Regret the Error

10 Comments

1. David Medberry
   Posted February 18, 2008 at 9:48 am | Permalink

   Thanks for the public retraction. The newscaster was professional and appropriately remorseful–ie, it sounded like she meant it.

   Doing the right thing, such as apologizing on air, correcting mispronounced names or correcting sources/attributions, is one of the reasons I listen to NPR, respect it, and expose my kids to it. Good Job.

2. Chris Chance
   Posted February 18, 2008 at 10:16 am | Permalink

   When I heard the newscaster use the phrase “dark continent” with regards to President Bush’s trip to Africa, I thought it was an odd literary reference to make — “Through the Dark Continent” by Henry M. Stanley or “Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad. I didn’t think of it other than as a 19th century name for an unexplored region of the world — from a Europeans viewpoint — and I certainly didn’t give it a second thought until I heard the on-air apology. I can see that “dark continent” could be used as a derogatory statement, and analogy of darkness to convey unexplored or undiscovered by Europeans is certainly antiquated, but I didn’t think it was pejorative as used. It is unfortunate that the phrase can now be so easily misinterpreted.

3. Baylink
   Posted February 18, 2008 at 1:19 pm | Permalink

   Well, Googling the two word phrase doesn’t suggest it’s thought to be offensive, and indeed, Busch Gardens Tampa had a park called that — in specific reference to Africa — for something like 20 years; I don’t recall anyone ever once complaining about it around here, and we have our share of black people in this metro.

   Methinks someone doth PC too much, and should get over themselves, instead of giving those people who *do* whine about this sort of thing even more ammunition.

   Take Back The Words, people!

4. NPR fan
   Posted February 18, 2008 at 5:42 pm | Permalink

   I, too just thought it was a literary reference. I did not think it offensive. NPR handled it in the most professional, sensitive manner. They did not make a big deal out of it, just expressed their sincere apologies. Thanks, NPR for always being the foremost source of well-reasoned, thoroughly researched, quality stories.

5. Mike Reiss
   Posted February 19, 2008 at 11:25 am | Permalink

   Retract what?! I mean enough already…have we become so afraid of offending the sensibilities of others that using a term like “The Dark Continent” - one that has been around for centuries; and does NOT neccessarily pertain to the pigmentation of its inhabitants - that we now must “retract” our use of a totally appropriate phrase? The Dark Continent, for all you hand-wringers, is something that refers to the jungles of Africa, the unknown areas of Africa and the dangers that exist - which are real and still evident in this day & age. As far as those who choose to view this staement as something to be retracted - I say to you: Get a Life.

6. Carmen
   Posted February 22, 2008 at 7:11 pm | Permalink

   Agreed, but NPR still did it in the quickest way possible, rather then create a prolonged mess, and I’m happy for that.

7. Ed Kirkpatrick
   Posted February 28, 2008 at 12:23 pm | Permalink

   Regarding Ms. Cochran’s use of “The Dark Continent” and this ensuing firestorm of words, the charges of racist overtones and insensitivity are absolutely inconsistent with anything having to do with both NPR and Ms. Cochran. The hypersensitivity to this term is strictly a manufactured bias on the part of the protesters and is both unjustified and uncalled for. Ignorance of the meaning of the term on the part of those slighted gives it a racial connotation that is just plain inaccurate. The inference of racial bias sprouts from the racial bias of those protesting that any use of the term “Dark Continent” simply refers to the color of the native inhabitants. The term is as no more antiquated or pejorative as any reference to the New World would be. We as a species must get past taking offense at any reference or perceived reference to differences between us. The color of our skin, eyes, hair, gender or sexuality should make no matter. Unless and until we do that we cannot progress towards true civility. The only thing done wrong here by anybody at NPR was to apologize because in so doing they empower the complainers.

8. Rob Crilly
   Posted March 2, 2008 at 11:40 am | Permalink

   Surely the apology should have been for using a cliche. And an inaccurate, outdated one at that.

9. Basil Duke
   Posted March 3, 2008 at 10:56 am | Permalink

   This latest, pathetic exercise in self-criticism for a non-existent offense makes me wonder just how tolerant and commited to free speech our “progressive” community actually is. NPR, grow a pair, for gosh sakes! The only example you’re setting here is that when the left caterwauls, it’s best to curl up in a ball and beg its forgiveness - whether you did anything wrong or not.

10. Keith
    Posted March 23, 2008 at 10:46 am | Permalink

    As an someone born in America with family in Africa, I find it sad that media professionals in America would not immediately recognize a term like “the Dark Continent” as language rooted in the colonial period and loaded with all of its’ ugly Eurocentric values. I think that most Americans can understand why some Native Americans would not like to be referred to as Indians or some Asian people would not like to be referred to as oriental. All of this language is outdated and biased if not racist and suggest that the world and its’ people been seen through a European lens. I applaud NPR for the correction. This is not about political correctness but about having contemporary global perspective and an educated and informed command of language. Hopefully in the future all of NPRs audience will be considered before going on air.