Presenting "Voices of Anger" to NABJ members at Regions II & VI Conference on April 21, 2001, in Pittsburgh.
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'We Can Stop This Trend
April 5, 2001
ASNE EDITORS: As journalists, we love anecdotes that best tell or illustrate the story. Regrettably, when it comes to the sad story of blacks leaving the industry and a profession they once loved, the toughest thing is picking the two or three best anecdotes from among the far too many possibilities. Let's look at a couple: A black national correspondent for a nationally respected newspaper gets to cover the Republican nominee during his entire presidential campaign - and then his editors don't even give him an interview for the White House gig once that same candidate wins the election. That former journalist is now in public relations. A respected, veteran editor sat a major New York newspaper for four months as the ranking black editor on the metro desk, yet supervised no reporters or had any daily responsibilities. He was basically a fill-in editor. So resigning, a supervisor told him, "Well, I guess there's no need in talking about retaining you here." The editor only smiled. But this is nothing to smile about. Every day, black journalists are leaving the industry because they feel disrespected, unappreciated, undercompensated, undeveloped and uninspired. Certainly, countless anecdotes tell of younger black journalists who leave the industry early on in their careers because they have no reason to believe they will ever get to be a national correspondent or big-city editor. Too often, it seems that black journalists - whether entry-level, seasoned or distinguished - only get their editors' attention when it becomes clear they are about to leave the newsroom. By then, it's too late. We can stop this trend. But it will take some real effort by newsroom leaders to show they honestly value black journalists and the diversity that everyone says they want and the latest census numbers demand. Without a doubt, retention is only going to work if new black journalists are brought into the newsroom. The industry can start by working with NABJ to improve journalism programs at historically black colleges and universities, where there is a tremendous crop of potential, waiting to be developed and nurtured. Black journalists want to contribute to the craft. Whatever it takes, the industry must find a way to help them feel rewarded. Or our community will continue to believe it is all just a sham. Who will be smiling then? Grace and peace,
Herbert Lowe
NABJ Vice President-Print
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