Reid encourages JSU students to tell their own story

Avi’Yam Jordan and Ivory Jones
MC Contributors

From “Sister Sister” to “That 70s Show”, Emmy-nominated actor and producer Tim Reid and many other distinguished journalists came to Jackson State to talk about the entertainment industry, politics and making your mark in the field of mass communications.

During multiple sessions on Nov. 11, the Trotter Group discussed media, politics and history and how it impact the world today.

The Trotter Group, an organization of distinguished black journalists from around the country, was invited to Jackson State University at the invitation of the Department of Mass Communications to speak to journalism and College of Liberal Arts students.

Reid spoke about propaganda; recalling a meeting he had years ago with the late William Paley, founder of CBS.

Paley asked Reid, “What is your propaganda?” His reply is one that many African-Americans can relate to. Reid explained to Paley that he had not seen his culture portrayed on television accurately.

This meeting shaped the way Reid developed and shared his self-image with the world. In 1998, he and his wife Daphne co-founded their own production studio, New Millennium Studios, the first studio in Virginia.

“All art is propaganda.  I wouldn’t care what form it comes in, whether it is newspaper, film or painting; all art is propaganda,” said Reid during his lecture.  “The power of propaganda is to influence opinion.  It is what journalist do, that’s what you have to do, it’s called mass communications.”

Reid admitted to the audience that he now asks, “What is your purpose?” to inspiring filmmakers.

“Hidden in the purpose is the propaganda,” said Reid. “One of the things I’ve noticed with working with young film makers is that we have forgotten the power of words.”

He also enlightened the audience on why being a gatekeeper of information is so important. Reid suggests that the power lies in the fact that perception is reality. Showing split-screen images, he revealed the difference between perception and reality.

The first images were of distinguished black senators and representatives in the 1940s and how the media portrayed them as uneducated and untidy individuals with no sense of politics. In a more modern image, basketball superstar Lebron James was photographed for the cover of Vogue holding a white woman with one arm, similar to the way King Kong did. Because images such as the fore-mentioned are so common, Reid advises that African-Americans learn to control their image.

He also points out that entertainers, athletes and broadcasts television networks control and influence perceptions. He warns that to change this status quo, mediocrity will not due.

“We need quality, class and well written stories,” said Reid as he advised students to have a radical voice, passion, commitment, and skills as well as be willing to sacrifice.

Kris Campbell, a senior mass communications major from Mobile, Ala. said Reid’s speech was inspiring.

“Reid encouraged us to utilize the tools that we have. He mentioned that one university that he visited was teaching students to use ham radio and how ridiculous that was. We have great tools here at JSU but we do not use them. Taking advantage of those tools separates us,” said Campbell. “Something that really stuck out to me though, was when he asked ‘What is your propaganda?’ In other words, what is your purpose? It was powerful.”

Today, the group, along with journalism and College of Liberal Arts students and faculty will be hearing a talk by actor/producer/director Tim Reid at 9 a.m. at the Liberal Arts Building auditorium.

Reid’s session was followed by Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist and author Les Payne on the life of Malcolm X.

Comprised of top columnists and opinion makers, the Trotter Group gathers once a year to discuss current events and ensure important local, regional and national black stories are told.

Journalists from the Trotter group include, DeWayne Wikham, a veteran USA Today columnist, Les Payne, National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) founder, Wayne J. Dawkins, author and newspaper editor and many more.