10 O'Clock News | [Saundra Graham at a press conference, tape 1]

Saundra Graham at a press conference

[Saundra Graham at a press conference, tape 1]
Original Airdate: 7/31/1985

Length: 00:21:59
Item Type: newstape - original footage

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Full Description

1:32:00
Visual: Saundra Graham (State Representative) sits behind a table, along with Shelley Taylor (aide to Saundra Graham) and another woman. Graham thanks the media for attending the press conference. Graham reads a prepared statement. In her statement, Graham says that other politicians have told her never to attack "motherhood, apple pie and the Boston Celtics." She adds that some members of the media have attacked motherhood in their recent criticism of her. Graham reviews her career as a legislator and as a member of the Cambridge City Council. She says that she has worked for tenants' rights, affordable housing and ethical disclosure by politicians. Graham says that she has also worked hard to bear children and to raise a family. Graham says that she is confused by recent attacks on her by members of the media. Graham says that it is not clear if the media is attacking her as a public official or as a mother. Graham notes that there has been no "improper mingling" of her roles as public official and as a mother. Graham adds that recent attacks on her by the media are a result of "distortions of fact and careless misrepresentation." Graham says that she called a press conference to set the record straight. Graham says that she has been an unwavering supporter of rent control; that she would not abandon this position for personal gain. Graham reminds the media that a property owner has the right to occupy his or her own dwelling. Graham says that the media has reported that Carl "Duke" Graham (son of Saundra Graham) obtained a questionable mortgage on his home as a result of her influence. Saundra Graham says that she never tried to influence anyone involved in the sale of the home to Carl Graham. Saundra Graham reviews the employment history of Carl Graham. She notes that Carl Graham has worked hard to save money to buy a house. Saundra Graham says that she was never the recipient of a loan from HUD (US Department of Housing and Urban Development). Saundra Graham says that the media have charged that she made false statements on reports filed with the State Ethics Commission. Saundra Graham notes that a fact sheet addressing these allegations has been made available to members of the media. Saundra Graham adds that she is a supporter of full disclosure by public officials.

1:06:48
V: Saundra Graham denies allegations that she used political influence to obtain Harvard housing for her family. Saundra Graham calls the charges "ridiculous." She notes that she has little influence with Harvard; that she led a demonstration against Harvard University in 1970. Saundra Graham notes that her mother rented property from Harvard long before Graham entered politics; that members of her family still live on this property. Saundra Graham adds that Rhonda Graham (daughter of Saundra Graham) sublet an apartment from a friend; that Rhonda Graham did not lease her apartment through the Harvard Housing Office. Saundra Graham says that she never contacted Harvard to influence the rental of property to family members. Saundra Graham accuses the media of disgraceful "distortion, misrepresentation and innuendo." Saundra Graham adds that she loves her children; that she is not responsible for their actions. Saundra Graham says that she is proud of her record as a public servant; that she has never misused the powers of her political office. Saundra Graham says that she refuses to be consigned to the role of "Duke's mama." She asks the media where they stand on "apple pie and the Celtics." Graham finishes her prepared statement.

1:09:14
V: Shelley Taylor reads a statement from Saundra Graham's supporters in the Cambridge community. She notes that this statement is included in the press packet provided to members of the media. The statment expresses outrage at the media's unethical coverage of Saundra Graham. The statement singles out WEEI and The Boston Herald for their attacks on Graham. The statement accuses the media of personal attacks on Graham. Taylor's statement notes that the media attacks "smack of racism." The statement notes that the attacks have intensified during the campaign for the eighth Congressional district; that the attacks peaked while Saundra Graham was out of the country. The statement accuses the "power structure" of using the media to discredit community leaders; the statement points out that the media has victimized minority leaders in the past. The statement asks for fair and unbiased coverage. The statement puts the media on notice that the community will speak out against attacks on their leaders.
Shots of Saundra Graham; of the media at the press conference.

1:11:25
V: Saundra Graham takes questions from the media. Graham says that she has been told that Cambridge real estate developers and others would like to see her withdraw from the race for the eighth Congressional seat. Graham says that she received an anonymous phone call telling her not to run for the eighth Congressional seat because the seat is destined for a member of the Kennedy family. Graham says that a Republican ward committee member called to ask her to change her party affiliation. Graham says that she does not know the identity of the anonymous phone caller; that Joseph Kennedy (son of Robert Kennedy) may run for the eighth Congressional seat. Graham says that she has not decided if she will run for the eighth Congressional seat.
A reporter asks Graham why she has not granted an interview to reporters from WEEI. Graham explains why an initial interview was cancelled and not rescheduled. Graham says that she may bring a libel suit against some members of the media. A reporter asks Graham about the role of "Duke" Graham in the media attacks. The reporter comments that "Duke" Graham has an "image problem." Graham responds that her son's "image problem" was created by Howie Carr (Boston Herald reporter). Graham tells the reporter to speak to her son's lawyer about the details of his mortgage. Graham defends her son's right to purchase a home.
Graham says that she may bring a libel suit against WEEI.

1:16:13
Audio cuts out.

V: Shots of reporters and audience members at the press conference. Several reporters take notes.
Shots of Graham speaking.

1:17:35
Audio is restored.

V: Graham continues to respond to questions from the media. Graham says that 79 state officials have not filed reports with the State Ethics Commission.
Graham says that the Cambridge real estate industry called her to ask if the tenants evicted by her son were white. Graham says that the media reports have portrayed her son as a "black kid" with a low-paying MDC (Metropolitan District Commission) job; that the media neglected to mention her son's primary job. Graham says that her son has had steady employment with the Honeywell Corporation; that her son took an additional job with the MDC. Graham says that one of the former tenants of her son's house was refused a mortgage to buy the house. Graham says that the race of the tenants in the house is not relevant. Graham says that the media has been racist in their portrayal of her son.
Graham says that the media has questioned whether her son should be granted a mortgage; that the media questioned why her son received a mortgage when another tenant was refused.
A reporter questions Graham's assertions of racism in the media's coverage of the story. Graham says that members of the media have been racist because they questioned whether a "black kid" should get a mortgage. Members of the media ask who called Graham's son a "black kid."
Graham confers with one of her supporters at the table.
Graham says that the tone of the media coverage is racist. Graham says that the newspaper coverage has been more racist than the radio coverage.
An aide to Graham offers to sift through the media coverage and release examples of the articles with a racist tone.
A reporter asks about the two jobs held by Graham's son.

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