Recently, CNN commentator Van Jones expressed frustration over the apparent lack of coverage regarding the brutal violence against Nigerian civilians by Islamic terrorists. It’s true that these kinds of massacres often go unreported, which is troubling. However, Jones’s comments took a sharp turn when he referenced a stereotypical anti-Semitic remark, claiming “No Jews, no news” isn’t accurate.
The reality is that mass violence around the globe frequently flies under the radar. For instance, many in the left and mainstream media largely ignored the ethnic cleansing of over 120,000 Armenian Christians in Nagorno-Karabakh, despite its severity. Similarly, little attention was given to the alarming tensions between nuclear Pakistan and India in May 2025, which stemmed from a series of murders by Pakistani terrorists.
While larger incidents of displacement, terrorism, and ethnic cleansing might not correlate with Jones’s misguided phrase about Jewish influence, these issues certainly reflect a broader trend of oversight. Moreover, the attention—or lack thereof—on these victims isn’t tied to their race.
It’s worth noting that in the 1990s, the West largely ignored Russia’s devastating campaign in Chechnya, leaving cities like Grozny in ruins. This raises the question: why do we focus so heavily on conflicts like those in the Middle East or, more currently, the war in Ukraine?
The Middle East serves as a critical intersection for Europe, Asia, and Africa, housing vital trade routes and being the cradle of major world religions—Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. This historical significance has made it a focal point during various global conflicts, even sparking a near-nuclear standoff between the U.S. and the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
Additionally, this region produces a significant portion of the world’s oil, and it has given rise to numerous terrorist organizations responsible for countless American casualties. The current media interest in Israel, for instance, may stem from heightened tensions involving Iran, which seeks nuclear capabilities, exacerbating the already complex geopolitical landscape. Age-old anti-Semitism could also contribute to the disproportionate focus on Israel within U.N. resolutions.
European nations are acutely aware that violence in the Middle East can spill over into terrorism and unrest on their own streets, raising alarms about public safety. In terms of Ukraine, we’re witnessing the first significant proxy conflict involving two nuclear powers, making it seem all the more urgent given its geographical implications.
When reflecting on Nigeria’s crises, it’s notable how media narratives shifted dramatically since the days of apartheid-era coverage in South Africa, which was heavily focused on white violence against blacks. Today, South Africa grapples with its own issues of crime and violence that often go underreported, mainly concerning black-on-white incidents.
Furthermore, the troubling reality of the 12,000 annual murders of black Americans—mostly perpetrated by other black individuals—also attracts far less attention compared to isolated instances of white-on-black violence that garner significant media traction, likely due to their perceived political utility.
The growing Muslim population in America and the influence of international students from the Middle East have led to topics like Gaza’s situation receiving extensive media focus, sometimes overshadowing even more immediate tragedies like those in Nigeria.
If Jones seeks to amplify awareness of the tragedies unfolding in Nigeria, he may need to explore why there hasn’t been more pressure from within the black American community to highlight these atrocities perpetrated by Islamist terrorists. The underlying causes of violence in Africa often stem from radicalized individuals rather than colonial legacies, and unfortunately, this often gets glossed over in broader discussions.
In conclusion, the media often overlooks the actions of black Islamic terrorists while their victims remain in the shadows, a situation that reflects deeper societal issues regarding race and violence.
