Commentary: Two significant events in the history of African American performers and media controversy take place next week. Firstly, they discuss Marian Anderson's iconic concert on April 9, 1939, at the Lincoln Memorial after being denied use of Constitution Hall by the Daughters of the American Revolution. Secondly, a controversial moment during a Petula Clark special on April 8, 1968, where she touched Harry Belafonte's arm, prompting a sponsor's demand to delete the scene due to potential offense to southern viewers. With today's media commentary, here is MTSU Professor of Journalism Larry Burriss...

About Dr. Burriss - Larry Burriss, professor of journalism, teaches introductory and media law courses. At the graduate level he teaches quantitative research methods and media law. He holds degrees from The Ohio State University (B.A. in broadcast journalism, M.A. in journalism), the University of Oklahoma (M.A. in human relations), Ohio University (Ph.D. in journalism) and Concord Law School (J.D.). He has worked in print and broadcast news and public relations, and has published extensively in both academic and popular publications. He has won first place in the Tennessee Associated Press Radio Contest nine times. Dr. Burriss' publications and presentations include studies of presidential press conferences, NASA photography, radio news, legal issues related to adolescent use of social networking sites, legal research, and Middle Earth.

Dr. Burriss has served as director of the School of Journalism, dean of the College of Mass Communication and president of the MTSU Faculty Senate. He was appointed by Gov. Phil Bredesen to serve on the Tennessee Board of Regents. He was a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force and served on active duty in Mali, Somalia, Bosnia, Central America, Europe and the Pentagon.