An evening event in Arlington, Va., brought members of the political journalism company Politico and the non-profit organization MANRRS together for a discussion centered on Diversity: From Farm to Front Page.
On Thursday, July 25, video reporter Eugene Daniels facilitated the discussion among a panel that included Karl Binns, Jr, lead development officer of the UMES School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences and president of the MANRRS National Society; UMES’s Alexis Doon, Region 1 Undergraduate Student Vice President for MANRRS; Sabrina Rodriguez, trade and agriculture journalist for Politico; and Terrell Mizell, talent acquisition partner at Politico.
Several statistics served as fodder for the discussion, pointing to the fact that the journalism and ag industries are not reflective of the country.
- 5% of farm operators are people of color – 2017 USDA NASS
- 40% of the U.S. population is non-white – U.S. Census
- 22% of newsroom employees are people of color – 2018 ASNE
- 93% of front page election stories were written by white reporters in 2012 – 4th Estate
While Rodriquez and Mizell spoke to not having diversity for the sake of diversity alone, but for the “value it brings in terms of perspective,” Binns spoke to the need to market in such a way as to exposed more minorities to the ag industry. In reflection, Doon expressed the baffled responses she gets from people who are confused about her choice to enter the white-male dominated animal science field. Her answer to it all is that she simply has a passion for animal science.
In addition, Doon expressed that her generation was born knowing how to have the diversity conversation. She expressed that they are more open and more vocal because social media is how they communicate. Conversely, Rodriquez stated that this generation are more confident and they know their worth.
Other topics for the evening included Equity vs. Equality and impartiality in reporting as a person of color.
The event was hosted by Helena Bottemiller Evich, senior food and agriculture reporter for Politico, in partnership with Karl Binns, Jr.
