By Terry Allen
Texas Metro News
https://texasmetronews.com
Credit: NBPRS Conference Archives Terry Allen
Big Mama would always be on that front porch stoop where she delivered to her audience of sons, daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and anybody blessed enough to wander into earshot one of her unforgettable God Moments. One of her favorite sayings was as sharp as it was simple: “God don’t like ugly.” In Southern Black households, that phrase had nothing to do with appearance. Big Mama was talking about conduct, spirit, and character. She meant cruelty. Meanness. Arrogance. The kind of behavior that seeks to diminish another person rather than engage them with dignity.
I heard Big Mama’s voice recently while watching the continued public treatment of veteran journalist April Ryan and ABC News correspondent Rachel Scott. Both women were doing exactly what journalists are called to do—ask questions, press for answers, and demand accountability from those who seek power. Yet far too often, the response directed toward Black women in journalism is not substantive engagement with the issue at hand, but ridicule, dismissal, and personal disrespect. There remains something deeply unsettling to some people about Black women who refuse to be silent, shrink themselves, or apologize for occupying spaces where truth is supposed to matter.
What troubles me even more is how normalized this ugliness has become. We are living in an era where public discourse increasingly rewards insult over intellect and mockery over meaningful dialogue. Even some political get-out-the-vote campaigns have embraced tactics rooted less in inspiration and more in demonization. Mobilizing voters around issues is one thing; mobilizing them by feeding contempt for others is something entirely different. Big Mama would have recognized that distinction immediately because she understood that how you fight says as much about your values as what you are fighting for.
This matters because our young people are watching. Future journalists are watching. Emerging leaders are learning what public engagement looks like by observing how adults handle disagreement. If cruelty becomes our accepted language of civic participation, we should not be surprised when division becomes our inheritance.
Thank God for Lucile “Big Mama” Bailey Robinson Allen. Let me remind you again that Big Mama’s wisdom would now make her a media sensation. Her lesson remains clear: get engaged, vote, organize, and hold power accountable—but never confuse ugliness with strength.
Because Big Mama said what she said. God don’t like ugly.
Terry Allen is an NABJ award-winning Journalist, DEI expert, PR professional, and – Vice President at FocusPR, founder of the charity City Men Cook, and Dallas Chapter President of NBPRS.org
