Friday November 18, 2016
Clark: Truth requires different perspectives PANEL
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ally bad foreign policy on the United States’ behalf because journalism lays the ground to dehumanize people, to make conflicts look really simplistic,” she said. “As an Arab-American, the fact that we were completely left out of the narratives of contemporary America or historical America… has been really damaging to Arabs in the United States, and their diaspora is really invisible here.” Malek said that she started working as a journalist to fix this problem at its root, to “become a part of the profession that shapes the knowledge people have about these communities.” Sandra Clark said that a crucial point to her being in a management role is to champion for diversity. Clark is the Vice President for News and Civic Dialogueof the news team at WHYY, and is a former managing editor of “The Philadelphia Inquirer” “If anything, this election has shown us the need for diversity in journalism because, my gosh, you watch TV every day and everyone sort of flogs themselves with ‘What did we miss?’ Well what you missed is knowing anything about these communities at all,” she said, noting that part of the success of President-elect Donald Trump was his campaign’s awareness that the United States has a largely uninformed populace. “Diversity in of itself is a very complex issue, and we all have our own histories. So for me it’s not so much about diversifying newsrooms – I mean that is extremely important, a number of our newsrooms aren’t diverse enough – but it’s about truth,” she explained. “And how can you tell truth if you don’t have different perspectives within your newsroom that challenge us to think differently and to go to different corners of our communities?” Wilson described how people
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are uncomfortable with leaving their own groups to seek those who are diverse and can work in the media industry. “I think people get so in their little niches and groups, that they don’t want to look beyond their circles, and they don’t want to look beyond their little islands and communities. And, if they did that, it would actually benefit them to see that there are talented people of color, who are diverse in the largest, broadest sense of the word.” She added that having a diverse newsroom has financial benefits, explaining, “It’s going to bring you money to have a more diverse newsroom, because the news is becoming more diverse. If you don’t have that reflected in your newsroom, it’s going to hurt you financially.” Clark agreed, saying, “We’re really good about writing about diversity for every other company but our own.” She added that while media outlets may currently criticize the lack of diversity in Trump’s prospective presidential cabinet, this type of diversity does not reflect in those same newsrooms. Malek noted that the media industry tends to be incestuous, and that this lowers the level of accountability outlets have to diversify their staff. “If they were to change, it is to admit that they are part of the problem and that they have been doing something wrong,” she said, adding that it is crucial to have staff with different backgrounds to accurately cover different types of communities. A discussion-styled Q&A session followed the panel, with topics ranging from the media’s role in covering the 2016 presidential campaign to how individuals can create spaces of inclusion for minority peers. The panel, titled, “Diversity in the Newsroom: Why it matters and how to address it,” took place in East Pyne 010 at 4:30 p.m. and was co-sponsored by the Office of the Dean of the Undergraduate Students and the Office of the Disability Services.
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Sixto: Protest is a good first step, but it’s not enough. We cannot be complacent. PROTEST Continued from page 1
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ter to serve undocumented students and students with undocumented and mixed status families, to make the Office of Admission website more clear regarding policies toward undocumented students, and to start a dean’s fund with no loans for undocumented students to apply for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status. DACA is an immigration policy passed by President Obama in June 2012 that allows undocumented immigrants who entered the country before age 16 and before June 2007 to receive a renewable two-year work permit and protection from deportation. Sotelo then began reading a testimony regarding his experience as an undocumented immigrant. He added criticism to the culture that regards undocumented immigrants as criminals and offered praise for the University and its support systems. “I’m thankful for international financial aid and grateful that the greatest lessons I learned were from a mother who had a 9th grade education in Mexico,” Sotelo. “I ask you to take this call to action seriously. I am so glad I know for certain today that I have the support of so many people.” Rincon then read an anonymous testimonial by an undocumented University student. “I am so much more than the alien number U.S. immigrations has assigned me. This isn’t just about me, about the ones who have compromised immigration status. Undocumented students contribute so much, and borders and oceans were not crossed in vain,” Rincon
read. The anonymous testimonial underscored the DREAM team’s wish for students to get directly involved with the movement. “Simply showing up at this rally or posting on Facebook or calling yourself an ally will not make a difference. You are not an ally until you speak up against the hateful rhetoric [toward undocumented students] or work with organizations that help undocumented students. Work with the Princeton DREAM team to mentor high school students, stop using the term ‘illegal immigrants,’ get engaged, get involved,” Rincon read. At 5:25 p.m., after chants of “What do we want? Sanctuary! When do we want it? Now!” Sixto reiterated the need for direct action and directed the protest’s march of support. The protesters marched from Nassau Hall to the Princeton University Art Museum, through Frist Campus Center, and ended at the University chapel. Throughout the march, protesters continued to chant. The demonstration gathered a diverse group of people, including mothers with small children mixed with elderly couples and University students. Protesters also ranged in motivation, from a general desire to support undocumented community members to a more direct connection to immigration rights. “I came to the walk-in because I wanted to show my support for anyone being targeted, and I wanted the University to show its support for any immigrants who need sanctuary,” Naomi CohenShields ’20 said. Uri Schwartz ’20, a Mexican citizen and a permanent resident in the US, expressed fear and worry over last week’s
election results. “I’m worried about the future of our country and for my peers. I’m lucky enough to not have to be scared for myself, but I fear for my undocumented fellow students, who have to live in a country where people think they are criminals,” Schwartz said. “I’m here because I want the University to support undocumented students in all ways.” At the University chapel, Sixto thanked protesters for coming out and expressed hope. “What we’re feeling now is the voice of the people that demonstrated in support of undocumented students, faculty, and staff. We must not forget to love each other and be kind,” Sixto said. “This is a good first step, but it’s not enough. We cannot be complacent to the divisive rhetoric [of Trump].” Sixto urged protesters to sign the DREAM team’s petition to make Princeton a sanctuary campus, which had over 1,500 signatures by Thursday. The petition was cosigned by the Alliance of Jewish Progressives, the Asian American Students Association, the Latino Graduate Student Association, the Muslim Advocates for Social Justice and Individual Dignity, Princeton College Democrats, Princeton Latinos y Amigos, Princeton Progressive Magazine, Princeton University Latinx Perspectives Organization, Queer Graduate Caucus, and Students for Prison Education and Reform. “If you learn nothing else from this demonstration, know that we are all humans and deserving of love and respect,” Sixto said.