Last Updated: May 26, 1999
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On diversity
An essential part of ‘our culture’
Accepting diversity in the newsroom helps us in the
communities we serve; we also must be sure that no group is excluded from
coverage
By Gregory Favre
This article was adapted from a speech Favre gave upon accepting the
Catalyst Award from the National Association of Minority Media Executives.
I grew up in the newspaper business on my family’s weekly in Mississippi
and I learned a lot of things from my parents, not the least of which was
the idea that if you persevere, you can make a difference.
My dad never allowed us to think for a moment that black ink was only
reserved for white people. He opened up the pages of our small newspaper,
front to back, to all people, long before most folks in Mississippi admitted
there was more then one race in this world. He did it because the acceptance
of others and their differences was a basic part of who he was.
For too long, people of color and women were not allowed either entrance
into or full membership in our newsrooms, not allowed to express their
talents, to share their experiences and their dreams, to contribute to
the quality and value of our work.
For too long, we were not allowed to learn from each other, to learn
from our many backgrounds and cultures, to explore new perspectives, new
ideas, new areas of discussion.
For too long, by our actions of exclusion, we helped create the huge
gap between the fundamental perceptions of people of color and whites in
this country. There are 150 racial and ethnic groups in America and, yes,
there are differences, but basically we want the same things for our children
and their futures and for our own futures.
For too long, we failed to fashion a vision and a mission that would
offer equality of treatment, equality of hope for so many who loved what
we do, but were not given the chance to do it.
For too long, we haven’t understood that if we are to grasp the complexities
and conflicts of our communities and contribute to their well-being, then
we must make sure that no one is excluded, that no one is invisible in
our offices or in our news columns or in our broadcasts.
If we are to create a sense of place for everyone, then we must create
a sense of belonging for everyone.
I have seen the consciousness of a newsroom being raised as diversity
is introduced into the ranks and people are taught to understand what it
means.
I have seen what content audits can do to help us reach out and be inclusive
and help us identify issues critical to segments of our readership base
which have been ignored.
I have seen how you can build a diverse work force and I despair when
editors tell me that they can’t find qualified minorities.
No, they can’t, if they don’t try.
I have seen how important scholarships and internships and attending
job fairs and networking are in recruiting. And how important it is for
retention and training and promotions to be vital components of our commitment.
Yes, we have made some progress. It’s evident in this room. It’s evident
in the roll calls in many newsrooms.
Many newsrooms are indeed a wonderful collection of people of all colors
and all human experiences, and they look like the face of the place they
serve.
But we need more progress at all levels. We all know that we are far
short of our goal.
And we should all leave here tonight pledged to be even more persistent,
more passionate, more proactive, more determined than ever to change many
newsrooms into all newsrooms.
There are some lines in the Hebrew Book of Ethics that we all should
remember:
The work is great,
The day is short.
It is not our duty to complete the work, but neither are we free
to desist from it.
Favre is executive editor of the The Sacramento (Calif.) Bee.
