It will never cease to amaze me just how much white folks take their white privilege for granted; and Barbara Waters's "come clean" announcement on Oprah is just one more example of this. It seems Walters wanted to come clean about an affair she had with Senator Edward Brooke of Massachusetts over 30 years ago. And she does so, without any regard to the impact this revelation would have on Brooke's, or his family.
A moderate Republican from Massachusetts who took office in 1967, Brooke was the first African-American to be popularly elected to the Senate. Both he and Walters knew that public knowledge of their affair could have ruined his career as well as hers, Walters says.
The Associated Press article breaking this story, makes no mention of whether there were attempts to contact Brookes before writing or going on Oprah and telling all of hers and his business. One can only assume that since this is not mentioned, that she nor her publicist thought that detail important. Further, the article does not speak to any mention from Walters what part this affair may have played on Brooke's first marriage which, ended in divorce. What appears to be foremost in her mind, however, is that she remembers Brooke's as being "exiting" and "brilliant". And when asked if she loved him - as if that was even important - Walters responded that she thinks she was "infatuated".
Walters is privy to a variety of venues through which she could have shared her jungle fever experience. She could have promoted her book via the View. She could have exposed this torrid affair on one of her primetime specials. But, instead she does so on Oprah. The one show that is known for creating "rags to riches" stories and boosting authors right to the best seller list. No, doubt Walters is not stupid and has just ensured that "Auditions" will be a best seller before it hits the shelves. But, Walters also showed that she is insensitive to anyone other than her own self interest and promotion.
She has no problem with hiding the identity of a friend who advised to stop the affair - but is quite comfortable with exposing Brooke. She chokes up when speaking about her mentally retarded sister - but shows no remorse for the part she may have played in breaking up an African American man's family. Yet, she offers no apologies to his family for the part that she played and now will have to play as this story garners more and more momentum. She will come out of this smelling like a rose and Brooke's...well, thank God he lost that 3rd bid for the Senate just before the affair ended.
Shame on you Oprah for not asking her if she felt or feels any remorse. Shame on you for not taking up the mantel for women and/or men and children whose lives have been destroyed because of infidelity. But, I know, she's BaBa WaWa. She doesn't have to be remorseful. She doesn't have to answer for her actions. After all, she can do what she wants to do without repercussion, because as they say "she's free, white, and 21"!
Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old Sojourner('s Place) ain't got nothing more to say. ~~SjP
Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old Sojourner('s Place) ain't got nothing more to say. ~~SjP
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