Predominately white flyover country not ‘sexy’ enough for media.
No, country star Taylor Swift didn’t say that about the president. Nor did any of the entertainers who performed on a telethon to raise money for victims of the historic floods ravaging parts of Tennessee, Kentucky and Mississippi. None accused the Obama administration of indifference or lack of attentiveness to these floods.
Swift, who contributed $500,000, was one of many stars who appeared on this fundraiser put on by the Nashville NBC affiliate, WSMV, and carried by other Tennessee stations.
In 2005, a Hurricane Katrina relief telethon was carried live on CBS, ABC, Fox and NBC, and more than 25 other channels. A separate telethon was broadcast on MTV, VH1 and CMT. During a Katrina fundraiser, rapper Kayne West accused President George W. Bush of indifference to the plight of those suffering. West said, “George W. Bush doesn’t care about black people.” [snip]
One Bush critic argued that the president didn’t care about New Orleans because it is “black” and “sexy.” Perhaps the media’s indifference to Nashville is because that city is “only” 25 percent black and therefore “white and redneck.”
Non-Obama voting, self-reliant “Hee-Haw’ers” who aren’t blaming somebody for their troubles just don’t make for big news.
Evacuation of Nashville citizens, tourists.