A key predictor of success is experience. When people have a vast amount of experience they are primed for more opportunities. When people are locked out of opportunities to gain experience, they miss out on the building blocks that can support their success.
I think about this in the context of the media.
Whenever there is breaking news, or high stakes media moments, I pay attention to the race of the journalists. When I see reporters from multiple backgrounds covering stories, I know the media outlet is doing something right. Often, when I see diverse reporters, they work in cities with a diverse populations. By virtue of having the experience of covering breaking news or high-profile stories, these individuals are primed for more experience.
Equal Opportunity
To be clear, I do not want to see opportunities taken from people on the basis of race. I do want to see more people of color receive opportunities. When they don’t, I question why. Black people and people of color are no less capable than their counterparts of other identities. The question becomes, are they being offered the same exposure and experience.
Many newsrooms weren’t terribly diverse to begin with. Additionally, given A.I., transitions from cable to streaming, and a desire to return funds to shareholders, newsrooms have shed staff for years. Attrition also reduces newsroom diversity.
White House Press Pool
But even before newsrooms were in a free fall, it appeared that only certain reporters received high profile opportunities. For instance, for years the vast majority of journalists covering presidential campaigns, and the White House were non-Black. When President Biden was in office and during President Trump’s first term, I could only think of a few White House correspondents who were Black – Yamiche Alcindor formerly of PBS and now with NBC News, April Ryan and Gerron Keith Gaynor of The Grio, and Eugene Anthony Daniels from Politico. I’m only aware of one other Black journalist who is part of the White House press pool – Erica Green from the New York Times. Overall, there are 49 seats for White House correspondents. Why isn’t there more racial diversity in this arena?
Undermining Progress
This is one of the reasons attacks on diversity and equity initiatives are so harmful. The attacks may undermine the very possibility of experience specifically on the basis of race. Being different shouldn’t disqualify a person from opportunity.
As companies announce they will no longer participate in D.E.I. initiatives, I wonder whether they will cease to hire persons who have disabilities, persons identifying as LGBTQIA, women, or persons who are non-white. Will they intentionally overlook Black people and people of color out of fear of defying the President’s directives on D.E.I.?
In the same way that tech leaders appear to be acquiescing to the new administration by abandoning equity efforts, I fear some employers will do the same.
In sum, when journalists gain experience, it positions them for increased opportunities. When they lack the experience, their career can suffer, especially if they are Black or a person of color.
Can you appreciate the catch 22 in which many employers and employees may find themselves?
Jennifer R. Farmer is an author and founder of Spotlight PR LLC.