66 Comments - Roadrager - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 12:19 pm: If her actions over the past two years hadn’t exposed the “reformer” image she ran on as a sham, and if she hadn’t spent the last year shunning local outlets while granting blocks of time to the national ones to play softball toss, perhaps Mayor Lightfoot would be afforded a bit more slack on this. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 12:21 pm: ===perhaps Mayor Lightfoot would be afforded a bit more slack on this=== LOLOL C’mon. She does press conferences almost every day in the city. Most of the reporters who attend are white. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 12:27 pm: Pols can’t “pick the reporters who cover them” Not by race, or affiliations, and if Lightfoot wanted to “do the rounds” with papers/websites/etc that have people of color doing the asking, “ok”… but this type of ridiculous and truly ignorant idea that only persons of color will be granted… will be granted… the “two year, halfway” interview… and the outlets must comply with Lightfoot as to “who” can do the asking… Nope. Sorry. No way. Such a lacking… to understand how Lightfoot wants perception… and how her decisions are taken. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 12:31 pm: ===Pols can’t “pick the reporters who cover them”=== They do it every single day. And it’s usually the white reporters who get chosen. - NIU Grad - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 12:35 pm: I don’t know…I feel like I constantly hear from Chicago reporters (including reporters of color) about how the Mayor’s office is either ignoring them or blowing up on them during press conferences. I don’t think one symbolic act two years in accomplishes anything… - Nick - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 12:36 pm: Probably something better to *do* rather than *announce* per say…. - Donnie Elgin - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 12:36 pm: Well, at least they are not hammering her on the elected school board issue. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 12:37 pm: === don’t think one symbolic act two years in accomplishes anything…=== Maybe, and it was her usually ham-handed self, but people should discuss this. - SaveJournalism - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 12:38 pm: A complete overreaction. I fear Lightfoot is in the point of her term that no good deed goes unpunished. This is her attempt at using her platform to push the issue of inclusion in journalism. The white journalists can get every other interview like they always do, except this one. Big deal. She’s not excluding outlets. This is a nice, symbolic gesture to bring awareness to an issue that is long overdue for addressing. As a reminder, there’s no such thing as reverse racism - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 12:41 pm: === They do it every single day. And it’s usually the white reporters who get chosen.=== I’m coming at this with beat reporters, and as you pointed out, yeah, a majority are white, and have had the beat for a significant amount of time. I guess I’m looking at the beat reporters versus the intention of the mayor to have reflection be upon Illinois media. Pols have favorite reporters, outlets, they can choose and do choose access, and that access can be different depending on the outlet or reporter. I guess my lone example as to why I took my own take was… Amy Jacobson, who claims to be a reporter, and trying to deny her didn’t work out great. I understand the mayor’s intent, the execution to spotlight it. - Anon - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 12:43 pm: ===but it’s almost always the white reporters who benefit simply because we’re the majority.=== Or could it have more to do with their experience, credibility, audience, renown, or something else not associated with race? - Pizza Man - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 12:43 pm: Isn’t she perpetuating what she wants to be changed by exclusion? It’s not white media types fault for enjoying and being part of the field–regardless if it’s only to discuss her 2nd anniversary. Regardless what is going to discuss? Where are bullet points (of achievements) like her predecessor famously had after his 100 days in office? Where is her grand vision for her city? Agenda? It’s a weak record as the leader of the 5th largest city in the U.S. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 12:46 pm: ===Isn’t she perpetuating what she wants to be changed by exclusion?=== Huh? - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 12:46 pm: === Or could it have more to do with their experience, credibility, audience, renown, or something else not associated with race?=== Lightfoot, by choosing as she is… is offering experience, credibility, audience and maybe renown if it’s insightful. This I get, my take was towards the dismissing of beat reporters who may also not fit whom Lightfoot wants highlighted. - Cheryl44 - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 12:47 pm: You guys remind me of a discussion I had with my brother when Emmanuel announced he wouldn’t run again. My brother whined about how awful it was we’d have to go through the whole process of picking a new mayor. I reminded him as a resident of Oak Park, he didn’t really get a vote. - Responsa - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 12:48 pm: Mayor Lightfoot could easily do this and accomplish what she wants without being so blatant. Absolutely find time on her calendar to grant one-on-ones to the reporters who are POC -and tell the white reporters sorry, she is “too busy” right now. But this appraoch is truly hamhanded and tone-deaf. - ChicagoBars - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 12:59 pm: Lololol Cheryl44. That’s my new favorite Oak Park anecdote. Cheers. - Soccermom - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 12:59 pm: I think it would have been much cooler if she had simply granted access only to reporters of color without showboating about it first. This way, it sounds like she’s doing these Black and Brown reporters a favor. - Perrid - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 1:00 pm: Gets a shrug from me. There is not a single doubt in my head that’s she’s doing this mostly for good PR, but I don’t think shutting out some reporters for one event is going to ruin anyone’s life. - Excitable Boy - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 1:02 pm: There is so much to hammer LL about, why make things up? - Central Ill - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 1:03 pm: I normally agree with Rich, but this is just wrong - Responsa - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 1:03 pm: Whatever her intentions, this has garnered Mayor Lightfoot more questionable national exposure ala the “I needed a haircut because I represent Chicago” during the height of the lockdown. - @misterjayem - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 1:08 pm: Bungling and Bellicose: The Lori Lightfoot Story Even when (if?) she’s trying to do the right thing, Mayor Lightfoot creates new and unnecessary conflicts by doing it in the most hardheaded and hamfisted manner possible. – MrJM - It is what it is - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 1:12 pm: I’m indifferent that she wants to have more interviews with journalists of color. I just hope she has that same energy with hiring more consultants of color. - Louis G Atsaves - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 1:15 pm: So if the mayor demands more journalists of color cover or interview her in the future, how do the newsrooms handle this that are unionized and probably make such assignments based on seniority? Sometimes worthy goals get tied up in knots when implementation is attempted. - Wensicia - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 1:17 pm: Shunning people for reasons of race is never correct. - Boone's is Back - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 1:28 pm: This is another PR stunt that will ultimately backfire. If she put as much effort into seriously solving the many problems that the city has she might actually have a better shot at winning reelection. Otherwise I don’t see too many more anniversary interviews on the horizon for her to pontificate about. - Donnie Elgin - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 1:28 pm: =I think it would have been much cooler if she had simply granted access only to reporters of color without showboating about it first= Agreed, better to lead by example rather than edict. - Candy Dogood - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 1:29 pm: I am not surprised that a reporter working for the Tribune would mount a protest as a show of solidarity with the oppressor. He’ll be the toast of the country club where he is still mistaken as a caddy. On a serious note, it’s an interesting political decision to make the announcement. It begs the question as to why there is a lack of diversity in the press corps and I think any journalist should think better before complaining about being having their media requests met with a lower priority about a single topic due to their ethnic back ground. I don’t think our community is ready to welcome a white journalist trying to elevate their temporary disadvantage on priority of their media requests to the experiences of people of color in our nation over the last century. It is, however, a great opportunity for a journalist to talk about how the announcement made them realize something about themselves, and about how awful systemic racism is and about how they have benefited from a privileged they’ve never really thought about. You want a good story? Take that ball and run with it. You want a lot of retweets from people that are trying to make it harder for people of color to vote? Tweet about canceling your interview. - Nick - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 1:34 pm: I actually sort of agree with an earlier comment that she might be in a ‘no good deed goes unpunished’ zone even if she mostly just seems to go from one botched thing to the next. Though still, thinking on it, I feel like it would have been better to just do the interviews? And then after the fact highlight that you’ve chosen to highlight local jouranlists of color? - Steve Rogers - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 1:37 pm: =Or could it have more to do with their experience, credibility, audience, renown, or something else not associated with race?= Umm, POCs did not have the same opportunities to break into the field 15-20-25 years ago as a white reporter. So, POCs never got the chance to build up experience, credibility, or renown. Of course, this is due to race. If a podunk station or newspaper in Illinois had the choice 20 years ago to hire a recent black journalist graduate or a recent white journalist graduate, they would hire the white. Podunk stations/newspapers are where reporters get their start and gain the experience. - Roadrager - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 1:38 pm: ==Even when (if?) she’s trying to do the right thing, Mayor Lightfoot creates new and unnecessary conflicts by doing it in the most hardheaded and hamfisted manner possible.== If this whole mayor thing gets to be a bit much, she should apply to be manager of the White Sox. - Groucho - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 1:42 pm: As the Mayor stated, I do agree that one should be intentional about doing better. Taking this small action to encourage more diversity amongst reporters is healthy. I would explain this move better if I were her. - Anonymous - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 1:43 pm: == Or could it have more to do with their experience, credibility, audience, renown, or something else not associated with race? == Those certainly could be factors, but to ignore or dismiss the race angle here is willful ignorance. My former profession has a woeful track record when it comes to hiring, nurturing and promoting non-white reporters and editors. Looking back on my 16 years of working at newspapers in Illinois, I can count on one hand the number of my non-white colleagues. - Northsider - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 1:45 pm: Oy, Anon @ 1:43 is me. - Boone's is Back - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 1:56 pm: ===I don’t think our community is ready to welcome a white journalist trying to elevate their temporary disadvantage on priority of their media requests to the experiences of people of color in our nation over the last century. It is, however, a great opportunity for a journalist to talk about how the announcement made them realize something about themselves, and about how awful systemic racism is and about how they have benefited from a privileged they’ve never really thought about.==== @ Candy Dogood, your comment which reads like foaming at the mouth is a great example of why people dislike this so much. There are ways to elevate the discussion and help eradicate racism without punishing people or publicly flogging them for being white. - Soccermom - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 2:14 pm: Here’s an idea: One day a week, limit news conferences to reporters of color. Let people see how empty the room is. And if this policy shuts out a media outlet, that’s on them. - Soccermom - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 2:14 pm: I would add that I think there is value in an ongoing commitment to expanding opportunities for reporters of color, as opposed to a one-shot symbolic stunt. - Soapbox Derby - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 2:26 pm: To highlight alleged past racism, I will now make racially based decisions on who will interview me. - Cluster - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 2:33 pm: Rich, did you delete my post about potential violations of the First and Fourteenth Amendments? If so, why? - Rich Miller - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 2:35 pm: ===If so, why? === Because it was beyond goofy. - Candy Dogood - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 2:35 pm: ===without punishing people or publicly flogging them=== Interesting metaphor choice. Is a situation where reporters of color are given a higher priority for media requests for a specific event really punishing white reporters? Our society has consistently perpetuated institutionalized racism and continues to do so today and the effects can be measured and demonstrated with scientific evidence. We live in a state that had numerous sundown towns. Was this — is this — institutional racism intended to punish people of color for not being white? Is the root of discrimination the desire of white people to punish non-whites? Or is something that could be racial discrimination on it’s face only punishment if it applies to white people? I think you might have missed the point of my comment. I am foaming at the mouth for suggesting this creates an opportunity for a journalist to write about what it feels like in a sincere effort to address the fact that for generations this country’s obsession with propagating institutionalized racism has limited the career opportunities of many millions of people, especially in an industry that is all about access. - supplied_demand - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 2:38 pm: ==help eradicate racism without punishing people or publicly flogging them for being white.== Who was punished or publicly flogged? - Rich Miller - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 2:40 pm: ===publicly flogging them for being white=== Oh my goodness the drama. - supplied_demand - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 2:41 pm: ==To highlight alleged past racism, I will now make racially based decisions on who will interview me.== To solve racism, I will pretend it doesn’t exist. - Soapbox Derby - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 2:44 pm: * supplied demand To fix racism, I will use more racism. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 2:50 pm: ===publicly flogging them for being white=== The love of Pete… It’s a question of “coverage versus access” The beat reporters and outlets have in place who they want covering the mayor. The mayor can’t decide who covers her. The mayor *can* decide who might have better access, and more opportunities. A favorite outlet, reporter, the mayor can decide that. My take was… Amy Jacobson as an example… can’t decide who can cover what, but if the mayor is indicating to outlets, in an overall, for this *one time* type of interview who can get what… that’s kinda odd, why not just have a sit down with reporters of color and give… access. But it’s not about that, it’s about the symbolism, as these outlets may or may not swap out their political reporters under this spotlight. - supplied_demand - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 2:50 pm: @soapbox_derby Thank you for acknowledging racism exists. Now that we agree on that, you can’t simply announce racism is over then declare equality. There isn’t just some “Racism Jubilee” that makes everything even-steven. You get that, right? - Soapbox Derby - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 3:14 pm: @supplied_demand Racism exists. However, its not the sole reason why many reporters are white, nor has it been proven that media outlets practice discriminatory hiring practices. Crying racism, without any proof, isn’t going to solve anything. - DSB - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 3:27 pm: Can you imagine if for the next Lightfoot “milestone” (if there is one) if she only allowed media interviews to the white reporters? She’s playing the black/brown media in a desperate attempt to garner goodwill to be treated more favorably. - DMC - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 3:28 pm: There are no words…. - Nick - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 3:33 pm: On the contrary, there are many words Like Antilope And ponce - Pundent - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 3:36 pm: While there is acknowledgement that more needs to be done to advance diversity and equality the sad reality is that often times it doesn’t go beyond paying it lip service. And the reason for that is that when somebody does try to take a meaningful step as Lightfoot did here, it’s often met with incredible resistance, cries of reverse racism, or “publicly flogging.” But the reality is that we’ll only see change by taking the type of action that Lightfoot is here. And for those that accuse Lightfoot of being racist, deny a lack of diversity or cry you’re “punishing white people” you’ve entirely missed the point. In fact you’re helping her Lightfoot her point. - Frank talks - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 3:46 pm: Nothing like Mary Ann going on the radio playing the victim. Also John Williams doing a radio show about discrepancies in POC in the media business and openly saying he can’t say Tahman Bradley’s name correctly. - Roadrager - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 4:14 pm: Today has featured South Side Weekly saying they can’t get an interview with Lightfoot, WBEZ refuting the mayor’s claim that no women of color cover City Hall by pointing at two of their own reporters on the City Hall beat, and Wesley Lowery of CBS accepting the mayor’s invite, provided she would like some actual questions. Stepping in it at every turn. - Candy Dogood - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 5:00 pm: I like that instead of making the conversation about the under representation of people of color in Chicago’s press pool that it’s being centered around the white reporters complaining. I’m trying to decide if that’s representative of white fragility by biting at the opportunity to change the topic away from discussing why the press pool isn’t as diverse as the City of Chicago. People can benefit from white privilege without being aware of it and without being racist. - DuPage - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 5:02 pm: It certainly shows the content of her character. - thisjustinagain - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 5:16 pm: Once again Lightfoot puts down a heavy foot, and trips over herself. So the media is to only send black/brown reporters? Wait, how many “reporters of color” are there in the media? So there ARE ROC’s that she doesn’t want to talk to (or answer any tough questions from)? Wait, what?? Her Media Coordinator will be found very intoxicated in a bar somewhere after this one, and I can’t blame him or her for tying one on. - Southwest Sider - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 5:22 pm: This story is breaking well beyond the confines of Capitolfax. The outraged are mostly people who certainly are not Chicago voters. To grant more interviews with people of color would be admirable. To shun those who are White is totally wrong. - Press - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 5:33 pm: I like the idea. Of course the message is communicated via her top media people who are both white. They are both excellent, for the record. - ;) - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 5:42 pm: This is discriminatory, plain and simple. And contrived rationalizations don’t make it right, either. - Responsa - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 7:09 pm: Did LL follow her media coordinators’ advice or did LL ignore her media coordinators’ advice? - Proud Papa Bear - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 7:28 pm: The way we treat people of color in this country, from massively disproportionate policing and imprisonment to housing discrimination to employment outcomes (white high school dropouts are wealthier than Black college graduates) is appalling. But one press conference limited to reporters of color is what makes white folks indignant. Source: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/03/10/white-high-school-dropouts-are-wealthier-than-black-and-hispanic-college-graduates-can-a-new-policy-tool-fix-that/%3foutputType=amp - Am I right - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 7:40 pm: somebody has to ax the questions - Southsider - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 9:43 pm: Search the hacked city emails for “Platt” and “”Fran” the mayor’s often plays favorites. Guess who? - Anon E Moose - Thursday, May 20, 21 @ 7:39 am: Oh, do the white people feel discriminated against? How awful. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.