A sickly ecosystem that lacks diversity cannot survive

By Sally Lehrman

In the natural world, a population with nearly identical individuals is destined for doom. All too easily, too much rain, a warming trend, a new predator, or any challenge can wipe everyone out. Whether in the sea, sky, forest or desert, adaptation relies on difference.

That's why I think that the only newspapers still alive and flourishing ten years from today will be the ones that have staffs at leastas diverse as the communities they serve. They may be national or hyperlocal, all online or delivered on thin-film sheets that double as photovoltaic panels,who knows? For certain, though, they will be nimble. The Asian American, black, American Indian, Latino and white women and men in their newsrooms will form a web of talent and resources that allow speedy change under pressure.

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The price of parity

By Shauna Scott Rhone

According to the American Society of Newsroom Editors’ annual report, American daily newspapers pink-slipped 5,900 newsroom employees in 2008. Of those shown the door, 854 were minorities. At least, that’s the total among the newspapers that responded to the survey.

Who knew a lack of color could mean darkness? But the decrease of journalists of color in American newsrooms and bureaus around the world not only makes the paper’s voice paler. It also dims the light of sunshine shone by those word scribes and image sculptors who rose from the neighborhoods of their darker brothers. In fact, that sunshine burned my desire to become a journalist deep into my heart years ago.

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