February 18, 1992
Opinion
Media Issues: CABJ Explains
Endorsement of Wallsten
The Carolina Association of
Black Journalists’endorsementof
Peter Wallsten for Daily Tar Heel
editor was a landmark in the
organization’s h istory. The act was
a re-affiimation of the view that
blacks arc notamonolithic people,
despite what the media would like
for people to think.
Since last year, CABJ has
strived to be a voice not only fw
blacks but mcx'e importantly, black
journalists. Such an opportunity
was p^sented Feb.4 at a DTH
editor candidates’ forum,
sponsored by The Daily Tar Heel,
Society of Professional Journalists
and CABJ.
While the Black Student
Movement had already endorsed
Wendy Bounds and Dacia Toll for
editor, CABJ also had an
obligation. As an organization
dedicated to good journalism, it
was essential to follow its own
lead. Which candidate could best
reprcsescntboth the journalism and
black communities collectively
and accurately?
The endorsement of Wallsten
over Toll and Bounds illustrates
that although two organizations
may have the same goal—fair
representation of blacks in the
media—each have their own
respective agenda for achieving
such a goal.
During the forum, CABJ’s
responsibility was as journalists
and blacks.two equally important
obligations. Each candidate was
fustjudgedonhisor her knowledge
and respect for the field of
journalism. Issues such as accuracy
and journalistic integrity within
the newsroom were at the forefront
Once this was established,
CABJ then looked for the candidate
who would take it upon him or
herself to increase black (and
overall minority) representation
in the DTH’s newsroom and retain
these individuals. The organization
wanted to support the candidate
who was in touch with the black
community.
Peter Wallsten possess all these
qualifications.
Journalistically, Wallsten is
aggressive. It takes aggressiveness
to head a newsroom. In addition to
being a (City) editor, he is also a
teacher. CABJ members who
worked under Wallsten verified that
he works closely with reporters.
This act is very important in that
many of the problems with the DTH
have been inaccurate information
(such as the now-infamous “Kappa
Alpha Psi Sorority” mistake) and
bad reporting.
Wallsten’s commitment to
working with reportere, and his other
proposals, such as creating liasions
between the DTH and BSM,
demonstrate a concern for accuracy
and the training of students to
become better reporters. Better
reporters make better news
coverage, no matter what the
subject
In addition, the forum was an
opportunity to see how each
candidate addressed his or her
concerns, plans for the paper and
journalism experience. Where some
were defensive and vague, Wallsten
was relaxed and specific. He had
done research and presented an
outline plan of his intentions.
There was more than an
endorsement at stake during the
forum. There was an
organization’s credibility.
Because of its two-fold mission,
CABJ was able to go beyond the
campaign posters and promises.
Our know ledge of the field enabled
us to ask the right kind of questions
and pass accurate judgement on
each candidate’s qualification.
Again, while the media try to
make us feel something is terribly
amiss when there is division in the
black community overaparticular
issue, we cannot allow the media
to wedge a permanent partition of
divisiveness through our unity.
CABJ and the BSM’s different
endorsements prove this point.
Blacks have never been a
monolithic people. As a diverse
community, we should recognize
that it is okay to disagree. We also
must learn to go beyond the
political rhetoric and empty
{TOmises. Itis essential thatblacks
themselves begin to choose their
allies with more consideration.
The Media Issues writer was
Jacqueline Charles.
Myron ?imJBlack Ink
Wallsten (above) received the CABJ endorsement
because he fulFilled all their requirements.
Carolina Brothers
Assume Too much
By Valerie Fields
Guest Columnist
I wonder if professors enjoy watching us struggle. I wonder why
bobsledding is actually considered a sport in the Olympics. I wonder if
(heaven forbid) polyester will ever come back in style. I wonder why the
sexes can’t get along. I wonder why we don t ski. I wonder why I’m talking
to myself, and what people are saying while I am. Just wondering...
I wonder why guys on this campus believe that once they get to
Carolina they “got it like that.” First, let me say that I had topics a lot more
interesting and thought-provoking than guys. But due to recent demand
and the need for a rebuttal to Wonderboy, this age-old discussion must
persist.
Again, I noticed that Wonderboy had the audacity to make reference lo
us beautiful black sisters with the B-word (Feb. 4). Well, it’s obvious that
he is oblivious to the fact that it is disrespectful, and that we don’t
appreciate it. As they say, you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. OK
Wonderboy, we’ll play by your rules this time. But if we’re all b s,
what does that make you the son of? Thought so.
Now, that is settled, let’s move on to the matters at hand. It is beyond
my comprehension why if you sp>eak to a guy on your way to class (or
anywhere else), you are suddenly “on his tip.” Somewhere I missed the
connection between “Hey. Hi’ya doin’” and “Oooh baby, you are so fine,
I want you to be mine—do me.”
Those phrases don’t sound alike, and they certainly don’t mean the
same thing. So, why do guys think they do? Trust me guys... “Hey. Hi’ya
doin’” means just that. If a female is interested in you, she will come up
with something more creative... ‘cause we got it like that.
For the sake of argument, let’s say that this girl is actually interested in
you (for argument’s sake only). Why do guys immediately assume that
she wants to settle down into a deep, meaningful relationship, get married,
have kids and live happily ever after? I mean, doesn’t that seem a bit far
fetched?
So then, as the story goes, the two begin to ‘ talk. ’ And for the most part,
there is a little genuine interest on both sides. But there’s a difference.
If the girl is interested, she might actually CALL you or stop by to say,
What s up’—a simple gesture of courtesy. It doesn’t mean that you two
are committed to each other for life, or that y’all can’t talk to other
people. Trust me, she is doing just that. Butno, y’all try to come off like
the Mac Daddy 2000 and start tri{pin’. And then, the infamous question
comes up? “Why is she sweatin’ me so hard?”
But of course, I forgot, y’all got it like that I-I-I-I-I don’t think so. It
only seems like you got it like that because by the time you’re an
upperclassmen, you’re outnumbered six to one by females on this campus.
Trust me... it s only the numbers working in your favor.
Moving on.
So... Mike Tyson fmally got his. I must confess that during this whole
ordeal I was kind of rooting for Mike—hoping that by some weird twist
of fate he was innocent and it was all some pathetic publicity stunt. Why?
Because I honestly hate to see another brother go down. But, you’ve got
to admit he s been asking for it I’m sure that had he gone to Carolina (or
any other institution for that matter), he would have been among the
multitude of guys who “got it like that” And I’m sure he would have taken
advantage of that six to one ratio.
I can imagine that the scenario that landed him a verdict of guilty for
See TYSON, Page 5