Hotep,
Journalism has no definitive format for how a story should
be told. At least, not the brand of
journalism I know to be the most credible.
A journalist should tell a story the way the information at hand impacts
his/her life. In today’s mainstream
media, the journalists I feel a gravitational pull toward are: Soledad O’Brien,
Barbara Laker, Helen Ubinas, Barry Saunders, and Wendy Ruderman.
These particular writers breathe a story to the tune of
their own heartbeats. Acceptance is not
a priority. Their brands of journalism
allow the readers to hear what they mean, formula that can breed positive
change in any community. Na mean?
Charles Sumner Stone, Jr. was at the top of the journalistic
food chain when it came to the unorthodox style of reporting a story. Better known as Chuck Stone, his pedigree
includes the experience of being a Tuskegee Airman in World War II, special
assistant to U.S. Rep. Adam Clayton Powell, cofounder and first president of
the National Association of Black Journalists, and Walter Spearman professor at
the University of North Carolina. He was
also a columnist and senior editor at the Philadelphia Daily News from 1971 –
1991.
Seventy-three men and two women – all fugitives from justice
– chose to surrender themselves to Chuck Stone in the Daily News newsroom. All of them said they were afraid of being
beaten by the cops and all were black.
On October 2, 1983, two armed men held up the Girard Bank at Bala and
City Avenues. With a hostage in their grasp,
and cops and FBI agents at the front door, the robbers’ one request was to get
Chuck Stone.
With him on the scene a potentially fatal outcome
transcended into a peaceful resolution.
These lawbreakers didn’t think all their problems would vanish with the
swipe of an ink pen, but they were well aware that a respected journalist
capable of objectivity would detain authorities from responding in an overly
aggressive manner, when the assailants clearly intended to surrender without
confrontation. All too often bullets
become the final resolution.
In November of 1981, Chuck was called into Graterford State
Prison when a convicted multiple – killer led four other inmates in a failed
escape attempt that resulted in the inmates being trapped in the prison
kitchen, while holding six hostages. The
legendary journalist again was requested; met with the prisoners; and received
a list of their demands for better prison conditions.
After two days of negotiating, the hostages
were released without harm. Which came
as a shock when it was discovered the inmates were well armed with a
double-barrel sawed-off shotgun, a single barrel shotgun, a .38 caliber pistol,
and a .22 caliber pistol.
The stories that Mr. Stone wrote pertaining to these
noteworthy experiences exemplified his commitment to the people he viewed as
victims of corruption and incompetence.
I wholeheartedly agree with Daily News columnist Elmer Smith, “He was a
cause crusader because that’s what his people needed.”
Chuck Stone’s brand of journalism reinforces my passion to
cultivate my own distinctive voice, and to be the “cause crusader” for my
peoples living in the shadows of reproof.
A great monument can’t stand tall without a dependable stone, as it’s
foundation. Rest in peace Mr. Chuck
Stone, 1924 – 2014.
Always 100,
MannofStat
Copyright © 2014 by Leroy Elwood Mann
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