Diversity at Work

By Mallary Jean Tenore

The challenges of reporting on race and ethnicity have become more evident as those issues crop up during the presidential campaigns.

Jesse Washington, The Associated Press' new national race and ethnicity reporter, says he's ready for the challenge. The former AP entertainment editor recently started his job after being selected from 449 applicants. He's currently traveling the country and, for the first few months on the job, will focus on the role of race in the presidential election. In this Q&A, he shares his thoughts on his new position and diversity-related issues.

Mallary Tenore: What would you say is the importance of a race/ethnicity beat?

Jesse Washington

Jesse Washington: Race remains one of the most powerful, complex and volatile subjects in American life. It has a profound effect on our everyday existence, in ways both obvious and undetected. A recent example of the passions inflamed by race: Did you see the tearful argument on "The View" ... when they were debating who can say the N-word and who can't? And those ladies say they love each other, so you can imagine how difficult these topics are for those who -- to put it mildly -- don't.

In a memo to your colleagues, Mike Oreskes, AP's managing editor for news, wrote that you have "lived the subject of race and ethnicity every day of his 39 years." What ethnicity are you, and how do you think your ethnicity affects the way that you look at stories?

Washington: I'm black. My mom is white; my father is black. But I'm black, because everyone who looks at me thinks I'm black.

I think being black makes me particularly aware of certain stories and subjects that resonate with minorities. If you live among a certain population, you know how the people think. Like most black folks, I also live among white people every day. So I have a good grasp of both sides of that equation. Of course, America is much more than black and white, and there are wildly divergent viewpoints and experiences within the various minority communities.

I plan to spend as much time as possible among people of all backgrounds in order to tell their stories. Everyone has a personal experience with race and ethnicity. So I hope that my ability to talk to and learn from a wide range of sources, and not the fact of my race, will be my most valuable tool.

How much of your time will be spent covering race/ethnicity issues related to the presidential election?

Washington: Over the next few months, the majority of my attention will be on the election. Regardless of the outcome, it's at least a turning point, if not a seminal moment, in America's troubled racial history.

What do you consider to be some of the most critical racial/ethnic issues in the presidential election?

Washington: I could answer that question, but then I'd have to embargo your article until after the election to keep the competition from jacking all my best ideas.

What are some stories or topics related to race/ethnicity that you hope to explore in your new position?

Washington: Immigration and Obama's candidacy are the top two right now. Beyond that, I'd like to paint some vivid pictures of how various issues, communities and situations affect American life.

How do you think your work as an entertainment editor will help you in your new position?

Washington: Many race issues are explored and debated through popular culture. The Oscar-winning film "Crash" is one example; hip-hop is another. On my desk is a screener of an upcoming film called "Takeout" about the perils of being an undocumented Chinese deliveryman. And who could forget the John McCain TV ad juxtaposing Paris Hilton with Barack Obama. So I think pop culture is rife with story opportunities for my new beat.

Diversity is a pretty loaded word, yet we use it so often to talk about racial/ethnic issues. How would you define diversity?

Washington: Two ways: One, the question of whether our public and private institutions should reflect America's ethnic makeup; and two, the question of whether the Boston Celtics should re-sign their two white players, Brian Scalabrine and Scot Pollard, for next season.

How do you think race/ethnicity reporters can capture the attention of readers who may not otherwise be interested in diversity-related issues?

Washington: By illuminating both the overt and hidden ways that race profoundly affects all Americans. Issues that impact minority communities often have broad ripple effects. So my goal is to show how these issues affect everyone, not just minorities.

The Pew Research Center recently came out with a study that says the coverage of religion in the primary campaigns rivaled that of race and gender combined. What surprises you, if anything, about this finding?

Washington: I'm not very surprised, because the (Rev. Jeremiah) Wright flap was Obama's first serious problem, so of course it got big play. And Christian conservatives are among the dominant forces in a Republican primary. Race seems poised to play a bigger role now, because Obama's main weakness in the primary seemed to be among working-class white voters, who often are the swing vote. Judging by the history of past elections, when you have an unpopular Republican incumbent, a troubled economy and a problematic war, the Democrats would easily win the White House. So why does this "race" feel so close?