June 21, 2006, - 10:39 am
When “Big Brother” is a Racist: Will CBS Return Violent Farrakhanite to “Reality” Show?
By Debbie Schlussel
“Big Brother” is one of the most inane, ennui-inducing programs on television. But, tonight, there might be some excitement. Very disturbing excitement.
The show, hosted by the excessively glib Julie Chen, is announcing candidates for its 7th season “All-Star” show (they let the two viewers of the show vote on them). Will CBS have the guts and decency not to include “Will Mega,” a racist, anti-Semitic Black supremacist out of the voting?
Don’t bet on it. In 2000, the network favored ratings over doing the right thing and picked him for the viewers they thought his racist rantings would attract. If he’s included again, this time, it’s even more of an outrage. This time, CBS can’t pretend they didn’t know of his job as the late Khalid Abdul Muhammad’s National Field Director and role in a violent riot against cops (16 police were injured) at the Million Youth March.
And since racist William most recently worked as an aide for losing Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Alan Sandals (more here)–who lost to Bobby Casey for the chance to beat Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum–he’s looking for something to do with his time.
As I wrote in The Jerusalem Post, he
called whites and Jews “evil and unrighteous,” and the enemy.
More disturbing is an excerpt from my column about him in 2000, when this silly show began on the Rather Not Network:
Cast member William is a Philadelphia youth counselor who helps kids. That’s what CBS wants you and his housemates to think. In reality, William Collins a/k/a Hiram Ashantee, according to the New York Daily News, is a racist hatemonger and top aide to former Louis Farrakhan sidekick Khalid Abdul Muhammad.
You know–the same Khalid Muhammad, who calls Jews “bloodsuckers,” and Whites and the Pope “crackers” and “devils.” Yup, the same Muhammad who with William a/k/a Ashantee standing by his side, urged the crowd to attack police and grab their guns at the Sept. 5, 1998, Million Youth March in Harlem. William a/k/a Ashantee–one of Muhammad’s top organizers–stood by as 16 cops were injured. Nice pick, CBS. Thanks for giving a racist bigot an unfettered forum for his evil views.
And thanks for lying. CBS doesn’t indicate “William’s” real identity or activities anywhere–i.e., that he’s a member of the “New Black Panther Party.” Interesting, since he’s basically told the show’s White people they’re racists. Look who’s talking. (He also asked Eddie, who lost his leg to cancer, “Does having one leg help you get women?”) . . . .
Casting Director Brad Bishop tells the BB website that “we certainly wouldn’t select anyone who supported hateful or discriminatory rhetoric. The people to be chosen are average.” A Black Supremacist is “average?” In one news photo, “William” appears with Muhammad under a banner that says “Let’s Separate [from Whites].” CBS should give him that opportunity now, but won’t.
Now that the show is starting to rally in the ratings because of William’s provocations with everyone, CBS wouldn’t possibly sacrifice the almighty ratings to erase hate and bigotry. Hypocritical CBS–whose vigorous background check surely informed them of William’s “affiliation”–says it “feels very comfortable” with racist, anti-Semitic William and supports “diversity” and his right to “think and speak freely.” Incredible! So, why isn’t there also an undisclosed White Supremacist clowning around on the show in the guise of a nice suburban guy? Just to make things fair.
Since then, as I wrote in the Jerusalem Post column, William
was an unsuccessful November 2003 candidate for the Philadelphia City Council. He announced his candidacy at the 2003 Philadelphia Hip-Hop Summit (hosted by [billionaire Hip Hop mogul and Farrakhan apologist Russell] Simmons) and is the Philadelphia delegate to the National Hip-Hop Political Action Committee.
And William is very proud of his racist, anti-Semitic past with Muhammad. Here’s a portion of his bio from a militant (ie., racist) Black speaker’s bureau:
Mega led a special missions force of armed Black Nationalists, revolutionaries . . . .
Following this effort, Mega joined the New Black Panther Party for Self-Defense. Within the party Mega mobilized thousands of black youth to participate in the Million Youth March in Harlem, New York. Mega’s initiative and exhibition of true leadership facilitated his rapid rise through the ranks of the party to the position of Philadelphia Chapter Chairman. During Mega’s tour of duty as chairman, the Philadelphia chapter grew in membership tremendously and was considered the East Coast Regional Headquarters. In 1999, Mega was promoted to the position of National Field Marshal. Under the auspices of this position, he began traveling throughout the country teaching the ten-point program in a diverse array of venues – from street corners to college campuses.
Tell CBS to keep this racist off the air.
Tags: aide, Alan Sandals, Big Brother, Black speaker, Bobby Casey, Brad Bishop, cancer, candidate, Casting Director, CBS, Chairman, Debbie Schlussel, delegate, Director National Field, East Coast Regional Headquarters, Harlem, Hip-Hop, Jerusalem Post, Julie Chen, Khalid Abdul Muhammad, Louis Farrakhan, Mega, member, national field marshal, National Hip-Hop Political Action Committee, New Black Panther Party, New York, New York Daily News, Philadelphia, Philadelphia Chapter, Philadelphia City Council, Rick Santorum, Russell, Simmons, The Jerusalem Post, the New York Daily News, United States Senate, Will Mega, William Collins, youth counselor
Well aparently there might have been a big enough stink about it becasue this loser was not on last night as one of the potential contestants to be voted into the house.
Make any calls to CBS Debbie?
I SENT THE PIECE TO A FRIEND WHO IS A PROGRAMMING VEEP AT CBS.
DEBBIE SCHLUSSEL
Avatar on June 22, 2006 at 12:10 pm