R.I.P. Ed Bradley – Bomani Jones

November 12, 2006

I’m late to comment on Ed Bradley’s passing. I’ve been crazy busy the last few days and, quite honestly, I didn’t have anything particularly special to contribute to the conversation. There’s something disrespectful about commenting on someone’s passing simply out of a sense of obligation. We all tend to do it, but I have no desire to talk without saying nothin’ at a time like this.
But while I’m sitting here watching the tribute to Bradley on “60 Minutes,” it’s become clear what I find to be the most interesting thing about Ed Bradley, something that’s becoming hard to find–Ed Bradley was a black man whose television persona was relaxed, natural and not stuck to one of the prevalent molds of black men on television.
Part of what made him worth watching on “60 Minutes” was that he was so damn smooth and cool. It never seemed like he was working. Everything just seemed like a breeze, whether he was interviewing a subject or providing the results of an investigation. Jarrett and I were discussing how Ed was one of the few journalists that could ask the tough questions without the interview becoming contentious. And we all know that “60 Minutes” wouldn’t be “60 Minutes” without the anchors gettin in somebody’s shit. But Ed could get into a subject and get everything he needed without seeming to thump his chest on the inside about how he was asking such tough questions. He was thoughtful and logical, but there was huge intangible that made him so effective.
That only worked because that was who he was. There was no attempt to make himself more of a television personality. He was simply translating his personality to television, and it wasn’t one of the personalities it seems black men have to have to get on TV. He wasn’t stoic, nor was humor his hook. He wasn’t trying to entertain. He was trying to inform, and he did so well. It just happened that he shared the information in an interesting fashion.
That’s big to me. Society has repeatedly demonstrated an acceptance for a small subset of black people in the public eye. For that reason, many black people try to fit the image that they feel viewers will be comfortable with. Or, networks will find people that happen to fit that ideal and then roll from there.
That’s no knock on those that happen to fit an acceptable caricature. They are who they are, and I don’t really knock them for getting paid to do that. The thing I love about my job, above all else, is that I get paid to be me, and I’m damn fortunate that people think I’m worth seeing, reading and listening to. It’s kinda like a great philospher said once–get it how you live.
I just sincerely hope that television have room for black people that live like Ed Bradley to get theirs. As the range of images of blacks in the media gets smaller and smaller, the need for someone like Ed Bradley becomes greater and greater.
Especially now that Ed Bradley, one of an ilk populated by very few, is gone.

Comments


ladyB

September 21, 4030, 1:20 pm

i was thinking the same thing about how natural he was on television. that was a part of what made him such an amazing man. you could tell when his friends spoke of him that he was really real, in the way that many of the announcers on ESPN come across as themselves, as well. what a rare quality in minority news reporters in general! i, too, hope that there is a place for others like Ed Bradley. he was (and still is), refreshing to watch.

strong

September 21, 4031, 1:20 pm

Growing up, Ed Bradley was one of my heroes. Along with Max Robinson, the first black to solo anchor the evening news on a major network. My other hero was Dwight Lauderdale, co-anchor of the evening news in my hometown Miami. These three men inspired me to study journalism in college and to this day I continue to write due to the inspiration of Ed Bradley and his colleagues.

ETS

September 21, 4032, 1:20 pm

I second everything you said. I wonder who will replace him. Someone "relaxed and natural" or someone out of the "broadcast journalist" mold.

Jarrett

September 21, 4033, 1:20 pm

It will take a lot to replace someone like him, the years the Smooth Ed put in and the body of his work will make the selection process difficult. Considering the ilk that Bomani spoke of, I would venture to say Robin Roberts as a more than appropriate choice. Good rapport with subjects without being folksy unless necessary, and universally relatable. But, we'll see.

Shot Clock

September 21, 4034, 1:20 pm

RIP Ed Bradley. I enjoyed his MJ-esque earring. On a different note, that boy Calvin was nervous as hell Saturday night. Klitchko had him figured out - that right hand was the finisher. I didn't think it would go seven though, so in that respect, Brock was more ready than I assume most people anticipated. I wanna see a Briggs/Klitchko fight.

Rex

September 21, 4035, 1:20 pm

I always looked forward to Ed's pieces. Can't say that about Mike Wallace... and by the time Andy came on, I'd flip the channel. 60 Minutes is definitely missing a critical peice to their puzzle now...