“The Truth in Black and White”: The Kansas City Star Apologizes for History of Racist Coverage

[@kalalakapay]

Hey, it only took 140 years right?

[@Don-md6wn]

The New York Times needs to do this. I've seen horrific racist language in old stories from the NYT.

[@jimjam1192]

And current. Such as it's support of the racist hate group black lives matter.

[@mahnamahna3252]

And currently

[@Revel136]

They have done more than KCS that's for sure

[@janetbarber6781]

@@jimjam1192 Regular citizen here, Jim Jam. Please tell me WHO BLM hates? Thanks.

[@PlanetC64]

I was thinking the same thing. Sold Trump a full page ad inciting racist violence when the Exonerated/Central Park Five were arrested.

[@lloydrobinson6480]

REPARATIONS NOW!!!!

[@Bonafide188]

This was really brave of the reporter Ms. Williams to initiate this, cause the backlash could have been intense. I am glad to see a media organization take responsibility for their role and participation in determining either the dissolution or perpetuation of social outcomes.

[@leylandgayle209]

THIS TIME IS THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL WHO ARE GUILTY RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS OF MAINTAINING APARTHEID AGAINST AFRICAN AMERICANS IN GENERAL TO NOT ONLY APOLOGIZE BUT COMPENSATE US BY GIVING UP LARGE PORTIONS OF COLONIAL WEALTH THEY ACCOMPLISH BY ENSLAVEMENT OF US

[@Simonjose7258]

Wow! This is RARE 😳👏👏👏 We'll see how they move forward.

[@carrieullrich5059]

Please cover minorities and tell the truth. We need honest news.

[@deloreswillis9224]

YESSSSSS

[@byronevans1]

Apologies are worthless,pay what is owed to DOAS.

[@luchi.el.zorrito]

We don't owe you shit

[@tiffanycarroll2256]

@@luchi.el.zorrito Who is we? White people, the government, or that specific company? Who are you actually speaking for?

[@luchi.el.zorrito]

@@tiffanycarroll2256 white descendents of colonialism. We don't owe blacks or indigenous people a single penny. 💯💯💯

[@byronevans1]

@We are Vikangs !!! n shiet nothing is free and its knocking at Amerikkka door.

[@byronevans1]

@@luchi.el.zorrito like you belong to the 1 percenter class, rite?

[@DerekFullerWhoIsGovt]

The most important real estate the enemy occupies is between our ears.

[@cameronmclennan942]

This really moved me, thank you Mará Rose Williams. I can understand how many see this as just a token, but I'm really encouraged by her message of not just saying sorry, but showing people what that racism looked like and sounded like in the words and stories of the past.

[@gjcentralradio8813]

Took long enough but at least they acknowledge it.

[@1marzouq]

I have a room full of so called apologies. I will place this with the rest of those empty apologies........

[@eclecticrhapsody8693]

Hey, you know it's now profitable to own up to being racist. They know the buying power of the black dollar and they want to leverage and exploit it.

[@dabay200]

When did the Kansas City Star stop being racist?

[@leylandgayle209]

Taxation without representation Apologizing without REPARATION AND COMPENSATION. NO MORE TALK 😳

[@consuellamccoy5217]

This is how you correct the past and heal from racism. BRAVO!!

[@shiitakestick]

i o - rather smoke you .

[@shiitakestick]

i o .. I’m hit ! ... call 911... 😩

[@JSkyGemini]

It's one small step out of the quagmire of hate clowns like these have perpetuated for generations. It's a long road. I'd be encouraged if garbage like fox propaganda were held responsible for the hate and lies they peddle all day, everyday. An apology is words. A start, nothing more.

[@shiitakestick]

i o - you are too stupid to know how dumb you sound. I cant believe you’re an adult. Yet I know you may well be.

[@shiitakestick]

i o are you a North Korean or Russian hate-bot ?

[@mikelock5033]

What form of REPARATIONS will paper do?

[@agameenthusiast5513]

This source of information is not going to change the system of White Supremacy.

[@mamabear3217]

This is a huge start, thanks to everyone involved and the apology was felt and heard. We all know media is a huge part in influencing the masses. Media influences how the world views us as human beings and enforces stereotypes, which is why we still fight for certain rights because we have been presented only in one way to the entire world and that is biased, let's continue the journey.

[@JSkyGemini]

It's words. Not a huge start but a start. Watch what they do, not so much on what they say. The media like the Star and fox propaganda hate network have caused a lot of damage, "I'm sorry" erases nothing.

[@rickystansbury9134]

@Akina Helaire My Sister our time for recompense is approaching with haste. Just know these people are not doing this for us, they're doing this for them. They know who we are, it is us, who do not know. We are the chosen people of GOD *(Deuteronomy 7:6---1 Peter 2:9-10---Amos 3:2--KJV) Another clue remember, Jesus said if the world hate me, it will hate you too!" (John 15:18 KJV).*

[@mamabear3217]

@@rickystansbury9134 Jeremiah 30 should also be noted as well

[@mamabear3217]

@@JSkyGemini never implied it would erase anything but to acknowledge it, through documentation opens the door for other avenues. For examples changing of policy, reparations etc.

[@mamabear3217]

@@JSkyGemini I understand; words without actions mean nothing, thank you.

[@Tyreeleslie]

This is a start but needs to be done around the country.

[@JohnnyPeacenic]

this is the only paper that is admitting it. this happens with most papers to some degree more generally the poor.

[@mamabear3217]

Yes especially in southern small cities, *cough* Shreveport Louisiana!

[@peaceswirl]

Thank you all for all this truth clearing .

[@acebaker3623]

There is no reconciliation without truth.

[@agameenthusiast5513]

Thank you.

[@Bigfish1day]

But how do they plan to make it right? An apology is nothing with fixing the wrong.

[@IvyLuvsYa]

Its so refreshing to see an institution especially a newspaper take responsibility make apology and make deep meaningful changes to right the wrong. I believe this is known in an individual as repentance and is something we witness too rarely. Thank you.

[@kathygraham6251]

Good for you, it resonates across north america

[@gray_foxx583]

So now what's next for the paper and the racism the they have sown and the people racist people that they cultivated? Denial is not a river in Africa. It's the under current that runs through this country which if the truth is told has never been great.

[@sandybeaches3950]

As a black woman, I always said that white media has never said anything nice about a black person unless there was sports involved.

[@jkengineeringarchitecture.]

Racism is not something anyone is born with, racism is something that is taught, "Nelson Mandela"

[@bluzcompany2293]

Thank you Kansas City Star for getting the ball rolling on what this country needs to do publicly across the board since its inception...

[@yoso585]

I find it sad that anyone actually believes that a “newspaper” is actually able to make an apology. No such thing can happen. Only people can perform such an action. A newspaper can’t hurt you. Only the writers and such can. Any apologies from any of the people actually involved in the racism? I’m sure not. Nothing but a publicity stunt.

[@nanone3434]

NOW THEY NEEDS TO BE SUED BY THE BLACKS THAT LIVES IN THAT AREA

[@bridgettr.hollowell4448]

This means nothing to me as a person who was born there. TOO MUCH, TOO LITTLE. TOO LATE!

[@dr.100purrscent5]

Without restitution they are just words

[@agameenthusiast5513]

That's right.

[@milesearly2199]

A simple "I'm sorry" Yeah that's great, how about a plaque, statue, or and mentioned in history!

[@fendisommers2613]

Ok now where are all they blk attorneys at filing a civil suit on behalf of all these ppl and add there apology to our reperations.

[@nanone3434]

An apology isn't enough after 140 years

[@nanone3434]

Reparations

[@agameenthusiast5513]

Thank you.

[@stevecoley8365]

X-Files. Vampires (greed) are inhumane because they are not human. The counting corpses commit crimes against humanity because they are not human. The hostile alien monsters are desperate to control a darkship called the Whitehouse. Because working in the dark to suck the joy out of life and devour earth is the only way that the loveless, lifeless parasites can survive and thrive. Unlike earthling poets, artists, musicians, mystics, human beings and creators of joy...the counting corpses can't create harmony (real intelligence) because vampires (greed) are ignorant (dead).

[@jamesshrader6180]

Why don`t people talk about the Indians? It was our land. So many were killed and the land and history were taken away. This is not to downplay the current situation, but the original sin runs deeper.

[@yarajamal1782]

They do talk about them here.

[@shawnthetruth8781]

Tell the so called Indian's to put pressure on the media?

[@RealTalkLLC]

A proper apology is to literally say the words "I'm sorry" or "We are sorry" for Our hatred towards you, and other blaCK people; I didn't hear, or read the aforementioned phrase ‼️🤔

[@yoso585]

I commented above that a newspaper is not capable of apologizing for anything. Only people can do such a thing. People can also pull a publicity stunts as well. So, one should ask, who are the people that demonstrated acts of racism that actually apologized? None that I’ve heard of.

[@yoso585]

It would be like me apologizing for something my great grandmother did, or Tom down the street or 300 miles away. Just a play on ignorance.

[@RealTalkLLC]

@@yoso585 Facts, I concur...

[@RealTalkLLC]

@@yoso585 Hypocrisy, no doubt ‼️🤬

[@RealTalkLLC]

@Lyesha Sanders Hypocritical hybrids, they are...

[@bacharyohanan]

Time is up...it's time to reap what you sowed

[@agameenthusiast5513]

That is right.

[@sonofyah-qx8fm]

After 140 yrs. ...late Apology Wow .... Agony .....These are last Days of Edom

[@agameenthusiast5513]

True that.

[@yliberal6355]

Now they and other outlets across America should begin telling the truth of what truly occurred in history.

[@uniquedevineisrael139]

APOLOGY NOT ACCEPTED. PERIODT

[@oldwoman2121]

So good. Thank you!

[@sandieguitoadult]

What investor group owns this paper now? It's a very important story but, imo, this subject is being used to distract from real topics such as how corrupt our govt. is. If that was exposed and changed it would have a greater net positive effect on the lives of African-americans and all marginalized people, including the poor.

[@agameenthusiast5513]

I agree.

[@michelej9496]

Truth both past and presently, I know what your talking about.

[@bartoncarlin3245]

This is very moving to me.

[@robrogers79]

All journeys start with a single step and no individual act will wipeout racism and prejudice , but one thing I know for sure , we will have to make this trip together .

[@hstteacher]

many thanks to the KC Star and especially to Ms. Williams for the research and publication of this apology. As a white person who grew up in Johnson County, Kansas -- a very white suburb of KC -- I now realize that much of my ignorance of the Black community has its origins in the lack of coverage in the newspaper. I experienced the '77 flood myself but did not think about the fact that we did not know of what was happening in the Black neighborhoods -- a good example of the neglect and racism. Thank you for covering this.

[@najeehouse78]

How nice, and once everybody you’ve done wrong is dead, we’ll issue a apology. I believe Black Americans will get reparations with a apology, once Black people population are 5 people or less. Headlines will read, “U.S government passes reparation bill with official apology in both the House and Senate for the last five remaining Black Americans.” 🤣 This is a tragic comedy.

[@mamabear3217]

Very tragic comedy, because public opinion of african americans and reperations, have been shaped by institutions such as this one.

[@najeehouse78]

@@mamabear3217 agree

[@omdesigned]

No excuses. Everyone must start healing. Native rights next.

[@petermorton301]

It's to late the damage have been done you can't turn back the hand's👐 of time⏳

[@agameenthusiast5513]

The only reason they are apologizing because they know their time of rulership on this earth coming to an end.

[@alyciahendricks3567]

Wow! Amen! Thank you for reporting this.

[@christinapomponio6452]

Even though I'm glad they published this public apology I wonder if the editors would have embraced it so easily if what was going on in the summer of 2020 hadn't been going on.

[@ipunk1589]

Apologies don't count if nothing changes!!!

[@agameenthusiast5513]

Thank you.

[@grazianop2706]

Congratulations to the Kansas City Star for trying to start healing.

[@bettygiles9737]

Years later!

[@lauramcconney9367]

This is the beginning of real change and healing!!! Praise God and the Kansas city Star!!!

[@tadeufilippini]

We are responsible for each other (an inspector calls) by Pristley

[@Patricia-sv8zb]

Mará Rose Williams 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@carolcraig1010]

Thank you Mara Rose Williams and Mike Fannin and the Kansas City Star for apologizing for a history of racist coverage. To address a problem you first have to acknowledge that a problem exist! May GOD help us all as we strive to form a more perfect union here in the United States of America.

[@consuellamccoy5217]

Please don't waste your time on Luis Rosales. He didn't understand the AWSOME thing this paper has Done!! THE KANSAS CITY STAR Acknowledge they were wrong and gave examples of wrong doing and then Apologized for doing these things! This IS Super Awesome!!! Please people don't get confused about what they have just Done!!!! BRAVO STAR!! Thank you !!! THIS IS HOW WE STOP RACISM FROM CONTINUING TO THRIVE!!!.🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@JSkyGemini]

You seem a little confused. They didn't even use the words "we're sorry." I don't think this is what you think it is and you're going to be disappointed. Your exuberance is a little premature.

[@KaikalaMoon]

My home city should do this. Deep legacy of this type of thing.

[@Limitedfreedomofspeech]

Amy Goodman’s glory days are far gone. She is not a good reporter.

[@brucechakur9431]

This whole nation did That Jackie

[@rainyfoxmedia]

I heard about this story but this kind of racism is so embedded in this country that the social media platforms practice this form of racism to content creators and end-users (viewers) and it must change now!

[@larrycharb]

Hats off to the Kansas City Star,,,,llc

[@gregoryallen0001]

this is beautiful and let's see what they do in 2021 👁

[@LisaBeergutHolst]

Now we need the _New York Times_ to do the same thing vis-a-vis neoliberalism lol

[@marilyndavis1789]

If you are a bad driver and your bad driving habits has caused you to have an accident. After you have the accident you don't all of a sudden become a good driver, your bad habits have already been formed. Now you become more cautious for awhile. But old habits never die. White people think they're superior, and that's embedded in them. I'm not a racist. But the truth is the truth. Old habits never die. But I'm glad the Kansas city star, apologized. It's a start in the right direction. (Mixed-raced-child).

[@shifanabukeera86]

And it still goes on and on and on willing for bkack people to take on these cheap apologies.

[@truthhurts785]

I am confused why the bi-racial black /brazilian student would do this. Brazil had one of the largest slave populations. So, that student is degrading themselves!!! Black people are so divided and uninformed. Slavery was not a black American phenominon. It existed in the most of the Western Hemisphere. Black Americans were free before Brazilians from slavery

[@onopuni7864]

God Bless The Kansas City Star 4 modeling & demonstration of apology, self examination & personal responsibility, the counter balance w/Trumps non responsibility is healing, FORGIVENESS GRANTED, 🙏Blessings, Love is the way

[@stevejoseph4514]

Amy makes sure she keeps her burnout hippy vibes by only owning 3 shirts

[@Revel136]

A great move. Brave and hopefully, a step towards greater dialog.

[@craigpeters4434]

Nobel prize for this man, what a brave blessed soul he is.

[@lukelee3]

It's kansaa, is this surprising? Lmao

[@9birdstyle]

It can't change the past, but these conversations certainly inform and add value to the future, I hope that it promote fair, consistent, inclusive and balanced coverage going forward, it would be great if this action inspired other outlets to follow suit. Let's impact culture and communities for the better

[@Limitedfreedomofspeech]

DN Think about it

[@sandraalvarez4230]

I am surprised that Kansas City Star newspaper is apologizing and making these stories and I'm just thankful that we've we're inching towards equality equality is something that was always there but hardly visible Harley felt definitely not by everybody in all the members of society and I'm thankful that we're ancient towards it

[@jeanaza4308]

Hello.everyone. I can see nothing change. Everything stay same like before. shit men. What they 140 Year's. Wow. Put it more 500 years I will never change.

[@lennykoss8777]

🤔❤

[@sheldonmike7220]

13:43 I love that. Do you love me? 😍💋 💝💖❤️

[@paulwhetstone0473]

Amy sounds like she is showing signs of cognitive impairment with her increasing mispronunciations.

[@JSkyGemini]

Lucky for you, you were able to edit your one worthless sentence. Before we could see how your own cognitive impairment is progressing. You should have deleted that slop, forget the edit.

[@paulwhetstone0473]

@@JSkyGemini Right. Thanks for the delete tip. It’s good that I don’t have to inflict my worthless sentences on camera.

[@shifanabukeera86]

And it still goes on and on and on willing for bkack people to take on these cheap apologies.