Is it still a primary goal of the local press discredit to African American men? We see the latest targeted attempt to take down another prominent black leader. Unfortunately, this is a familiar story. It fits neatly into the American narrative. And our local media know how to discredit a black man. Before the blood is cold on the street, previous arrests are reported. Next are interviews with people talking about how bad things are. Frankly it’s a stale tale.
But in NOLA, the local press seems happy to continue this sordid practice. Stories abound about Dr. Kyshun Webster. As if the past bad press needed to be justified, local media pushed a stale narrative about a bad black man. Black leadership in this city is scrutinized then criminalized by any means necessary.
But, the latest report from the inspector general should be the subject of the scrutiny. We have a sick dog and the office water cooler gossip as the primary findings. The report is anti-climactic with no real “gotcha” in the end. Dr. Webster is not going to jail. And no indictment is pending. This is like a house wives reality show. Rumor-based reports. Yet that didn’t stop it from being front page news and lead stories on TV and radio.
Taking Down a Black Man Nola Style
Alas, every news “report” disappointedly points out that no charges will be filed. So what is the point? How much did this report cost taxpayers? Is this the best we got for corruption rooting? Either New Orleans is now totally corruption free, or the IG is misguided and wasting our time and money. And what do we get from the local press? Character assassination. Really? Slow news day? Or just a chance to take a swing at a black man. You can just see the reporter and editor? “Oooh Ohhh he brought his dog to work. And the dog was sick! We can’t have this in our city. Gotcha Dr Webster!”
We also heard that Dr. Webster never went to work. These accounts of how much time Dr. Webster spent at work are reported based on the perception of staff who worked under him. In fact, in organizations of this size, everyone is not privy to the boss’s schedule. And the boss is not accountable to report his whereabouts to staff. But this office gossip is the “evidence” the OIG depended upon. Perhaps more important, Dr. Webster’s was a change agent. The Cantrell administration asked him to disrupt and turnaround a troubled facility. The proof is in the pudding. Our juveniles are not going to Angola. That was over in Jefferson Parish. In fact, Dr. Webster dramatically improved our juvenile jail.
Related: The Election of Oliver Thomas
Part of the problem with local media’s get the black man bias is it misses or maybe just ignores black success. An independent report details incredible accomplishments by Dr. Webster and his team. Just look at the failed state-run juvenile jail in Jefferson Parish. Compare it to New Orleans. In New Orleans violence decreased significantly. And our children attend school regularly. Reform happened and happens because of Dr. Websters actions. Instead of accolades, we get a major investigation and media attacks about a sound proofing. Really?
“We had private conversations with judges, doctors, social workers and family about our children. We had a legal obligation to protect those conversations,” said Dr. Webster. Higher ups at city hall approved the need for and the cost of the soundproofing. The investigation found nothing illegal or unethical about the expenditure. You almost get the feeling that people just don’t want to invest any money in our wayward youth. But they are not only not incorrigible, they are worthy of our time and money.
Taking Down a Black Man Nola Style. Which is worse? A government agency that spent countless hours- your tax dollars- investigating a former employee only to issue silly report like this one? Or the lazy reporting that talks about sick dogs and disgruntled gossip? Dr. Webster deserved better. New Orleans deserves better from the OIG. And unbiased local reporting should be the standard.
Jeff Thomas
Publisher • Opinion Columnist • Licensed General Contractor • Real Estate Appraiser • New Orleans
Jeff Thomas is the publisher of Black Source Media and one of New Orleans’ most direct voices on civic affairs, economic justice, and Louisiana politics. He writes from the intersection of experience and accountability — as a licensed general contractor,a tech company founder and executive with over 30 years experience, and a businessman who has worked across the city’s civic, media, and construction ecosystems for decades.
His Sunday column covers Louisiana legislative politics, insurance discrimination, housing policy, and the forces shaping Black community life in New Orleans and across the state. Thomas writes in the tradition of Black journalists who hold power accountable without apology — building arguments from data, delivering verdicts from evidence, and speaking to Black New Orleans with the directness the moment demands.
He is also the principal of Executive Appraisers Louisiana, an MBE-certified real estate appraisal firm, and EA Inspection Services, LLC, a government inspection services company. Black Source Media is his platform for the civic conversation New Orleans has needed and too rarely had.
Selected Articles by Jeff Thomas
Black Neighborhoods Pay the Highest Insurance Rates in Louisiana. Here’s What They Don’t Want You to Know.
They Didn’t Yell the N-Word. They Went to Law School, Bided Their Time, and Rewrote the Constitution Instead.
Vappie vs. Morrell: Why Does Justice Look Different in New Orleans?
The State Has the Money. New Orleans East Just Needs Them to Use It.
The Failure of Mitch Landrieu
Publisher — Black Source Media
Jeff Thomas
Publisher • Opinion Columnist • Licensed General Contractor • Real Estate Appraiser • New Orleans
Jeff Thomas is the publisher of Black Source Media and one of New Orleans’ most direct voices on civic affairs, economic justice, and Louisiana politics. He writes from the intersection of experience and accountability — as a licensed general contractor,a tech company founder and executive with over 30 years experience, and a businessman who has worked across the city’s civic, media, and construction ecosystems for decades.
His Sunday column covers Louisiana legislative politics, insurance discrimination, housing policy, and the forces shaping Black community life in New Orleans and across the state. Thomas writes in the tradition of Black journalists who hold power accountable without apology — building arguments from data, delivering verdicts from evidence, and speaking to Black New Orleans with the directness the moment demands.
He is also the principal of Executive Appraisers Louisiana, an MBE-certified real estate appraisal firm, and EA Inspection Services, LLC, a government inspection services company. Black Source Media is his platform for the civic conversation New Orleans has needed and too rarely had.
Selected Articles by Jeff Thomas
Black Neighborhoods Pay the Highest Insurance Rates in Louisiana. Here’s What They Don’t Want You to Know.
They Didn’t Yell the N-Word. They Went to Law School, Bided Their Time, and Rewrote the Constitution Instead.
Vappie vs. Morrell: Why Does Justice Look Different in New Orleans?
The State Has the Money. New Orleans East Just Needs Them to Use It.
The Failure of Mitch Landrieu
This town is full of hate toward us. I hate to say this but since trump came on they hoods came off. This city is not for us. Even our own is not for us. I’m so sick of the hate If you don’t serve a purpose for them you’re disposable.