Black Journalists Delay Decision on Holding Convention in Seattle

Sunday, August 02, 1998 - Seattle Times

by Christine Clarridge
Seattle Times staff reporter

The decision on whether a national organization of black journalists will boycott Seattle as the site of a convention next year will be delayed until the group sees what Washington voters do with Initiative 200 this fall.

The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) decided last week at its convention in Washington, D.C., to postpone a final decision on its participation in Unity 99 until it sees whether voters here approve the controversial ballot measure, according to NABJ's Web page.

The question of how to convey condemnation of the proposal has been divisive not only among members of NABJ, who have various opinions about the effectiveness of boycotting, but also has put a wedge between it and three other professional organizations - representing Asian, Hispanic and Native American journalists - that were to have participated in Unity 99.

The joint convention, intended to demonstrate the alignment and common goals of all minority journalists, is scheduled to take place in Seattle next summer, and is expected to draw about 8,000 attendants.

NABJ has indicated it may ask Unity organizers to pick another state to hold the convention in July if Washington voters approve Initiative 200, which would effectively ban affirmative action for minorities and women in state and local public employment, public education, state college admissions and public contracting.

NABJ also has indicated it may be willing to pull out of Unity altogether if the larger group fails to back its proposal.

Unity organizers were reported to have been near tears during recent discussions with NABJ leaders. Unity organizers said they have already made a financial commitment to hold the convention in Seattle.

They say that pulling out of Seattle would make news for one day, while holding the convention here could be an opportunity to stand together, talk about the issues and educate people.

Emmett Watson's column appears Tuesdays.

Return to the I-200 page.
Return to the Affirmative Action and Diversity Page

Carl Gutiérrez-Jones
Department of English
University of California, Santa Barbara
e-mail: carlgj@humanitas.ucsb.edu