Donald Trump took the stage a few days ago at an annual event hosted by the NABJ (National Association of Black Journalists). In Chicago's Hilton Hotel, the former president put on yet another shocking and viral worthy performance.
Trump shared the stage with moderators Rachel Scott (ABC News), Kadia Goba (Semafor), and Harris Faulkner (Fox News) - and from the first question Trump's combative demeanor was on full display. Scott began the discussion by acknowledging that many Black Journalists lobbied against inviting Mr. Trump in the first place.
“You attack Black journalists, calling them ‘a loser’, saying the questions that they asked are, quote, ‘stupid and racist, you’ve had dinner with a white supremacist at Mar-a-Lago resort ... why should Black voters trust you, after you have used language like that?”
Trump would set the event's tone with his response ... calling Scott “nasty”, highlighting the event's late start, and accusing the NABJ of inviting him under false pretense that his opponent, Kamala Harris, would be present.
Only shortly after, when confronted with a question about right-wing efforts to diminish the Vice President as a "DEI hire", the conversation turned toward interrogating the racial and ethnic identities of Vice President Harris altogether.
"I've known [Harris] a long time indirectly, and she was always of Indian heritage ... I didn't know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black and now she wants to be known as Black. So I don't know, is she Indian, or is she Black?"
These and other comments from Trump would produce several audible gasps around the room. Black journalists took to X(Twitter) to respond to the contentious exchanges.
Karen Attiah was one of those NABJ leaders who argued against platforming Trump. She was a co-chair of this year's Convention, but chose to step down from the position in response to Trump's invitation. Her Tweets through the event highlighted some of the frustrations and challenges of doing Journalism in a bizarre and divisive political climate, with an unprecedented candidate like Donald Trump.
On Platforming Trump
When we critique Cable News outlets in 2016 for profiting from, and platforming Donald Trump - we aren't talking about a singular instance. Take a look at Cable News' coverage in that election to observe a persistent pattern of privileging then candidate Trump's press conferences and public statements. Day after day, week after week. Famously, the big three Cable News companies once wasted HOURS airing an empty podium, in giddy anticipation of a Trump speech ... because Trump events were proven "ratings winners" as compared to the other candidates.
In this instance with NABJ, I don't think it was necessarily poor judgement to host a conversation with the former president. As a finalist for the 2024 presidency, it is reasonable to include Trump, especially since the original plan was to have candidate Kamala Harris share the stage as well.
Where Is Our Power?
Speaking directly and respectfully to the NABJ leadership ...
After Trump's divisive and racist spectacle on your stage, many will feel vindicated in their protests against his invitation. The pros and cons will be hashed out for weeks, but I think there's a deeper and more valuable lesson for us, as Journalists.
If the NABJ is interested in exercising its considerable power to set a standard for decency and integrity in American Politics, then please start within your ranks. That is where your power is. While much of the controversy revolves around Donald Trump's invite ... consider why Harris Faulkner of Fox News was given prominent stage time at such an important event for young Black Journalists. She was even allowed to ask several fawning questions. Why? Is Harris Faulkner a Journalist? Is Fox News a Journalism organization? I'm genuinely asking.
The answer will dictate the purpose and energy of a generation of curious young Journalists that are watching us, in this moment. What does the next generation of Black Journalists need to know, to improve our political discourse and improve the quality of Democracy?
While we're at it ... Why does Peter Doocy's weird son, Steve, get daily access to the White House Press Room? ... Ok fine, that last question is outside of NABJ control.
However, setting a Strong, Elite, and Elevated STANDARD for how the NABJ defines "Journalist" is indeed within its control and ...
It is exactly the kind of INNOVATION that the News industry needs and that the market will reward, because quality, honest journalism is in high-demand.
It is the morally consistent thing to do, as Journalists who seek to exemplify the best of this noble profession. Do young Black journalism students watching the conference understand that Harris Faulkner doesn't do journalism? Are we confusing the youth by platforming her on stage?
It is in-phase with the Wave. As the American viewer market continues to gain greater awareness and media literacy. In just a few years, kids will look back at the 2020's Fox News content/product as study material to laugh at and learn against, while they engage as Journalists daily, on their social media.
It is powerful to notice that Black people and the NABJ are under no obligation to stoop to the insanely low journalistic bar set by the broader culture. The profit-driven low bar that produces weirdo characters like Jesse Watters, Brian Stelter, Sean Hannity, Matt Walsh, and far too many others. By challenging ourselves to define ourselves as Journalists with greater clarity, we can LEAD the National discourse in a time of confusion. We can EDUCATE the News consumer, increase our chances to SAVE Democracy, and put PRESSURE on the misinfo-News organizations, like Fox News, which undermine journalistic integrity.
-Billy
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