Last Updated: May 20, 1999
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Diversity
By now, diversifying a staff means more than changing
people’s minds, it means making managers accountable for improving coverage
by hiring people who are different
“She took my job.”
So charged a white male colleague as he pointed to the byline of an
African American woman on a story in a competing newspaper.
Startled at the accusation, I tried to imagine just how she managed
to get away with such an injustice. Did she burst into the editor’s office,
moments after the two white men had shaken hands on the deal, and demand
at gunpoint that the job be turned over to her?
“How is it,” I asked him, “that out of 200 or 300 editorial positions
at the paper you figure that one was yours?”
“The editor told me that I didn’t get the job because they had to hire
a black female,” he responded confidently.
Now it is entirely possible that the editor said no such thing to this
man. In his need to rationalize his not landing the job, my colleague might
have come to that conclusion on his own. But I also wouldn’t be surprised
if that editor, either directly or indirectly, gave this white man the
impression that he was cheated out of an opportunity in the name of diversity.
Despite their statements of support for diversity, many newspaper managers
resent and resist efforts to increase racial and ethnic representation
in their newsrooms and new pages. Their apathy or obstinateness toward
the task sets a poor example for the newsrooms.
Diversity has not been fully embraced as an opportunity to engage new
readers and educate communities grappling with rapid racial and ethnic
changes. Rather, it is seen as a burden that must be borne to comply with
corporate edicts or to mollify belligerent interest groups.
Most frustrating and hurtful for journalists of color is that diversity
has been so maligned and mismanaged by some managers, that many white journalists
feel emboldened to openly criticize such efforts without feeling disloyal
to their companies or intellectually dishonest with themselves.
The mere announcement of a new diversity initiative is enough to send
the newsroom into a tailspin. I remember the vehement protests of some
white male colleagues when, several years ago, the editor of The Philadelphia
Inquirer proposed newsroom hiring goals. “What about merit?” blurted one
white male colleague.
More recently I was both amused and annoyed by the negative reaction
to Los Angeles Times publisher Mark Willes’ suggestion that reporters quote
more people of color in their stories.
Yet in one sense, such outbursts over diversity intiatives are preferable
to the all to often alternative — silence on the subject. If colleagues
are open with their sentiments at least there is an opportunity to confront
their assumptions. “Are you suggesting that journalists of color are inherently
less qualified? ... You mean to tell me, there are no credible people of
color to offer opinion, analysis or testimony on the important issues in
the news?”
I think I can hold my own in a one-on-one debate with a misinformed
colleague. But I can’t, nor should I have to, take on the entire institution.
When top managers say or do nothing while the paper’s diversity initiatives
are ignored and undermined by uncooperative staff members, journalists
of color are left feeling abandoned and demoralized.
“Well, what am I supposed to do about it?” snapped one editor during
a conversation about this subject. “I can’t control the thinking of all
my employees.”
Of course not. But you can be a leader.
Newsroom executives can make clear and firm their wholehearted commitment
to diversity initiatives to editors down the line. They can hold middle
managers accountable for making progress toward diversity goals in the
same way they are expected to meet deadlines and stick to budgets. And
top managers can keep their eyes and ears open for signs of unwarranted
criticisms of diversity efforts and confront resistance.
A diverse, well-managed staff that trusts, respects and supports each
other can produce journalism that is more accurate, thorough and sophisticated.
It’s hard work, but isn’t your newsroom worth it?
Williams, a reporter for The Washington Post, is president of the
National Association of Black Journalists.
