Q&A: Roland Martin and His Fateful Journey

You’ve written about faith issues as well.

I’ve utilized my platform as a syndicated columnist, writing pieces for CNN.com and then on the radio and television, to speak to faith issues from a contemporary perspective. Faith being one of the things that has been important to me. It plays such a critical role in the lives of so many people. I receive e-mails from people all across the world who have read pieces , which have touched them in a unique way.

How difficult is it to infuse your faith as a journalist even in the political world where faith and politics don’t marry or mesh except when you have extreme points of view? How does faith fit in?

I would actually say they marry a lot. What happens though is that people often times ignore the faith component when it’s always there and I always make a point that’s what you cannot do. It is not hard if that is the essence of who you are. I view it as the essence of who I am, so it is a part of all that I do. So that’s why it is critically important to me. I don’t see it as a struggle as some folks might see it because I’m not afraid to actually do it. Again that’s what often happens to some people who are afraid to say something whereas I’m not.

Most recently the National Day of Prayer was recognized by President Barack Obama despite a federal court judge declaring it unconstitutional. Atheists groups filed a lawsuit hoping to permanently banish the National Day of Prayer from our existence. As a mainstream journalist and man of faith how do cover such issues impartially?

First of all, I am a journalist, but we all wear different hats so as a commentator, I can be subjective and I can have a point of view. I can communicate in that way and so it’s not an issue for me to be able to do so. What is important to me is the ability to be able to be open and honest as it relates to what I am always going to do. So it’s about being true to yourself and honest with yourself.

You are a man of faith and walked faithfully through a lot of doors of opportunity, do you think you might have a political calling? Will we one day be addressing you as Congressman Roland S. Martin?

No, no, because I sign all of my books the same: ‘continuing to do God’s will.’ And I believe that everybody operates in their own divine good. And for me God has placed me exactly where I am. I know exactly what I’m doing, I know how I’m utilizing his gifts.

So what’s next?

We’re certainly moving forward in terms of having a five-day-a-week show. That’s what the goal is whether it’s on TV One, CNN or somewhere else. That’s really what the focus is. I also launched a media company called NU Vision Media Inc. We’re looking at different projects and we’re focusing on other shows and those are the things that I am focusing on. Also, I’m continuing to build a brand pure and simple.