Students Finding Their Voices in Diversity Workshops for Young Journalists

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Gerald Jordan wanted to open the door for high school minority students interested in studying journalism. He knew he had to dispel some myths about the field, such as that of the starving journalist selling pencils for living, or the white editors who don’t want to hire minorities.

His solution: diversity workshops for high school juniors and seniors that would instruct them in news reporting, photography, interview skills, and newspaper production, as well as connect them to mentors and internships. The workshops, begun four years ago, successfully draw area students to the University of Arkansas campus for six weeks during February and March.

Jordan, an associate professor of journalism, invites distinguished reporters from around the nation to participate, such as Sergio Bustos, a Washington correspondent for Gannett Newspapers. Impressed by what he saw during this year’s workshop, Bustos returned to Gannett, where he praised the workshop students. The director of recruiting contacted Jordan, to arrange a trip to the University of Arkansas so he could meet some of these aspiring journalists.

Another workshop guest, Gilbert Bailon, the editor and publisher of “al Dia,” a Spanish language newspaper in Dallas and owned by the Dallas Morning News, strongly encouraged the students to apply for scholarships from the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.

“Ultimately, when you talk about representation in the newsroom, you must have feeder systems. These students must first learn what journalism is and what journalists do, to shape that dream of becoming a reporter,” Jordan said.

Students will interview guests for stories, as well as come up with their own ideas. At the end of the workshop, they produce a 12- to 16-page newspaper, which is then published by the Morning News of Northwest Arkansas in Springdale and distributed by Spanish language papers around the state. The newspapers are also sent to the Dow Jones Newspaper Fund, the American Society of Newspaper Editors, and to editors around the country.

“The absolute best stories come from ideas the students have, things that are close to their experience - whether their style constitutes gang colors, the efforts families are making to get into college, teen pregnancy and making good decisions, police-community relations,” Jordan said.

Similar workshops have been offered everywhere Jordan has worked. In 1979, he and fellow reporters at the Kansas City Star began offering them, with results that were positive for both the students and for journalism.

“I’m a sort of workshop grandfather. I’ve seen many others started as a result of the earlier ones,” he said.

Jordan learned that many minority students think white editors won’t hire them. His experience, though, is that many editors may not be well-informed enough to produce the kinds of outreach and programs that will appeal to minorities and open up opportunities for them. The lack of outreach sends a negative message: minorities aren’t welcome.

“Another myth that bothers me terribly overall about journalism is that you’re not going to make any money. That’s just wrong,” Jordan said. “You’re not going to make money that investment bankers or Wall Street analysts make, but you can do fine. At the starting point of a career, the salaries are not attractive, but it goes back to a willingness to pay your dues.”

Without minorities in journalism, readers simply aren’t getting the full story, Jordan contended. Reporters may be uncomfortable circulating in minority communities as well, further limiting coverage of different cultures.

“I grew up in Arkansas, and if I go back to my hometown now, my Eastern establishment views will see poverty. But walking down a block that should be bulldozed, I can also see two houses that belong to third-generation families who are solid and doing well in their community. It takes experience to walk through a block, talk to people, and get a full sense of what’s going on there. When I see a group of kids with baggy pants hanging out, I don’t see a gang of thugs. I see younger kids who are just trying to get by,” Jordan observed.

Initially the UA workshops targeted the large numbers of area Latino high school students, but all minorities are encouraged to participate. Thus far, no African American students have enrolled, but Asian and Marshallese Island students have.

Journalism Chair Patsy Watkins, Katherine Shurlds, and Kim Martin join Jordan in teaching the workshops, working weekends for nearly two months. Shurlds serves as workshop director, while Watkins and Martin teach photography and graphics. Department graduate Jeff Smith designs and lays out the newspaper.

Their dedication has paid off: the Dow Jones Newspaper Fund has awarded the department a $2,500 grant, with UA Provost Bob Smith contributing $4,000 more, to begin offering a summer residential workshop.

This summer’s workshop, which is free, begins June 14 and will be open to 15 students.

“This is an absolutely terrific first step for these students. I’ve never doubted it would work. Some have come to the U of A as a result. Some go on to other fields. The next step is for them to continue their education, get internships, graduate and get jobs,” Jordan said.