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Fair warning—I’m about to be very direct with my opinion.
I watch MSNBC because I trust the Black voices on the network. I appreciate the analysis from Joy Reid, Rev. Al Sharpton, Symone Sanders-Townsend, Jonathan Capehart, and others.
Why? Because they see the world through a lens I can relate to. As Black journalists, they understand the nuances of our lived experiences in ways that mainstream media often overlooks.
Sure, I occasionally tune in to Joe Scarborough, Rachel Maddow, and others. But time and again, I’ve noticed a lack of context when it comes to the Black experience—and I’m pretty sure they’d agree.
When Tiffany Cross was abruptly let go in 2022, I wrestled with the idea of boycotting MSNBC. But I stayed, drawn in by the voices of Joy Reid, Al Sharpton, and others who kept critical conversations alive. When Rashida Jones became MSNBC’s first Black woman president, I felt a cautious optimism—finally, someone in leadership who might champion Black journalists. Now, with Jones stepping down and Rebecca Kutler taking over, I can only hope she will prioritize and protect Black voices, but I’m not holding my breath.
Yet, MSNBC has long had a pattern of sidelining Black talent, and the trend is impossible to ignore. The departures of Melissa Harris-Perry, Tamron Hall, Roland Martin and now potentially Joy Reid send a clear message: unapologetic Black voices are too often undervalued in mainstream media. At a time when anti-Blackness is rising in our government and democracy is in peril, silencing one of the most prominent Black journalists in cable news would be a reckless mistake.
Reid brings depth, cultural understanding, and accountability to the issues that impact Black communities. Her ability to challenge power and center marginalized voices makes her indispensable—not just for MSNBC, but for viewers who rely on her perspective. Black women in media already face relentless scrutiny, misogynoir, and systemic bias. If MSNBC chooses to discard Joy Reid, another powerful Black voice, they risk further alienating the very audience that has stood by them.
If MSNBC wants to maintain credibility with its Black viewers, it must do better. Because trust, once lost, is hard to regain.
With all of the talented black journalist why can’t we get our own station and NOT BET. There has to be a platform for us created by us who reports for us.