Our collective voice matters

January 1 , 2007

UNITY President's Message Karen Lincoln Michel

Among the most precious sounds I know comes from the blend of voices united in prayer.

It begins as a whisper. A low hum slowly rises until it crescendos into an outpouring of the soul.

The hush that follows is filled with hope.

A diversity of voices adds tone and richness, not only in prayer but in discussions that impact our daily lives.

As I begin my presidency of UNITY: Journalists of Color for the next two years, I want America to hear UNITY’s voice. More precisely it needs to be heard in the industry dialogue about where the news business is headed in terms of diversity.

It’s crucial that UNITY, the nation’s largest journalism organization, weigh in on major issues important to the more than 10,000 journalists of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds that UNITY represents. It’s part of our strategic plan.

Of course, people of color – perhaps, especially journalists of color – have varying viewpoints. Crafting a message that captures the essence of those views can sometimes be daunting for UNITY, a coalition of four journalists associations representing Asian Americans, African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans.

But our collective voice matters.

Whether it’s talking about media consolidation and how it affects minority ownership of broadcast stations, or racial and ethnic stereotyping in the media, UNITY needs to stand with its member partners and speak on behalf of the diverse workforce in our industry.

It’s a challenging time for media companies, but all the more reason to speak out.

Our issues must not become lost amid the financial downturn and seismic change that is occurring within the industry.

Job security is a real issue. Many journalists of color have changed jobs, taken buyouts, or have left the business altogether. Those who remain are rethinking how to perform their jobs as more readers, viewers and listeners flock to the Internet for news.

Now more than ever, in times of shrinking news staffs and resources, news executives must strive for diversity within their workforces as well as within news coverage. Journalists of color, I believe, are vital to the success of the future of the news business. We represent America’s changing demographics. We know our communities, and that can only help in connecting with them as consumers.

These are the kinds of conversations in which UNITY should engage.

UNITY itself was built on a conversation. It took place more than 16 years ago in Philadelphia between two rival city hall reporters of different races. They saw the potential of working together.

Since then, the voices of those two journalists have blended with thousands like them through UNITY’s three major conventions.

I look forward to UNITY elevating those conversations as we head toward our fourth convention in Chicago in 2008, where the voices will build to a crescendo.

The hush to follow will be filled with hope.

Karen Lincoln Michel
President
UNITY: Journalists of Color, Inc.

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