Geraldo Rivera came to Baltimore to report on the civil unrest following Freddie Gray’s death for Fox News. What he didn’t expect, it seems, was to be called out for the media’s role in perpetuating XXX storylines about Baltimore.
As Geraldo backed away, an anxious fake smile pasted on his face, an unidentified protester tried to engage him in conversation. “You are not here reporting about the boarded up homes and the homeless people on the MLK. You’re not reporting about the poverty levels up and down North Avenue,” the young man says. He goes on to call out Geraldo (and the mainstream media in general) for not reporting on the city when there are positive signs of civic engagement, like the 300 Men March, a local protest against violence. “You’re here for the black riots, you’re not here for the death of Freddie Gray,” he accuses.
Geraldo, who has said that Trayvon Martin’s hoodie was as responsible for his death as George Zimmerman, went on the air and called this protester a vandal and an example of “exactly that kind of youthful anarchy that led to the destruction and pain in that community.” So… trying to have a conversation makes you an anarchic vandal? Young black men in Baltimore really can’t win, I guess.
That kid needs to run for mayor — I’d vote for him!!
Seconding Millicent. Geraldo is a jackass. If I didn’t believe in non-violence, I’d love to wipe that smug smile off his face.