So @reedhastings CEO of Netflix (a media company) gave $120 MILLION to *HBCUs. $80 mill of it is divided between two colleges that DON’T HAVE MEDIA PROGRAM! Beautiful gift! But imagine how much more thoughtful and strategic this could have been.

Had they given to an HBCU with a journalism/film/comm program, they’d be supporting Black students who’d then be prepared to come work at...Netflix. Right? And THAT would have signaled a deeper, broader, long term commitment to supporting Black talent.

Is it me or does this feel like the same kind of tokenism that puts “a Black” in a position because they’re Black, when there are a 1000 Black folks who are *actually* qualified but you didn’t have time or energy to put in the work. It’s EXACTLY like putting Ben Carson over HUD.

*And while we’re here, note that UNCF gives scholarships to Black students, not necessarily those who go to HBCUs. So that other $40 mill may not all be coming to HBCUs. (Hard sideeye to UNCF head Lomax who apparently advised Hastings and 1/3 of the gift goes to his alma mater.)

Sigh. @freeblackgirl @mediaghosts @LeonedaInge @bydarrylfears @isturgis @meredithdclark @NABJ @TriadABJ