Ladies, this would be a great way to integrate these topics (memorials)
into our programming---that is to get a luncheon speaker who can cover
each person.  I just hope we include the great John H. Johnson in the
tributes. Remember he passed right in the middle of our convention in
San Antonio.

 

Lillie

 

________________________________

From: FOR THE MINORITIES AND COMMUNICATION DIV. OF AEJMC
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Camilla Gant
Sent: Monday, November 27, 2006 3:49 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Losses of Boyd, Bradley, Setbacks for Diversity?

 

Anita,

This is a great idea, but unfortunately, I have already committed all of
MAC's programming chips.  Alternative venues might be pursuing a
refereed research presentation or nominating a Scholastic Journalism/MAC
luncheon speaker to address the issue, including a tribute to Boyd,
Bradley, and other trailblazers as well as a critical discussion of the
import of advancing diversity excellence in the newsroom.

Camilla

At 08:48 AM 11/27/2006 -0800, Anita Fleming-Rife wrote:



Camilla,
     At the August convention, MAC sponsored a session titled, "Elders
in the Field,"  which celebrated the lives of Thomas C. Fleming, Samuel
Yette and Clint Wilson. It may be a worthwhile idea to have a session
this year that focuses on these trailblazers (Boyd and Bradley).
Perhaps, we could think about it as a mini-plenary--is that possible?

"George L. Daniels" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Some of us are just learning this morning about yesterday's passing of
former New York Times Managing Editor Gerald Boyd.     This comes as a
double-punch after just losing 60 Minutes' Ed Bradley a few weeks ago. 

<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> 

Both of these men were trailblazers.  In writing about this on my blog
<http://bamaproducer.blogspot.com/> today, I linked to so many of the
tributes to Boyd, who not only was a major champion for diversity in the
newsroom, but also of journalism education, working recently with
Columbia University School of Journalism. 

 

I know we're days away from the AEJMC Winter Meeting  (New Orleans) and
that division heads are already reviewing the various proposals, I think
Washington, DC is the ideal place for the MAC Division and/or the
Commission on the Status of Minorities to sponsor a type of symposium or
session that both commemorates the accomplishments of these men who've
passed on but also addresses the recent demise of at least two other top
editors at major newspapers.  

 

What does this mean for efforts to diversify the ranks of American news
organizations?  

 

Earlier this month, the National Association of Black Journalists posted
a statement about the resignations of Dean Baquet and Debra Adams
Simmons
<http://www.nabj.org/newsroom/news_releases/story/52832p-81441c.html>
expressing its concern about what these actions means for diversity. 

 

There certainly should be a way for us as journalism faculty to help
students learn more about the legacies of Boyd and Bradley, while
preparing them for the leadership challenges that can short-circuit
signature leadership roles for any journalist, minority or otherwise.


 

In a manuscript some of my UGA colleagues and I recent submitted about
internal labor markets and newsroom diversity, I made reference to the
growing number of minority journalists who are leading daily newspapers
(Greg Moore at Denver Post, Ronnie Agnew at Jackson Clarion Ledger, Otis
Sanford at the Memphis Commercial Appeal, Bennie Ivory at the Lousville
Courier Journal).    Pardon the cliche, but in many ways it seems like
we're in the best of times and (with these recent developments) the
worst of times too.    Maybe our diversity discussion has to really
shift because of what's happening at newspapers nationwide?  Or should
it? 

 

I post this on the MAC list in hopes of generating some discussion and
perhaps interest. 

 

Our MAC Vice Head and Program Chair Camilla Gant would be the one to
take any action should that be in order.

 

George Daniels

U. <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Alabama

 

 




Anita Fleming-Rife
 
I lift up mine eyes from whence cometh my help. . . .
 


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Camilla Gant, Ph.D.
Faculty Assistant to the President
Associate Professor
Department of Mass Communications & Theatre Arts
University of West Georgia