The People is our section for opinions and perspectives. Submit your opinion to info@thetriibe.com.
On Wednesday, Donald Trump will come to Chicago — a place he’s called “embarrassing.” A city he’s likened to a war zone. A place I grew up just a short drive from.
On Wednesday, Donald Trump will attend a convention of journalists, well-meaning writers, editors and multimedia talent he’s referred to as the enemy of the people.
On Wednesday, Donald Trump will talk to a room full of Black folks after he celebrated the elimination of affirmative action — a tool that has helped Black people, and others, fight or prevent discriminatory practices for decades.
On Wednesday, the topic, presence and coverage of Trump will suck the air out of every panel, discussion and session on the opening day of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) annual national conference as attention fixates on the former president.
To be clear, I have no issue with a presidential candidate campaigning. I’m not writing to endorse one candidate or tell you to vote.
My issue is with decision-makers distracting from a highly anticipated week of affirmation and education to invite someone who has before declined to be part of the NABJ convention and undermined the profession. It feels like our convention and organization is being used. (Also, as a 708 native, I dislike when people squarely focus on the negatives of the Chi.)
NABJ leaders decided to platform a person who has insulted the convention’s host city and its residents. In previous proclamations of using the military to address Chicago’s crime and insinuating it could be eradicated in “a day,” Trump downplayed the racism, redlining and decades of disinvestment that create the city’s cycles of poverty and violence. I hope Wednesday is a chance for him to outline his plan to strengthen Black families, education in Black communities and job opportunities in Chicago’s poorest zip codes.
I’m just not sure why he’d do that here at NABJ instead of speaking at a local church,chamber of commerce or community center.
As a journalist, I applaud uneasy conversations. As a daily newspaper editor, I engage in the “both-siderism” some decry, and I have defended the concept of intelligent objectivity. I understand that the job should put us in tough situations if we’re doing it in a meaningful way.
But this isn’t a story assignment or a news conference or a newsroom. NABJ is a place of learning, networking and feeling supported. It’s a space for Black folks to feel safe and celebrated; for Black media, specifically, to feel safe and celebrated.
People shouldn’t be asked to choose between attending a useful session or a self-serving sideshow. They shouldn’t be challenged to confront unsettling situations in an environment that is supposed to be welcoming for Black people. Uncomfortability and anxiety can be expected when the “star” of the opening day has repeatedly belittled our profession and questioned our intentions.
This is no doubt an excellent opportunity for the former president’s image. But his outreach should be in the streets of Chicago. And I’m not lobbying for Democrats to show up to NABJ. I was looking forward to not seeing any politicians and forgetting for a few days that a high-stakes election is looming.
Now NABJ as an organization, for the remainder of this campaign cycle, will be leveraged as a thin example of outreach.
My grievance isn’t about political parties or who the best candidate is — it’s about maintaining the essence of the event.
I was excited to attend my first NABJ convention after helping out at three separate chapters over the last decade-plus. The camaraderie I feel at local NABJ chapter meetings is refreshing and unique. About a dozen friends tell me the national convention is that times 10, something like a family reunion.
And NABJ’s greatness isn’t born out of some challenging panel or cheeky debate — the joy came from the togetherness. The turn-ups. The common respect. The shared struggles and triumphs of working in an isolating industry.
Instead we get last-minute notice of a huge scheduling change with no opportunity for input, and a dismissive leadership hiding behind “well, we’ve always done this,” which is a poor excuse newsrooms often use to explain unpopular decisions. NABJ has dealt with a number of divisive topics and issues over the past several years and now has unnecessarily volunteered for another.
On Wednesday, I was going to renew my NABJ membership. On Wednesday, I was going to pay $450 at the gate for a weeklong ticket. But I may opt instead to save my money, go see my niece and nephew, and catch up with my already-exhausted colleagues after hours.
I hope, going forward, the organization reads the room better and improves its understanding of what exactly the convention is about.
