UNITY, the alliance of four national journalism associations promoting diversity (Asian American Journalists Association, National Association of Black Journalists, National Association of Hispanic Journalists, and the Native American Journalists Association) recently released its list of workshops for its 2008 quadrennial convention. Of its more than 100 workshops, not one covered arts journalism.
There's a workshop about business journalism, one on health coverage, and even one on - get this - gossip reporting! Remember, like the Olympics, this convention only occurs once every four years.
The NAJP submitted a proposal for a workshop called "Promoting Diversity Through Arts Reporting." And despite having a fabulous panel that included a Pulitzer Prize winner and one of the most respected magazine editors in the country, the selection committee passed over our idea. We wondered what we could have done better, what we could change if we were to apply in 2012. Maybe we just shouldn't submit a proposal about... arts coverage!
What does it say about our field when a group preaching diversity leaves arts journalism out of its own diverse agenda?
There's a workshop about business journalism, one on health coverage, and even one on - get this - gossip reporting! Remember, like the Olympics, this convention only occurs once every four years.
The NAJP submitted a proposal for a workshop called "Promoting Diversity Through Arts Reporting." And despite having a fabulous panel that included a Pulitzer Prize winner and one of the most respected magazine editors in the country, the selection committee passed over our idea. We wondered what we could have done better, what we could change if we were to apply in 2012. Maybe we just shouldn't submit a proposal about... arts coverage!
What does it say about our field when a group preaching diversity leaves arts journalism out of its own diverse agenda?
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