(Note: When passions erupt, thoughtful discussions can vanish. The story below was about a contemplative special that CNN scheduled for tonight, May 31. The problem: Protests continued loudly; CNN kept its cameras there, putting the special on hold. Here’s the original story, now in limbo.)
CNN is reacting quickly to racial issues that have now hit close to home.“I Can’t Breathe: Black Men Living and Dying in America” will be 8-10 p.m. ET Sunday, with Don Lemon hosting.
The special was spurred by the deaths of George Floyd in Minneapolis and Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia, and by a threat to Christian Cooper, a birdwatcher in New York City’s Central Park.
The Minneapolis case has dominated CNN, especially after some extraordinary live-coverage monents (shown here) Friday morning: Omar Jimenez, a CNN reporter who is black and Latino, was arrested and handcuffed (along with his producer and cameraman), even after they showed their press credentials and offered to move. They were released and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz called the arrest unacceptable.
The Sunday special, CNN said, will look at the daily challenges face by black men. It will include the Rev. Bernice King, filmmaker Spike Lee and others, including Stephen Jackson, a former pro basketball player who was Floyd’s friend.