The email has been sent out by the Dallas South blog to members of the NABJforum and others. It addresses Minister Louis Farrakhan's interview in Trumpet by managing editor Rhoda McKinney-Jones. The Trumpet was formerly-owned by the Trinity United Church of Christ. Trinity's Pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, who retires this month is Barack Obama’s spiritual leader. Wonder how far the pundits against Obama will hide this?

February 29, 2008

We all know that Tim Russert attempted to “swift boat” Senator Barack Obama (and Clinton for that matter) in last Tuesday’s debate. Russert decided to take the debate off the issues and turn it into a muckraking session.

Russert asked Obama about comments made by Minister Louis Farrakhan as well as comments about Min. Farrakhan that he attributed to Rev. Jeremiah Wright. I received an email this morning with information from the Managing Editor of Trumpet Newsmagazine. Her message clarifies the bad information that’s been out there as well as the bad information Russert gave during the debate.

To whom it may concern:

I write to bring some journalistic clarity to what has become a widespread inaccuracy. My name is Rhoda McKinney Jones, managing editor of the Trumpet Newsmagazine, and the author of the Minister Louis Farrakhan article in our November/December issue.

Over the last few weeks, I have watched in disbelief as seasoned journalists and not-so-well-intentioned bloggers have attributed to Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., pastor emeritus of Trinity United Church of Christ, the last three words of my first person, introductory piece on Minister Farrakhan.

Those words are now familiar to you, especially after Tuesday night’s debate and Tim Russert’s use of them—“truly epitomized greatness.” Dr. Wright, never said, wrote or uttered those words. Those words are mine and mine alone. Whether one agrees with my assessment is not the issue or the reason I was prompted to correct the record.

As a well-trained journalist, I know the most basic fact checking would have revealed the truth. Next time, when attempting to sully a presidential candidate by discrediting his church and its renowned, religious leader, let’s get the facts straight.

Rhoda McKinney Jones

Managing Editor, Trumpet Newsmagazine
Graduate of Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and Spelman College

What follows is an excerpt from the article written by Rhoda McKinney Jones for Trumpet Newsmagazine:

Because of the Minister’s influence in the African American community, Trumpet Newsmagazine honors him this winter at its Sounds of the Shore gala with an Empowerment Award. It seemed a fitting tribute for a storied life well lived. And as our brief interview drew to a close and he thanked me for taking the time to talk to him, I could not help but think, the Minister, the man with whom I had been so casually speaking, truly epitomized greatness.

Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old Sojourner('s Place) ain't got nothing more to say.

holla back! SjP

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