[jwplatform OWvOcvpk]Fox 5 News in Washington, D.C. recently did a story on how homeless people who are being forced out of an area known as “Tent City” near the Potomac River. The story deserves attention and sheds light on the changing landscape of Washington D.C. when it comes to caring for the homeless.
However, the story is getting national attention for a dubious reason. During the coverage, Fox 5 reporter Alexandra Limon interviewed a homeless Black man. The man’s hair was filled with child Barrettes. The same Barrettes that are usually reserved for young girls between the ages of 2 and 8.
But we have all seen this before. TV reporters have developed a reputation of going into Black communities and interviewing questionable individuals. As a journalist, it’s important to build a story by getting quotes from reputable sources. But when the source is so eccentric in their views or dress, it can take away from the initial point of the story.
Most viewers of the viral clip aren’t concerned with what is occurring in “Tent City.” The lasting image is that of a grown Black man with a hairstyle similar to a 5-year-old girl.
