...FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS DENIED WJZ-TV Journalist MARY BUBALA, because of her race!

...If I had asked the same question as a Black Journalist, it is unlikely anyone would have a problem with my observing the facts: the last three Baltimore Mayors were Democrats, Black, and Female. and Two left office under a cloud. What if anything is going on? When the News Anchor asked her invited guest - a Black Professor from Loyola University something similar to that, the Baltimore Association of Black Journalists had an emotional reaction and accused the journalist who had been at WJZ for 15 years of being a racist.

...Nevermind that Dr. Kate Wise Whitehead provided a well-reasoned response to Mary Bubala's question.  The BABJ pounced and demanded an apology and accused the local CBS affiliate of doing a disservice to the Black community by keeping her on.  By the time WJZ wrongly fired their loyal employee, three things were clear:  FIRST,  it was obvious that it was easier to release the high-salaried loyal employee than to ask her what she meant. SECOND, it seems clear that WJZ-TV felt bullied and threatened by a BABJ  letter that questioned its commitment to its Black audience. And, THIRD, it caused this Former Prime Time TV News Anchor & White House Correspondent to question whether the BABJ's emotional response was not tantamount to REVERSE RACISM.  Ironically by denying Mary Bubala her FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS to pose questions as a journalist, the BABJ undermined its only written statement in January of this year that it supports the First Amendment rights for all journalists.

...But the most troubling part of Mary Bubala's firing is the assumption of those who called the News Anchor a RACIST that she simply could not NOT ask an unbiased question about former Black Mayors BECAUSE she is WHITE!  That's just wrong. That's REVERSE RACISM! So this Petition goes forth under the assumption that both WJZ and the BABJ owe Mary Bubala and her family... an apology!  In the end, it is appropriate to ask:  What really did the firing of Mary Bubala accomplish?  Is Baltimore better without her?  I think not!

...By using this controversy as a teachable moment, the door is opened for discussions about the political economic problems caused by continuing gross inequality in Charm City and the rest of the county. And, lest we forget... there is simply no way MARY BUBALA could have survived as a TV journalist in Baltimore for nearly two decades and be a racist? She simply would not have lasted.

Mary Bubala deserves better and so do the viewers who have long embraced her for her professionalism.  Since, there really is no problem when the truth is told, signing this petition to REHIRE MARY BUBALA... is a good start!