Our nation wants to be one that is finished with the problem of racism, but unfortunately we are not yet at this point in our history.  On the contrary, a cursory view of recent events offers ample evidence of the pressing need to address race and diversity issues in our teaching, research and advocacy.

Consider the implications of statements made by Rand Paul, the GOP?s and Tea Party-backed Senate candidate for Kentucky, when he recently said that a central piece of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was wrong.  He told MSNBC news show host Rachel Maddow that he agrees with most parts of the Civil Rights Act, except for the one (Title II) that made it a crime for private

businesses to discriminate against customers on the basis of race.  It is his opinion that private businesses be allowed to discriminate against whomever they want because it is their right as private entities.

In the ensuing, mediated debates on Paul’s position, Fox news

anchor John Stossel agreed with Paul and went on air declaring that the section of the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 that applies to business should be repealed.  Stossel employed a twisted logic to explain his point:  “It’s time now to repeal that part of the law because private businesses ought to get to discriminate. And I won’t ever go to a place that’s racist and I will tell everybody else not to and I will speak against them. But it should be their right to be racist.”

Another case in point: Arizona’s Senate Bill 1070.  Since April 24, 2010, news coverage of the signing of SB 1070 into law has brought to center stage a debate on the legalization of racial profiling against Latinos.  As citizens and civil rights groups inside and outside Arizona have begun to protest, organize boycotts, and challenge the law in the court system, other reports indicate that 17 other states are filing their own versions of SB 1070.  And while SB 1070 has generated plenty of media attention, other recent decisions by Arizona state officials are signaling equally disturbing trends but remain relatively invisible on the national scene. Take, for example, recent decisions by the Arizona lawmakers to curb the teaching of ethnic studies courses in elementary or secondary schools (House Bill 2281) and the Department of Education’s move to exclude teachers with a “heavy accent” from teaching English classes.

These mediated debates on repealing the Civil Rights Act, using racial profiling as basis for law enforcement, or banning ethnic studies courses not only raise profound questions regarding our understanding of equity and civil rights in the 21st century, but also underscore the importance of interrogating the role of mass communication in the mediation of social relations in a culturally diverse and conflictive society.

Wednesday, Aug. 4

8:15 to 9:45 a.m.

MAC Refereed Research Panel:

Does “Tailored” Information Matter? Effects of Racial/Cultural Cues on Audiences

10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

Minorities and Communication and International Communication:

Teaching Panel: Using Digital Resources in Ethnicity, Race and International Communication

Classes

11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Interest Group and Minorities and

Communication:

Teaching Panel: A Minority is a Minority is a Minority

3:15 to 4:45 p.m.

Commission on the Status of Minorities:

Mini-plenary: History-Makers, Race, Politics and Media

5:00 to 6:30 p.m.

Minorities and Communication Division and Communicating Science, Health,

Environment and Risks Interest Group:

Teaching Panel: Environmental Racism: Lost in the Green Storm of Media Coverage and Journalism Education?

Thursday, Aug. 5

7:00 to 8:00 a.m.

Minorities and Communication Division

Business Session:

Outgoing Executive Committee Meeting.

11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

Minorities and Communication and Cultural and Critical Studies

Research Panel:

Media Framing of a Possible Brown Menace to Whitestream: Gender, Class and Ethnicity in Sonia Sotomayor’s Journey to the Supreme Court.

1:30 to 3:00 p.m.

Scholar-to-Scholar Poster Session featuring faculty and student papers.

3:15 to 4:45 p.m.

Minorities and Communication & Mass Communication and Society

PF&R Panel:

Contemporary Native American Cultures and the Ethics of Addressing Indian Country in the News Media

5:00 to 6:30 p.m.

Minorities and Communication and Media Ethics

Teaching Panel:

Working Diversity into the Curriculum: One School’s Experience

8:30-10:00 p.m.

MAC’s members’ meeting. Current, new and prospective members welcome!

Friday, Aug. 6

12:15 to 1:30 p.m.

MAC/Scholastic Luncheon. Pre-registration is required.

Speaker: Nadia Gedeon, President, Colorado Association of Black Journalists and assignment editor for Denver’s KUSA television station.  Location TBA.

1:45 to 3:15 p.m.

Minorities and Communication and International Communication

PF&R Panel:

The Tenure Process from the Perspective of Minority, Women and International Faculty: Strategies for Success

5:15 to 6:45 p.m.

Minorities and Communication and Public Relations

PF&R Panel:

Health Promotion, Minority Populations and Health Reporting: Challenges for 2010 and Beyond

7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Commission on the Status of Minorities

Business Session: Members’ Meeting

8:45 p.m.

MAC social (details TBA on listserve).

Saturday, Aug. 7

8:15 to 9:45 a.m.

Minorities and Communication and Communication Theory and Methodology

Research Panel:

Political Communication Focused on Ethnic Minority Populations and Media: Teaching and Research Tips for the 2010 and 2012 Electoral Campaigns.

11:45 to 1:15 p.m.

MAC Refereed Research Session TOP Papers Session:

Media Constructions of Multicultural Realities Top faculty and student paper will be presented.

1:30 to 3:00 p.m.

Minorities and Communication and Newspaper Divisions PF&R Panel:

Media Ownership and Control by People of Color

3:15 to 4:45 p.m.

MAC Refereed Research Session:

Current Issues and Challenges for Ethnic and Mainstream News Media

5:00 to 6:30 p.m.

MAC Refereed Research Session:

Ethnic/Racial Identity Formation & Mediated Messages.

Like guardian angels who crush infamy

Rising to unique platforms

Where they pilot in myriad forms

Professor Callahan towers

Like a gem that powers

Assisting as a builder

Who excels as a luminary trader

Marvelous lady of notable competence

She excels for eloquence

Articulate like great orators

Callahan outshines as ace communicators

Teacher, mentor and facilitator

Callahan sparkles as an administrator

Architect of victory

Callahan outsmarts with success story

Protective and generous tree

Friends and foes shelter free

Ever ready to assist

Like kind angels that persist

Fair and firm leader

Like tap root, she serves as feeder

Sharing, giving and caring

Like winners, she’s daring

Gorgeous lady of startling exquisiteness

She radiates gorgeousness

Like flowers of loveliness

Callahan promotes attractiveness

Cherished daughter, aunt and sister

She anchors as solid family rock

Respected mother and arbitrator

Many honor her as a negotiator.

Attracts professionals of distinction

Who tower like celebrated teachers

Excelling as eminent preachers

Glittering in that galaxy

Inspiring as fame’s fantasy

Shines Dr. Sharon Stringer

Who magnetizes as phone ringer

Tall and majestic in bearing

Like stars who are endearing

Her noble demeanor and charisma

Charms like Paradise’s aroma

Careful, responsible and thoughtful

Like achievers who are dutiful

Scharon displays excellence

Like genius of affluence

Admired and respected professor

She is thorough as an assessor

Faithfully famous for fairness

Like architects of evenhandedness

Kind, considerate and generous

She supports many as the illustrious

Exuding love and kindness

Like marvelous angels of goodness

Revered family anchor and rock

She motivates as progress clock

Always assisting with optimism

Like victors who crush pessimism

Reputed lady of character and cheerfulness

Scharon fosters happiness

Respected educator, facilitator and mentor

Admired leader, coach and ace communicator.

Woodard enjoys her day

Glowing in sunshine

Like resplendent flower

Through luck, hard work and destiny

Like larger than life figures

Woodard glitters

As professor, MAC Chair, and leader

Blessed with precious parents

Who motivated and encouraged

Woodard listened and learned

Acquired skills, and earned higher education

Dismissing sleeping on laurels

She constantly searches golden fleece

Exuding conscientiousness

Like go getters of history

Though comparatively young

She showcases achievements

Struggling night and day, like warriors

In quest of excellence

Woodard’s eloquence and expertise

Commitment and enthusiasm

Places her on heroine’s trace

Who bequeath legacies, for posterity

Ride on Jenny! Ride On

This is your day, minute and hour

Smell and enjoy the sunshine

Strive to leave milestones, for progeny

Though greater feats

Lie ahead

Like new battles for conquest

Enjoy the moment as victors

So stay the course

For like winners, you are on track

Desist from distractions

And keep your eyes on the prize.

Attracts professionals of distinction

Who tower like celebrated teachers

Excelling as eminent preachers

Glittering in that galaxy

Inspiring as fame’s fantasy

Shines Dr. Sharon Stringer

Who magnetizes as phone ringer

Tall and majestic in bearing

Like stars who are endearing

Her noble demeanor and charisma

Charms like Paradise’s aroma

Careful, responsible and thoughtful

Like achievers who are dutiful

Scharon displays excellence

Like genius of affluence

Admired and respected professor

She is thorough as an assessor

Faithfully famous for fairness

Like architects of evenhandedness

Kind, considerate and generous

She supports many as the illustrious

Exuding love and kindness

Like marvelous angels of goodness

Revered family anchor and rock

She motivates as progress clock

Always assisting with optimism

Like victors who crush pessimism

Reputed lady of character and cheerfulness

Scharon fosters happiness

Respected educator, facilitator and mentor

Admired leader, coach and ace communicator

Nominations are now being sought for The Lionel C. Barrow Jr. Award for Distinguished Achievement in Diversity Research and Education. This award, jointly supported by the Minorities and Communication (MAC) Division and the Commission on the Status of Minorities (CSM) recognizes outstanding individual accomplishment and leadership in diversity efforts for underrepresented groups by race and ethnicity, in Journalism and Mass Communication.

The late Dr. Lionel (Lee) C. Barrow, Jr., was a long-time AEJMC member who provided key leadership and guidance to the association during his many years of service.  As a member of AEJMC, Lee pioneered and founded in 1968 the Ad Hoc Committee on Minority Education, in an effort to recruit, train and place minorities in communications. In 1970, he founded and became the acting head of the Minorities and Communication Division.  The Communication Theory and Methodology Division renamed its diversity scholarship after Lee in 1997, the same year he received the AEJMC Presidential Award for his contributions. In 2005, he was recognized with one of AEJMC’s highest honors, the Distinguished Service Award, for his outstanding service in promoting diversity within the association and the discipline.

Nominees should be senior scholars but do not have to be AEJMC members at the time of their application, and self nominations are welcome.  A monetary award accompanies this prize, and the winner will receive a complimentary, one-year basic membership to AEJMC.  The Lionel C. Barrow Jr. Award will be presented during the AEJMC Business Meeting by the chairs of the two sponsoring groups.

CRITERIA

Nominees will be judged by their outstanding contributions in one of the three following areas:

(1) a sustained record over time of publication on racial and ethnic minorities in journalism and mass communication; and/or

(2) a sustained record over time of contribution to teaching and service of racial and ethnic minorities in journalism and mass communication; and/or

(3) the publication of a impactful book on racial and ethnic minorities in journalism and mass communication.

HOW TO APPLY

Nomination packets should contain:

• a letter from an AEJMC member on letterhead describing in detail the candidate’s contributions to diversity, and one additional letter of support from a colleague (on or off campus) who is also an AEJMC member.  All nominees, including those who are self-nominated, will provide a total of two (2) letters.
• The nominee’s personal statement (250 words).
• Additional materials might include (but are not limited to) abstracts of research findings, professional papers and published articles (no more than five total), text of a speech delivered or prepared for delivery, course outlines, innovative teaching tools, teaching evaluations and citations or other recognition pertaining to the nominee.
• The nomination packet should be no longer than 10 pages.  Applications that exceed this length will be disqualified.

DEADLINES:
Entries should be received by February 1, 2010, in hard copy and mailed to: AEJMC, 234 Outlet Pointe Boulevard, Suite A, Columbia, SC 29210-5667.  The awardee will be announced on April 1 and will be recognized in the 2010 AEJMC Convention Program.

Lionel C. Barrow Jr. Award Advisory Committee

Linda Callahan, North Carolina A&T State University (Chair CSM); Jennifer Woodard,  Middle Tennessee State University (Chair MAC); Paula Poindexter, University of Texas – Austin; George Daniels, University of Alabama; Ilia Rodriguez, University of New Mexico; Meta Carstarphen, University of Oklahoma; Carolyn Stroman, Howard University; and Curtis Lawrence, Columbia College – Chicago

This session honored the memory of our beloved Lionel Barrow, Jr.   We thank Howard University and Jannette Dates for sponsoring and presiding over this wonderful tribute to an outstanding advocate for diversity.

This year also brought the awarding of the first Lionel C. Barrow Jr. Award for Distinguished Achievement in Diversity Research and Education.  Our first recipient was none other than Paula Poindexter, of the University of Texas – Austin.  Congratulations to Professor Poindexter.  She received her plaque from the heads of MAC and CSM during the AEJMC business meeting.

The nominations for this year’s award should be sent out by February 1, 2010, in hard copy and mailed to: AEJMC, 234 Outlet Pointe Boulevard, Suite A, Columbia, SC 29210-5667.  The awardee will be announced on April 1 and will be recognized in the 2010 AEJMC Convention Program.   A full description of the guidelines will follow in this newsletter.

Even though we were on chip reduction, the 8 sessions we co-sponsored each had 30 or more people in attendance!  We are in the process or planning our panels for AEJMC 2010 in Denver, and from what I’ve seen so far – it’s going to be another strong year with varied and interesting panels.

We have a lot of important work to accomplish this year, and I am looking forward to it!  First of all at our meeting, we decided to have a sub-committee do some thorough research into MAC sponsoring an online research journal.  If you have any information, thoughts or comments on this please contact one of the committee members:

Frances Ward-Johnson         fward2@elon.edu

Jerry Domatob                    jdomatob@yahoo.com

Anita Fleming-Rife                       anita.flemingrife@unco.edu

Kenneth Campbell                       kcampbell@sc.edu

Karen M. Turner                  kturner@temple.edu

Sharon Stringer                   sstringe@lhup.edu

The first report of this committee is due in December after the Mid-winter meeting in Florida.  I’ll keep you updated on our progress.

We are also trying to organize a MAC social, so be on the lookout for information on what our division will be doing for fun in Denver!

I would also like for our members to give me some feedback on how to increase MAC membership.  It seems that we have been at the same level for several years now, and the question of whether or not we were growing was raised during our last business meeting.

In August, discussed how our monetary awards had remained at the same level for several years.  I see possibilities in the idea of sponsorship.  So I’m asking for your help.  Please send me the names of possible sponsors for the awards that we contribute funding to – Lional Barrow Award to young scholars and the new Lionel Barrow Award for Distinguished Achievement in Diversity Research and Education for seasoned scholars.  With the addition of sponsorship, we would be able to increase the amount of the awards.  Please send me your ideas for sponsorship and for fundraising in general:  Jennifer Woodard – jwoodard@mtsu.edu.

Let’s have a great year together!

Jennifer Bailey Woodard

MAC Division Head 2009-2010

Middle Tennessee State University