Hermanas y Hermanos:
Please add my name to those who are displeased by the AEJMC news release and statement issued as reflection of the views of the organization. While the President and President's Advisory Council are free to express their feelings on matters relevant to their leadership positions, they should not present those views as reflecting the opinions of the membership without a discussion and vote among the membership.
If they have strong feelings about this issue they should present their case to the AEJMC membership, as Dr. Lionel C. Barrow, Jr. did in 1968 with his Open Letter to AEJ members on racial diversity that led to change within the organization.
Being elected to a leadership position does not give you the right to represent your opinions as the views of the organization or membership without the advice and consent of your constituents. While it affords a platform, that platform is best used by informing and mobilizing the membership and then reflecting their views.
If we do not get a satisfactory response to the thoughtful proposals that have been made by others on the MAC email trail, I suggest we prepared to consider and take more direct actions. If we don't, who knows what other statements, positions, releases, etc. may be sent out in our name, with our dues and without our advance knowledge?
Respectfully Sumbitted,
Felix F. Gutierrez
Professor of Journalism, Communication and American Studies & Ethnicity
Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism
University of Southern California
----- Original Message -----
From: "Wilson Ii, Clint C." <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Tuesday, June 8, 2010 9:59 am
Subject: Re: Fw: AEJMC: Obama's Promised "Change" Lacks Transparency
To: [log in to unmask]
> Colleagues:
>
> I concur with those who believe this action is ill advised. I
> suggest this issue be taken before the "council" ASAP and a
> reconsideration of its operations be addressed at the Denver
> convention.
> Dr. Clint C. Wilson II
> Professor of Journalism and
> Graduate Professor of Mass Communications and Media Studies
> John H. Johnson School of Communications
> Howard University
> ________________________________________
> From: FOR THE MINORITIES AND COMMUNICATION DIV. OF AEJMC [AEJMAC-
> [log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Petra Guerra [[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Tuesday, June 08, 2010 10:08 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Fw: AEJMC: Obama's Promised "Change" Lacks Transparency
>
> I have no information about this "council" I would also like to
> seehow it is compose, racially and otherwise. I do not think that
> AEJMC can make political decisions without ME knowing and having a
> chance to decide yea or nay on those decisions. I also agree, there
> are so many other things to thnik about.
>
> Petra Guerra
>
> ________________________________
> From: FOR THE MINORITIES AND COMMUNICATION DIV. OF AEJMC [AEJMAC-
> [log in to unmask]] on behalf of FELECIA ROSS [[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Tuesday, June 08, 2010 8:56 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Fw: AEJMC: Obama's Promised "Change" Lacks Transparency
>
> Dear All:
>
> What is the President's Advisory Council? Who gets to be on it.
> I need to be informed, if not reminded, of the procedures of
> sending public statements such as the one criticizing President
> Obama. I've honestly not seen any statements other than this one. I
> agree with Dwight that there are loads of other public statements
> (critical or praiseworthy) that we can make concerning journalism.
>
> We can look at this as an opportunity for us all to get even more
> involved in how our organization positions itself when taking
> public stands.
>
> Felecia Ross
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Dwight E. Brooks" <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Tuesday, June 8, 2010 7:53 am
> Subject: Re: Fw: AEJMC: Obama's Promised "Change" Lacks Transparency
> To: [log in to unmask]
>
>
> > Anita & Colleagues,
> > This is the result of the President's Advisory Council that was
> formed last year. This is something Carole Pardun wanted to do and
> spoke on during the business meeting last August in Baltimore.
> While the statement does not necessarily offend me, I find the
> choice of topic for the release dubious at best. I can think of
> lots of equally or more demanding issues on which AEJMC could have
> taken a position: I may be mistaken but this is the first stance
> for the committee. If it is the first, it has failed miserably in
> my opinion. If not, I'd like to see any previous statementsBut why
> not:> 1. Fox news as abandoning the practice of journalism in favor
> of right-wing advocacy?
> > 2. A statement on the hypocrisy of the tea parties?
> > 3. The Arizona immigration law
> > 4. The ongoing lying and hypocrisy of the Republican members of
> Congress (and some Democrats too)?
> > 5. Heck, there is a proposed bill in Michigan that would bar
> journalists from covering certain politics events without taking
> some sort of test or obtaining a "license"--a true slap at First
> Amendment rights of journalists. (I've just brought this to the
> attention of the PF&R Committee)?
> > 6. Did I mention the Arizona immigration law?
> > 7. Sarah Palin--when has she held a press conference?
> > 8. That Rand Paul guy in Kentucky and his position on civil rights?
> > 9. BP (and its response) and the oil spill in the gulf? Or was
> this penned two months ago?
>
> > My last question is, what do we say/do in response to this? Can
> committees within AEJMC respond to its own leadership or issue its
> own position statements? I don't know who is on this so-called
> presidential advisory committee, but there statement does not
> represent my concern or perspective and I am approaching outrage
> when I think about all of the more central issues that were ignored
> over this false outrage over Presicent Obama's lack of pressers.
> > Dwight
>
> > Dwight E. Brooks, Ph.D. > Professor and Director > School of
> Journalism > College of Mass Communication > Middle Tennessee State
> University > Murfreesboro, TN 37132 > Tel: 615 494-8925 > e-mail:
> [log in to unmask] > >
>
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