mp385915@ohio.edu
Diversity in any aspect is good. It is good to be immersed in other cultures and it is good to meet and talk to people who have lived different lives then you. Diversity, however, can be overlooked especially in journalism. I think one reason why the conversation is not more prominent is because we are not as educated on the topic of diversity as we should be.
During a debate or just a conversation I keep my mouth shut when a topic that I don't have full knowledge on is being discussed. So maybe if we try and learn more about other races and different genders, the discussion will open up. Diversity matters, so journalists should take an initiative to educate themselves on what is going on around them. More knowledge about the world will lead to better story telling. With more knowledge journalists will also feel more comfortable covering stories that maybe are controversial. Discussing controversial topics is nerve-racking, but when you have knowledge on the topic you can speak your mind without feeling inferior.
Race is usually seen as a touchy subject in the media. People are hesitant to talk about it or to talk to others about it in fear of offending someone or saying the "wrong" thing. If you are white and you want to talk about race, then people may think "they don't get it" because they are not in the minority. If you are a minority and talk about race, then your voice is not heard enough. Which is why learning about racial struggles will better help open up the conversation and make it less awkward.
Diversity should be more prioritized in businesses, especially in the journalism business. Journalists tell stories about people. Having a diverse group of people to work with and bounce ideas off not only exposes people to different genders and races, but exposes people to different ways of thinking and different mindsets. If people continue educating themselves on diversity and race relations, then more dialogues about different topics can open up in the workplace.
Journalists should not feel afraid to speak up. That is our job, isn't it? If we are constantly worried about speaking on certain subjects, then how can we get our stories across? We need different perspectives in journalism, we need free thinking in journalism and we need diversity in journalism. Journalists go out of their way to talk to people and find stories to tell. Maybe journalists should put a little more focus on going out of there way to someone who doesn't look like them. Learning different cultures and gaining more knowledge of the world can never hurt.
They say that knowledge is power. So what is the harm in learning all you can? Listen to people and learn what they have been through. Ask a lot of questions and be open to the answers. Never shy away from diversity and be confident in discussing it. Educate yourself, and then go out and write the best story you can that all races and genders want to read. Expand your audience because diversity is important.
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