My friend Katherine Kersten is a regular op-ed columnist for the Minneapolis Star Tribune. She writes in connection with the Juan Williams affair:
Interestingly, I received the same treatment from NPR — indeed, the very Ellen Weiss who gave Juan Williams his walking papers over the phone. Back in 1995-97 or so, I was a commentator for NPR’s “All Things Considered.” (All things?) I did a piece for them every couple months, as I recall.
At one point, I wrote a commentary about affirmative action; it focused in part onAmerica in Black and White — Stephan and Abby Thernstrom’s then-new book on the subject. Abby told me that the piece would be the kiss of death for me, and I dismissed her warning. But it was accurate.
After I submitted the piece, I never heard again from Ellen Weiss, who had been my editor. I called her several times about when the piece would run, but got no response. Finally, a secretary (as I recall) informed me that NPR would send me a check but wouldn’t be using the piece. That was the end of my career with NPR. I was dropped like a stone, and never given an explanation why.
Kathy, I believe she left that to be handled by you and your psychiatrist.
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