September 10, 2024
Letter from the Editor
Picture Source: Wix Media
2024 Expectations Soar as Echo News T.V. L.L.C. Continues its Progress
To our loyal Echo readers, we extend our deepest gratitude for your unwavering support in the revival of "The Echo," New Jersey's oldest Black-owned newspaper, now available on the echonewstv.com platform. This revitalization has been a meticulous and thoughtful endeavor, as we've contemplated the significance of having a Black-owned newspaper dedicated to addressing the concerns of the Black community in today's New Jersey. As the editor and publisher of the relaunched Echo, I've come to realize that many critical issues affecting the local Black population in New Jersey often go under reported by mainstream media, creating a void in the representation of Black society in North America. It is imperative to have Black-owned newspapers that can bridge these informational gaps, enabling our society to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the challenges and barriers faced by Black citizens and their families.
Black news publications, if dedicated to the needs of Black citizens, can consistently and easily provide essential information to both inform and alert us about what needs to be done as a community to address the unethical treatment initiated by our state and foreign interests outside of New Jersey. It is crucial for Black citizens to prioritize the needs, urgent issues, and agendas of the Black community, without being swayed or tempted to prioritize mainstream American agendas that may divert attention from addressing and rectifying long-standing issues that have not been adequately addressed or corrected for Black citizens since 1968, based on my analysis. Picture Source: Wix Media
During this five-year investigation, we've been testing to see if the re-launched Echo is necessary for today's Black community that can also serves as a resource for mainstream American news to provide more detailed information about what's happening with Black citizens crisis issues in New Jersey today. As the relaunched editor and publisher of Echo, I can confidently say that it is crucial to have BLACK FOLKS' ECHO BACK UP AND RUNNING ON A FULL-TIME BASIS!
I am dedicated to leading the Echo News TV LLC eNewspaper to success and prosperity. It is a role that has been traditionally been fulfilled by the descendants of abolitionist Peter Rock, an African, and Lenni Lenape direct descendant of Pine Brook New Jersey now referred to as Tinton Falls.
"I, Karen Brittingham-Edmond, am an educated direct descendant of Peter Rock. I have no problem following my great-grandfather William Elijah Rock's mission statement, "In Concern of the Negro," since 1904. As the publisher/editor of the relaunched Echo, I firmly believe that as a news media provider for Black citizens, you cannot serve two masters, regardless of the size of your media service."
Based on Echo's analysis of the past five years and evidence-based research studies on the progress, attitudes, and status of African Americans in America over the last 50 years, it is evident that when Black news sources and institutions began to prioritize the agendas of non-Black minorities and other crisis issues over long-standing unaddressed issues faced by Black citizens in the state of New Jersey, it resulted in the neglect of these long-term crisis issues and owed reparations to Black citizens. This was due to distraction politics. To learn more about the methodology of distraction politics, please click the following link. https://www.mpsanet.org/ruling-by-distraction/
The neglect of the crisis issues facing Black North American citizens, along with the reinstitution of Jim Crow-like policies in New Jersey in the late 1970s, has had a detrimental impact on the progress of Black communities. Additionally, some Democratic and Republican politicians in New Jersey are seeking to replace the "Civil Rights Movement & Acts" with the Evangelical "Sanctuary Movement," further undermining the hard-won advancements made by older Black North American citizens from the 1920s to the late 1960s. The relaunched Echo can help rebuild unity among Black citizens by reporting local news in detail and creating a platform for Black citizens to advocate for themselves without external interference such as guilt trips or systemic racism. The focus will be on issues primarily affecting Black N.J. citizens coupled with local news primarily. Picture Source: Wix Media
This process of providing culturally sensitive media with the Echo News T.V. L.L.C. platform will also assist Black citizens to both recognize the cognitive distortions of news or media manipulation as false beliefs. By having access to a down-to-earth, culturally sensitive, news resource that's mission statement has always been "In Concern of the Negro." Will assist with the necessary healing that will usher Black society as a whole, rich or poor, great or small, to developing a positive outlook on the future and developing a growth mindset that somehow Black citizens lost along the way between the 1980s through the 2000s. The aforementioned years show a shift in the character features of a portion of Black citizens, un-intentially replacing Black intellectualism with gang propaganda, decency and respect with violent acts, education with street life, and reality with false ideas. That's really not a Black people thing.
Black American news providers, such as Echo News T.V. L.L.C., have the challenge and responsibility of reframing the conditioned responses of Black citizens over the past 45 years. This involves correcting cognitive distortions and restoring natural resilience by providing truthful data and creating deep connections with the population
Providing media services to Black citizens can serve as a catalyst to help Black Americans believe that change is possible and necessary, and that future norms will be different. By breaking away from their conditioned responses, Black citizens can gain a better understanding of the unique persecution, hostility, and challenges that Black American children and families currently face. This understanding can then lead to the formation of united efforts and renewed dedication to protect both current and future generations of Black children and young adults. This will kickstart a unified strategy among disenfranchised and long-term discriminated Black citizens of N.J., encouraging them to believe that change is possible, important, and that future norms will be different. Please remember: If Black citizens are once again inspired to prioritize the prosperity of all Black children, rather than allowing the state of N.J. to trade away the future and citizenship rights of those families and children, their inherent resilience will come into play. For example, the spirit of the Civil Rights Movement from the 1940s to the 1960s could become a reality for today's contemporary North American Black society. Picture Source: Wix Media
Hence, all the upfront crisis issues of Black citizens in N.J. that are blatantly being done to a portion of Black citizens' target population for the last 40 to 45 years that goes against Black citizens rights plus safety will more than likely not be covered in Black-owned news publications that do not have the mission statement "In concern of the Negro." Picture Source: Wix Media
It won't happen because other Black news media sources are too busy advocating for the rights and agendas of all minorities, either political or nonprofit, and now have constraints on them to cover what mainstream America deems essential. However, I Karen Brittingham-Edmond, have no such constraints. I will not ignore the struggles and hardships of my people. Therefore, even God can trust me to share crucial information with the public, hoping that our people might become free with the power of truth in their hands. This is what sets the relaunched Echo apart and, in time, makes it a highly profitable media investment. I, Karen Brittingham-Edmond, have enough integrity to refuse to disregard all the hard work that my ancestors have put into providing evidence-based information for Black citizens to utilize and prosper from. To even consider abandoning such a vital legacy mission as "In Concern of the Negro" is simply foolish.
Over the last five years, I have learned that Black American citizens must own and operate Black news media services. Point blank. And the publisher needs to have no problem with being Black. And as the publisher of the relaunched Echo, I have no problem being Black. Even my Lenni Lenape original ancestors were Black, and they didn't have a problem with being Black. For they were the original people of Lenapehoking (Unami: Lënapehòkink. ) So why should I denounce my African or Indigenous ancestors by conforming to standards instigated by people who see my dark skin and consider me and my people animals because we have pigmentation to our skin? Gif Source: Wix Media
Despite everything, the answer is yes. The relaunched Echo will always be necessary, and we should never leave Black citizens without access to information that historically and currently disenfranchises the most vulnerable populations. Black citizens children. It is imperative to remember that our ancestors survived enslavement and a multitude of other injustices. Now that we have the law on our side, we need to unite and demand that it be enforced for the sake of our people. We must not move from these demands until they are fulfilled. This won't happen until NJ Black citizens have their Echo back entirely, and we publish evidence-based reports by engaging Black journalists and non-conditioned journalism students from NJ and America's surrounding HBCUs.
It is the responsibility of the Black-owned news media to locate and point out the truth of evidence-based information and then compile data in a report that's easily understandable and distribute information so that our people can have access to vital life-saving data. Or else Black citizens will be rowing hard and long going in the wrong direction that makes our people as a population of Americans despitefully used and put in harm's way because of a lack of knowledge of what's really going on. In addition to evaluating this movement of the relaunched Echo over the years, I have found that Black citizens over these past 40 years have a bit of a conditioned response when it comes to news coverage in New Jersey. Gif Source: Wix Media
What is a conditioned response?
A conditioned response is a learned reaction to a previously neutral stimulus. It occurs after an individual forms an association between a stimulus and another stimulus, which then elicits a response.
For instance, choosing to watch television serves as an unconditioned stimulus, while tuning in to a mainstream news channel on television represents an unconditioned response. However, if this news channel consistently portrays Black individuals being arrested and portrayed as criminals, while consistently depicting other non-Black populations or groups in a positive light, despite knowing that the non-Black population is violating immigration laws, the viewer, a Black person, is being exposed to a conditioned response through the news broadcast. https://www.verywellmind.com/classical-conditioning-2794859
The condition response of a portion of Black citizen's reaction to a Black person being put into the police car on T.V. tends to be that "That Black guy must have done something wrong." While being wholly non-judgemental, plus okay with the before-mentioned demographic that's breaking a variety of laws but is not being arrested repeatedly on T.V., is a perfect example of a distortion of truth plus classically conditioned stimulus of Black citizens. Because Americans have been trained to respond when seeing unvetted immigrants entering America with "Awe, all they want to do is work." And non-citizens are given a guest pass for breaking federal laws. While Black citizens are immediately deemed criminals at first glance. Just so that we can all feel traumatized when we find out that the Black citizen or citizens were falsely imprisoned for 13 years in a very unfriendly prison namely Rikers Island. But here's the point. The injustice that happened to the Black citizens could only of happened if American citizens were already conditioned to see fellow citizens as criminals. And unvetted, federal law breaking immigrants as innocent. Picture Source: Wix Media
An additional conditioned response that seriously plagues well-to-do Black citizens who are in positions that could assist their people from having this systematic target on their backs removed, but reframe from doing so. Because they do not want to offend any White people. In any form or fashion, even though N.J. prisons are incarcerating primarily Black citizens who have not broken the law with unfair ridiculously high fines to displace Black citizens since 1981 purposely in jail. Gif Source: Wix Media
When the relaunched Echo publishes reports that highlight the injustices faced by N.J. Black citizens in a news report, and a well-to-do Black citizen reads that report. They will more than likely feel offended and not enlightened.
For the most part, the influential Black citizen population will more than likely immediately become upset or feel uneasiness in their stomach as a symptom, even though the author has provided them with evidence-based research links plus graphs. Said immediate uneasiness is simply a conditioned response that some theorists believe is left over from the trauma of 400 years of slavery. That has happened to Black citizens' lineage, which automatically makes this portion of the population tend to deny the facts or reality of report. Just because of a fear of coming into the knowledge of the truth of what's happening to their peoples most vulnerable population. The children. Gif Source: Wix Media
Conditioned responses can be reversed or healed. But as many of you know, it's difficult to change a person's mind with the truth when they seriously believe a lie. Where with other countries must be laughing and falling to the ground while witnessing that everything that Black citizens have fought, plus pushed through since the Civil War is being given to other minority groups with whom non-Black minority groups have actively worked against the advancement of Black citizens becoming free since slavery. While they obtain the lion share of benefits, protections, and resources that primarily should be given to Black citizenship since 1970. And Black citizens get the crumbs. Isn't that funny? Other countries must be crying and laughing at the same time. All because a portion of Black Americans seriously want to believe in the lie. We have Black Americans who have master's degrees and are well aware of what's happening to N.J.'s Black citizens and children. And would rather watch their people go through hell and an early death instead of interceding and providing Black citizens the truth so that we all can better navigate the challenges and racist behavior of those who honestly hate Black citizens here in New Jersey plus America at large.
This Isn't Going To Be Easy
Bringing the truth of a situation when a person, group, or population seriously believes a lie is just like telling your favorite girlfriend that her man is cheating on her, and she doesn't believe it. Now, every woman will not ignore this warning. But for the one who has the conditioned response to "stand by your man!" That woman will remain faithful to that unfaithful man until God himself sends her an epiphany where she will suddenly see the truth. And then she will make a run for it. Gif Source: Wix Media
Echo News T.V. Transparency Report 2024
During our five-year journey, the relaunched Echo obtained almost $28,000 from grantmakers within our first five-year pilot project that was initiated on July 6, 2019. First, the Black male lodges gathered a little over $3,000 to invest in Echo News T.V. L.L.C. so that we could obtain the necessary overhead, nonprofit costs, legal certifications, marketing counseling, insurance, plus software so that we could not just have an eNewspaper online but also actually produce hardcopy newsletters to distribute publicly in 2020.
Why so quickly distribute a hardcover newsletter for the relaunched Echo in 2020?
The goal of distributing hard copies of the relaunched Echo in 2020 would have provided a bridge of communication plus the ability for relaunched Echo volunteers to build strong relationships with local Black businesses, politicians, and churches who might take pride in supporting the relaunch of the oldest Black-owned newspaper revival in N.J. Unfortunately, since I did not have an active 501C3, the Black male lodge members' donation would not be tax deductible, and they withdrew their offer with no hard feelings attached. We also applied for a $20,000 minority business grant with the assistance of a Black-owned public relations business between 2022 and 2023.
Gif Source: Wix Media
Unfortunately, Echo News T.V. L.L.C. was in contention for the Monmouth County Minority Business Grant, but the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners unexpectedly altered the eligibility requirements, which disqualified Echo News T.V. L.L.C. from being approved for the grant. Initially, it was not made clear that a brick and mortar location was necessary. This change in protocol prevented Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners from investing in the relaunch of the Echo pilot project. Lastly we applied and almost got approved for a $10,000 WCE ( Women's Center for Entrepreneurship) reference business loan. But unfortunately one of the conditions to that loan was that I would have to be a lesbian. That I am not. So we missed that opportunity for funding as well.
Despite our efforts, our revenue from the relaunched Echo has consistently been under $500 annually. Last year's Christmas card campaign generated only $200, with an additional $250 from basic advertising and general gifts of support. These funds were used to cover some of our operating costs on Wix.com, as well as Echo News T.V. L.L.C.'s taxes to ensure compliance with the IRS. Our taxes are managed by Liberty Tax at 745 Poole Ave (Rt 36) in Hazlet N.J. Echo News T.V. L.L.C. as of 2024 is proud to be a member of SBN. SBN (State Broadcast News) is an audio, video, and photojournalism news service. That is a division of The Lubetkin Media Companies LLC, that produce their our own original content. Echo News T.V. L.L.C. is also working closely with The Center for Cooperative Media of the Montclair State University Project with their NJ Elections Reporting Collaborative, upcoming initiative focusing on New Jersey's Black Press as of September 2024.
Special acknowledgements:
My children have been great at providing me with basic business insurance year round assistance plus volunteer technical services to help my dream of one day seeing the relaunched Echo on newstands and being delivered as in the old days come true. Even though they have children and mortgages to care for, I humbly thank God for raising my children right.
Picture Source: Wix Media
2024 Fall and Winter Business Goals
I am planning to convene a meeting with the leaders of Prince Hall Freemasonry and The Knights of Pythias to propose a mutually beneficial collaboration in support of the relaunch of Echo, New Jersey's oldest Black-owned newspaper, with a rich history of backing from both organizations since 1904. This partnership offers Prince Hall Freemasons and Knights the opportunity to engage with a platform dedicated to addressing Black issues, free from external influence. By participating, they can boldly demonstrate their commitment to the well-being of their fellow Black citizens, regardless of their socio-economic status. Our goal is to ensure that culturally sensitive issues are not overlooked, thus safeguarding Black families from the potential repercussions of being uninformed for the past five decades. Through our commitment to truth-telling, we believe that this endeavor will be blessed, portraying Black citizens and their families in a positive and authentic light for the benefit of all.
I am confident that bringing together the influence of a longstanding Black-owned newspaper and the established Black institutions will result in a mutually beneficial and profitable collaboration. By working together openly and unabashedly for the betterment of our community, we can address the longstanding mistreatment of New Jersey's Black population. Through this collaborative effort, I am convinced that we can once again offer valuable contributions to Black intellectualism, enrich the historical significance of Black churches, and foster unity specifically for New Jersey's 1,225,321 Black residents. This will be a gift for future generations and advocates for truth.
Picture Source: Karen Brittingham-Edmond
I plan to reach out to Brother Noble George Jelks, Brother Russell Vann, Brother Michael Wheeler, Brother David Reevey, and Brother Christopher Dangler to explore potential partnerships and business strategies that will establish The Echo newspaper as a lasting and impactful media platform and advocate for Black citizens in New Jersey.
Gif Source: Wix Media
And although the relaunched Echo has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!
I look forward to the next ten years of development and prosperity as a faithful steward of my Great-Grandfather William Elijah Rocks's legacy newspaper. I hope to be a loyal soldier and truth bearer like my Grandfather, Rev William Brittingham's Granddad, Civil War Major Martin Delaney, publisher and editor of "The Mystery," an Abolitionist A.M.E. Church Newspaper. This ends the relaunched Echo's five year transparency report.
Kindly,
Karen Brittingham-Edmond
Southern New Hampshire University: Psychology BA, 2024
Soller College: Clinical Research Mgt Cert 2020
Brookdale Community College: Human Services A.S. 2018
Brookdale Community College: Human Services A.A. 2015
Editor/Publisher
Echo News T.V. L.L.C.
1385 Hwy 35 Ste 139
Middletown NJ 07748-2012
Email: echonewstv.com
Website: echonewstv.com
"The Echo In Concern of the Negro" est. 1904
Reference Studies & News Reports:
Pew Research
Views of racial inequality
Americans’ Changing Relationship With Local News
CNN Politics
These charts show how economic progress has stalled for Black Americans since the Civil Rights era
NBC News
The American Dream While Black: "Locked in a vicious cycle
Picture Source: Wix Media
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