National Association of Black Journalists • September 2002 • $3.50

From Ground Zero to War Zone Black journalists’ battle to cover the big story DROP IN YOUR NONPROFIT INDICIA

SEPTEMBER 2002 VOL. 20 NO. 3 OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK JOURNALISTS T ABLE OF NABJ

Publisher Contents Condace Pressley Editor Rick Sherréll Sherréll Publishing Group - Atlanta, Ga.

Copy Editors Malecia El-Amin Chianti C. Cleggett Sharyn Flanagan Tony Moor Paula Paige Lamar Wilson

Contributing Writers Steven Gray Jackie Jones M.L. Lake Meta Mereday Melissa Monroe Richard Prince Louise Reid Ritchie Ernie Suggs Art Director Carolyn Wheeler On the cover: Ground Zero – the collapsed South Tower of the New York World CEW Productions - Fairfax, Va. Trade Center. Photos by Ozier Muhammad/New York Times. NABJ Officers President Condace Pressley WSB Radio (Atlanta) Columns Vice President - Vice President - COVER STORY From the President 2 Broadcast Print To Our Readers 3 Mike Woolfolk Bryan Monroe From Ground Zero to WACH-TV (Columbia, S.C) San Jose Mercury News Career-Wise 17 Commentary 21 Secretary Treasurer War Zone Gregory Lee Glenn E. Rice Black journalists were on site at last year’s biggest The Washington Post The Kansas City Star Departments story. Some by chance, some by choice Bookmarks 18 Parliamentarian Immediate and some were never in the picture ...... 4 Sharyn Flanagan Past President Chapter Spotlight 20 USA Today William W. Sutton, Jr. The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.) The NABJ Journal (USPS number pending) NABJ Directors The Faces of War is published four times a year by the Region I Region II National Association of Black Journalists— Robin Washington Sarah J. Glover Photo essay by Carl Juste ...... 8 the largest organization of journalists of The Boston Herald The Philadelphia Inquirer color in the world. To discuss news items, photos and letters, call (301) 445-7100, Region III Region IV Bonnie Newman Davis Ernie Suggs ext. 110; fax to (301) 445-7101 or e-mail Virginia Union University Atlanta-Journal [email protected]. For Constitution The Washington Post’s information concerning advertising, call Gerald Van Treeck at Achieve Region V Region VI Metro 7 Randye Bullock Stephanie Jones Communications, phone (847) 562-8633; P. R. Networks, Inc. The Commercial Appeal Thirty years ago, they fought for a fair chance. fax (847) 562-8634; e-mail (Memphis) Today, there’s still work to be done ...... 11 [email protected]. NABJ members receive one free copy; additional copies of Region VII Region VIII Cheryl Smith Natalie Y. Moore this or back issues are available to KKDA Radio (Dallas) St. Paul Pioneer Press members and non-members at $3.50 each; annual subscriptions are $14. Region IX Region X Reprints not permitted without prior Venita Hawthorne James Lynne Varner Beyond City Hall The Arizona Republic Seattle Times Blacks covering state, national political coverage written approval of NABJ. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Associate Representative are few and far between...... 15 Meta Mereday, Marketing/Media Consultant NABJ, 8701-A Adelphi Rd., Adelphi, MD 20783-1716. Student Representative Tiffany Black, The Philadelphia Inquirer Executive Director Tangie Newborn 2 Condace Pressley www.nabj.org From the President learned ofthe terrorist attacks,butI thatInotonly the-hour newscast and itwasby listeningtothetop-of- station, radio tunedtoanall-news taxi tothehotel. The driver hadhis r begin onSept. 12. Association (RTNDA) thatwasto Radio-Television News Directors N make thathappen.I’d goneto home, butwasnotsure how to things todothantalkme. our call.He hadmore important into thePentagon. Quickly, Iended Center. Athird planehadcrashed the towers ofthe World Trade commercial jetlinershadflown into director,news toldmethattwo Chris,my called mynewsroom. hit me. horror ofwhathappenedhadnot both televisionsetswasmuted. The it 8:43a.m.inNew York. There was N A a ticketonDelta Flight 1428from early anddrove Iheld totheairport. A day, andaperspective always I’ll aflight remember. 9/11 asISaw It ecovered myluggageand haileda tlanta toNashville. Iarrived in ashville foraboard meetingofthe ashville at7:43CDT—thatmade N I I grabbedmycellphoneand On mmediately, Iwantedtogo ot knowing whattodonext,I

S ept. 11,2001,Iwokeup P entagon. The soundon hard landing. my confusionatthe so you’ll understand not acloudinthesky, shot ofafire atthe other setwasalive T towers ofthe World the burningtwin sets. On onesetwas around twotelevision saw acrowd gathered National Association ofBlack Journalists rade Center. On the U pon deplaning,I of the biggest story ofour of thebiggest story appropriate thatintheinitial hours proud ofthemedium,soitseemed Pr of luggage,piledintoRobert’s three ofus,each withaweek’s worth ride also,andthatafternoonthe with relatives inAtlanta hitcheda directornews from CentralFlorida who’d driven toNashville. Another Chairman Robert Garcia ofCNN ride homewithformerRTNDA 2001 convention andIhitcheda of Directors voted tocancelthe to Europe. toCanadaorback planes diverted ordered closedand allU.S.airports A also learnedthattheFederal NABJ nationalheadquarters. Archives buildingadjacenttothe to seesnipersatoptheNational talked, shelookedoutherwindow (NABJ executive director) andI their families.As Tangie Newborn send ouremployees hometobewith the Washington, D.C.officeand became clearthatIneededtoclose While talkingtotheoffice,it to makesure Ihadlandedsafely. the phonerang.It wasNABJcalling tower collapsed,thenthesecond. before myeyes. Iwatchedasthefirst comprehend tragedyunfolding mouth agape,unableto sat gluedtoatelevisionset,my hotel, likemillionsofAmericans,I home andbacktowork. At my safe andfiguringouthow toget and letmyfamilyknow thatIwas landed safely. Quickly Icalledhome thatI’dno oneclosetomeknew viation Administration had elude andheadedhome. I work inradioandamvery At By As Isatthere infront ofthe TV,

that moment,Irealized that midday, theRTNDA Board NABJ Journal /September 2002 Gr have beenlikeforreporters at numb. Icannotfathomwhatitmust 24/7forthefirstweek leftme story r I cameinwiththesecondshiftto day,on amajornews on Wednesday, 11 experience. far more interesting thanmySept. as well, andIassure you thattheyare Afghanistan. There are otherstories coverage from Ground Zero andin CBS News andhisamazing J N ov in Atlanta. The lightedsigns interstates. Imagine that:No traffic and God ledmetomycar. others touchedby tragedythatday myself andforthethousandsof discombobulated, saidaprayer for for mycar. Ifeltconfusedand the entrancetodecksearch out, butnotin.So, Robert leftmeat security guards were allowing cars where mycarwasparked andarmed at [email protected]. experiences losslikethatagain. pray thatournationnever boarding passfrom thatday, andI Ha back. Robert drove metothe coverage onAMradiothedrive generation, Iwaslisteningto ournalist ofthe Year Byron Pitts of elieve ourfirstteam.Covering this ational Emergency.” erhead read, “All Closed. Airports ound Zero. r In As muchasIhatedbeingaway N There wasnotrafficonAtlanta’s Y tsfield Airport parking deck tsfield Airport ou cane-mailCondacePressley onetheless, Iheldontomy

this issue,we saluteNABJ “Black” Like Me Using self-respect as a guide to style

Unlike most editors, I very imposition of such substantial error class—a class in which The NABJ seldom use my allocated space to tell of form and content since, the basic Journal should have been the first you what’s inside this issue. That’s color, black, should be in lower case. member and is long overdue what the table of contents is for. Some dude will attempt, for the in joining. To Our Readers Instead, I’ll usually have something 1000th time to ‘explain’ away why The New York Times style guide to say that may, or may not, have to its correct to identify Blacks as says that when trying to determine do with the subjects “blacks” while they hold as accurate whether to use “African-American” covered within these the capitalization of Hispanic, or “black” you should try to pages. Today, it’s about Jewish, or Irish. It does not make determine and use the term being Black. That’s sense!… Black is Black; that is, preferred by the group or person “Black,” not “black.” denoting a person, encapsulating being described. I prefer that they Whenever in a ethno-racial origins while ‘black’ is a add “Black” to the list of options— position to do so, as color for an inanimate [object] like because there’s a big difference part of my own style paint.” between me and a can of paint. I am book, I insist that Mr. Nwangwu requires his more than a color and prefer to “Black,” when referr- editors, contributors and reporters name myself “Black” instead of ing to my people, to capitalize the “White” and having someone else name me my issues and “Black” ethno-racial identities and “black.” It is a matter of style…and my communities, be all other ethnic origins. substance. Rick Sherrell/ respected enough to be In the introduction to his book I guess this column was about capitalized. But, because I “PowerNomics: The National Plan to what’s inside after all. know it’s not AP Style and I know Empower Black America,” Dr. Claud it’s not correct in the eyes of many Anderson states, “It is illogical to PEACE. “by-the-book journalists” and capitalize American Indian, because this magazine represents Hispanic, Arab or Asian yet not an organization of professional capitalize the terms used to describe journalists, I struggled with the issue the two largest racial populations in as I edited the stories on these pages. the United States.” Quite frankly, I had decided to There’s no reason to give up the wimp out and stick with the AP Style book, but Mr. Nwangwu politically correct non-capitalization and Dr. Anderson are two examples of “black,” possibly dealing with it of how we can control our own P.S. Thanks to Chido Nwangwu later. Then, I received a sign. images through what we write. The and the many other listservers who In the middle of my decision to NABJ Journal is in a powerful engaged in the “lively” conversation be indecisive, the subject became the position to act as a catalyst for that so inspired me to do what I topic of some lively conversation on change and we must take advantage knew was right. Many of you, I the NABJ listserve. The discussion of that position even in the smallest know, will have comments on the was initiated by Chido Nwangwu, ways. subject and I welcome your letters to founder and publisher of USAfrica For those who need verification the editor. The Newspaper and USAfrica- of the acceptability of this change, in online.com—and I quote: a January 1998 letter to the NABJ, Have a story idea? “I find it extremely insulting to the publisher of the Arizona Want to write for use lower case ‘b’ when the reference Republic announced their decision the Journal? E-mail is to Blacks/African-Americans. to capitalize Black. The move put rick@sherrellpublishing Style-wise, it is wrong for the that mainstream publication in a group.com. dominant media to continue the unique, elite and forward-thinking

NABJ Journal / September 2002 National Association of Black Journalists www.nabj.org 3 4 B By complaining, arriving early, being his way. “Ihave areputation fornot early andtakesanyassignment tossed come hiswaybecausehegets towork coincidental, otherbigstories have assignment mayhave beenpurely there alldaythe firstday.” NABJ Journalist ofthe Year. “I was default,” saidPitts, whoisthisyear’s sentmeby 11 terrorist attack.“They r hours,” thenstayed atGround Zero called inby phoneforthefirstcoupleof when thefirstbuildingcollapsed.I was oneblockawayfrom thescene a bigaccident.”He headedtothesite.“I amateur pilotmadeamistakeanditwas have to(go)?’”Pitts said.“Ithoughtan Center towers. into oneofthe World Trade the callcame.Ajethadplowed immersed inthestory. Then togetting looked forward It CBS show “Sunday Morning.” Belafonte forthe activist Harry andsocial about entertainer eporting round-the-clock ontheSept.eporting COVER STORY was alaboroflove andhe Jackie Jones P “My firstreaction was,doI www.nabj.org was working onapiece early asusualthatday. He yron Pitts gottowork itts saidwhilegettingthat W by chance,somechoiceandwere neverinthepicture. Black journalistswere onsiteatlastyear’s biggeststory. Some GROUND ZERO AR ZONE National Association ofBlack Journalists FROM Photo Credit: ©2002 CBS Worldwide Inc. All RightsPhoto ©2002CBSWorldwide Reserved All Credit: Inc. by K Byron Pittsissurrounded by inthenortherncityof villagers ondoz, Afghanistan onthedayondoz, itwas liberated from theTaliban

United Front soldiersinlate November 2001. so hewasnot oneofthefirstpeopleto considered columnsby hisnewspaper, news “Great People” and“CityBeat,” were not ways togetintothemix.Both hiscolumns, N slice oftheactionthanwere assigned. y ofthe what wasundeniablythebiggeststory how manyBlack journalistshad apieceof action. While there isnoconclusive studyof more hadto battle togetapieceofthe just outsideof Washington, D.C.,butmany attacks inNew York andatthePentagon, active players inthecoverage oftheterrorist American reporters andphotographerswere fires, hurricanessenthisway. earthquakes, willing tostay,” hesaid,andcover allthe ear, there were manymore clamoringfora ews Clem Richardson, a P itts anddozens ofotherAfrican- columnist, saidhehadtofind creative TO N ew YorkDaily the coverage begantoshift. stories changedover timeasthefocus of about whomtosendonwhatkindsof document it. The more subtledecisions attack required stafferavailable to every said thatinitiallytheenormityof Po J photographer to thescene. The others, available selective andsentevery “Local papersdidnothave time tobe question ‘did you see?’”Irby said. saying ande-mailingeach otherthe moment, peoplearound theworld were first tower. From thatfirstfatal commercial jet-bombcollidedintothe from themomentthatfirst story in Americanlife,anditwasavisual ournalism Group Leaderatthe NABJ Journal /September 2002 ynter Institute inSt. Petersburg, Fla., “ The 9/11 story wasahugetragedy The 9/11story homes offeringspecialdealstocivil it. So, Igotinpiecesaboutfuneral proposing storiesthatwere noton the scheduleeachdayand some ofthecoverage by checking crisis hit. spring toeditors’ mindswhenthe afterward.” being intheno-gozone forweeks Chinatown from wasstillhurting victimsand,later,service how “I wasabletonosemywayinto K enneth F. Irby, Visual Photo by CarlJuste, Miami Herald national and international, were far got it. She should be rewarded.” That television station, the delivery room of a more thoughtful about who to send and reporter was on the team traveling the maternity ward, a Tae Kwon Do class where to focus their energies, and in country to document response to the 9/11 and a brief meeting with Hamid Karzai, most cases they sent their staff attacks. head of Afghanistan’s interim photographers to focus on the people “I think one of the reasons it became government. stories and not the event.” easier for me” to cover the disaster, said Pitts, Both Wiltz and Pitts said the was “the Pentagon correspondent got his assignment, the first in a war zone for Rewarding hard work slice (of the story). The Justice Department each, was at once the most intense and guy got his slice. The part of what was the most exhilarating experiences of Michael Days, deputy managing occurring on the ground I got.” their careers. “I didn’t want to leave,” editor of the Philadelphia Daily News, Pitts, 41, also spent five weeks covering Wiltz said. “My last day there I cried. I said several factors were involved in the fighting in Afghanistan as part of the loved the people. Everything is just deciding who would get certain network’s rotation of reporters to the front. bigger. You have a heightened sense of assignments. “In a small newsroom like He saw no African-American reporters being alive.” this, on the day of the attack, we just during his stint there, but did see a couple of Similarly, Pitts said, “I never felt put folks on trains and in cars.” photographers. The low numbers didn’t more alive or worked on something Afterwards, he said, “we tried to give surprise him. “Only the major news more significant...I have never written (stories) to the people who made the organizations were sending people. There with such clarity.” The conditions, he most sense, but everybody jumped in.” aren’t many people of color to begin with” in said, forced him to focus “clearly and A reporter was sent to Israel to write those newsrooms, Pitts said. “The bulk of quickly” in planning a piece to go on about how the U.S.-Israel relationship U.S. journalists sent were journalists the air. Basic tasks often taken for factored into the attack. Other reporters working in foreign bureaus, an even smaller granted, such as eating, drinking clean simultaneously were sent around the pool.’” water, bathing, even just washing one’s country to gauge the impact the attack But there was another major factor, Pitt hands all were calculated and well- had on the rest of the country— said. The assignment to Afghanistan was a thought out moves. And sometimes, he beyond the northeast corridor. It was a purely voluntary process at CBS, Pitts said. said, there wasn’t a lot of time to think diverse team of reporters, Days recalled. “I didn’t have to stand in a very long line to about how those things would be Days said it helped that he was an get to go.” accomplished. African-American in a management Pitts said concerns about safety and While in Afghanistan, Pitts said, he position when assignment decisions family probably kept a lot of reporters, and his crew were fired upon three were made to ensure that African- Black and White, from signing up. “It is a times, were briefly pinned down during Americans and other staffers of color tremendous personal sacrifice,” he said. a skirmish between Taliban and got a piece of the big stories. “We’ve all After he returned, “I talked to a young Black Northern Alliance troops and a bomb got people we’re more comfortable with reporter (at CBS) who asked how it was and blew up on the road in front of the and that’s who editors turn to in a at the end, he said ‘boy, I would never want SUV his team was riding in. The situation like this,” Days said, but he to go.’” windshield was destroyed. Once their successfully pointed out that there were Pitts said his wife, Lyne, was not pleased vehicle strayed into a minefield. Our many hard-working reporters at the that he volunteered for such a dangerous guide got out and walked ahead and paper who needed to be rewarded with assignment, but she told him to do what he a shot at a big story. had to do, but that he needed to understand “I didn’t want to leave. My For example, an African-American the risks. reporter at the Daily News was the only last day there I cried. I reporter in the area to find out where Experience of a lifetime Philadelphia 76ers star Allen Iverson’s loved the people. wedding was going to be held. “Even Teresa Wiltz, a reporter for the Style Everything is just bigger. the guests didn’t know. They were told section of The Washington Post, said only to mass at a certain point and got on three people in her department volunteered You have a heightened buses to go,” Days said. “But she got it for the Afghanistan assignment when the sense of being alive.” alone. Here’s someone who worked her call went out for the first round of butt off. “Was it the biggest story of the volunteers. Wiltz spent a month in — Teresa Wiltz, year? No. But it was a story that people Afghanistan and Pakistan, covering a wide in this town were buzzing about and she range of topics from a government-run The Washington Post

NABJ Journal / September 2002 National Association of Black Journalists www.nabj.org 5 guided the car through the field, being noticed. Driving at night, in the Pitts said. desert, lost, with the lights turned off and How to get a shot at the big story For Pitts, being on the front lines still uncertain that they had cleared all the blurred for him the line of delineation landmines, Pitts said the driver turned to ■ between the good guys and the bad guys him and said: “You have gun?” Get to work early and take any assignment sent your way. that President Bush has tried to draw in No, Pitts said. Western journalists didn’t ■ Gain a reputation for not the conflict. “I witnessed atrocities on usually carry guns. They mostly consider it complaining, arriving early and both sides, I witnessed mistreatment of inappropriate for doing their jobs. The being willing to stay. women on both sides.” driver replied: “You in Afghanistan, no gun. ■ Find creative ways to get into the Afghan women, he said, “weren’t Then we must drive faster.” mix. Check the schedule each day even second-class citizens. In northern Pitts said he was scared, then angry. and propose stories and unique Afghanistan women still were not Angry at himself for breaking most of the angles that are not on it. Hint: welcome to work” after the Taliban were rules of the road for foreign journalists in Editorial pages sometimes have chased out of the area. “There was no battle conditions: Never travel at night; unique angles on old stories. one more desperate in Afghanistan than never travel alone; never show money and ■ Become someone your a woman who lost her husband,” Pitts never pick up anyone on the road. “I had management is ccomfortable with and knows they can turn to. said. Because women could not work, promised my daughters that I would come ■ Gain a reputation as someone who “they could not take care of their back home safely and be able to one day can get the facts no one else families and there was no one to step in walk them down the aisle and I thought, I’m can get. and take a widow and her children not going to be able to keep that promise.” ■ Be willing to volunteer for the under wing. They became beggars,” he He said suddenly he looked up and saw assignments no one else wants. said. they were in a valley. “Then I saw a skyline ■ Finely hone your writing skills and The video on the nightly newscasts of stars. It was breathtaking, just beautiful.” be willing to take on all kinds showing women pulling off their burqas It made him think of the line from the 23rd of challenges. and men shaving their beards was Psalm: “Even though I walk through the ■ Be willing to put in the time and mostly show for the cameras, Pitts said. valley of the shadow of death...” He recited effort it takes to succeed in the As he traveled throughout the country, the psalm to himself, he recalled, adding business. most women still wore the conservative “and my fear and my anger went away.” He dress and the men weren’t shaving. said he realized his life was in God’s hands pretty nicely, telling Pitts once: “Fish and he needed to rely on Him because gotta fly, birds got swim, reporters Rules of the road “none of what sustained me much of my life gotta go.” growing up in the inner city would do me Taking the tough assignments is Pitts said his faith sustained him in any good at that point.” critical to success, Pitts said. “The the scarier moments of the trip. That and the story of Shadrach, institution isn’t built for us (people of At one point, his team’s vehicle Meshach and Abednego and how they color and women) to be successful, strayed into territory that their 17-year- refused to worship Nebuchadnezzar, telling initially,” he said. That’s why it’s critical old Afghani driver believed was still the king that their God would deliver them to finely hone one’s writing skills and be under Taliban control. In the distance, from his wrath—or not, but that they willing to take on all kinds of they saw what appeared to be an would remain faithful to God, Pitts said, challenges. encampment and they hoped they brought him a sense of calm that got him Pitts, a CBS correspondent since could get through the area without over the rough patches during his stint. 1998, was born and raised in Baltimore. “That gave me great peace, a peace I never He graduated from Ohio Wesleyan in felt in my life,” Pitts said. “There were 1982 with a degree in journalism and “I never felt more alive or several other occasions when I was speech communication. He worked at worked on something more frightened, but never afraid.” television stations in Greenville, N.C., Pitts said the experience made Norfolk, Va., Orlando, Tampa, Atlanta significant...I have never him “more mature spiritually and and Boston, and CBS Newspath, the written with such clarity.” professionally.” He said he would likely take 24-hour affiliate news service of CBS other dangerous assignments in the future, News, in Washington, D.C. He has — Byron Pitts, CBS News not because he seeks them out but because won a national Emmy for his coverage that’s the nature of the news business. He of the Chicago train wreck in 1999 and Correspondent said CBS anchor Dan Rather summed it up an NABJ award. In addition, he has

6 www.nabj.org National Association of Black Journalists NABJ Journal / September 2002 won four Associated Press Awards and six regional Emmys. What do you One of his biggest challenges came early in his career when he had his work critiqued by experienced members in want most? broadcast during his first NABJ convention in 1985 held in Baltimore. A great newspaper? “There was no love for a 23-year-old We have it. brother with a sports coat and two pairs A 230,000-circulation daily serving coastal Virginia of slacks.” Pitts said. “I went to the and northeastern North Carolina. critique” and a guy leading the session Winner of three Pulitzer Prizes, two for championing just savagely ripped into Pitts’ audition racial justice. tapes. NABJ member Ray Metoyer A two-time first-place winner for enterprise reporting came to Pitts’ rescue. in the annual NABJ Salute to Excellence Awards. “Ray stood up and said, “Leave the Named one of the five "World’s Best-Designed Newspapers" by the brother alone. There are folks in this Society of News Design, 2002. Sweepstakes winner in the Virginia Press Association’s business who will tear him down. It’s annual awards for 16 consecutive years. our job to build him up.’” Metoyer’s response kept Pitts from A great place to live? giving up on a career he had wanted since he was 18 years old. He said he We have it. was stunned to have an older Black man On the Virginia coast at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. give him the harshest critique he had In a region called South Hampton Roads that includes five diverse, dynamic historic cities. ever received, “but to have Ray to stand Serving a circulation area that is 40% black, Hispanic up and defend me when I couldn’t and Asian. defend myself” was an act of kindness Enjoying an average of 212 sunny days each year. Pitts said he will never forget. Pitts said he wants to see more Great people to work with? young African-American journalists We’re here. willing to put in the time and effort to succeed in the business. And he’s We’d like to hear your story and tell you ours. keeping it in the family. His wife, Lyne, until recently was the executive We’re looking for you. Call us. producer of CBS News’ “The Early Show.” His stepson, Daniel Bowens, 21, who will graduate in the fall from Ohio Wesleyan University is planning a career in journalism, and his 19-year-old niece Stephanie Pitts, a student at the University of Missouri, has also expressed an interest in the field. Pitts has always believed in hard work, and he said it has paid off for him and it will for others. “My mama raised me to believe you gotta work hard. Tonnya Kennedy Debra Adams Simmons It guarantees you nothing but Deputy Managing Editor Deputy Managing Editor an opportunity.” (800) 410-0832

Jackie Jones, a former national NABJ board member, is an assignment editor on the business desk of The Washington Post.

NABJ Journal / September 2002 National Association of Black Journalists www.nabj.org 7 arl Juste has been a photographer with the Miami Herald for the past 12 years. Last year, CThe Herald offered him the opportunity of a lifetime to document the events and consequences of the United States' war against terrorism. He agreed to travel to Pakistan to take part in the historic moment in spite of the dangers. For 16 of those months, Carl traveled the war-torn terrain as one of the few Black photojournalists to get the opportunity. Among the photos Carl brought back were many scenes of fighting, protests, flag burnings and rallies. But the pictures of children spoke a thousand words about how war affects people. They are pictures that depict the sorrow of war and the unspeakable possibility that these could be our children. Carl's pictures, his captions and excerpts from his 10/31/01 — Killi Fazo Refugee Camp, Chaman, Pakistan — An Afghan boy stands alone while a group of men surround members of the personal log speak volumes. press during their visit of the Killi Fazo refugee camp.

The Faces 10/05/01 — Rawalpindi, Pakistan — A young boy branishes gun as he is hoisted over the crowd in front of the Jamia Dar-Ul-Ulum Taltem Ul Quran Mosque (cq) in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. of War About three thousand worshipers gathered on the street outside the mosque for an anti- by Carl Juste American and pro-Taliban rally.

10/12/01 — Khyber Bazaar, Peshawar, Pakistan —Two Pakistani men crawl and roll on the market's floor begging for a sign of kindness from market shoppers. The one man 11/21/01 — Islamabad, Pakistan — Distraught family members cry in shields his eyes from the sun as her rolls by the crowd of anguish as the body of Afghan photojournalist Azizullah Haidari arrives shoppers. Pakistanis and Afghan refugees of Peshawar at his Pakistani home in Islamabad after he and three other continue their lives even though the hardship, turmoil, and international journalists were killed in an ambush as they drove from threat of violence are constant. the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad towards the capital of Kabul.

8 www.nabj.org National Association of Black Journalists NABJ Journal / September 2002 11/01/01 — QUETTA, PAKISTAN — The doctor shows the scars on Khanomu's face, a ten year-old Afghan girl, who along with her little brother and mother, were injured during recent bombing raids in Uruzgan province in Afghanistan. They are seeking medical attention at Al - Hajeri Al - Khidmat Hospital in Quetta, Pakistan.

“Peshawar has not been victimized by terrorists, nor is it under a biological scare. Peshawar is just poor, over populated with the influx of refugees, and struggles to meet the needs of its own citizens. It is a victim of tribal feuds, violence and fighting among smugglers while being a short ride to open gun markets. Children and adults 11/02/01 — Quetta, Pakistan — Pre-K students leave struggle to survive by hand peddling in the streets. Some literally crawl and roll on the classes after the end of the school day at the Seven Day market floors for extra change. Peshawar with all of its problems remains alive. Life is Adventist Church and School in Quetta, Pakistan. Guns belonging to the local police sit on a cot. Local police too precious to be wasted on fear. Most of the citizens of Pakistan want access to officer are stationed at churches and school in fear of political and economic advancement. They are willing to keep the doors of hope open, possible violence against christians. The school has we should take note of their resilience and do the same.” grades from pre-school to eighth grades. Christians — Friday, October 13, 2001 , Peshawar, Pakistan being of small numbers in Quetta, live a isolated existance due to recent violence against Christians.

11/27/01 — near Jalalabad, Afghanistan — Young boy tends to a herd of sheep. Afghan nomads herd their sheep, which have been reduced by three years of drought. The nomads, known as “kuchis,” have suffered more than most Afghans, having to contend with 23 years of war that have blocked their traditional migration routes with fighting and landmines. But like most, they pray for peace, stability 10/08/01 — Islamabad, Pakistan — Little girls and rain. stare at the strong police presence in the streets of Islamabad as their public buses passes the protest site.

NABJ Journal / September 2002 National Association of Black Journalists www.nabj.org 9 12/07/01 — Malawa, Afghanistan —Mujahideen soldiers hit the ground for shelter behind a rock as mortar fire lands near their position. A US B-52 bomber participated in the third day of joint assault on Al-Qada stronghold at Tora Bora, rumored to be Osama bin Laden hideout.

“How can anyone live out here? 11/03/01 — Quetta, Pakistan — Dry, dusty, and isolated. It is amazing Barbwire is placed on top of the out wall of the Seven Day Adventist where one will take refuge to escape Church and School. The church has death and war. Several brick factories offered a place of worship and schooling to Quetta’s christian line the road, dark smoke spewing from minority. Many in the Quetta’s their smokestacks. The land is flat and small Christian community have complained of threats of violence by situated between mountains. The life non-Christian majority. out here is hard and deliberate. It offers no shade or sanctuary for the Pashtun way of life.” — Wednesday, October 21, 2001, Quetta, Pakistan

10/25/01 — Peshawar, Pakistan — After collecting dry grass for a fire, Sabara, 60, left, recalls how her daughter was killed during US bombing raids on Kabul, Afghanistan. Sabara left Afghanistan two weeks ago after her daughter died due to American bombing raids in Khaira Khana, near Kabul. She barely can hold back her emotions as explains that her grand daughter, Bulale, 4, goes hungry because of lack of food. 10/31/01 — Killi Fazo Refugee Camp, Chaman, Pakistan — An Afghan boy pulls his younger sister using a piece of cardboard and rope. The camp now has about 1800 newly arrived refugees. An additional fifty-five refugees arrived today, but were later returned back to the border.

10 www.nabj.org National Association of Black Journalists NABJ Journal / September 2002 I journalists in theinterpretation of it helpedsolidifytherole of Black journalists ofcolor. More importantly, hiring andpromotion ofscores of newspaper, unarguably acceleratedthe its kindagainstamajorAmerican its Black employees. withdiscriminationagainst newspaper Commission complaintchargingthe E W ofthebreak-in atthe 30th anniversary NABJ Journal /September 2002 qual Employment Opportunity atergate Hotel, butofthelandmark The case,believed tobethefirstof home fordinner—nottomark the P n June, seven former ost FEATURE r eporters metatacolleague’seporters T Thirty yearsago,theyfoughtforafairchance. (FILE PHOTO) Ta Fr oday, there’s stillworktobedone.—BySTEVENGRAY om left: Michael B. Hodge, Ivan C. Brandon, LaBarbara A. Bowman, Leon MichaelB. Dash,Penny Hodge, Brandon,om left: Ivan Mickelbury, LaBarbara A. C. Ronald A. ylor, Prince Richard andattorney E. Clifford Alexander. Photo by Ellsworth Davis of theWashington Post. W The WashingtonPost’sMetro7 The WashingtonPost’sMetro7 ashington glance, there ismuchtocelebrate. crisis topersonalfinance.Sure, atfirst on topicsrangingfrom theAfricanAIDS J head bureaus in Mexico City, Paris, and posts.African-Americans top newspaper r NABJ Convention inMilwaukee, where we r been largelyignored. There wasnoformal seems thecomplaintanditssignificancehas Americanhistory.contemporary Yet, it newsrooms ishardlynewsrooms over, assomewishto forequality in thenation’sthe struggle B ohannesburg, whileBlack columnistswrite elished intheascensionofmore Blacks to ecognition ofitscheduledatthisyear’s National Association ofBlack Journalists lack Post reporters cametobeknown— To

the Metro Seven—as thegroup of when then-city editorSteven Isaacs as acopyaideat student namedLeonDash was working Constant challengesforDash M issues thatstilllinger. Yet, someofthe allegations liestark parallelstoscores of believe. Within thecomplaint’s They hadnothingbutthemselves. executive editor, toturnforcounsel. deputy managingeditor, oreven an r ontheirownjournalism, partly esilience, inthedaysbefore there wasa etro Seven atthe survived In

1966, aHoward University www.nabj.org The WashingtonPost P ost , in 11 offered him a spot in that summer’s few years earlier had become the first Black intern class. Dash quickly accepted, and reporter at The Athens (Ga.) Banner-Herald. While the actual number of was eventually hired as a full-time To Mickelburry, then in her early 20s, the people of color on The Post’s reporter assigned to cover the District’s jump to The Post’s “large, noisy” downtown Metro staff has increased, the Metropolitan Police Department. From Washington newsroom was at first glance the beginning, he faced constant daunting, but surmountable. “There were number of Blacks on the city challenges from Southern-bred police these people who were ephemeral, who desk has dropped sharply. officers fresh from the Vietnam War, as floated around in sort of a rarified world,” There are now only two Black well as from his own Post colleagues, recalls Mickelburry, who was quickly reporters covering a city that is whom he learned could be “some of promoted from night police reporter to the still at least 60 percent Black; your stiffest competition.” District government beat, largely because, Two years later, he left to serve in the she is convinced, editors realized that many just five years ago, there were Peace Corps, in Kenya—soon after, emerging Black bureaucrats were reluctant about eight Black reporters riots erupted in Washington and dozens to talk to white reporters. on the staff. of other American cities in the wake of Still, Dash did not see strengthened the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s coverage of Black culture in The Post’s pages, assassination. Editors looked around or significant improvement in the status of Soon, the keen observations turned their newsrooms and realized, perhaps the newsroom’s Blacks, for that matter. to formal meetings, and strategizing. for the first time, the consequences of White editors, he believed, “didn’t see the absence of people who could anything extraordinary in that. They penetrate communities of color and thought our development was consistent Received unsatisfactory authoritatively explain just what was with our entry into the industry.” Dash response ticking inside Black America’s head. flatly rejected that notion, and believed And so they plucked reporters from the Black reporters were stifled primarily In the first week of February 1972, ranks of Black-owned newspapers, then because of their race. In his own intern class, the nine Black Metro reporters sent a they even recruited police officers, for instance, he watched silently as a White three-page memo to then-executive teachers and government officials. Then male Harvard University intern was quickly editor Benjamin C. Bradlee asking, in March 1968, the Kerner assigned a story that was destined for essentially, why there had never been Commission concluded that “along page one. more than a single Black reporter with the country as a whole, the press “I didn’t see any kind of consideration of assigned to the national desk? Why has long basked in a world, looking out that sort given to Black reporters. There was there were no originating Black editors of it, if at all, with the white man’s eyes a lopsidedness of the trajectory toward on the foreign, national, sports, and perspective.” becoming a journeyman reporter…. Blacks financial and style desks? And, among Indeed, The Post realized this, too, were kept at a low level of personal and other issues, why there were no Black and by Dash’s return in 1971 had hired professional development, and not given reporters in sports, and only two in several more Black reporters. Among any chance to rise above it,” says Dash, who Style? Why, after Leon Dash obtained them was Penny Mickelburry, a child of received the 1995 Pulitzer Prize for information in an unreleased report on the Civil Rights Movement who just a Explanatory Journalism and left The Post halfway houses in the city, was the three years later to become a professor of assignment given to a white reporter? Within a week, Bradlee issued a “Blacks were kept at a low journalism at the University of Illinois at Champaign. memo acknowledging difficulty level of personal and Talk of the disparate assignments striking a balance between the professional development, dominated casual conversations between newspaper’s “commitment to hire, assign and promote the very best and not given any chance to Black reporters. Recalls Richard Prince, then a young Metro reporter, “Black reporters journalists we can find” with its rise above it.” kept asking, ‘why did this or that happen? “commitment to hire, assign and — Leon Dash, Pulitzer Prize- How come Shirley Chisholm’s campaign promote Blacks.” In addition, he noted wasn’t covered? Why did they close the The Post “now employs more Black winner and professor of Africa bureau? Why, on major breaking editors, reporters and photographers journalism at the University news stories, were Black reporters only than any newspaper in America.” of Illinois-Champaign assigned to do legwork?’” Indeed, of 396 Washington Post newsroom employees, 37, or 9.3

12 www.nabj.org National Association of Black Journalists NABJ Journal / September 2002 every other she says. “My tolerance level section, as had peaked.” should As it had for Black Metro reporters, assignment whose coalition had dwindled to seven. editors, the On March 23, 1972, the Metro Metro reporters Seven—as they came to be known— argued. gathered before a throng of reporters “The city of and photographers at Metropolitan Washington was AME Church, literally behind The overwhelmingly Post’s building, and announced they Black, and I’d had filed an Equal Employment guess 35 to 45 Opportunity Commission complaint percent of the charging the newspaper with “denying stories in the Black employees an equal opportunity paper had Blacks with respect to job assignments, in them or were promotional opportunities, including about civil promotions to management positions Five of the Metro 7 at a recent reunion. Pictured from left: Richard Prince, rights,” says and other terms and conditions Ron Taylor, LaBarbara Bowman, Ivan Brandon, Leon Dash. (Not pictured: Mickelburry, of employment.” Penny Mickleburry, Michael Hodge). who left the The group’s spokeswoman, Metro paper one year reporter LaBarbara Bowman, said percent, were Black; Black reporters later and is now a Los Angeles-based during the news conference that “the comprised 17.5 percent of the 51- novelist. “So, I don’t think it was an complaint [to the EEOC] represents member Metro staff. Blacks accounted unreasonable request. It was an effort to get our belief that this discrimination for 2 percent of the staffs of newspapers The Post where it needed to be.” cannot continue to exist at a with circulation of more than 10,000, In turn, Bradlee offered to hire even publication in a city that is 71.1 percent and 149 newspapers had none. more Black reporter-interns, and in the Black.” She added that the What is more, Bradlee promised the following month appointed Robert E.L. discrimination complaint—the first newspaper would amplify its Baker as the newsroom’s equal opportunity filed against any American recruitment efforts, and hire two more officer, charged with overseeing the newspaper—“came after very much Black reporter-interns into its fiercely affirmative action plan. In addition, he thought, very much consideration. competitive program within a month. promised to hire an additional African- We’re very sorry we had to take this And he said the paper had twice offered American reporter to the national staff, a step. There is no alternative.” the District editor job to Blacks—who Black editor to the Metro desk, and initiate Post attorney Joseph A. Califano declined. The Africa bureau was closed a formal coaching system that would pair told The New York Times that “The because of financial constraints incurred senior staffers with cub reporters. Post feels it is as good or better than any by the Indo-Pakistani War, he said. To the Metro 8 (one person dropped), other publication in this country” in the However, Bradlee’s five-page Bradlee’s response was “an insult to our employment of Blacks, and that the response failed to appease the Metro commitment, vague and totally newspaper had already established an reporters, who’d begun generating unacceptable.” A round of contentious affirmative action program. For the support from White colleagues. Later meetings between the Metro reporters and young reporters, all that mattered was that month, the Black Metro reporters editors followed, ending in an impasse. ensuring that African-Americans had a demanded The Post implement a significant role in interpreting stronger affirmative action program to contemporary events in American bolster the number of Blacks in “No alternative” to EEOC history, and so any feelings of virtually every job category to at least 35 complaint nervousness were minute—although percent. Within six months, the the risk was great. reporters requested that Blacks account Penny Mickelburry had had enough. “I Ron Taylor, for instance, had been for between 15 and 25 percent of wasn’t in the mood for racism. I was at the newspaper only four months, and national and foreign, financial, sports disappointed and tired, and I really hadn’t was still on probation when he signed and editorial desk staffers. Black copy come to Washington to put up with the onto the complaint. “I thought it was editors also should be hired in virtually same kind of crap I put up with in Athens,” important. I wasn’t going to worry

NABJ Journal / September 2002 National Association of Black Journalists www.nabj.org 13 about my career. I could compete with In 1978, the American Society of and there are sharp declines on its sports anyone, so I didn’t have any real Newspaper Editors adopted an ambitious and metro desk—the traditional entry concern about whether I’d be goal of achieving racial parity in the nation’s point for the vast majority of reporters. blackballed.” newsrooms by 2000, pledging that at least This decline has enormous short- and News of the filing triggered a series 17 percent of newspaper journalists would long-term implications, acknowledged of columns, including one by The Post’s be of color. Twenty years later, only 11.5 Milton Coleman, who as deputy ombudsman Ben H. Bagdikian, who percent of newspaper journalists were of managing editor, is the newspaper’s wrote that “if The Post is the best, it is racial or ethnic groups, which comprised highest-ranking African American. still inadequate.” more than one-quarter of the U.S. “Given the role that Metro plays in Eventually, the EEOC complaint population. the ultimate staffing of the newspaper, was dismissed. The Washington Post changed, too. In a if editors of sections can’t turn to Metro However, it inspired a group of region that is more than 42 percent of to find journalists who’ve been female Post staffers to file a color—and is projected to be majority- developed in The Washington Post discrimination suit, which the minority by decade’s end—20.6 percent of tradition, it makes it harder for other newspaper settled in 1980 with five- the newspaper’s 640 reporters, editors, staffs to diversify,” he said. year hiring goals. The New York Times photographers, copy editors and settled a discrimination suit by women information technology professionals are in 1978, and Black staffers in 1980. racial or ethnic minorities. In the last five There’s still work to do Newspapers and, indeed, other years, there has been increased diversity on corporations, implemented affirmative the newspaper’s foreign, financial and news The Metro Seven remained in action programs in part to thwart the desks. However, some departments, such as contact sporadically over the years, risk of lawsuits. investigative and outlook, remain all White, more frequently, lately, through e-mail. Now, they say, it is a joy watching a new generation of Black journalists climb to new heights. Ron Taylor, now a copy editor at the Bureau of National Affairs The Metro 7: in Washington, pointed to DeNeen L. Brown, who as The Post’s Toronto Where are they now? bureau chief has reported from the North Pole. “I think she does what I’d like to do,” he said, “stuff that, frankly, goes where Black people have Richard Prince is an assistant foreign editor at The Washington Post. never been.” Yet, there is still much work to do. LaBarbara “Bobbi” Bowman is diversity director at the American Earlier this year, Richard Prince, who Society of Newspaper Editors, based in Arlington, Va. returned to The Post as a foreign desk copy editor, noticed the newspaper Leon Dash is a professor of journalism at the University of Illinois briefed a story about President Bush’s at Champaign. appointment of Gerald A. Reynolds, a Black lawyer who is a critic of Penny Mickleburry is a novelist in Los Angeles. preferences for racial and ethnic minorities, to head the Office of Civil Ron Taylor is a copy editor for the Daily Report for Executives, one Rights in the Department of of the flaghship publications for the Bureau of National Affairs, Inc., Education. The New York Times ran a a Washington publisher of print and electronic news. full story. “It’s those kinds of things that just goes past the radar, and shows there’s still work to be done.” Ivan Brandon is a Washington-based consultant on energy issues concerning low-income people and utility deregulation. Steven Gray, a reporter on The Washington Post’s Metro staff, can be Michael Hodge is an actor in New York. reached at [email protected].

14 www.nabj.org National Association of Black Journalists NABJ Journal / September 2002 where hewouldgettheonlyinterview Ha political reporter.” “One ofthebestdaysmylifeasa r said Hancock, anchorandpolitical strange day. only thebeginningofalong, president oftheUnited States, itwas for himselfsenatorandvice Connecticut Congressman castavote place onNov. 7,2000,towatch the Lieberman toaNew Haven polling eporter for inHartford.eporter WTIC-TV NABJ Journal /September 2002 v The daywouldtakehimfrom New “It wasahistorical,hystericalday,” When RickHancock followed Joe en totheGore-Lieberman jet, Rick Hancock, anchor and stories. Thatiswhatwe

“We just have to tryto FEATURE figure outways to tell j WTIC-TV (Hartford) ournalism anyway.” should be doing in political reporter, CITY HALL Beyond Blacks covering state, national politicalcoverage are fewand far between. By of politicsforthe former senior assistant cityeditorincharge interested inpolitics,”saidBethel, the disinterested inpolitics. andurbanaffairs andseem sports r B placing Blacks attheforefront ofbigraces, journalism anyway.” That iswhatwe shouldbedoingin tofigure outwaystotellstories. have totry in Hartford forfive years, said:“We just r rethinkingto start how theyuseBlack the senatororCongressman.” istogetbeyond themayorstruggle tocover minorities covering thebigraces. The the Alison Bethel, Washington bureau chieffor areissues; thenewsrooms theissues,” said politics. ofBlacksshortage covering electionsand the State House, represents anotable B vice-presidential race,Hancock, theonly says hemore thanthoroughly covered the Lieberman, wasintherace.Andwhilehe because hisstate’s juniorsenator, to cover thenationalelection,primarily was oneofonlyahandfulBlack reporters president. America wasstilldaysawayfrom pickinga There, hewouldwaitallnighttolearnthat with thecandidateenroute toNashville. eporters gravitatetoareaseporters likefeatures, eporters. lack reporter in theConnecticutcovering ethel saidthatinalotofinstances,Black National Association ofBlack Journalists Ernie Suggs “Part ofit isincumbentonustobemore B Concurring, Hancock, whohasworked S As WTIC’s politicalreporter, Hancock “ he said editors and news directorshe saideditorsandnews have ut while newsrooms haven’tut whilenewsrooms jumpedat The politiciansaren’t theoneswith D etroit News Boston Globe . “They don’t. “They have . “We have to deliver.” r have toletyou doit.Sometimes, you something else.Soon, theyare goingto timetheysay‘no,’every comeupwith events. “Comeupwithideasand news national conventions andotherhuge atthe setting upmobilenewsrooms technology editorandpointmanin size andresources ofthe in thepast,saidthatatapaperwith M figure outhow todoitandit,”said doing foreign duty. screen—applied, acceptedandare now who were good,butnotontheradar several Black reporters andeditors— couple of be adozen candidates,eachwitha presidential battlegrounds, there could H r T political coverage.” coverage. NABJneedstotrainpeoplein direct more peopleintopolitical we foreign correspondents, positionsthat editor postedajoblistinglookingfor aboutwhena to tellthestory have toexpress aninterest. Miller likes with anyjob, positionorbeat,people the race playsinto electioncoverage. notes thedifficulty insumminguphow helping outwiththegubernatorial race, M doing that.” don’t remember anyBlack people want. From thatperspective, I who roam atwillandcover whatthey “W current White House correspondent. B adding thatthe the guywhoiswinning,”saidMiller, the reporters covering them. them. Asthecandidatesadvance, sodo eally have toask. Then you have to eporters tocovereporters events. Take theNew lacks covering politics,including the imes ampshire primaries.One oftheearly iller, now the ichigan’s congressional racesand re e have thesesupercorrespondents M “If thatiswhatyou wanttodo, S B “Y N

tephen Miller, whohasworked for ethel, whoispreparing for , theyare abletosendseveral iller, whohascovered campaigns traditionally appointed.He said ew York Times ou have tohopeyou are covering T imes www.nabj.org T T imes imes r eporters coveringeporters for 12years, said ’ assistanttothe has anumberof N ew York T imes 15 “It is hard to talk about race in the I began to see politics from a was at all of the key spots, including context of elections because that is the different perspective.” stops on the East Coast, the time when (candidates) are most open Then came Jan. 18, 1990. Democratic National Convention, and because they want the vote. They would Barry, on the eve of announcing his bid that night in Nashville. be stupid not to talk to a Black for re-election, was busted in a D.C. hotel “I remember it was warm, then reporter,” Bethel said. “They will even room smoking crack cocaine with a woman cold, then it started raining,” Hancock talk to the Black press. The Amsterdam named Rasheeda Moore. He was convicted said. “Gore had lost Tennessee, so some News probably has as much access as the of cocaine possession and spent six months Bush people came over to taunt the New York Times, especially when you are in jail. Gore people. Then when the results talking about local races.” “Within a few days everything were announced for Gore, the Bush One advantage that Black reporters changed,” said Hancock, who had become people were out-numbered and it was a do have, said Bethel, is dealing with deputy director of communications. “I mini-riot. It was a very long and Black candidates. changed my course of direction after Barry crazy night.” “I do think that sometimes got busted. I was depending on him, and I While America waited and watched minorities have a little better access to placed my future in him. I was very as national anchors flip-flopped and minority candidates, but I think that is disappointed.” vacillated, Hancock flip-flopped also the same for women with women Hancock went to work at a public affairs and vacillated. candidates,” Bethel said. television station and was on the verge of “It was very hard because we didn’t Some might say Hancock is one of returning to print, when the news director know,” Hancock said. “When we those rare breeds. Hancock majored in of WRC-TV, an NBC affiliate in signed off at 1:30 a.m., I felt bad political science and communications at Washington, called him to be a freelance because we had to tell the audience that Howard University, graduating in weekend reporter. He moved on to work in we just didn’t know anything.” 1985. He then became a salesman—of Baltimore, then Harrisburg, Pa., before It would later be revealed, of course, dog food—until he found himself in, of moving on to Hartford. During his five-year that Gore and Lieberman had lost, all places, Salisbury, N.C., where he had tenure there, Hancock, the station’s chief although Lieberman won his Senate a cousin who was a lawyer. There isn’t political reporter, has covered two race. Hancock still covers him much to do in Salisbury, a sleepy gubernatorial races, several state and U.S. in Connecticut. Piedmont town 40 miles east of Congressional races and Lieberman’s “We have a good relationship,” Charlotte, so when the owner of the national run for vice president. Hancock said. “He is very media savvy. local Black newspaper asked him if he “I jumped at the opportunity to do it,” But if I gotta slam Joe Lieberman, I would be interested in being a reporter, Hancock said. slam him.” he jumped at the chance. When Monica Lewinsky and Bill Hancock said he has been able to But after a couple of years, Hancock Clinton became front-page news on every cover politics effectively because he not was back in Washington contemplating newspaper and tabloid in the country, only likes it and understands it, but has Howard’s law school, when he got a call Lieberman was the first major Democrat to been on both sides of it. from the district’s mayor in 1988. denounce the president. Hancock sensed “I watched how people covered “Marion Barry was looking for a that Lieberman’s moral stand would one day Marion, and I understand the two publications manager, and I had print benefit the junior senator. sides,” Hancock said. “I bring a experience,” Hancock said. “The funny “We started hearing that he was on uniqueness to the job, and I understand thing is, when I was at Howard, I Gore’s short list for vice president,” these guys a little bit. If Marion had not thought Marian was the biggest joke in Hancock said. On the day before Lieberman gotten in trouble, my life would be the world. But the job was paying was to be announced as the vice-presidential different. I thought about running for $48,000 in the mid-1980s, and I was candidate, Hancock sent a photographer to city council, but I always wanted to get 25. So I took it.” his home to ask him what he had heard. back in journalism. At this point, I Hancock said at his first press “He just knocked on the door and asked appreciate what I am doing. I find it conference with Barry, his image of the him,” Hancock said. “The next day, the very fascinating and exciting and I hope mayor changed. secret service swarmed in. It was a different to take it on a larger scale one day if I “It was on the budget, and he knew game.” am blessed.” every detail. He knew what page Hancock naturally became his station’s everything was on and knew everything key guy in covering Lieberman and the Ernie Suggs is a political reporter for about that budget,” Hancock campaign. Budget constraints prevented the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He is remembered. “I misjudged him, and him from going everywhere, but Hancock also NABJ’s Region IV director.

16 www.nabj.org National Association of Black Journalists NABJ Journal / September 2002 NABJ Journal /September 2002 should have. haven’t donewhatwe know we themselves simplybecausewe career present opportunities unprepared we oftenare when me tothinkingabouthow someone forhelpagain. Which got likely tofindmyselfdependenton Which means,soonerorlater, I’m time. But Ihaven’t gottenone. buy onesothatIwasprepared next starter, andeachtimeIvowed to r randown. Eachtime,my battery because Ileftmylightsonand vehicle mysport-utility start I’ve hadtogetsomeonejump- By have theportfolio. Everyone gets seekers—media andotherwise— v times. Have several. Several subject: because shewasn’t prepared. and selectingclipstosubmit— time-consuming process oflocating from scratch,includingthe start next morning.Instead, shehadto and clipsthatafternoonorearlythe ov prepared, shecouldhave send apackageASAP. Had shebeen openings theyhadandaskedherto out asmentorstoldherabout whomshehadsought newspapers r journalist whocontactedme escuer usedaself-chargedbattery ecently. Recruiters attwolarger ersions, infact. Too often,job CAREER-WISE ernighted hercover letter, resumé M.L. T T Ha He wice inthelastmonthorso, ake thecaseofayoung female ve re Jump-start your ownJump-start career by beingready Be prepared Ke ’s Lake

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our portfolio readyour portfolio atall some adviceonthe y to jobseeking: then sayyou “wrote storiesabout thepolice y intern. Also,never—and Imean never—say r see ajobapplicantlistthat he orshewasa When Iwasarecruiter, to itwasfrustrating internship atamajorpaper, listitassuch. ov listing mostrecent jobsfirst.Never fibor small. Use areverse-chronology approach, fifty-‘leven different fontsortypethat’s too And makeitvisuallyappealing.Don’t use business. Aimforconcisionandconsistency. no matterhow longyou’ve beeninthe or resulting actions. or notingfollow-up stories,publicresponse explaining specialreporting circumstances a seriesasone).Attach notestosomestories hired paper. ataparticular available, ifyour majorobjective istoget tothejobsought.Or theone portfolio etc. See where I’m comingfrom? Tailor your municipality, anotherfeature-writing job, general-assignment jobcovering a One couldbefora assemble portfolios. and filethemindesignatedfolders.Now 10—with superiorones. r news-feature, feature,news, etc. Work to y the heckoutofit. for asubmittableclip. If so,report andwrite hasthepotential deciding upfront ifastory the sameclips.Big mistake. the sameresumé, thesamecover letterand eporter when,infact,he or shewasan eporter withNo.eplace clipsonthelist—starting ou were, forexample, acopreporter and our 10bestclipsinvarious categories: ersell yourself. If you didasummer National Association ofBlack Journalists The resumé: Generally makeitonepage, Ne Clip your stories,makeseveral copies Compile lists—note,Isaidlists—of Let’s withtheclips.I’ve start advised v er submitmore than10clips(Treat [email protected]. Pr the Hampton Roads Black Media V P r battery starter.battery East Coastpaper. when, infact,theletterisgoingtoan to live andwork onthe West Coast” r information meantforthelast send ittomakesure you don’t include r cover letter. circumstances dictate,modifyyour would incraftingagoodstory. As desire. Write withasmuchcare asyou y means tellingthingsaboutyourself and and whetthereader’s appetite. That meant tobeateaser, tointroduce you and avoid rehashing your resumé. It’s coverage. scope ofyour demonstrate the Cite storiesthat policy changes. any thatsparked broke, especially Cite storiesyou y y beat.” Of course ecruitment directorecruitment for The Virginian- ecipient. Such as,“Ihave longwanted thelettercarefullyeview eachtimeyou our career thatcreate theimage you our job, wasn’t it? ou did. That was ilot, 150 W. Brambleton Ave., Norfolk, A. 23510.He ispresident of ofessionals. Contacthim at M.L. Lakeispubliceditorandformer No O The cover letter:Keep ittoapage ne lastthing:Don’t forgetto w,

let memakeanotetobuy www.nabj.org 17 18 Eu editorof journalist whoisnews a British academicandfreelance DELROY CONSTANTINE-SIMMS www.lavender-dream.com. written ascreen treatment. More at misses,” butBowman hasalready “v from two previous novels. Anearlyreview, identities, asinthebiracialBowman’s withtheirracial characters struggling star whosecaseisbefore her, and a femalejudgeinanaffairwithmovie love himself. story has Their jointeffort Chocolat W (Forge, $25.95).Bowman says lesbian, bisexualandtransgender AwardLiterary forexcellence in gay, U.S., thebookwon Lambda Communities Gr www.Blacknet.co.uk, hasedited DEE WILLIAMS o ho This issue’s listof books by oraboutBlack journalists includes anexamination of Black ffers readers a$10,000 prize. erges onso-bad-it’s-good camp, but illiams likedher1998novel eatest Taboo: Homosexuality inBlack r m ope’s largestBlack Web site, www.nabj.org osexuality, the latesttake onthe idea of anAmerican melting potand awhodunit that P BOOKMARKS ublishers Weekly e andwaslookingtowritea Some issues to consider andalittlefun Escape to reality by (Alyson, $16.95).In the Richard Prince with actor of NABJ,hasteamed the Detroit chapter former president of Ne a onetimeDetroit BOWMAN A ELIZABETH to write ws reporter and TKINS , saidthebook T National Association ofBlack Journalists BILLY wilight White The , , Ha features from aforward homosexuality.” His book “ people putacross,” andto female stereotypes that homosexuality,” that“it’s notaboutthe need to“recognize thatthere is Black percent heterosexual,” saysBlack journalists category. Constantine-Simms, whois“100 literature inthenonfictionanthology network-owned stations inNew York, has correspondent andanchoratallBig Three JOHN JOHNSON at www.spicerackbooks.com. the mind,body, andsoulmustobey.” More works inpublicrelations withthePort of TRENAE FLOYD songs ofLuther Vandross? essay aboutthehomosexualsubtextin journalistic, butwhere elsecanyou read an hooks. The work seemsmore academicthan H such writersasEarlOfari G separate HIV/AIDSfrom ates, Jr., andessaysfrom utchinson andbell rv ard’s Louis Henry Bro the heart gives acommand, the heart to thewritingstyle:“When The cover linegives aclue pen nameLauren Spicer. paper), writtenunderthe (SpiceRackBooks, $17.84, M iami, has , anNABJmemberwho wne: Waiting onLove , aformerABC-TV C innamon , parents, theyfoughtforabetterlife consequences itwrought onmy subjugation anditspsychological say ‘we,’ becausedespitealloftheracial sexual-predator father, we prevailed. I despite analcoholicmotheranda said. “Iwasbornintheghettoand r bookisamessageof 1998. “The father, John Johnson, Sr., whodiedin r about lifewiththemanJohnson O c edemption andforce ofwill,”Johnson esigned from televisiontocare for:his an alsobegoodfor us.HBO is NABJ Journal /September 2002 economic facts ontheground nly Son:AMemoir good for us. Ask ChrisRock.” good for us.Ask “The modelsthathave been t oday. What’s goodfor them Black mediaare essentially c onstructed to thinkabout being implodedby the — Leon E. Wynter— Leon E. understood subtextin issue, it’s the race asaheadline does notemphasize news. While mybook world oftelevision the racistmedia by achievingin effort me. Irewarded their (W arner, $23.95), the telling of this small story about each from two African Americans. Angelo a little Black family. For any Henderson, now at the Detroit News, writes journalist, especially a minority about a hair competition, You’ve Got journalist, the will and the drive and fashion writer Teri needed for success is part of this Agins, has a piece about NABJ E-News story.” Johnson now writes stylin’ at the Oscars called the monthly electronic newsletter and paints. “And the Winner for of the National Association of Placing the Most Bras Is…” Black Journalists. MEL WATKINS AND BILL Says Henderson, former ADLER offer Who Killed Tiffany NABJ board member and Get the latest information on Jones? (Amistad, $22.95), a novel Pulitzer winner: “There are so many good regional activities, member written under the pen name Mavis writing examples and strategies taught on Kaye. The whodunit Who Killed the front pages of the Wall Street Journal— services, NABJ programming and the Robins Family? sold more than a detail, voice, movement, color and creative much more! million copies after it was approaches to subjects. You’ll see decades of published in 1983 and spawned a great writing—the best the Journal has ever sequel. The first book offered had to offer.” readers a $10,000 reward for solving the murder of eight LEON E. WYNTER, who wrote the members of a wealthy white family; “Business and Race” column for 10 years in If you have not received E-News, the second paid the Wall Street Journal, has American Skin: please e-mail [email protected] $10,001. This Pop Culture, Big Business, and the End of with your name, address, one repeats the White America (Crown, $25). Wynter, who e-mail address and membership gimmick. But stopped doing his column in 1999 to work in this effort, on this book, uses his reporting experience number to subscribe. Adler, a book to argue that “whiteness itself is finally being packager, teams dissolved into a larger with Watkins, a American identity.” And former editor at the New York he says that Black Butler Talent Times Book Review and author of journalists must re- Management two books on African American examine the validity of humor, On the Real Side (1994) Black media, “this (for TV Anchors/Reporters) and the new African American idea that ‘Black-owned’ Humor: The Best Black Comedy automatically is in the Whether it’s trouble landing a job in from Slavery to the Present, written best interests of the a larger market, or looking for with Dick Gregory. (Adler’s Black community and ‘White-owned’ is honest feedback and positive original collaborator, Thomas only for the interest of the White training needed to improve your on- Chastain, died in 1994.) The 2002 community. The models that have been air skills, Butler Talent Management characters include a member of the constructed to think about Black media are was created to help telvesion Congressional Black Caucus and essentially being imploded by the economic anchors and reporters work to reach an expatriate jazz musician, and facts on the ground today. What’s good for their goals. Tiffany Jones is a former disco diva. them can also be good for us. HBO is good Currently recruiting for news, More at www.harpercollins.com/ for us,” Wynter says. “Ask Chris Rock.” The weather and sports. tiffanyjones. 1996 NABJ convention in Nashville has a cameo role. KEN WELLS, a senior editor and Send VHS tape to: writer at the Wall Street Journal, Butler Talent Managment offers Floating Off the Page: The Richard Prince is a writer and editor based in P.O. Box 681178 Best Stories from The Wall Street Washington, D.C., who works part-time at Charlotte, NC 28216 Journal’s ‘Middle Column’ (Wall the Washington Post and is chairman of (704) 948-1582 Street Journal Books, $24). This NABJ’s Media Monitoring Committee. He E-mail: [email protected] 67-story collection includes a piece can be reached at [email protected]

NABJ Journal / September 2002 National Association of Black Journalists www.nabj.org 19 20 each other’s energyandambition.” come togetherandmeet feedoff have it,there wouldbenowayforusto Clack.“If we didn’tcolumnist Cary have aninterest init,”said in journalismandpublic relations or magnet where it attractspeoplewhoare about diversity. stereotypes and educatingpeople overcomingAmerican inanewsroom, center around beingthefirstAfrican other andmeetingconversations often source forcommunicatingwitheach members seethegroup astheironly B but it’s even harder incitieswithsmall members isachallengeforanychapter, members. Recruiting andretaining have torallyhard torecruit new r personnelstationedinthe military including thelargeAfrican-American population isaboutseven percent— eventually receive nonprofit status. chapter, writeaconstitutionand andincorporatethe money tostart black mediaprofessionals pooledtheir now hasalocalNABJchapter. home tomanyblackcowboys andit march, itsfirstmayor wasblack,itis largest Martin Luther King,Jr. Day trivia foryou: San Antoniohasthe American history. Here’s alittle Texas know thecityhasawealth ofAfrican- W

egion—the chapter knew itwould egion—the chapterknew CHAPTER SPOTLIGHT lack populations.Many ofits alk andtheSpurs, people butfew www.nabj.org “Having theorganizationislikea In A littlemore thanfouryears ago,six S an Antonioisknown fortheRiver

By ev Fledgling chapter discovers theirstrength, Joining forces a town where theBlack Melissa Monroe en in small numbers en insmall National Association ofBlack Journalists E xpress-News T association. Lastyear, thefledgling chapter alsocontributestothe national president Melissa Monroe saidthe and helpinginothercauses, SAABJ go intojournalism. SAABJ hopesitcanencouragethemto B workshop typicallyattractsonetotwo school students.Althoughthe w U and bumpier.” would have beenmuchlonger me, theroad tocontinuededucation “W photography classes,”Montoya said. totake have hadtheopportunity obstacle toacareer. knows firsthandhow moneycanbean awards from $250to$500each. program. This year’s goalistoincrease anofficialscholarship it started collegestudents,andlastyear struggling chapter hasalwaysgiven moneyto call inthemediatogetpublicity. The how towritepress releases andwhomto to thechapter, SAABJmembersteach workshop tointroduce San Antonians making inroads. At anannualpublicity meetings, theSan Antoniochapteris and aregular following atthemonthly Ma degree atSt. incommunicationarts exas chapterhosted itsfirstregional lack highschoolstudentsayear, eek journalismbootcampforhigh rban Journalism Workshop, atwo- In inthelocal SAABJ alsoparticipates “W H T ry ithout the opportunity SAABJgave ithout theopportunity oday, withmore than30mebers ’s elen Montoya, whoearneda

addition togivingcharities ithout thescholarshipImaynot U niversity inSan Antonio, we (Smith)encouragement from Cheryl members suggesteditandwe received M Antonio becausewe were sonew,” propose havingaregional inSan attracted about200conference-goers. raised nearly$30,000fortheevent that to makeaprofit. San Antoniomembers conference, conferences oneofthefew successful chapter.” each other, you canhave a needing tocommunicatewith and members willingtoparticipate M matter ifyou are Atlanta orDallas,” tooverlook.mission istooimportant chapters—but know thechapter’s another ongoingchallengeforlocal may notalwaysattendthemeetings— of thededicationitsmemberswho established NABJchapters. attention amongothermore- and forsurvival organization struggling conference—a hugemilestoneforan in pullingoffasuccessfulregional Di chapter oftheyear by Region VII it was.” of Presidents. aschairofNABJ’salso serves Council president oftheSan Antonio chapter. She the San Antonio Express-News and NABJ Journal /September 2002 onroe said.“But afteroneofour onroe said.“As longasyou have r

“It never cameacross ourmindsto “SAABJ hasshown thatitdoesn’t SAABJ continuestoendure because Last year, SAABJwasnominatedfor M ector Cheryl Smithector Cheryl fortheirefforts knew itwouldbesuccessful, and knew elissa Monroe isabusiness writerat NABJ Journal /September 2002

Meta Mereday COMMENTARY Vital PRmembers, fed upwithinsults, abuse, soonmay leave avoid intheorganization Pride of Few May Lead to NABJ’s Fall it practiceselitism andclassism. combat thebad“isms”—racism, sexism,ageism—while the organizationpreaches diversity andinclusion to the interdependency ofadiverse memberbase.Funny, chapters wouldnotbeassuccessful astheyare without myorganization.”Newsto run flash:Many ofthelocal hang around thebarwith,butIwouldnotwantthem back” mentality. yo andthe“White, That soundslikeshadesofslavery are expectedto juststayintheshadows andnotspeak. “ Ho challenged andtheirlevel ofcompetenceinsulted. PR professionals have hadtheirprofessionalism mission oftheorganizationandpeopleinit.Many independent choicebaseduponanaffinityforthe “v completely different nature. It beginswiththeword anorganization,thatrelationshipsupport takesona easy, norobvious. When onechoosestovoluntarily to protect? v I doknow isthere needstobeabetterunderstandingof what thescuttlebuttis.My answer? Idon’t know. What r the controversy between thejournalistsandpublic elations professionals inNABJ. They want toknow raising necessary funds”raising necessary thenPRpeopleare OK;they erbal abuse. olunteer,” whichmeansinmanycasesthatitwasan u’ we I heard ajournalistproclaim, “PR people are okto M The career choicesthatpeoplemakeare notalways What wasthatabout“free speech” thatwe claim re any people have asked me in bewilderment about any peoplehave askedmeinbewilderment ve

all right,brown stickaround, blackget r,

when itcomesto“getting thingsdone” or share themforfearofunbridled who have opinionsfeelthreatened to has reached levels sohighthatmany prevails whenthe“PRissue” comesup level ofinsensitivityandparanoiathat that we rallytoaddress insociety. The discrimination withintheorganization the samesensitivitytoissuesof asawhole. industry There needstobe NABJ,butthe financially support positions whonotonlyactively and in similarmarketing, non-journalism public relations professionals andthose and appreciation forthehard-working National Association ofBlack Journalists streamlining process have donemore harmthangood. v orchangeit.However,hurt theconsistentand can read—and are here tohelptheorganization,not We “ like “lookwhoismoving intheneighborhood?”),will professionals, andthoseoftheirkind(doesn’t thatsound there are somevocal puristswhofeelthattoomanyPR those revenue streams upward? Who isoutthere keepingthepublicimagehighand out there promoting thepublicationsandstations? the “leadingauthority” thatdrives therevenue. Who is generated through thepromotion ofthepublicationas Itarticles. dollarandthosefunds istheadvertising arenewspapers, notpaidperword fortheirprolific shunning thededicatedandlessfundedBlack andmagazinesthatwe herald,while newspapers andgrow.survive The writersfortheprestigious itistohave diversityimportant withinthestructure to just “journalists” incharge,thenlookatthenumbers chapters tomaintaintheiridentityasapowerhouse with leaders thinkthattheiractionshave helpedlocal members to“step totheplate,”lookatnumbers.If encouraged manyofthepreviously reticent full festering wound.If NABJthinksthatthismove has board, NABJisonceagainthrowing saltonanopen, take over” flash: NABJandchangeit.Anothernews ociferous verbal assaultsandtherecent threats viathe sexism, ageism—whileit

By NABJ isabusinessaswell asanorganization,but We are well aware ofNABJ’s mission—yessuh, boss,we inclusion to combat the F

eliminating theassociatememberpositiononits preaches diversity and unny, the organization can lookatthebusinessmodeltoseehow bad “isms”—racism, practices elitism and classism. www.nabj.org 21 and the decline in programs and membership. And if leaders Then again, this issue is much like the time think that by eliminating not only the associate member position but also the student representative the board will when sports writers had to vie for respect and reflect the views of the membership, look at the facts and contributions of the individuals in those positions. photojournalists were dismissed as mere We won’t even talk about the other issues of fiscal photographers. And let’s not forget the ongoing mismanagement and member apathy. They have generated more divisiveness and bad feelings among members. They snubbing of those who work for Black have caused more hard-working members of the organization to bail out and take their money and support elsewhere. publications, are in 20 or higher broadcast Coming from a business background, that does not seem to fit the “keys to successful organization management” scenario. markets or don’t work in a major city. You do not trash your cash cows, those in a productive, have an awareness and understanding of how it is run and profitable member segment, but you do not milk them dry what it needs? either. It is about balance and respect. All I know is NABJ is losing key people and vital resources I am in the closeout year of my second, and final, term on during a period when all other forward-thinking organizations NABJ’s board, and it has been a joy and a challenge. The are focusing on their strengths and emphasizing their diversity. success stories and contributions outweigh any sleights or The damaging statements from the vocal minority and the outright insults. I know that I have made a significant assumed support from the silent majority are driving out a difference and brought a wealth of knowledge and expertise to crucial member block—and job network. NABJ locally, regionally and nationally. I have initiated In keeping with the saying “be careful what you wish for,” innovative programs and national conference workshops; if purists have their way and public relations professionals generated substantial funding for local scholarships, regional reach their limit and move to the “other organizations they are events and national projects; established state tax exemption encouraged to join,” there indeed will be less time for people and corporate outreach format for a local chapter; upgraded to denigrate one another and more opportunity to roll up student chapters to award-winning status; developed the those expensive sleeves and risk the manicures to get the work “Chapter of the Year” package for a local chapter; that the tried-and-true used to do done. recommended policy and operational changes, including But what will be lost? Man, and woman, power. changing the Journal to a magazine format; and developed Then again, this issue is much like the time when sports proposals for NABJ promotional vehicles and major writers had to vie for respect and photojournalists were initiatives. That’s just a few highlights. dismissed as mere photographers. And let’s not forget the Further, currently, I work on membership recruitment and ongoing snubbing of those who work for black publications, retention, mentor students and members in transition, interact are in 20 or higher broadcast markets or don’t work in a with members and organization representatives, meet with major city. industry leaders to advocate for fair hiring practices and Sadly, as the replacement list continues to grow, it appears inclusion, and provide historical background to current and that the “crab in the bucket” mentality, which requires that past board members. I am more than confident that there are one not stand on the shoulders of others in appreciation but others in NABJ who have the same desire and are working as stepping on the heads below, will continue. hard to support the mission that we all agreed to do when Don’t say I did not tell you so, but soon you may have to we joined. look for me somewhere I will be appreciated. The rallying cry seems to have gained new support in the form of members who are now classified as “associates” because Meta J. Mereday is marketing and media consultant and they no longer have the “full time” employment stamp. Now NABJ’s associate board member. they feel the unnecessary sting that the title entails because associates cannot vote in NABJ elections. Their valid argument is that their extensive years in journalism and Do you have something to say knowledge do not disappear when their status changes. It is about issues of importance different when you are no longer the boot, but the boot print. to NABJ members or the So let’s see, if someone has been a member of the media industry? organization, supported the local and national programs, Send your commentary to [email protected]. served on committees and raised money, wouldn’t they also

22 www.nabj.org National Association of Black Journalists NABJ Journal / September 2002 NABJ Journal /September 2002 Ritchie, Ph.D Louise Reid COMMENTARY of color. internships andothertraining tostudentjournalists atthecollege leveldiversity withsimplyoffering efforts professionals, includingNABJmembers,have equated diversity seriously. This isbecausemanyjournalism historically Black collegesanduniversities—take Few—whethernewspapers. atmainstream collegesorat historically Black colleges,Ihave visitedmanycollegiate I Communication Association’s Student Newspaper former executive director oftheBlack College in diversifying. using tomeasure professional newspapers’ progress hasbeen content, trainingandstaffingthattheindustry to thesamestandardscollege newspapers inregard to industry’snewspaper afailure diversity efforts: tosubject as beingrepresentative ofamajoromissionthe it covers minorityissueswell. Instead, the cartoon Iview at theuniversity thatmyoldersonattends,Ihave found r D itasreflectingview aproblem thatisuniquetothe cq) Andthemansays,“Bitch YOU KNOW IAM!” know you ain’t getouttababy daddyduties”. tryin (all joke. Its presence madeatellingstatementaboutthe which really wasfunny, wasno cartoon thisparticular supposed tobefunny, butunliketherest oftheissue, M Nation.Aryan Since wasinthe thecartoon Iwas notreading produced by anewspaper the that Diversity training canchangethelives of studentjournalistsandimprove aculture of coverage Minority Report eading thatnationalaward-winning paper student-run nstitute, whichworked tostrengthen studentpapersat aily innesota Daily M As aformerrecruiter forKnightRidderandasthe isunspeakablyoffensive, Idonot While thecartoon When I saw the cartoon, IhadtoremindWhen Isawthecartoon, myself . Indeed, duringtheninemonthsthatIhave been eanwhile, the main trainingground forfuture woman sayingtooneoftheBlack men,“I T backlike a chickonceandsheberunning S do son(cqinregard tolackofaperiod) The otherreplies “Oh you know how we business lastnightwith Trina orwhat?” other, “So Playboy! You takecare of labeled “malt liquor.” One saystothe on acouchnexttoanoversized bottle issuesofdiversity. when itcomesto ignorance ofmanystudentjournalists he waswalkingfunnythismorning!Ihit ellis Redmon!” It endswithaBlack ’s It

end ofsemesterhumorissue,itwas

began withtwoBlack malessitting National Association ofBlack Journalists U niversity of Mo collegedailies. particularly college newspapers, are professional journalistsandtopmanagersinthisfield issues orofpeoplefrom cultures thatare nottheirown. aboutdiversity have muchknowledge members do staff is tight,and students are desperate tofindwaysof would theywant thetraining?Self-interest. The market previously beeninterested indiversity issues. Why Thiswouldincludestudents whohadnot would accept. believe thatthemainstream studentpapers eagerly diversify theirpapers’ coverage andstaffing. learnfrom theprofessionalsnewspapers abouthow to thatthemainstreamis justasimportant student their frequency andimprove theircontent.However, it organizations provide tohelpstudent papersexpand industry and editing, thatmanynewspapers the free training invarious technicalareas, suchascopy more thanonce aweek, clearlyHBCUs canbenefitfrom only one,Florida A&M’s NABJ members. includes journalism professionals. This assumption (HBCU) whoare inneedof training from of Historically Black CollegesandUniversities staff itisthenewspaper found thatitisassumed Ihave to attract,retain andpromote adiverse staff. covering diverse communitiesaswell ashow on training professionals offer collegenewspapers industry its importance. beginstoemphasize happen untiltheindustry sition oftheircampuscommunities.Andthiswillnot including theirtopmanagement—reflect thecompo- local communities,soshouldcollegenewspapers— andtheir staffs toreflect thecompositionofcountry staffs.) composition ofstudentnewspaper only suchresearch thatIhave foundontheracial not report other racialbreakdowns. This alsowasthe of whom 20werethose newspapers, did Black. (They M universities suchasDuke, Stanford, Northwestern, including theIvy Leaguedailiesaswell asdailiesat composition ofeditorsat25studentnewspapers of Blacks inHigher Education ichigan andRice.In 1998,there were 520editorsat F If S O J re ust as the industry wantsprofessional newspaper ust astheindustry ince no HBCU has a daily student newspaper and ince noHBCUhasadailystudentnewspaper or instance,thesummer1998issueof

ov ewyt civ hswudb tohave ne waytoachieve thiswouldbe such trainingwere offered, including by NABJ,I er, are mostcollegenewspapers notdiverse, nor The Famuan www.nabj.org surveyed theracial surveyed , ispublished The Journal 23 meeting and impressing prospective employers. If supporting communities that are different from the applicant’s. Just as, for diversity opens employment doors, then students would be instance, applicants for reporting internships are expected to eager to demonstrate that interest. submit examples of breaking news, features and beat reporting, NABJ’s offering diversity training to mainstream student applicants could be expected to submit at least one example that newspapers would have some additional benefits. Many non- demonstrates how they covered a story that expanded their Black young journalists have their first encounters with African paper’s diversity coverage. This, incidentally, would be expected Americans when they cover the police beat as interns or entry of African-American students from HBCUs as well as White level reporters. This can lead them to assume that students from mainstream universities. degenerates and criminals are the mainstays of the Too often, have I seen HBCU newspaper staffs that not only African-American community. do not cover the non-Black students on their campuses, but also Their perspectives, though, would be different if they first do a poor job of covering Black students who are gay, encountered African Americans as journalism professionals; Caribbean, non-Christian or African, or who come from rural particularly at large mainstream institutions—where a “swim or impoverished backgrounds. Just because student journalists with the sharks” mentality is prevalent—students are hungry to are African-American or because a student paper is at an meet journalism professionals and to have the opportunity to HBCU does not mean that their work reflects their talk on a personal basis with mentors. Obtaining even very community’s diversity. limited mentoring from an African-American professional can Students do not have to publish the type of cartoon that the open young journalists minds so that they are better able to University of Minnesota Daily produced for their papers to reflect cover the African-American community in an insightful way a lack of awareness of diversity issues. Ignorance comes in all and are more supportive of African-American co-workers. colors, and we need to address it at a variety of levels. And this Another way that newspaper companies could encourage is no joke. diversity efforts would be to require scholarship, internship and entry-level job applicants to submit portfolios that include some Louise Reid Ritchie, Ph.D. is a diversity consultant who lives in examples of work that the applicant has done covering Tallahassee, Fla. She can be contacted at [email protected].

24 www.nabj.org National Association of Black Journalists NABJ Journal / September 2002 Write for the Journal!

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