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Beyoncé Award Prompts New Look at Criteria

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N.Y. Black Journalists to Honor Pop Star’s Essay in Essence

Gilbert Bailón Named Editor of St. Louis Post-Dispatch

NAHJ Projects Revenue Surplus Exceeding $100,000

No African Americans in Incoming Nieman Fellowships Class

Headlines, Puns About Elizabeth Warren Draw Fire

N.Y. Post Writer Raises Hackles Over Jay-Z and N-word

A “Blood-American” Helps Answer “What Is a Chicano?”

Press Freedom Day Begins With Mexican Violence

Short Takes

 


Beyoncé Knowles says she is “truly honored” by her first-place award from the New York Association of Black Journalists. (Video)

N.Y. Black Journalists to Honor Pop Star’s Essay in Essence

The New York Association of Black Journalists “is going to be looking at the criteria for next year” after its announcement that pop star Beyoncé Knowles had won one of its journalism awards was greeted with surprise, criticism — and headlines, president Michael J. Feeney told Journal-isms on Friday.

Feeney and his predecessor as NYABJ president, Gary Anthony Ramsay, defended the association’s selection of Beyoncé for “Eat, Play, Love,” a first-person story for Essence magazine about how she was reenergized after taking a nine-month hiatus from show business. Essence submitted the article, which the New York organization asked the Dallas-Fort Worth Association of Black Journalists to judge.

“As far as I am concerned, Beyoncé won fair and square,” Feeney said by telephone. “There was no stipulation that you had to be a member of NYABJ or a writer or journalist. The current board is going to be looking at the criteria for next year. We’re just honoring what was passed on to us.” He hastened to say that 40 actual journalists were to be honored.

Ramsay, who was president of the group when the competition took place, said by telephone, “Having seen a lot of pieces over the years, it would not be the first time a celebrity or a so-called nonjournalist” won in New York or elsewhere.

Eric Deggans, media critic for the Tampa Bay (Fla.) Times, who chairs the Media Monitoring Committee of the National Association of Black Journalists, articulated some of the concern about the award to Beyoncé.

“I know there’s a lot of great practical reasons why giving Beyoncé a journalism award makes sense for this chapter,” Deggans said by email.

“But at a time when everyone from politicians to entertainers is trying to co-opt the credibility of journalists without actually adhering to the ethical standards which [make] our work trustworthy in the first place, journalists need to be the ones who stand against this stuff.

“Our awards should be the final place where we insist that work meet the highest standards. If groups that are supposed to be about maintaining journalism excellence are willing to lower the bar for a celebrity or because that’s the only entries we got for our contest, why should anyone else respect our reputations?

“If we’re willing to grade on a curve to make a celebrity look good, we’re only hurting the reputation of the awards and our own reputations as well.”

Feeney said the judges called the Beyoncé entry “insightful, refreshingly honest.”

Cheryl Smith, president of the Dallas association, said the chapter received no pressure from anywhere, overt or implied. Feeney said, “Cheryl assured me it was the best entry that was submitted. That’s what she said, and that’s what we had to go with. I spoke with the people at Essence.” Speaking of Beyoncé, Feeney said, “They assured me that they believe that she wrote it.”

But, he added, “We’ve heard the complaints loud and clear.”

Cori Murray, entertainment director of Essence, told the Daily News, “She’s a real writer. We had to edit her, but everyone gets edited except Toni Morrison.”

Feeney said he was not certain Beyoncé would be present for the May 15 awards ceremony, as she is scheduled to be preparing for an Atlantic City engagement then. However, the pop star sent a brief video thank you to the association.

Meanwhile, Essence announced that its special June issue, on newsstands May 11, was guest-edited by singer Mary J. Blige.


Arnie Robbins, left, outgoing editor of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, and Gilbert Bailón, named to succeed him, in the lobby of the newspaper on Friday. (Credit: David Carson/Post-Dispatch)

Gilbert Bailón Named Editor of St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Gilbert Bailón, editorial page editor of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, was named editor of the paper on Friday, succeeding Arnie Robbins and becoming one of a handful of Latino editors of mainstream dailies.

“Gilbert is a strong and talented team leader with knowledge of our newsroom, our industry and our community,” Publisher Kevin Mowbray said in his announcement. “I’m confident that Gilbert will continue the outstanding and exceptional work that is produced by our newsroom each and every day.”

Robbins has been editor for more than six years and was managing editor for seven years. His last day is to be May 18.

Bailón, a former executive editor of the Dallas Morning News who launched that paper’s Spanish-language offshoot, Al Día, of which he was editor and publisher, was named editorial page editor of the Post-Dispatch in 2007.

He is also a past president of the American Society of Newspaper Editors, a past president of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and a former board member of the Maynard Institute for Journalism Education.

“The ranks of minority journalists at all levels have taken large hits in the newsroom downsizings, including top editors,” Bailón told Journal-isms by email Friday. “Fewer people of color remain in top posts. Without a doubt, diversity of top newsroom executives has declined over the last five years although demographic trends continue to show the growth of minority populations.”

Aminda “Mindy” Marques Gonzalez was named executive editor of the Miami Herald in 2010.

In 2008, when Mike Fannin was named editor at the Kansas City Star, that paper became the largest-circulation U.S. newspaper with a Hispanic editor. Fannin told readers then, “I am white and Latino, a mix of Irish, Mexican and German heritage, but, make no mistake, all American.”

Carolina Garcia, the editor of the Daily News in Los Angeles, in October was named executive editor for the Daily Breeze and the Press-Telegram in Long Beach as well.

Both Garcia and Bailón can claim to lead the newsroom of the largest mainstream daily edited by a Hispanic, depending on how the numbers are counted. On Sundays, the Post-Dispatch claims a circulation of 333,529, larger than that of the Kansas City Star, the Miami Herald or the combined circulation of the three California papers. But the three California papers’ combined Monday-through-Friday circulation of 238,846 is larger than that of the Post-Dispatch, the Star or the Herald.

Bailón said in the Post-Dispatch story that he was “excited for the opportunity to lead the newsroom as we evolve our print and digital products. Our future is bright and meaningful journalism remains our foundation and strength as we keep news content central to our readers’ lives.”

NAHJ Projects Revenue Surplus Exceeding $100,000

Rosa Morales, assistant editor at Mi Gente Hispana Magazine, was named Region 6 director of NAHJ. (Video)

“Members, we have a budget!” Michele Salcedo, president of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, said in a message to members posted on the NAHJ website Friday.

“The board of directors unanimously passed nearly a $900,000 budget for fiscal year 2012 during their spring meeting, held April 20 at the Uptown Sheraton in Albuquerque, N.M. Financial officer Russell Contreras and the Finance Committee, working with Interim Executive Director Anna Lopez Buck, proposed a very conservative spending plan, with the bulk of revenue coming from membership renewals, UNITY registrations, sponsorships and member donations.

“If we stay on plan, we should end 2012 for a second year with a revenue surplus of more than $100,000. I’m proud to report that the first installment of repayments to the Scholarship Fund and the Investment Fund is included in the 2012 budget, as is an audit of accounts — the first in several years. Members will receive details of the repayment plan as well as the financials at the membership meeting on Thursday, Aug. 2 in Las Vegas.

“. . . We have two new board members. Please join me in welcoming Marcela Garcia of Boston and Rosa Morales of Ann Arbor. The board unanimously approved the appointment of Marcela Garcia, editor of La Planeta, as Spanish Language at-Large Officer, and Rosa Morales, assistant editor at Mi Gente [Hispana] Magazine, as Region 6 Director, effective immediately.

“Garcia will fill the unexpired term of Ada Alvarez Conde, who resigned January 31 to serve as communications director for Puerto Rico’s Sen. Eduardo Bhatia and work on a doctorate degree.

“. . . A founding member of NAHJ, Morales will fill the unexpired term of Region 6 director Marcela Toledo, who resigned March 9 for personal reasons.”

No African Americans in Incoming Nieman Fellowships Class

Less than a week after the Knight journalism fellowships program at Stanford University chose a fellowship class comprising more than half journalists of color, the Nieman fellowships at Harvard University announced an incoming class that appears to be devoid of African Americans.

Ann Marie Lipinksi, a former editor of the Chicago Tribune who became curator of the Nieman Foundation for Journalism last summer, said she was in a day-long workshop on Friday, the day the new fellows were announced, and did not know the racial breakdown of the new fellowship class.

However, the fellows do include:

In the current Nieman class, Jonathan Blakley, an African American foreign desk producer at NPR, is the only U.S. journalist of color.

The number of African American applicants fell from 16 in 2010 to six in 2011, from 15 Hispanics to seven and from two Native Americans to one, curator Bob Giles told Journal-isms at the time.

“Our African American applicant pool has been growing steadily. We put more recruiting time and energy into minority recruitment, especially African Americans, than any other group. The decline in the number of African American applicants is both disappointing and a mystery,” he said.

Headlines, Puns About Elizabeth Warren  Draw Fire

“NAJA is disappointed that coverage of U.S. Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren‘s claimed Native heritage has resulted in a series of disrespectful headlines and puns that show disregard for Native Americans and our history,” the Native American Journalists Association said in a statement Thursday.

Warren, a Harvard Law School professor and a Democrat, is vying for the seat held by Scott Brown, R-Mass. She has identified herself as having Cherokee and Delaware Indian heritage.

The NAJA statement said, “A recent article posted by Michelle Malkin with the headline ‘Sacaja-whiner: Elizabeth Warren and the Oppression Olympics’ paired partial references to multiple Native American names with ways to ridicule Ms. Warren’s ancestry claims. Ms. Malkin wrote: ‘Call her “Pinocchio-hontas,” “Chief Full-of-Lies,” “‘Running Joke’ or “Sacaja-whiner.” ‘

“. . . While allegations surrounding her claims are unsettling, making fun of Native names that have history, respect, and honor is worse. The names are being belittled by Ms. Malkin for a joke that many Americans had a laugh at.

“The Daily Caller further belittled the names by re-posting her piece, initially in connection with the headline ‘Sitting Bulls**t.’

“. . . Tribal nations deserve respect. They are not for the amusement of the media.”

N.Y. Post Writer Raises Hackles Over Jay-Z and N-word

“The NY Post has had their fair share of racist controversies — just recently, there was the cartoon which portrayed Muslims as terrorists — but it seems as though columnist Phil Mushnick really wants to take things to the next level,” Ben Yakas wrote Friday on Gothamist.com.

“Today, he rails against the new Brooklyn Nets and Jay-Z, who owns 1.47% of the team: ‘Why the Brooklyn Nets when they can be the New York N——s? The cheerleaders could be the Brooklyn B—-hes or Hoes.” Wow. Here’s the full quote in its grotesque context:

” ‘As long as the Nets are allowing Jay-Z to call their marketing shots — what a shock that he chose black and white as the new team colors to stress, as the Nets explained, their new ‘urban’ home — why not have him apply the full Jay-Z treatment?

” ‘Why the Brooklyn Nets when they can be the New York N——s? The cheerleaders could be the Brooklyn B—-hes or Hoes. Team logo? A 9 mm with hollow-tip shell casings strewn beneath. Wanna be Jay-Z hip? Then go all the way!”

Many in the blogosphere, including some black journalists, called for Mushnick’s firing.

Mushnick replied to the Village Voice and others, “James — did you actually read what I wrote and what I’ve been writing for 30 years? I don’t call black men niggas; my kids never heard the word until folks such as Jay-Z came along. I’d suggest you talk to him about it. What I wrote today was on Jay Z’s artistry, and only the wishful and foolish would so badly misinterpret and mischaracterize it as you plan to do. Thanks — mushnick.”

A “Blood-American” Helps Answer “What Is a Chicano?”

In what is advertised by the Huffington Post as first in a series, “actor, director and art advocate” Cheech Marin, half of the ’60s comedy team Cheech and Chong, asks, “What Is a Chicano?”

An excerpt:

“Because I am the only official version of what being Chicano is, I say Mexican-American is the politically correct middle ground between Hispanic and Chicano. Like in the song I wrote to be sung by a Chicano trying to be P.C. ‘Mexican-Americans; don’t like to just get into gang fights; they like flowers and music; and white girls named Debbie too.’

“All those names made it confusing for me growing up. I lived in an all-black neighborhood, followed by an all-white one, and other kids in the always called me Mexican in both neighborhoods.

“It never bothered me until one day I thought to myself ‘Hey, wait a minute, I’m not Mexican.’ I’ve never even been to Mexico and I don’t speak Spanish. Sure, I eat Mexican food at family gatherings where all of the adults speak Spanish, but I eat Cheerios and pizza and hamburgers more. No, I’m definitely not a ‘Mexican.’ Maybe I was ‘Mexican-ish,’ just like some people were ‘Jew-ish.’

“These thoughts all ran through my mind when I chased down an alley by five young African-American kids. ‘Yo, Messican!’ they called out in their patois. I stopped in my tracks and spun around. ‘I’m not a Mexican!’ I shouted defiantly. They stopped too, then stared at me. The leader spoke, ‘Fool! What you talking ’bout? You Mexican as a taco. Look at you.’

” ‘No,’ I said. ‘To be a Mexican, you have to be from Mexico. You’re African-American. Are you from Africa?’

” ‘N–. You crazy. I’m from South-Central, just like you.’

” ‘That’s exactly what I’m talking about!’ I said. ‘Did anybody knock on your door and ask you did you want to be African-American?’

” ‘Hell no! The social workers don’t even knock on our door, they too scared,’ he said, cracking everyone up.

” ‘Then why you letting people call you whatever they want? What do you want to be called?’ I asked.

“He looked at the others, thought about it for a few seconds and then said proudly, ‘I’m a Blood.’

” ‘Ooo-kay,’ I said making it up as I went along. ‘Then you’re a Blood-American.’

“That seemed to go over well. They all nodded. ‘Yeah, we Blood-American.’

” ‘Well, then go out and be the best Blood-Americans that you can be. Peace, brothers, I got to blow.’ I walked away and so did they. Self-identification saved the day. Yet, I still was dissatisfied with what I wanted to call myself. . . .”

Press Freedom Day Begins With Mexican Violence

“It was a bloody start to World Press Freedom Day in Mexico as authorities in the eastern state of Veracruz discovered the bodies of three news photographers slain and dumped together in plastic bags near a canal, less than a week after the killing in the same state of a reporter for an investigative newsmagazine,” Fox News Latino reported Thursday via the Associated Press.

“Press advocates called for immediate government action to halt a wave of attacks that has killed at least six current and former reporters and photographers in Veracruz over the last year, most of them among the few journalists still working on crime-related stories in the state. The deaths have spawned an atmosphere of terror and self-censorship among journalists.”

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