I don’t believe she is racist.
Recently Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced she would only do one on one interviews with reporters who are Black or Brown. A decision that was immediately slammed as racist.
While I don’t DIRECTLY agree with her position, I wish the same outrage would be directed at WHY she made the choice.
First, I believe to my core diversity matters in media coverage and media outlets. Elected officials should be able to address a media corps that reflects the diversity that is America.
But that is the problem. Mayor Lightfoot, growing frustrated at the lack of diversity in local Chicago newsrooms made her announcement to call attention to the dearth of of Black, Brown, Pacific Islanders and LGBTQ reporters in Chicago’s news corps.
I believe her intent was to send a message to the news media - if you don’t have diversity within your ranks, you won’t get the story. A shortfall that minority journalists and organizations like NABJ, the National Association Of Black Journalists, have been trying to address for some time.
And now it seems to me the way the story is being covered is a perfect example of the problem.
Again, let me be clear....I don’t agree with Mayor Lightfoot’s decision.
I believe that all reporters should have equal access to the Mayor and Chicago city government.
But I ALSO believe that all reporters should have equal access to job opportunities, to fully participate in the gathering and news decision making process.
So why isn’t the public as outraged about that?
According to NABJ the Mayor’s decision was for one day, to shine a light on the need for news outlets to address their shortfalls. One day - something that also seems to be overlooked in the subsequent coverage of the Mayor’s statement.
Why not address the real issue. It’s not unique to Chicago. The lack of diversity in News rooms across the county has been well documented.
Lori Lightfoot isn’t the problem.
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