Urban Thought Collective

The recent revelation from Barbara Walters about her old school affair with a former black Senator has caused a bit of a stir.

Why?

As a publicist, I get it. There is a book to sell. Pull out the scintillating, press worthy bits and bombard the public with them.

As a black woman, I have to chuckle. Here we are, firmly entrenched in the new millennium, and the thought of this old, elegant, professional white woman being attracted to and carrying on an affair with a black man still makes headlines.

The fact that the man was married wasn’t the story. No, indulging in the delights of another woman’s husband ain’t the meat here. Oh no. He was a black man! Barbara dipped in the chocolate and stunned gasps trail in her wake. I’ve known since I was knee high that black men were the most wanted in the world, and I don’t mean by the justice system.

Hey, I’m no elitist. I’m interested too. Of course, a good juicy story is fun to read. This one was fun, but not shocking. So, what’s everyone so stunned about? What is the true shock factor here? Is it that dainty, proper Ms. Walters sullied herself in some way? Aren’t we generally over the interracial issue? Most of us don’t look twice or experience surprise when we see a black woman with a white man or vice versa.

I have nothing at all against Barbara. I had the pleasure of meeting her in a professional capacity while accompanying a client to an interview, and found her to be lovely and genuine. But, as a cultural observer, I’m intrigued by the notion that the race factor is playing such a key part in this “story.” I’m interested in the magnification of race in just about every facet of our lives.

This woman is admired by millions (including myself) as a symbol for breaking barriers in journalism. I would venture to say that her resume is unmatched by any reporter today. Say what you will about old girl, she has chops. Through the years, Walters has become an institution. She has interviewed more luminaries in the world of politics, royalty and controversy than anyone I can think of. Her calling card has always been the ability to get the most private, delicious details from her subjects. Certainly the quotes from Fidel Castro, Michael Jackson, Charles Manson, hell, even Monica Lewinsky were more tingling than this tidbit about sneaking around with a married black guy back in the day.

This ain’t the governor of New York paying for some lovin’. This is a Senator (they keep pointing out that he was “the first black Senator”) with a wife and obligations. It was two people who made a choice to spend special time together. Keep that one to yourself, Babs. Your fans were going to read your book regardless. You have money to burn and a reputation that will live far beyond the grave. Among your many accolades, the fact that you bumped with a brotha shouldn’t make the obituary.

Oh well. I suppose at the end of the day, sex sells, neatly packaged and sold as the shock of the week.

And folks still ask if race continues to be an issue in this country…

Go figure.

Ellene Miles has worked as an entertainment publicist for more than 6 years. Her collections of rants are featured exclusively on UTC for the good of the people.