballentine today, and apparently the spin on this issue is to change to focus of the discussion away from what Michael Baisden did, outright lie on the radio and then lie some more to try and cover up his lie, to how the "media" is unfairly targeting Baisden for not disclosing the extent and distribution of his fundraising efforts. Howard Witt, of the Chicago Tribune evidently called Baisden out for his fundraising not being transparent even as he was accusing ColorofChange.org of misuse of funds collected on behalf of the Jena 6. Now Ballantine and Sharpton are evidently supporting Baisden on the basis of the supposed media attack, said attack being little more than a request for the same transparency Baisden himself demanded.

That's the whole discussion now. NOT what did Baisden know and when did he know it; NOT what motivated Baisden to put Marcus Jones on the air to spread vicious lies when Baisden was well aware of the real deal; NOT why did Michael Baisden launch an attack on online activism in general; NOT how Michael Baisden's actions can only be seen as a deliberate attempt to derail the only functional support for the accused youth and their families in Jena.

This is what concerns the Exodus Mentality the most. We know from history that there have been "leaders" who have only occupied the position for their own gain. We know this. We know that people usually don't just develop and disseminate mis-information without some underlying purpose. We should be very concerned about Baisden and everyone around him and everyone who is supporting him while he continues to play games with the truth and continues to pretend to be a leader of anything. This is not about hating on Michael Baisden, nor is it something that we can just smooth over and move on without taking appropriate action.

Just 10 years ago, it would have been almost impossible for an organization like ColorofChange.org to raise the money they have raised. It would have been nearly impossible for CoC to adequately defend itself against an attack made by well known, nationally syndicated radio personalities. It would have been nearly impossible to get information, hard facts, out to the general public in a medium that wasn't tainted or completely compromised. Today, the information age stepped out of infancy and grew up just a bit. Access to information has made it impossible for Michael Baisden to hide his misdeeds. He is reduced to running from the truth as hard and as fast as he can, doing everything in his power to shift the discussion away from his dastardly deeds, and enlisting his compatriots in radio to support his efforts at obfuscation.

It's a new day Michael. It's a new day Al. It's a new day to all of you old school hustlers who have pimped the movement, tricked out the struggle, and rode the wave of our pain to your own personal prosperity. That day is done. Today we have our eyes and ears on you. That crap that used to get by without notice is now on front street. I have a bit of advice for you all. If you intend to be a leader of the new school, you'd best to turn over a new leaf today. We are watching and we are holding you accountable. More accountable than we have ever been able to hold you before, because now we have access to information from channels that you can't control or manipulate. This may be the single greatest step thus far in the movement for solidarity among Balck people and the liberation struggle that has so suffered from lack of the same. Let's finish it off and make an example out of Michael Baisden, so no other person will dare set themselves up as one of our leaders and then play us for fools.