Mark Nichols on "Larry King Live"
Nichols Brother's Comment Criticized
Last Modified: 3/16/2005 8:04:06 PM
Reported by: Art Franklin
Web Editor: Manav Tanneeru
An appearance by Mark Nichols, the brother of Brian Nichols, the suspect in the Fulton County courthouse killings, on CNN’s “Larry King Live” is drawing criticism from the African-American community in Atlanta.
Nichols was on the show to paint a better picture of his brother to the public. He talked about the courthouse shootings, his family's support and Brian Nichols’ background.
It is Mark's description of an articulate Brian Nichols in the workplace that rubbed many people the wrong way.
“You wouldn't even know he was black when he answered the phone, that's how professional he sounded,” Brian Nichols’ brother said on the show.
“I didn't like that comment at all, I don't think he should have said that comment because black people can be professional,” said Joe Seymour, the owner of Images of Us barber shop.
In a world that sees so many negative images of African-Americans, the Nichols comment spread quickly. V-103 morning show co-host Wanda Smith took call after call from upset listeners about the comment.
“’Did it sound ignorant?’ ‘Wow, why did he say that?’ ‘Are black people ignorant?’ Are black people dumb?’ and I think that's the way some of our people were taking it,” she said.
“I'm very disturbed by that statement because it is so stereotypical -- that has nothing to do with the kind of person he is, just because he has good diction,” said “Amber,” a caller to the morning show.
“White America equates an African-American being articulate as someone trying to sound white,” Andre King, a human resources manager, added. “Personally, it’s very disturbing because I consider myself to be very articulate and most definitely African-American.”
Not everyone was upset with what Mark Nichols said, however. Some say it's an issue that many African-Americans talk about, they just didn't like the way Mark Nichols said it.